If your idea of fun is eating and drinking your way to happiness, then Brisbane is the Australian city you’ll want on your foodie bucket list. Just under eight hours from Singapore on a direct flight, this sun-kissed capital of Queensland is perfectly placed between the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast, giving you beaches, culture and, most importantly, a dining scene that’s every bit as exciting as its southern cousins.
Here, you'll find indie cafés pouring world-class coffee, Champagne bars with the largest collections in the Southern Hemisphere, rooftop brunches with sweeping skyline views, and night markets buzzing with global flavours and culinary creativity. And if you’re craving a getaway that’s overflowing with flavours worth flying for, here are the hidden gems to start you off.
This Fortitude Valley Champagne bar, bistro and garden is all about French elegance with an Aussie edge. Head Chef Antoine Potier curates a seasonal menu that swings from Parisienne gnocchi that melts in your mouth to a showstopping seafood platter served on ice. But the real star? The Champagne list. With over 360 cuvées, it’s the largest in the southern hemisphere, making it a must for those who love a good glass of bubbly.
Inspired by hotel lobby bars, this sophisticated James Street bistro knows how to elevate even the simplest dish into a work of art. The scallop-on-potato-scallop has become something of a legend here; delicate shellfish perched on crisp golden potatoes, topped with beurre blanc. Even French classics like steak frites, beef tartare, and Waldorf salad get a fancy upgrade. If it’s supper you’re after, Penelope’s late-night menu rolls out after 9.30pm.
Dining at August feels like stepping into a modern fairy tale, housed in a restored 19th-century church on Dornoch Terrace, the restaurant delivers fine dining with a playful streak. Signature plates include the rich mud crab omelette Arnold Bennett, and a foie gras stuffed chicken crown that’s just chef’s kiss. Add a moody soundtrack and flickering candlelight, and you’ve got Brisbane’s ultimate date-night spot too.
Forget the cute café clichés – this New Farm institution is open 24/7 and unapologetically grungy. It’s where tattooed baristas pull no-nonsense espresso shots strong enough to kickstart your day or night. And in a city where most good coffee spots close by 2pm, this place is a rare commodity. Pair it with a cinnamon scroll or bacon-and-egg roll and you’re sorted, whether it’s 8am or 3am.
Brisbane’s CBD office workers, finance bros and coffee pilgrims flock here for brews that treat beans like fine wine. Renowned for its multi-roaster approach, Coffee Anthology was crowned the 8th best coffee shop in the world earlier this year. Expect cups that burst with flavour, from zesty lemon to berry jam and candy-bright blackcurrant, a testament to the café’s inventive brewing and global acclaim.
A cool combo of rooftop bar and sunny café, Raise Rooftop is your go-to for coffee and brunch. Start with a velvety flat white made with Coffee Supreme beans, then tuck into seasonal quiches, buttery croissants from Banette, or the cult-favourite brownies from I Heart Brownies. With a sweeping view from the top of Ann Street, you’ll want to linger a little longer here.
Laneway drinking has never been so chic. Dedicated to the underdog, this intimate bar set at the end of a hidden alley within an ex-CBD garage, serves unique amaro cocktails and small-producer wines. But you can also let award-winning bartender Aidan Perkins surprise you with playful concoctions such as the smoky, spirit-forward Poker Book. The vibe here is low-lit, moody, and made for slow sipping with Brit-leaning bar bites like deviled eggs.
Minimalist and effortlessly cool, the 10-seater +81 Aizome Bar blends Japanese precision with Brisbane’s relaxed charm. It’s also one of the few places where you can sip on neo cocktails and high-concept drinks crafted over several days, where fresh botanicals are frozen, steeped in alcohol, then strained, bottled, and rested to perfection before they’re poured into your glass. The best way to experience these creations? Order a flight of six.
Set at Howard Smith Wharves, Stan’s Lounge is a little slice of old-world Hong Kong, but with a modern twist. The drinks list is heavy on vintage spirits, think cocktails mixed with 50-year-old whisky, while the food menu features Cantonese-inspired snacks like prawn toast with salmon roe and truffle mayo, XO sand crab cigars, and rolled Peking duck pancakes. Add in vinyl beats and plush interiors, and it’s Brisbane at its most decadent.
Once a year, Brisbane’s laneways transform into a neon-lit wonderland of flavours. Night Feast brings together top chefs and cult street food vendors under twinkling lights, with live music and art installations to match. From sizzling skewers to artisanal desserts, it’s a feast for all senses. Mark your calendar: the next one is from October 15 to November 9, 2025.
A feast for the senses, Eat Street Northshore is built from brightly painted shipping containers on the riverfront, with a world tour of flavours on the inside. We’re talking loaded mac and cheese, bao buns, Dutch pancakes, and over-the-top desserts like freakshakes piled high with toppings. Plus, with fairy lights, live bands, and the river breeze, you’ve got one of Brisbane’s most iconic weekend hangouts.
Every Saturday, West End Market turns Davies Park into a buzzing bazaar of fresh produce, gourmet bites, and artsy wares. Snack on Turkish gözleme hot off the grill, sip on fresh sugarcane juice, and stock up on cheeses and olives for a DIY picnic by the river. It’s a local ritual, and a delicious one at that.
Hungry yet? Brisbane has all the makings of a foodie escape, close enough for a long weekend, but packed with flavours you’ll be talking about long after you’ve landed back in Singapore. Explore more here.