Explore Brisbane’s Culinary Highlights: A 48‑Hour Foodie Guide
Brisbane’s dining scene is ever-evolving and changing, from fast food and quick bites, to tapas and degustations and venues devoted entirely to sweets. If you’re in Brisbane for the weekend, you’re going to want suggestions on where to eat. From cheap and cheerful to gourmet feasts, we’ve put together a 48-hour dining itinerary that gives you the options you want and need.
Key:
$ = meals under $20: cheap and cheerful
$$ = mains under $35: excellent food with cash for drinks
$$$ = mains above $35: a gourmet dining affair
Friday night
Welcome to Brisbane! First port of call is a great dinner to set your weekend off on the right foot.
Eat Street Northshore
Eat Street Northshore: $
A street-food market with a twist, Eat Street is a food affair that’s exciting on the eyes and easy on the wallet. Set in shipping containers, take your pick of food from every cuisine you could possibly imagine. Entry is $2.50 and the location is a short CityCat ride from Brisbane’s CBD.
Sake: $$$
For a premiere Japanese dining experience in Brisbane, head to Sake. The menu showcases exquisite food – and if in doubt, order from the chef’s selection.
Saturday morning
You’ve either stuffed your face at Eat Street Northshore, or had a fabulous dinner out in Brisbane’s CBD – so a light breakfast is on the cards.
King Arthur Cafe
Nodo Donuts: $
Have your cake and eat it too, with a delicious, gluten-free doughnut made with love from NoDo Donuts located in Newstead and the CBD. These treats are so good you can eat them for breakfast!
Pearl Cafe: $
Woolloongabba is known for its antique shops, but before you go hunting a bargain – fuel up at Pearl Cafe. Don’t pass up the homemade butterscotch milkshake.
King Arthur Café: $
Fortitude Valley’s new darling, King Arthur Café, is the quintessential inner-city cafe. Expect to find a unique menu, excellent coffee and homemade baked goods.
Saturday lunch
Lunch time! Keep it cheap and cheerful, or indulge at Eagle Street Pier.
Miss Kay's
Fat Noodle: $
Luke Nguyen’s Fat Noodle is one of the best places in Brisbane City to get mains under $20 in a restaurant atmosphere.
Miss Kay’s: $
Dive in to this burger bar and leave your worries at the door. Stack on American cheese, maple bacon and mac ‘n’ cheese without extra thought.
Saturday dinner
Tonight’s the night to spoil yourself – after all, Saturday only comes around once a week.
E'cco Bistro
Boundary Street Markets: $
This evening food and shopping market is held at an old ice-cream factory in West End. It’s rustic, it’s real and there's often free live music at The Motor Room.
Bacchus: $$$
Dress up fancy and head to Bacchus. The South Bank restaurant does fine dining Modern Australian cuisine.
E’cco: $$$
One of Brisbane’s oldest restaurants, 20 years of adapting to change has kept Philip Johnson’s e’cco at the forefront of dining in Brisbane.
Sunday brunch
We’re sending you out to Fortitude Valley to explore James Street’s shopping
Campos Coffee
Campos Coffee: $
Located down a laneway, Campos Coffee is the perfect place to eat before exploring the best of Fortitude Valley.
Gerard’s Bistro: $
For an exotic breakfast, head to Gerard’s. The Middle Eastern menu will force you out of your comfort zone (read: eggs and bacon) and kick-start your day exploring James Street.
Chow House: $
Whether you’re after a classic breakfast, a healthy start or an Asian twist, Chow House does it all and does it well.
Sunday late lunch
Head over to South Bank for a late lunch. It’s the perfect place to wander about, take time to smell the roses in the parklands and there is always events on.
The Spaghetti House: $$
Bring your familia to meet this familia in South Bank. Keep it simple with rustic Italian food and a vino or two and some tall stories.
Cove Bar & Dining: $$
River Quay in South Bank has grass that rolls down to the water’s edge and experiences stunning views of the city – and on Sundays there is live music. Cove is located at the top of the green – making it the perfect place to sit back, relax and indulge.
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