Pavement Whispers: Volume 513 June 24
From news of the opening date of King Street’s new specialty bakery to a deli addition for a cherished Italian restaurant, The Weekend Edition is always on the search for the latest food news in Brisbane, dedicated to ensuring its readers are in the know. When we put our ears to the pavement this week, this is what we found out …
Queen Amann Bakery
Earlier this year, we broke word of a brand-new bakery concept coming to King Street that will shine a light on an oft-overshadowed pastry – the kouign-amann. Well, we can reveal that Queen Amann Bakery – the brainchild of Larry Lim and Superthing owners Eddy Tice and Ania Kutek – will officially open to the public in the old King St Bakery premises at 7:00 am on Thursday June 26. If you need extra incentive to pop down and visit, the first 50 customers to show up from June 26–29 will score a free kouign-amann with any drink purchase. In addition to its signature kouign-amann, customers will also be able to get their hands on loaves of crusty sourdough, handcrafted focaccia, loaded sandwiches, fresh juices and specialty coffee. Keep your eyes peeled for an up-close look at Queen Amann Bakery soon.
Sardina Deli
Sandgate locals were spoiled with the 2024 arrival of seafood-centric Italian-inspired restaurant Acciuga, and now they’ve been blessed again with the recent launch of the Acciuga team’s new deli offshoot Sardina. Occupying a corner of the restaurant during the day, Sardina will sell a petite collection of premium Italian and Australian products, freshly baked loaves and focaccias, ready-to-eat meals perfect for lunch and dinner, vac-sealed family dinners, fresh pasta made in-house, and Australian-made and imported deli meat and cheeses, sliced to order. Soon, the range will expand with the addition of catering packages, homemade desserts and pastries, paninis and filled focaccias. Sardina Deli is now open from Tuesday to Sunday between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm.
birdees
Once the epicentre of Brisbane’s nightlife and a beloved party spot for backpackers and locals alike, birdees on Ann Street is set to reopen this week and commence an exciting new chapter after a multi-million dollar makeover. Nestled beneath the recently unveiled Beaumont Beer Garden, the reinvented venue blends its wild, nostalgic spirit with a sophisticated, industrial-luxe design, featuring immersive lighting and a cutting-edge sound system that sets the stage for late-night revelry. Reopening on Friday June 27, birdees will pay homage to its legendary past while launching into the future with curated DJ sets, live performances and themed nights like MONTY Fridays. With a multi-level layout and a heavy focus on audio-visual artistry, the new birdees will offer an inclusive yet elevated club experience where music culture – past, present and future – collides in unforgettable ways.
Mansfield Tavern and The Arena
After decades of operation as a beloved local watering hole with a 50-year legacy in live music, Mansfield Tavern has reopened its doors following a major renovation – unveiling a modernised venue that blends its classic pub roots with fresh, family-friendly appeal. The revamped space includes a bright and expansive bistro serving comfort food and fresh flavours, a landscaped courtyard with a kids’ play area, and a lively open-air beer garden that leads into a fully upgraded sports bar, which comes complete with a 6-m LED screen and new furnishings. The iconic Rock Arena, now rebranded as The Arena, continues its tradition of live music while expanding its entertainment schedule to include stand-up comedy and family events. To celebrate the relaunch, Mansfield Tavern is hosting a Locals Welcome Weekend from June 27–29, featuring live music, a barbecue, raffles, giveaways, kids’ entertainment and double loyalty points for patrons.
Chargrill Charlie’s
Brisbane Broncos player Jack Gosiewski and his partner Avalon McRae are bringing their favourite chicken joint Chargrill Charlie’s to Brisbane, marking the brand’s first foray into Queensland. The couple’s love for the storied Sydney-born franchise – where they shared their first date and many meals while living in Sydney – has inspired them to spearhead a new location in New Farm, which is opening on Saturday June 28. Known for its flavour-packed chargrilled chickens, schnitzels, burgers and wholesome salads, Chargrill Charlie’s has amassed a cult following since opening in Coogee in 1989. With over 20 outlets across New South Wales, the brand’s expansion will also include additional locations set to open West End and Bulimba in 2026.
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Landing Bakery
In case you missed the news last week, Scarborough will welcome Landing Bakery in August, a coastal-inspired venue from Jack Wakefield and Tom Cooney – the duo behind acclaimed Brisbane City caffeine dispensary, Anytime Coffee. Located at the base of The Oscar apartments near Scarborough Beach, the bakery will offer a curated selection of pastries, breads, sandwiches, sausage rolls, pies and specialty coffee brewed using a house blend from Vox Roasters. The interiors, envisioned by design studio Five Mile Radius and architect Matthew James Reynolds, will use recycled materials to reflect Scarborough’s red cliffs and coastal charm. Jack, a Scarborough local, has returned to his childhood stomping ground with a mission to enrich the suburb he grew up in, following the success of his now-sold cafe Good Company. Partnering with Tom – also a co-owner of acclaimed Toowong bakery Riser Bread – the two aim to create an innovative yet welcoming space with seasonal menus and house-made drinks. With seating inside and out, Landing Bakery is designed as both a casual beach pit stop and a cozy dine-in retreat, joining a growing wave of hospitality ventures transforming the peninsula.
Time & Temp
Also opening in early August is Time & Temp – a new pastry and coffee spot from Manning Young and Palita Cai, whose Melbourne pedigrees include stints at Proud Mary, Falco Bakery and Loafer Bread. Inspired by the precision required in baking and roasting, the duo’s venture is a minimalist, self-run operation focused on quality over quantity. Housed in the former Brewbakers space on Sandgate Road in Albion, Time & Temp will offer a rotating selection of seasonal pastries – think croissants, cardamom buns, fruit and savoury danishes – crafted by Palita, while Manning will run a streamlined coffee program centred on batch brews, including beans from Proud Mary and local roasters. Designed to suit their skills and foster community, the shop aims to fill the artisanal pastry void left in the neighbourhood, offering a welcoming, hands-on experience for locals. Click here to read more about Palita and Manning’s plans.