Mother’s Day is this weekend – here are some last-minute ideas on how to spoil the mums in your life
It’s that special time of year again where we get to celebrate the motherly figures in our lives with a day dedicated just to them. While finding something worthy of Mum is no easy feat – we’ve rounded up the best festivities on offer this year – from bottomless brunches to heavenly high teas, delicious dinners and unique experiences.
Brisbane Quarter, Brisbane City: Brisbane Quarter is rolling out the red carpet for the maternal presences in our lives this Mother’s Day. Squire your special mama on over for wonderful ways to show your appreciation. Brisbane Phoenix has curated a Mother’s Day $65 Yum Cha set menu, brimming with delicious dim sum and share plates. Brisbane Quarter’s resident Italian eatery Persone will be opening on Sunday especially to let mums munch on their exquisite a la carte menu of moreish antipasti, freshly made pasta, pizza, succulent meats and signature tiramisu. You may like to enjoy a Japanese Buffet at Tenya, take up the Mother-daughter couture offer from Wil Valor or sip a pretty in pink cocktail at Living Room Bar. You can indulge in a delectable three-course meal with breathtaking river views at The Lex, W Brisbane or mix it up and give mum the gift of pure relaxation at the AWAY Spa with an exclusive Mother’s Day offer of primping and pampering.
Rydges South Bank, South Brisbane: Bacchus is doubling the love this Mother’s Day – on Saturday May 10 and Sunday May 11, the celebrated venue will be offering a bespoke Mother’s Day High Tea where you can spoil your mum, or a mum-like figure, with an afternoon of exquisite treats and bubbles. Those who book in on Sunday can experience an unforgettable acoustic set by award-winning live-looping artist Alisha Todd.
The Star, Brisbane City: The Star Brisbane is offering a million ways to tell your loved ones that, to you, they’re worth a million bucks. Take your mum sky-high with a luxurious Mother’s Day lunch at Aloria where you can indulge in an elegant four-course meal and stunning city views, plus complimentary petit fours to take home. Celebrate in style with an exquisite Japanese-inspired five-course shared feast at Sokyo, or relish a roster of heart-warming Italian dishes at Cucina Regina. You can even surprise your leading lady with a surprise ‘starcation’ at The Star Grand, or a gift card to enjoy everything the resort has to offer.
Vikasati Brisbane, Red Hill: This Mother’s Day, give your mum – or the special woman in your life – the opportunity to step away from the everyday rush and truly unwind in a tranquil and luxurious setting at Vikasati. The innovative Red Hill bathhouse and wellness centre offers so much more than a typical spa day – it’s a sanctuary designed for deep recovery and rejuvenation. Whether it’s a moment of peace and solitude, or a fun and relaxing experience with a group of friends, Vikasati is the perfect escape any day or night of the week. For Mother’s Day, give the gift of wellness in the form of a 90-minute Vikasati bathhouse session and let her enjoy the soothing warmth of the traditional Finnish sauna, immerse in the revitalising hot and cold magnesium pools, and experience the powerful effects of the 5-degree ice bath, designed to reduce inflammation and ease muscle tension. The bathhouse sessions offer a complete journey for body and mind, and will leave her feeling refreshed and revitalised.
Distillery Road Market, Eagleby: Venture slightly out of the city to the annual Mother’s Day Soiree at Distillery Road Market (DRM) on the day before Mother’s Day, Saturday May 10. This action-packed market will feature a vibrant mix of stalls hawking everything from fresh flowers and unique jewellery to artisan candles, delicious jams and honey, and so much more. Treat mum to a delicious meal at one of the five restaurants in the Food & Entertainment District (F.E.D), which opens from 11:00 am for lunch and dinner. Enjoy mouth-watering Mexican at Posadas Cantina and smoked meats at Sugarcreek Smoke House, grab a craft beer at Perentie Brewing Co’s taphouse and beer garden, and sip at the Tequila Bar. DRM’s Mother’s Day Soiree will also feature live music and entertainment throughout the day, themed photo moments with mum and fun-filled activities for the whole family.
You might like
King St, Bowen Hills: Still looking for the perfect gift for Mother’s Day? Community creatives The Market Folk are holding a special Mother’s Day Market in the lively King St precinct from 4:00–8:00 pm on Friday May 9. The afternoon will be filled with live entertainment, gourmet bites from local King St foodie spots and stalls filled with artisan goodies to peruse. With live musicians, a portrait artist, an interactive clay wheel and giveaways galore, it’s sure to make for a magical market experience.
Regatta Hotel, Toowong: Forget breakfast in bed, treat your mum to a morning of indulgence at Regatta Hotel’s Mother’s Day Boatshed Breakfast. Featuring a delectable spread of culinary delights from fluffy pancakes adorned with fresh berries to savoury omelettes bursting with flavourful ingredients, you’ll be glad you got out of bed. If a sleep-in is essential to your mama, you can spoil her with a three-course set luncheon crafted by the Regatta’s head chef from 12:00–3:00 pm.
Wickham Hotel, Fortitude Valley: The Valley’s iconic Wickham Hotel is offering up a lively option for your Mother’s Day celebration with an all-inclusive, Mother’s Day Drag Brunch. Celebrate your favourite maternal figures, whether it’s your mum, chosen mum, or a squad of designated mum friends with a bottomless brunch, complete with performances from drag mum-and-daughter duo Yana Michelle and Vollie LaVont, tunes from DJ Sammy and more, for $89 per person.
Supernormal, Brisbane City: Supernormal will be open from 11:30 am until late this Mother’s Day, offering Supernormal Slings and a special $120 per person banquet menu featuring Moreton Bay bug toast, raw scallop with seaweed cracker, New England lobster rolls, vegetable dumplings, line-caught wild barramundi with lovage and kombu sauce, and a decadent Valrhona chocolate dessert with caramelised miso and sesame.
Layla, West End: Shane Delia’s blockbuster West End restaurant is pulling out all of the stops for Mother’s Day this year, offering a long lunch that blends vibrant flavours with soul-infused hospitality. Layla and 4BC are putting on a family afternoon hosted by Bill McDonald and Shane Delia, alongside a generous three-course Middle-Eastern inspired feast. Enjoy canapes and a signature cocktail on arrival before sampling menu staples like flatbread brushed in toum and fennel seed za’atar, the ‘Layla’ fattoush, and whipped knafeh with lemon verbena syrup, vanilla bean and lime ice-cream.
Ciao Papi, Brisbane City: This riverside eatery is transforming into Ciao Mami this Mother’s Day with its generous share-style lunch. Enjoy a selection of Italian dishes from homemade focaccia and whipped ricotta to fresh pasta and woodfired chicken with delicious sides, finishing with a white chocolate semifreddo. For $110 per person, the lunch experience lets you unwind and feast while taking in sweeping views of Brisbane.
Pilloni, West End: This Mother’s Day, Pilloni invites guests to celebrate the strength and warmth of mothers the Sardinian way – through food, family, and heartfelt tradition. On Sunday May 11, enjoy a special lunch or dinner featuring a $99 per person set menu (minimum two guests) inspired by the kitchens of Sardinia, or opt for its a la carte menu. Dishes include house-made focaccia with whipped bottarga, chickpea tart with WA sashimi red prawns, deep-fried local seafood, anolini with tomato butter, S. Kidman wagyu rump cap, roasted potatoes with rosemary and Sardinian tiramisu.
Petite, Fortitude Valley: The newest resident of East Street’s restaurant strip is teaming up with its sibling venues to offer a cracking Mother’s Day lunch banquet this year. For $100 per person, guests can immerse themselves in Petite’s chic surroundings, enjoying a sparking upon arrival before savouring entrees from Snack Man and mains from Happy Boy.
Southside, South Brisbane: Celebrate Mother’s Day at Southside with bookings open from 11:30am across all areas of the restaurant with no set menu required. Guests can enjoy Southside’s la carte or banquet offerings, plus a selection of exclusive one-day-only food and drink specials crafted just for the occasion. Highlights include handmade ‘Goldfish’ prawn dumplings in supreme broth, golden ‘Lantern’ puffs with caramelised pineapple and Davidson plum, and crispy rainbow beef with Peking sauce and golden sesame.
Stanley, Fortitude Valley: The waterfront restaurant might be famed for its Sunday Yum Cha service but this Sunday May 11, it will be hosting Mum Cha instead. This celebratory take on the beloved dining experience features a banquet of delights exclusively designed for the occasion. Start with a complimentary cocktail on arrival and be satiated by a sensational procession of plates like oysters, Moreton Bay bugs, local coral trout and a coconut tart for dessert. With both lunch and dinner services available, Mum Cha is $149 per person, with champagne packages available as well.
May Mae’s, New Farm: The Brisbane Powerhouse precinct will play host to an exciting line-up of food, drinks and festivities this Mother’s Day. Riverside restaurant Mary Mae’s is offering a buffet of buffets to choose for breakfast, brunch or lunch, all featuring a variety of sweet and savoury favourites. Plus, brunch and lunch guests will enjoy a complimentary glass of Mumm Marlborough sparkling wine on arrival.
The Fifty Six at Naldham House, Brisbane City: Celebrate Mother’s Day with The Fifty Six’s first-ever yum cha Feast, featuring a curated selection of the restaurant’s favourite dishes, including mantou buns with salted-egg butter, scallop and prawn siu mai, sweet-and-sour Berkshire pork, Cantonese char ciu fried rice, and Amazake rice pudding. Enjoy one of two seatings at 11:00 am or 2:00 pm for $95 per person, with optional wine pairing available for an additional cost.