Brisbane Restaurants, Cafes and Cocktail Bars for Every Mood
In the not too distant past Brisbane was seen as poor cousin to other Australian cities, viewed as provincial and behind the times. But no more! These days it has five-star restaurants, cool bars and quirky cafes to rival the best anywhere.
Here are some you won’t want to miss:
To shake up your idea of a great cocktail bar, make a booking at tiny Anise in the evolving neighbourhood of New Farm. Sip on absinthe, nibble on gourmet snacks or top quality meals, and know you’re at the epicentre of Brisbane cool.
For a terrific lunch or dinner out with friends, head to Isis in funky Fortitude Valley. Verity Byth, Chief Experience Officer for http://NeoNeighbourhood.com says it delivers “a close-to-perfect combination of the elements of great urban living: relaxed and sophisticated decor, food that is clearly the result of great attention to detail, and floor service that’s smooth and personal”.
For a café that nourishes mind and body you can’t go past Riverbend Tea House. Its outdoor deck and shady ‘tree-room’ make the most of Brisbane’s tropical climate. The food is terrific, and the café adjoins the acclaimed Riverbend Books, so you can browse your latest literary find while you eat.
If it’s an alfresco getaway in the middle of the city you’re yearning for, go straight to Watt Modern Dining. The menu has something for everyone (even a martini with weekend breakfast, if you’re up for it!) and the lush riverside location can’t be beaten.
When it comes to cool urban cafés, James Street in buzzing Fortitude Valley is the place to be. At the bottom of the hill you’ll find Cirque Café. All the breakfast favourites are on offer, the coffee is worth seeking out, and everyone, no matter how newly arrived, looks right at home.
If you are planning to make the most of the climate, so well suited to an alfresco lifestyle, don’t forget that the tropical sun doesn’t linger on its descent. So if you want to catch the sunset over a cocktail you’ll need good timing. The upside is that the balmy nights seem to go on and on.
When you’ve sipped and supped and sated your appetite, don’t forget to check out the city itself. It’s art and design that are setting the tone, helping Queensland’s once sleepy capital shake off it’s unappealing but persistent “BrisVegas” image.
The prime symbols of all that creative energy, the Gallery of Modern Art (abbreviated to GoMA) and the State Library, stand as proof that “gorgeous” is a fitting description for much Brisbane has to offer, from modern public buildings to riverside dining.
GoMA has plenty of rewards for visitors but the standout reason for going (apart from the experience of being in the incredible building) is the Indigenous Art Collection, which has a special beauty because of the space it commands.
For more great experiences in Brisbane and other Australian and international cities, visit www.neoneighbourhood.com. There’s food, shopping (fashion, home, pantry, books and music), hotels, galleries and concert venues and much more.
Hazel Flynn is Editor-in-Chief of NeoNeighbourhood. Previously an ABC Radio producer & presenter, magazine section editor and book publisher, she is also the co-author, with Sue Pieters-Hawke, of the 2004 Australian bestseller Hazel’s Journey: A Personal Experience of Alzheimer’s, about former Prime Minister’s wife Hazel Hawke. Hazel Flynn’s job in the Neo Neighbourhood is to keep the content fresh, lively and accurate.
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