Food & Drink

Dining out? In this economy? Miraculously, Brisbane still has spots where you can eat exceptionally well without having to sell a kidney. If you’re in the mood for a bougie sandwich that feels like a payday treat, a sushi fix that won’t disappoint or late-night pancakes that taste like redemption, we’ve rounded up Brisbane’s best cheap eats. No sad desk lunches. No reheated regret. Just really good food that won’t require an existential crisis at the cash register. ☕️ The best cafés in Brisbane🏝️ All the best free things to do in Brisbane🥘 Brisbane's top Indian restaurants

If you’re looking for next-level dumplings, noodles with actual stretch or Peking duck so crisp it could shatter on impact, well, congratulations – you’ve come to the right city. Thanks to a vibrant Asian-Australian community and a collective obsession with wok-fried everything, Brisbane punches well above its weight when it comes to Chinese cuisine. And while Sydney and Melbourne may hog the culinary spotlight, Brisbane quietly plays its hand, offering up dishes that rival anything found south of the border.  From Cantonese institutions still spinning lazy Susans to new-gen spots that wouldn’t look out of place in Shanghai, the choices here are plentiful and, frankly, overwhelming. To make life easier, our local writers (and chopstick pros) have put together the ultimate list of the best Chinese restaurants in Brisbane right now. Gather your people, order with abandon and prepare for a food coma of your own making. 🥘 The best Indian restaurants in Brisbane🥩 The best steaks in Brisbane🍣 The best Japanese restaurants 

Brisbane’s Italian food has been some of the best in Australia for quite some time now, and it’s only getting better with each new opening. Drawing inspiration from regions all over Italy and working in top local produce, these restaurants show why Australia has some of the best Italian food outside the motherland.  Whether a hearty ragu in a cosy dining room is what you’re after, or linguine with prawns enjoyed al fresco is more your speed, Brisbane’s Italian restaurants offer it all. We’ve rounded up the very best spots for your next feast.  🍽️ Brisbane's very best restaurants🍕 The best pizza spots in Brisbane🥩 Where to find Brisbane's best steak

Brisbane’s pub scene mirrors the city itself: laid-back, endlessly charming and full of surprises. These aren’t just spots for a quick pint – they’re destinations where craft brews, inventive menus and good vibes collide. If you're after riverside brews, sun-soaked beer gardens or a Sunday roast that feels like a warm hug from your nan, the city delivers. So, cancel your 7am Pilates, call it “fieldwork” and dive into our guide to Brisbane’s best pubs. Monday? Never heard of her.  🍹 The best rooftop bars in Brisbane🌮 All the best places to eat in Brisbane🍺 Australia's best pubs in every capital city

Brisbane is spoilt for choice when it comes to the flavours of India. Whether you crave the smoky flavours of the tandoor, the fiery heat of a North Indian curry, a South Indian delicacy or some lip-smackingly good street food, we’ve got the place for you.   Round up your curry-craving pals and start working your way through this list of the best Indian restaurants in Brisbane.  🥩 The best steaks in Brisbane🍣 The best Japanese restaurants in Brisbane 🍽 The best restaurants in Brisbane right now

Ramen, sushi, okonomiyaki, gyoza. Japan's food culture is a phenomenon, and Brisbane is blessed with an abundance of great Japanese dining options. From bustling little yakitori and izakaya bars to splurge-worthy multi-course meals, there are plenty of places to make your dreams of moving to Tokyo come true. We've rounded up the best Japanese restaurants Brisbane has on offer, and we suggest you start eating your way through it. 🥘 The best Indian eats in town🥩 Brisbane's best steaks🍽 The best restaurants in Brisbane

Nothing cures your ails quite like a big, juicy burger. Lucky for us, Brisbane’s burger scene is absolutely stacked (pun fully intended). Whether you’re after a greasy hangover hero, an artisanal take on Americana, or the classic beef-cheese-bun trifecta, Brisbane’s got the goods.  We’ve taken one for the team, sampling every last burger in sight, so you can focus on the real question: where to eat first? Here’s our rundown of Brisbane’s best burgers, including tried and true crowd favourites, plus a few hidden gems ready for their close-up. So, loosen that belt, grab a napkin (or five), and dig in. 🍕 Brisbane's best pizza slices🥩 The best steaks in Brisbane🥘 Where to find the best Indian food in Brisbane

If there’s one thing good enough to convince winter lovers that Brisbane’s humid, subtropical climate is actually ideal, it’s the sublime rooftop bars scattered around the inner city. Sky-high sunsets are on the cards, whether you’re in Fortitude Valley, South Bank or the city centre – and usually with some awe-inspiring panoramas, too.  From chic poolside hang-outs and cool-as-a-cucumber breweries to Italian Riviera-inspired terraces, the best rooftop bars in Brisbane are awaiting – here are our top picks. 🍹 More of our favourite bars in Brisbane🌮 The best places to eat in Brisbane🌳 All the best things to do in Brisbane

The idea that breakfast is the most important meal of the day may have been the result of a ridiculously successful marketing campaign in a bid to sell cereal and bacon in the 19th century, but the tagline holds true for the good people of Brisbane. It’s no secret that you lot love breakfast, from your piccolos to your pancakes. That’s why, when coming up with this list of the best breakfasts in Brisbane, we lost far more sleep deliberating over who and what to include than we’d rather say.  Just know that it came down to strict criteria including flavour, innovation, freshness, ambience, service and presentation (to name a few). These are the venues you will go to with friends visiting from out of town to show them just how ‘in the know’ you are, and the dishes you’ll order time and time again, no matter what new additions grace the menu. From Hungarian-style meals reimagined for an Australian palate to aesthetically pleasing venues you’ll want to photograph for the ‘gram, this list proves once more that breakfast is the far superior meal of the day after all. Want more cafés? Go chasing the best beans with the best coffee in Brisbane. 

Brisbanites are spoilt for choice with moreish steaks from the Darling Downs to fresh flavours of Wagyu beef from Stanbroke. And how you experience one of Brisbane's great steaks, be it easy or elevated, is up to you. Choose from a high-end experience in a heritage building, an exclusive restaurant where you will feel like a movie star and everything is a little ‘extra’, or a more relaxed, homely feel of a historic pub. Whatever your culinary flavour preferences or budget Brisneyland is serving up steak bombs left right and centre to blow your taste buds to heaven and back. Here are the best steaks in Brisbane right now. 🍽️ The very best restaurants in Brisbane🍕 The best pizza spots in Brisbane🍛 Brisbane's best Indian food