A local’s guide to Brisbane City

While there will always be a place in our hearts for a XXXX Gold beer and a stroll through South Bank Parklands, look a little closer and there’s much more to do in Brisbane than the tourist favourites.

Brisbane has well and truly shaken off its sleepy country town reputation, and if you follow the locals, you’ll uncover world-class dining, bars, and shopping, all within cooee of some of the best beaches, islands, and hiking in the state.

If you’re looking for things to do in Brisbane, make like a local.

Eat

Cafes

Brisbane is well known for its breakfast culture. Sunshine soaked mornings see locals lining up at their favourite Brisbane cafes and bakeries, so, if in doubt, always look for patrons spilling onto the street and you won’t go far wrong.

Local favourites for breakfast have a focus on local produce and sustainable practices, with plenty of plant-based options.

Just off James Street you’ll find King Arthur, a hip little eatery with a focus on local, sustainable produce. Fresh baked goods line the front counter (try the Portugese tarts), while the menu changes with the seasons. However their crumpets, house-toasted granola, and perfect scrambled eggs are always in rotation.

Scout Cafe, on busy Petrie Terrace, has a laid back vibe and bagel-centric menu that sees patrons spilling out the doors on weekends. Not too far away, Paddington's Chapter IV serves classic and inventive breakfast dishes from its iconic Queenslander building - complete with city views and waffles worth the detour alone.

Head to West End to Grown for a plant-based menu with a focus on sustainable ingredients sourced from local farm suppliers, and speciality coffee from local roasters, Dramanti Artisan. Locals dine elbow-to-elbow in this busy brunch spot, often with their dog in tow.

Need breakfast on the go? You’ll find Brisbane locals washing down their morning coffee with a pastry or two from one of Brisbane bakeries and patisseries. Lune Croissanterie (CBD and South Brisbane), Toowong's Riser, Agnes Bakery in Fortitude Valley, Banneton Bakery in Ashgrove, and Danny’s Bread in Newstead have legions of loyal fans who are up from day break to get their hands on a loaf or something sweet.  

Restaurants

Brisbane’s restaurant scene is a warm and friendly one, with everything from hole-in-the-wall bistros to special event destinations welcoming walk-ins and offering world-class dining experiences.

If you want a local favourite that's also scooped up awards, Agnes is a must: the hatted restaurant specialising in woodfire cooking was named Australia's 'Restaurant of the Year' by Gourmet Traveller in 2023.  If you like to find an under-the-radar local gem, the regional Italian food at Pilloni and Euro-fare at Bosco make these restaurants two of the best newcomers - and both are tucked into city corners you're unlikely to stumble upon if you're just visiting.

Ascend the charming staircase of a character filled heritage-listed old building in the heart of South Brisbane and find yourself in Maeve Wine Bar. The wine may be the hero here, but the seasonal menu of European-inspired dishes (think charcuterie, steak tartare, oysters, and duck confit lasagne) is no second fiddle. This spot is ideally placed for dinner before a night out at the Queensland Cultural Centre.

Venture further into Fish Lane and you’ll find Julius Pizzeria, a Brisbane restaurant that’s constantly busy thanks to its seasonal menu of Italian favourites. The brother venue to the equally adored Beccofino in Newstead, this is where to find some of the best pizza and pasta in Brisbane. Bookings at both venues are limited and lines are standard, so make like a local and enjoy the short wait with a wine in hand (Bar Brutus is directly across the lane from Julius, making this a cinch). Across the river, pizza lovers should kick-start their night out in Fotitude Valley at Etna Pizza & Vino.

For more casual dining, locals love Paddington’s Remy’s, Ben’s Burgers in Fortitude Valley, and Bird’s Nest in Fortitude Valley and West End. For some of the city's best Asian food with flair, try out Southside in Fish Lane, Same Same in James Street, Melrose in Bulimba or Longwang in the CBD. Brisbane locals who crave authenticity beeline south of the city to Sunnybank's Market Square where a smorgasbord of Asian eateries from all corners of the continent await.

Foodies wanting to make the most of Brisbane's food scene should discover more here:

• New Brisbane restaurants
• Fine dining in Brisbane
• Hatted Brisbane restaurants
• Riverside dining for bites and a water view

Happy feasting!

Drink

Home to a thriving wine culture and a host of boutique breweries, if you’re looking for a drink in Brisbane, you’ll be pleasantly surprised. With everything from huge brewery sheds to hole-in-the-wall bars on hand to wet your whistle, sitting back with a cold drink is the ideal way to experience those perfect Brisbane blue skies.

Wine and cocktail bars

If you’re hunting for a great Brisbane bar, it pays to know where to look. The best bars are often tucked down laneways and far from the tourist spots.

Next door to popular Chinese restaurant, Happy Boy in Spring Hill, you’ll find Snack Man, a small-plate cocktail and wine bar which specialises in natural and emerging winemakers from regions across the globe, and all available by the glass – the perfect pairing to the menu of Chinese morsels. It's one of many welcoming wine bars you'll find across the city - be sure to check out Dark Red, an intimate spot in Bakery Lane, and City Winery for a truly local drop.

Prefer your drinks stirred or shaken? Brisbane isn't short of cocktail bars either, with Savile Row, Dr Gimlette, Cobbler and Maker among some of the best joints in the city to get an expertly-prepared cocktail.  

Want a city view as you sip? Head to a rooftop bar.

Breweries

Beer lovers be warned: craft beer bars and boutique breweries can be found in every corner of Brisbane.  

Green Beacon Brewery Co. serves craft beers out of the very warehouse the beers are brewed in Teneriffe. It’s a great location to spend one of those famous, blue-sky Brisbane afternoons – better still if you time your visit for when the food trucks park right out the front.

Head to bustling new dining precinct, Howard Smith Wharves and you won’t miss Felons, a Brisbane brewery housed in a huge tin shed under the Story Bridge, with waterside seating and their own brews and ciders on the taps. The precinct is a favourite with Brisbane locals looking to dine, drink and play by the water - and offers one of the best views of the Brisbane City skyline you’ll find anywhere.

Small-batch independent brewery, Range Brewing in Newstead is a local favourite on weekends. A minimalist warehouse space and an ever changing roster of beers brewed on site make this one of the best spots for a beer in Brisbane. A simple menu of sourdough pizzas doesn’t hurt either. Range is dog friendly, so you may make some new four-legged mates while you’re there.

Get the full guide here.  

Stay

When looking for accommodation in Brisbane, you’ll do well to find a home away from home that’s close to all the action.

Spoil yourself or treat someone special with a stay at the shiny new Calile Hotel on James Street in the fashion centre of New Farm. If you can tear yourself away from the stunning pool (or out of the popular pool-side cabanas), there’s dinner at in-house restaurant Hellenika and a host of nearby shops and dining to keep you busy.

Just out of the CBD, Spicers Balfour, an urban oasis and boutique hotel, set inside a meticulously restored Queenslander. The service here is unbeatable and the on-site restaurant and bar is awarded. A drink at the rooftop bar overlooking the hills of New Farm is a must.

If you’re looking for somewhere in the heart of Brisbane City, Hyatt Regency delivers. A beautiful terrace pool - and poolside bar - boasts all the modern amenities you need, all sitting above the bustling Queen Street Mall.  

Play

When you’re in the capital of the Sunshine State, the best place to play is outside. It makes sense – there’s 283 days of sunshine in Brisbane each year.

Local life here wraps around the river - whether that's setting up a picnic in the sunshine (New Farm Park and Kangaroo Point Cliffs are particularly loved), or meandering along the riverfront paths on foot or bike. Come the weekend, join the locals for a morning hike up Mount Coot-tha or shop and savour at one of the neighbourhood farmers markets.  

Catching a Broncos football game at Suncorp Stadium is a Brisbanite’s right of passage, and should be top of your list if this is your first time in Brisbane – as is making the most of Caxton Street on game day. But if you're not into NRL, you'll find an electric atmosphere at The Gabba during cricket season - or at any Lions game.  

Looking to ditch the city for a while? Brisbane is ideally placed for day tripping to nearby islands. Spend a day or a weekend on Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island), or visit Tangalooma Island Resort on Mulgumpin (Moreton Island) to try your hand at adventure sports like quad biking, sand dune surfing, kayaking or snorkelling the famous wrecks.  

Shop

If you’re looking to shop for fashion in Brisbane, you should head for James Street - undeniably Brisbane's most fashionable street, lined with local designers’ boutiques as well as international labels, plus plenty of homewares and beauty, too.

For unique finds, Fortitude Valley's laneways deliver the goods - while inner-west suburb Paddington is a haven of vintage shops, record stores and out-of-the-ordinary discoveries.  

Book lovers will find their mecca in West End’s Avid Reader and second-hand bookstore, Bent Books.  

Plan your shopping day with this guide.

Looking for more things to do in and around Brisbane? Discover heart-racing and relaxing activities by the river, or get off-the-beaten-track with these little-known attractions.