Embark on a food adventure with a tour of Brisbane’s best dining precincts
There’s no denying it – Brisbane is a food city on the rise. With big-name hospitality figures carving out territory alongside some incredible local players, there’s never been a better time to be a foodie in Brisbane. Did you know that Brisbane City Council has had a hand in shaping the places you love to dine? From vibrant waterfront hubs to glitzy thoroughfares, there’s a destination for every foodie. If you’re keen to show interstate visitors just how impressive our food-and-drink scene has become, we’ve listed four thriving dining precincts that encapsulate the city’s sheer versatility and level of quality.
James Street
If you’re looking for a healthy mix of cuisines, James Street is hard to ignore. Regarded as Brisbane’s high street, the ultra-chic strip is flush with eateries, many of which are regarded amongst the best in the country. If you’re looking for unique or VIP offerings – from morning to lunch and evening – you’ve come to the right place.
Inside The Calile Hotel (one of the best accommodation spots in the world) sits Hellenika, the crown-jewel of the St Albans hospitality brand. Founded on the Gold Coast by Simon Gloftis in 2010 before relocating to James Street in 2018, Hellenika’s menu of modern Greek cuisine and enviable location on the hotel’s iconic pool deck make it a must-visit dining destination.
On the other side of Ada Lane sits sAme sAme and Bianca – two meticulously designed venues from Anyday Group that deliver the goods on Thai- and Italian-inspired cuisine. If Middle Eastern is more your thing, then you can’t look past The Green – a gorgeous eatery specialising in Lebanese-inspired delights, such as chargrilled chicken skewers with harissa and toum, falafel with green tahini, fire-roasted lamb cutlets, and shawarma spiced lamb shoulder.
Howard Smith Wharves
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One of the biggest development projects in recent memory, Howard Smith Wharves is the result of a collaborative effort with Council that has helped redefine a heritage-laden piece of Brisbane’s waterfront into a hotbed of high-end hospitality.
This primo waterfront precinct packs a lot of quality into its riverside grounds, with diners free to choose between a number of top-notch restaurants every night of the week. If you’re looking to impress, Mr Percival’s is a great place to book. This overwater bar isn’t just a smashing spot to soak up views of The City, but also snack on seafood (including freshly shucked Sydney Rock oysters, grilled king prawns, baked scallops and Moreton Bay bug rolls), crispy pizzas and succulent steak frites.
Just near Mr Percival’s sits a restaurant offering a similarly elevated dining experience, but with different cuisines at the fore. The Apollo Group’s Yoko, a slick split-level Japanese-inspired restaurant, is perpetually packed with diners. Slide into a booth and go to town on the likes of miso-glazed eggplant, fresh sashimi, charcoal chicken with garlic mustard, wagyu kushiyaki and miso caramel soft-serve.
South City Square
This Woolloongabba precinct’s emergence as a hot-to-trot hub of quality dining didn’t happen overnight but, thanks to Council’s approval of the visionary masterplan, locals of the inner south now have a trending pocket of culinary delights to call their own.
Many of the venues here are operated by Talisman Group, which has built a sensational portfolio on the back of incredible concepts such as South City Wine and Sasso Italiano. Where South City Wine delivers a dashing take on French-style wine caves, Sasso is boldly (and proudly) Italian at heart.
South City Square also offers a raft of dining options for those looking for a more casual outing – Sue’s Burgers and Shakes is bringing back the old-school American-style diner, while Chilli Coco’s authentic Thai flavours are beloved by the precinct’s residents and the broader foodie community alike.
Oxford Street
One of Brisbane’s most well-established restaurant strips, this bustling Bulimba boulevard – located a short CityCat trip from the inner city – is bursting at the seams with quality nosh spots. If you start at Oxford Street’s river end you’ll quickly come across Bellissimo Coffee, a neighbourhood cafe serving some of the best specialty coffee in the city, alongside chilli scrambled eggs, deep-fried corn fritters, smash-patty burgers, Belgian-style waffles and much more.
Nearby, Melrose – a chic contemporary Pan-Asian restaurant and cocktail bar – wows with dishes like confit-duck red curry, pork knuckle coated in master stock caramel, and slipper lobster rolls with spicy tamarind mayo. Downstairs sits Darvella Patisserie, a go-to spot to source phenomenal pastries, breads and specialty cakes, as well as locally made Swiss cheeses and meats, savoury pastries and sandwiches.
Not too far away you’ll find Cartel Del Taco on Hawthorne Road. One of the most authentic Mexican-inspired taquerias in Brisbane, Cartel Del Taco is known for its exceptional tacos, top-tier margaritas and electric atmosphere.
This article was written in partnership with our friends at Brisbane City Council.