The Brisbane precincts guide to exploring the city like a local

The central business district, as the name would suggest, is all about bossin’ 9-5 style, but once that end-of-day whistle goes, the city crew like to let their hair down at a growing selection of slick eateries and drinking establishments.

From city laneways to riverside hotspots, the city is filled with plenty of cafe, bar and restaurant-loaded arteries leading to its beating heart… some more hidden than others! Get your bearings with a free Brisbane Greeters tour by day and hit up all your favourite spots by night.

You’ll need to be in-the-know to find Brew, the cool, grungy cafe and wine bar hiding down lower Burnett Lane that transitions seamlessly from coffees in the AM to after-work drinks. The name may sound grim, but you’re guaranteed a good night out at Death and Taxes. Behind the grand double wood doors in Burnett Lane, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time. The friendly service, green leather booths and floor-to-ceiling bar shelves stocked with whiskies, rums, gins and spirits galore add to the old-world charm. That's the beauty of exploring Brisbane City - there's just as much fun to be had at hole-in-the-wall casual spots like 80's rock'n'roll bar Alice, as there is in one of the glitzy fine diners, such as award-winning Exhibition or trendy Donna Chang.

Want great vibes and even greater views? Howard Smith Wharves is the best place to go for drinks and dinner beside Brisbane River. Felons Brewing is a crowd favourite for local brews and wood-fired pizza right on the water, but you'll find a smorgasbord of flavours to explore from Italian diners to Japanese restaurants, gelato shops and overwater bars.

Far from a concrete jungle, the City Botanic Gardens and Roma Street Parklands are sprawling green spaces to explore, or have a picnic and kick off your shoes. Shop up a storm along Queen Street Mall and Edward Street, or delve into local history and touring art exhibitions at Museum of Brisbane - ending with a tour into the iconic City Hall clock tower.

Stay tuned for August 2024, when the highly-anticipated Queens Wharf precinct throws open its doors for the first time, offering locals and visitors new spots to love with sky-high bars and dining, a casino, hotels and more.

Getting there: Brisbane's CityCat ferries connect to numerous stops around Brisbane City (North Quay, QUT Gardens Point, Riverside and Howard Smith Wharves). Trains stop at Roma Street and Central Station, and there's an extensive network of buses.    

Fortitude Valley

Fortitude Valley is as eclectic as it is pumping. Amazing restaurants and bars, grungy music halls and nightclubs galore, the Valley’s popularity as a day-to-night destination shows no sign of waning anytime soon.

An appreciation of music of all kinds runs deep in Fortitude Valley. You’re pretty much guaranteed to find live music playing somewhere most nights of the week, between The Fortitude Music Hall, The Tivoli, The Brightside, and unexpected places like burger joint Greaser every Thursday to Sunday night.

James Street is what sets shopping in Brisbane apart. The leafy street feels like a walk in the park, only there’s an array of boutique and designer shops dabbled along the way (Sass & Bide, Camilla and Marc, Molten jewellery, Living Edge and West Elm are just a few places to start). James Street’s food game is strong, too. Spoil yourself with something sweet from Jocelyn’s Provisions, taste some of the best Greek food this side of the continent at Hellenika, or feast on award-winning modern Middle Eastern cuisine at Gerard’s Bistro.

But its the hidden gems of Fortitude Valley that really make it sparkle. Away from the thumping beat of clubs and more flamboyant nightlife, you can sip the city's best cocktails behind an unmarked orange door at Savile Row; savour unique wines at intimate Bakery Lane wine bar, Dark Red; award-winning woodfired cooking at Agnes; moody vibes and incredible Japanese bites at Honto; and a chef-hatted degustation experience at 10-seater restaurant Joy. 

Getting there: Get off at Fortitude Valley Station or walk 20 minutes from the city.

New Farm, Teneriffe and Newstead

This precinct used to be the industrial hub of the city, but in more recent years has managed to execute a perfect 180. Residential apartments are popping up faster than you can say gentrification, so the low-key cafes, warehouse bars and breweries, neighbourhood restaurants and creative workspaces have followed suit like a flash of lightning. From leafy streets to converted woolstores, New Farm, Teneriffe and Newstead are uniquely Brisbane.

But it’s the simple things that make this neighbourhood special, like a walk along the riverfront pathways or a picnic in New Farm Park. When the weather is nice - and it pretty much always is - locals flock to this heritage-listed 37-acre park to find a shady spot under a jacaranda tree to enjoy cheese and wine or kick around a ball.

For those who appreciate a good craft beer, you’re in the right neighbourhood. Do a short brewery tour of Green Beacon on Helen Street, stop for a flavour-bending brew and Asian-fusion fare at Working Title, or split a pizza over a tasting paddle at Range.  

Soak up the river views from your Bar Alto table inside the historical Brisbane Powerhouse, which always has an exhbition or performance worth seeing. If you’re there on a Saturday morning, wander through the Jan Powers Farmers Market to pick up fresh produce from Brisbane’s best providores.

Looking for something unique? From the minds of beloved Brisbane band, Powderfinger, The Triffid is the northside’s live music venue that’s housed in an old WW2 hanger. Even if no bands are playing, the lush beer garden is a great place to hang out.

Getting there: The CityCat ferry makes stops at New Farm and Teneriffe, with buses connecting to the rest of the city.

Paddington

White picket fences, manicured lawns and a long, winding terrace bursting with enough boutiques, cafés and bars to keep a visitor more than occupied are all part of Paddington’s quaint charm.

Restored weatherboard houses and workers cottages have been converted into trendy cafes, each with their own unique identity. You’ll feel at home inside Chapter IV's old Queenslander digs, with big breakfasts and housemade waffles served alongside city views from the deck. The flavour is Middle Eastern-inspired at Anouk, and the dark timber furniture, greenery accents and exposed walls set the tone for a cosy, intimate evening. If you’re in the mood for sharing, Darling & Co’s bright interior and hand-stretched pizzas are pure sunshine for the senses, while Hope & Anchor offers great quality pub food. Date night? Noir is one for the wine-lovers.

Between meals, trawl the secondhand and vintage trail up and down Latrobe and Given Terraces. Or, uncover hidden treasures record store, Dutch Vinyl, or  antiques emporium, Empire Revival, which is overflowing with jewellery, fashion, furniture and homewares, all with a story to tell.

Getting there: Paddington is frequented by Brisbane buses, but if you’re feeling active, it’s only a short stroll from Caxton Street and Suncorp Stadium.

Caxton Street

Game day and after-dark are when Brisbane’s entertainment precinct is in its element. The spiritual home of rugby league just steps away from the world-class Suncorp Stadium, Caxton Street attracts legions of fans to eat, drink and make merry pre- or post-match.

Want to see the most of Caxton Street in one night? Pub crawl your way through the area. Start your night in one of Caxton Street’s icons: The Caxton Hotel or The Lord Alfred Hotel. Wander into Caxton Street Brewing Co for a local brew and a burger - their underground comedy club Good Chat will keep you laughing until late. Next, sip on the renowned whiskey/apple combo at Wild West-style tavern, Lefty’s Old Time Music Hall, while enjoying the nightly line-up of music from bluegrass, rock and country artists that get everyone moving.

At the very top end Caxton Street, you’ll find The Barracks, which is less boisterous, more refined. The former city jail, police station and army barracks is now a landmark dining, shopping and entertainment hub. Palace Barracks cinemas screens blockbusters alongside arthouse flicks. Hot tip: Before your session, fill up on French-Asian fusion at Vietnamese restaurant, Libertine.

Getting there: Caxton Street is close to Roma Street Station and Milton Station, and serviced by the local bus network.

West End

Hip as they come, inner-city ‘burb West End oozes the community vibe on all fronts. Channelling the likes of NYC’s East Village and London’s Soho, it's a little world unto itself right in the heart of the city.

Charming and ramshackle old Queenslander homes still hold court amongst the ever-increasing shining glass towers, and the casual, bohemian ‘tude can’t be missed. Buskers pumping out live tunes, locals grabbing a quick coffee or bite to eat at the plethora of cafes and restaurants, plus fresh food markets and live music venues; West End is a delightful melange of hippy commune and big-city life.

Mornings are preferred at a slow pace, with cafes like Lokal + Co and Morning After popular places for the cool crowds to congregate well into lunch time. After midday, the craft beer and live music scene takes over. Mixed among the hip and happening wave of dining options popping up, you’ll also find ‘mum and pop’ type restaurants serving authentic Vietnamese, Greek and Italian at affordable prices.

On weekends, everyone makes their way to the markets. Saturdays at the West End Markets delivers fresh food, fashion, local music talent and artists, and food trucks. Every man and his dog is there. Every second and fourth Sunday, it’s all about celebrating the vegan lifestyle at the West End Vegan Markets.

The eclectic blend of niche shops, like record store Jet Black Cat, secondhand bookshops and op shops ensures there’s always something one-of-a-kind to be found. Discover more local secrets with this guide.

Getting there: West End is accessible via the CityCat, bus network and just a short stroll from the South Brisbane train station.  

South Bank

Brisbane’s cultural heart is beating strong at Brisbane’s answer to Paris’ Le Rive Gauche, South Bank. The lifestyle precinct spans 23 hectares, has its own inner-city beach and enough restaurants to keep a gourmand happy for life. Find a moment of peace at the Nepalese Pagoda or throw up the peace sign with a bucket-list selfie in front of the famous Brisbane sign by the river. Take a spin on the Wheel of Brisbane, or settle in for an afternoon of live music on Sundays at River Quay Green.

Stroll through the Arbour, winding the length of the precinct and blooming with striking bougainvillea, then make your way to Otto to take in those glistening river views while you wine and dine on Italian cuisine. A walk down Fish Lane will send your tastebuds into a tizzy with so many scrumptious places to eat. The good news is there are no wrong choices - Julius Pizzeria dishes up authentic wood-fired pizzas, hawker-style Vietnamese has never looked so good at Hello Please, Maeve is an elegant place to sit and sip classic European and Australian wines, and Chu the Phat does Asian street eats with a difference.

Now to do the culture circuit: Check out a QAGOMA exhibition, catch a performance at Brisbane Theatre or Queensland Performing Arts Centre, learn a few new facts at Queensland Museum, or borrow a book or two from the State Library of Queensland.

Getting there: It’s a hop, skip and a jump across the river from the city via Victoria, Kurilpa or William Jolly foot bridges, the CityCat or the buses and trains.

Woolloongabba and Kangaroo Point

So much more than the hallowed home of the ‘Gabba, where the mighty Brisbane Lions (AFL) play in winter and national and international cricket matches fill the stands in summer, these inner-city twin suburbs continue to flourish with age.

While by day Kangaroo Point is a fitness paradise for running up and down stairs, kayaking the river or hurling yourself off the side of the cliffs (this is a rock climber’s paradise - adventure lovers should hit up Riverlife for all sorts of adrenalin activities in the area), by night, the city twinkles across the river at Brisbane’s best outdoor barbecue spot. Not in the mood to DIY dinner? Step inside the old Queenslander at One Fish Two Fish for an incredible seafood spread; enjoy the breeze of the river while dining on moored trawler The Prawnster; or gobble down a chicken parmy and a pint at some of Brisbane’s most iconic pubs, like The Pineapple Hotel and Story Bridge Hotel.

Just up the road at Woolloongabba, it’s less cooking with tongs and more Euro sidewalk dining with sophisticated cocktails. The Logan Road precinct is packed with goodies: Detour, 1889 Enoteca, Electric Avenue (find the hidden speakeasy upstairs) and Canvas Club. And if you’re an antique fan, prepare to meet your mecca.

Getting there: Walk the Story Bridge (or you could even climb it) if you’re feeling fit, or the area is well served by the busway. CityCat stops close by include the Dockside, Holman Street and Maritime Museum ferry terminals.

Bulimba

Occupying a quiet slice of riverfront a stone’s throw from the city, Bulimba is a decidedly locals spot with an enviable mix of suburban life and urban facilities – and a great precinct to get an authentic taste of Brisbane.

Life’s in no hurry here: explore the riverside parks and leafy streets lined with cottages, Queenslanders, and corner cafes, and imagine a time when this district was dedicated to sugarcane and pineapple farms.  

Hungry? No need to jump on the CityCat back to the CBD. Bulimba has a scene of its own, with relaxed Italian dining at Il Molo by the ferry terminal – grab an Aperol Spritz and watch the world go by – and local beers and pub food at Oxford Tap House.

When the sun’s shining, make your way to the rooftop of Melrose Restaurant to devour pan Asian bites and cocktails, the beer garden at Revel Brewing, or the courtyard of Little Hideout Café for all day breakfast, or wander and window shop the boutiques along the high street. Can we let you in on a secret? Nom Nom Natural Gelato scoops some of the best in Brisbane.

Getting there: Take the CityCat to Bulimba ferry terminal or jump on the bus.

Hamilton

Welcome to foodie heaven in one of Brisbane’s most affluent suburbs, Hamilton. The trendy suburb fringes the Brisbane River and has seen a surge of new apartments over recent years, which has left room for a sleek line-up of restaurants and shops to move in on the ground level.

Portside Wharf is home to Hamilton’s modern dining destination, with top-notch cuisine like one of Brisbane’s best Japanese restaurants, Sono, and sensational seafood at Fosh Bar + Restaurant, along with a range of casual dining options and a local cinema.

In contrast, Hamilton’s other iconic spot for a good feed is the bustling street food market, Eat Street. Serving global street fare from inside shipping containers, there’s a vibrancy, energy and hunger for good food at Eat Street that you won’t find anywhere else in Brisbane.

Getting there: Take the CityCat ferry to the end of the line at Northshore Hamilton or Bretts Wharf, or hop on the train to Doomben.

Has our introductory Brisbane precincts guide got you keen to explore an area a little deeper?

• For more must-see places in Fortitude Valley, add these to your list.
• Here’s your ultimate guide to Brisbane’s iconic South Bank.
• Staying one week in Brisbane? We’ve got your itinerary sorted.
• Need a place to stay? These are the best hotels in and around the city.