From footy fever to raceday revelry – where to drink and dine near Brisbane’s best sporting precincts
If there’s one thing Brisbane can’t get enough of, it’s sport. The thrill of competition runs in our blood, be it rugby, AFL, cricket, netball or racing. With this year’s footy season in full swing, we decided to assemble a round-up of some of the best places to dine around our major competitive epicentres, including The Gabba, Suncorp Stadium and Eagle Farm Racecourse. These places don’t happen by chance – Brisbane City Council has helped shape the city’s sporting precincts, each of which boasts plenty of goal-kicking dining destinations.
The Gabba
There’s always a palpable buzz around The Gabba at this time of year, as locals are turning out in full force for the AFL and AFLW seasons. No matter which guernsey you wear to the stadium, the vibes around The Gabba are always immaculate on game day – especially at its surrounding eateries and watering holes.
If you’re joining the throng at any point this season, here’s where you can cop a feed. Across from the stadium sits Woolloongabba’s famous Logan Road cul-de-sac, home to some of Brisbane’s special bars and nosh spots. At Easy Times Brewing Company, guests can quaff locally made beers, cocktails and whiskies, while chomping on bar bites, pizzas and rolls from Mr Badgers next door. Also on the strip is The One Mile, a pub pouring some of the best Guinness in town alongside paddock-to-plate pub fare.
At cozy vintage bar Electric Avenue, you’ll find British-inspired gastro fare and signature cocktails, while Lemak Kitchen & Bar’s Southeast Asian comfort food is perfect for warming up before or after the mid-winter fixtures. Fancy something elevated? It doesn’t get much better than the Roman-style cuisine at 1889 Enoteca – a veritable institution of Brisbane’s dining scene.
As always, public transport is your best bet for getting to this part of town, with ample Council bus stops and the Mowbray Park CityCat terminal within walking distance.
Elsewhere in Woolloongabba, venues like the Brisbane German Club (a popular go-to for a pre-kick-off pork knuckle or post-win stein) and bang-on barbecue spot Frankie’s Smokehouse are only a short distance from the stadium. Further along Logan Road you’ll find Little G and its menu of primo pizzas, while South City Square (only a bus stop or two away) boasts an assortment of casual eateries to get you fed before the bounce.
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Suncorp Stadium
There’s no shortage of great nosh spots near Suncorp Stadium, so getting a bite during the 2026 NRL and Super Rugby seasons is no problem. Council has ensured the area is well serviced during the season – we suggest getting there by rail (Milton station is only 500 metres from the stadium) or catching a bus to The City and stretching your legs with a short walk down Roma Street.
The closest cluster of chow spots to The Cauldron sits up on Caxton Street and at The Barracks, with long-running venues like Spanish-inspired Moda, French-Vietnamese-influenced Libertine, The Caxton Hotel, Lefty’s Music Hall and The Lord Alfred enduring as tried-and-true options. As for the strip’s relative newcomers, the Modern Australian cuisine at TELLUS Bar & Dining, Caxton Street Brewing Co.’s beers and burgers, and La Carmela’s Mexican-style eats are also worth trying.
You’re similarly spoiled for choice on the Paddington side of the stadium, with the iconic Paddo Tavern – a popular pre-game meeting point – serving pub feeds, pints and plenty of game-day atmosphere. Few foods pair with sport better than pizza, and Paddington is home to one of Brisbane’s best pizza joints. At Elementi on Given Terrace, watch a world-class pizzaiolo throw dough while enjoying slice after slice. Just down the road at Ngon, footy fans can fuel up on piping-hot bowls of pho, twice-cooked pork belly and roasted duck curry.
Eagle Farm Racecourse
When spring racing season arrives, Eagle Farm Racecourse will become a hotbed of activity. Racecourse Road, in particular, will be a lively spot to be, with well-dressed revellers no doubt looking for a pre-derby drink or a post-race debrief.
Hop off the CityCat at the Bretts Wharf ferry terminal and cross Kingsford Smith Drive and you’ll arrive at the Hamilton Hotel, where the beers are cold, the menu is broad (fish tacos and bug and crab cannelloni – don’t mind if we do!) and the vibes are on point. Further along Racecourse Road, you’ll come across top-tier sandwich joint Sarni and iconic noodle spot, Taro’s Ramen – pop in if you’re in the mood for tonkotsu but make sure you don’t get broth on your fine threads. Before heading into Eagle Farm Racecourse, grab a coffee from Freddie’s – you’ll need to keep your energy levels high once the races commence.
Howard Smith Wharves
Yes, we know that Howard Smith Wharves doesn’t have a stadium to call its own, but it is a great spot to visit when your team is playing an away game (or if you happen to be an interstate visitor looking to catch a match back home).
With a big screen affixed to the side of the Felons Barrel Hall and plenty of tables to book, you’ll still be able to catch your team live. And with a diverse menu of delicious eats (think pork and cabbage dumplings, Thai beef salad, cheeseburgers and massaman curries) delivered right to your table, this riverside hub is giving the couch and its at-home comforts a run for its money. If you need more, Yoko and Mr Percival’s are great places to celebrate a win or commiserate over a loss.
Council has made sure that the Howard Smith Wharves precinct is easily accessible via CityCat and the Brisbane Riverwalk. Also, with Fortitude Valley nearby, this area is well-serviced by public transport, meaning that there’s even more reason to come and root for your teams.
This article was written in partnership with our friends at Brisbane City Council, who have helped shape lifestyle precincts like South City Square, Caxton Street, The Barracks, Racecourse Road and Howard Smith Wharves.
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