Cafes

Idle, New Farm: Since it opened in late June, Idle has been perpetually jam-packed. We mean busy – like, really busy. But what did you expect from the spiritual successor to Agnes Bakery, one of Brisbane’s most beloved pastry spots? Anyday’s brand-new venue isn’t Agnes Bakery 2.0, though – it’s bigger, brighter and more ambitious. When the Anyday brains trust – Tyron Simon, Bianca Marchi, Ben Williamson and Frank Li – decided to close their James Street bakery, they did so in order to create a concept that could offer the community more than killer croissants and sourdough loaves. At Idle, located on Merthyr Road in New Farm, not only can patrons pick from head baker Mitch Suchowacki’s sensational range of baked goods (we are loving the tonka bean kouign-amann), but also a suite of stacked sandwiches, fresh salads and a dine-in menu of Euro-style brunch dishes. Coupled with a marketplace offering of primo pantry fillers and an Italian-inspired retro-futurist aesthetic crafted by Tamsin Johnson, Idle is a one-of-a-kind hybrid venue that is setting a new standard for daytime destinations in Brisbane.

So What Stereo, Fortitude Valley: Akin to the thrill of stumbling upon a rare vinyl tucked inside a dusty sleeve, So What Stereo is one of the most exciting finds of the year – an off-the-beaten-path cafe that’s fast become one of Brisbane’s standout breakfast spots. Hidden on Little Street in Fortitude Valley, this kaleidoscopic, mid-century-tinged haven – dreamed up by owners Kawid Brikshavana and Ratinan Rattanathai – blends retro whimsy, sentimental treasures and an enviable vinyl collection spanning everything from jazz to punk. Kawid and Ratinan’s secretive space has been transformed into a vibrant tribute to family roots and vintage aesthetics, resulting in a room that hums with personality. But it’s the menu that makes So What Stereo truly sing – Thai-style breakfasts like khao soi, congee, kao lao sets and kai kon reimagine morning dining with bold flavours, backed by sublimely silky Single O coffee. And now with So What Stereo dabbling in nighttime trade, the venue is set to remain as a soulful and absolutely unforgettable addition to Brisbane’s dining scene.

You might like

Best Of

The Gold Coast’s best boutique wine shops for rare finds, natural drops and everyday sips

Best Of

Tuck into tacos, tequila and taquitos at the Gold Coast’s best Mexican restaurants

Time & Temp, Albion: Time & Temp might have been one of the more low-key openings to occur this year, but it’s also been one of the most impressive. This tiny Sandgate Road bakery from Palita Cai and Manning Young quietly flung open its roller door in the final days of July and has sold out nearly every weekend since then. With Palita’s top-tier pastry skills (honed at Melbourne institutions Falco Bakery and Loafer Bread) and Manning’s dialled-in coffee curation, Time & Temp is all about doing things right – think flaky croissants made with Pepe Saya butter, batch brew only (no flat whites here) and a menu that flexes with the seasons. No fluff, no compromises – just an honest, quality-driven bakery that has clearly hit a nerve with locals.

You might like

Best Of

The Gold Coast’s best boutique wine shops for rare finds, natural drops and everyday sips

Best Of

Tuck into tacos, tequila and taquitos at the Gold Coast’s best Mexican restaurants

Bars

Dark Blue, Fortitude Valley: Hannah Wagner did something incredibly special when she opened Dark Red in 2022. Known as a welcoming port in the heart of the storm known as Fortitude Valley, the wine bar has become a beloved go-to for many thanks to its ever-changing Italian wine list and the warm, personal touch of Hannah and her furry sidekick Daisy. But could she do it again? It turns out that yes, she can. Hannah expanded her footprint in the nightlife precinct with Dark Blue – a more refined, yet still approachable bar located in the heritage-listed Shannon’s Building at the entrance to Winn Lane. Boasting a moody, romantic aesthetic with a New York loft-style vibe, Dark Blue leans more heavily into cocktails than Dark Red, with a Mediterranean-inspired list of boozy concoctions curated by Charlie Hunter (formerly of Savile Row), offering inventive twists like the Med Martini and Caramel Carajillo. Wine remains a key focus, but this time Hannah is spotlighting Portuguese, Argentinian and Chilean varieties. Throw in some conservas and snacks, and it’s no wonder Dark Blue is considered on par with its older sibling.

Death & Co, Toowong: Nearly two decades after reshaping modern mixology and securing a cult-like place in global cocktail culture, famed NYC-born cocktail bar Death & Co opened its first international locations. To the surprise of many, Brisbane was tapped to be the home of one of these overseas outposts. According to founder David Kaplan, Brisbane was chosen not through strategy but affection, a place whose culture and lifestyle seemed perfectly suited to Death & Co’s brand of hospitality. Nestled beneath the Regatta Hotel in the space previously home to The Walrus Club, Death & Co Brisbane transforms the site’s heritage bones into an intimate, candlelit haven anchored by a marble bar, a moody atmosphere and a sense of discovery. True to its ethos, the venue blends top-tier, subtly innovative drinks with an emphasis on hospitality and human connection, offering an expansive menu of modern classics, Brisbane-only creations and thoughtful snacks that complement the craft. While equipped to stand among the city’s best, David insists Death & Co aims not to dominate, but to contribute – reflecting Brisbane’s own character and helping elevate its cocktail scene on the world stage.

Shaman, Brisbane City: The newest and most ambitious bar concept from Brisbane hospitality stalwart Peter Hollands is easily one of 2025’s standout openings. Tucked away beneath a historic building on Edward Street, Shaman is a timeless, guest-first cocktail haven built to last. The subterranean rum-and-tequila den channels the fluid, soulful energy of Carlos Santana while weaving together two of Hollands’ long-held concepts: a laidback beers-and-margaritas day spot and a globally minded rum bar. The result is an inviting, detail-rich space that balances chaos with classic warmth, offering a back-to-basics cocktail program built on precision, juiced-to-order citrus and a collection of around 100 rums and 50 tequilas. With its dynamic playlist, unique rituals (like ice-cold Estrella served straight from the crate) and Hollands’ signature commitment to creating venues that feel instantly lived-in yet enduring, Shaman stands out not as a niche experiment but as a future Brisbane institution – an effortlessly welcoming bar designed for many great nights to come.

Restaurants

Golden Avenue, Brisbane City: It’s been a milestone year for the Anyday crew, which officially unveiled its seventh venue Golden Avenue in August. Joining the ranks of acclaimed siblings Agnes, sAme sAme, hôntô, Biànca, LOS Bar and Idle, Golden Avenue had plenty to live up to – and it didn’t just meet expectations, it blew them out of the water. Marking the first inner-city venture for Anyday, the Edward Street newcomer is a grand, vibrant oasis bringing the bold flavours of the Middle East to Brisbane’s heart. Skylights and a retractable roof allows natural light to spill into the space designed by J.AR OFFICE, imbuing the textured tiles, palm trees and pink juparana granite with a lively warmth. Golden Avenue’s humble yet expertly crafted menu invites guests to share dishes like buttermilk-brined fried quail, mechoui lamb shoulder and swordfish shish with hawaij sauce, all while the sounds of the Habibi Funk playlist bounce around the room. Alongside The French Exit (a brand-new showstopper that opened a smidge too late to make this list), Golden Avenue is forming the beating heart of a food precinct that’s aiming to reshape the inner-city dining scene. 

Marlowe, South Brisbane: With its two-level bistro Marlowe, Fanda Group shifted gears, pivoting from its usual passport-stamping dining concepts to something distinctly closer to home. Set inside the heritage-listed Merivale Flats on Fish Lane, Marlowe exchanges global flair for nostalgia, delivering a deeply Australian experience wrapped in vintage charm. Designed by J.AR Office and built by Lowry Group, Marlowe has transformed a 1930s-era apartment block into a multi-roomed dining space that feels equal parts Art-Deco treasure and family living room. Executive chef Ollie Hansford has put his fine-dining pedigree to good use, reimagining retro classics using premium local produce – think coral trout Wellington, curried-crab brioche and a heavyweight mixed grill. The drinks program is just as ambitious, with a cocktail list spiked with native botanicals and a 200-strong wine cellar stacked with back-vintage Aussie gems. More than just another opening, Marlowe is a love letter to Australian dining – one that celebrates memory, place and the timeless pleasure of a well-cooked meal.

Winnifred’s, Fortitude Valley: This ambitious, multi-level Champagne haven in Fortitude Valley is the result of owner Megan Nunn’s decade-long obsession with grower Champagne. Boasting a 14,000-bottle cellar (one of the largest in the southern hemisphere) and five distinct spaces named after Champagne sub-regions, every detail is intentional and elevated. The venue pairs rare, sustainably made cuvees with a French-leaning menu from acclaimed chef Antoine Potier, all wrapped in sleek design and warm hospitality. It’s not just a Champagne bar – it’s a serious game-changer for Brisbane’s dining scene and and hands down one of the strongest openings of the year.

Want to learn more about how Brisbane’s food scene evolved in 2025? Be sure to check out our full round-ups of Brisbane’s best new cafes, bars and restaurants of 2025.