As a global destination with serious vacation appeal, Brisbane boasts relaxed sophistication with some of the world’s leading hotels and Australia’s best chefs calling it home. Amidst its vibrant dining landscape, you’ll find Gourmet Traveller’s Restaurant of the Year, alongside elegant cocktail dens and cool, casual wine bars. Rich with stylish stays and inspiring culture, Brisbane is ripe for your next urban adventure.
DISCOVER
Make no mistake: Brisbane is one of Australia’s finest food capitals.
Dining
Not every meal out has to be an occasion; often, less is more and there’s plenty to choose from.
Casual eats
Hidden-in-plain-sight thrills and remote wilderness are easy to come by from Queensland’s capital.
Adventure
From luxe interiors to jaw-dropping views, Brisbane and the hinterland’s hotel options make for plenty of ways to dial up your stay.
Stay
Take advantage of 300 days of sunshine a year and a burgeoning cultural scene.
Explore
The Luxe Guide to Brisbane
WORDS BY ALEX MITCHESON AND CLARE CATT
Between balmy rooftops, sultry hideaways, and buzzy neighbourhood hangouts, Brisbane’s drinks scene is as varied as it is vibrant.
Bars
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The Calile Hotel
Gerries Bar
Sasso Italiano
Sprout Artisan Bakery
Essa
Bold ESCAPE
QAGOMA
Scenic Rim
Embrace the unexpected on a Brisbane holiday, from dining on the edge to midnight rendezvous under the bridge. Discover why Brisbane favours the bold.
WE DARE YOU
© 2024 Are Media Pty Ltd.
Howard Smith Wharves
From Modern Australian to extraordinary Cantonese, Brisbane’s dining destinations deliver some of Australia’s best culinary experiences, including Agnes, named Gourmet Traveller’s Restaurant of the Year in 2023.
Chef Phil Marchant continues to impress restaurant fans with his approach to Modern Australian cuisine at Essa in Fortitude Valley. The flavour-driven focus hinges on pickled, smoked, raw, and wood-fired cooking that pairs the acquainted and the unexpected with delectable outcomes. VISIT WEBSITE
Vertigo
Named after Stanley Bay in Hong Kong, this restaurant shares two things with its namesake: a fabulous waterfront aspect and extraordinary Cantonese cooking. Delve into elevated yum cha or take your time with their banquet menu; either way, stay for the after-dark atmosphere with a cocktail. VISIT WEBSITE
Stanley Restaurant
Over three sprawling dining levels, Agnes is a pragmatic dining experience and centres itself around a philosophy of wood-fired hyper-local food. Making the results — as you’d expect — delicious. Whether you choose charred Bangalow pork or flame baked oysters with XO and ’nduja butter, this is one of Australia’s best sensory dining experiences. VISIT WEBSITE
Agnes
Embark on serious destination dining in the Moreton Bay region and enjoy lunch or dinner overlooking grapevines barely an hour outside Brisbane. Better yet, helicopter in if you must. Ocean View Estates is a rare and stunning example of where farm-to-fork dishes and estate-grown wines come together this far north. VISIT WEBSITE
Ocean View Estates
Casual Eats
DINING
Dinner is served
The country’s only vertical restaurant is a tall order, asking guests to dine out at a daring height of 17 metres, to be precise. Housed in the famous Brisbane Powerhouse, from start to finish this inimitable eatery melds adrenaline and fine food equally and concludes with a (optional) rapid dropline descent. VISIT WEBSITE
In between fine dining and casual experiences, Brisbane’s bar scene is thriving with a host of wine bars and cocktail rooms offering unique spaces to unwind and connect.
Middle Eastern sophistication finds its way to Brisbane. The original sister venue, Gerard’s, is an institution, but this bar doesn’t rest on its laurels. Minimalist and a touch brutalist in design, the venue’s striking attention to detail frames an adept cocktail and excellent natural wine offering. VISIT WEBSITE
Hidden behind a big brass door down a fig-lined laneway is an intimate den of cocktails — and if you manage to grab a seat, you’re in for a libation-induced thrill. Martinis are expertly stirred down, original cocktails are shaken to icy perfection, and there are inspired snack plates galore. VISIT WEBSITE
The Nixon Room
Brisbane is one rooftop bar-friendly city, and Maya capitalises on this with gusto. Between cactus gardens and olive trees, the venue brings attractive Yucatan, Oaxaca, Cancun, Tulum, and Valladolid influences all the way from Mexico. And the signature Margaritas are as audacious as they are delicious. VISIT WEBSITE
Maya
Feel like a European escape? This Paddington wine bar provides a firm alternative. You can sip hand-selected wines from far away, alongside cult Australian producers while taking your pick of premium local charcuterie and artisanal cheeses. Understated and uber-cool, it’s the quintessential neighbourhood wine bar. VISIT WEBSITE
Noir
Perched on the Brisbane River and arguably the jewel in the crown of Howard Smith Wharves, patrons are spoilt with a feast for the eyes across elegant interiors, and memorable city views. This is certified cocktail and Spritz territory, and one of the top places for a sundowner. VISIT WEBSITE
Mr Percival’s
WHERE THE LOCALS GO
BARS
Thanks to a new wave of culinary entrepreneurs, Brisbane’s casual eats are a delicious mix of iconic favourites and new stars on the block. Make a beeline to some of the city’s best and freshest food destinations to see for yourself.
Craving authentic Italian with a dash of vigour? Sasso Italiano leans into its trattoria roots but then turns up the dial on fun. It’s up-tempo, and respectfully recreates the flavour-laden classics — plus modern twists — we all love and is suitable for a variety of occasions. VISIT WEBSITE
As far as gorgeous suburban cafés go, Anouk hits the brief and then some. It’s an ode to worldly breakfasts with bold flavours from the Middle East, Asia, and Europe, inviting you to get lost in conversation within its industrial-cum-eclectic, plant-filled space. VISIT WEBSITE
Anouk Café
There’s always an occasion for thick shakes and jaw-stretching, colossal-sized burgers. Lucky for you, Super Combo has you more than covered. The multinational ethos behind this eatery means flavours from as far as India, Brazil, and Russia feature across a menu that is incredibly difficult to choose from. VISIT WEBSITE
Super Combo Burgers
A decade of baking superb breads and pastries is the backbone of this much-loved James Street bakery. Drop by for fantastic takeaway coffee and crumbly sweets, or stay for the fawned-upon flaky croissant toastie featuring bocconcini and prosciutto: a mouth-watering invention locals want all to themselves. VISIT WEBSITE
Seafood lovers rejoice. Offering takeaway fish and chips alongside refined seafood classics to stay, One Fish Two Fish is an excellent off-the-cuff option for a carefree meal. It’s not an overly simple affair, though. Options like salmon sashimi and a “quarter flounder burger” backed by an impressive drinks list say otherwise. VISIT WEBSITE
One Fish Two Fish
TOO GOOD TO RESIST
CASUAL EATS
Dive into Brisbane’s cultural scene, museums, architecture, stunning parklands and creative spaces to round out a bold getaway.
Perhaps Brisbane’s most iconic landmark, the Story Bridge is a visual marvel from any angle. Those brave enough can climb it for the ultimate experience, but simply taking it in as it illuminates at night brings an undeniable atmosphere to the riverside and nearby Howard Smith Wharves. VISIT WEBSITE
Story Bridge
Nature is never far away at this 1600-hectare reserve just outside the city centre. Containing the Brisbane Botanic Gardens: a cornucopia of attractions across a sensory garden, bonsai house, tropical display dome, and more. Top it off at the lookout with unparalleled views of Brisbane, Moreton Bay, and North Stradbroke Island/Minjerribah. VISIT WEBSITE
Mount Coot-Tha Reserve
This is a world-class arts precinct and the epicentre of Brisbane culture. QAGOMA is a showstopping treat across not one but two modern gallery buildings, while QPAC draws crowds with regular international shows. The Queensland Museum tells the exciting stories of Brisbane from prehistory to the modern day. QAGOMA: VISIT WEBSITE QPAC: VISIT WEBSITE MUSEUM: VISIT WEBSITE
Queensland Cultural Centre
No trip to Brisbane is complete without some time spent here. Locals flock to South Bank Parklands every chance they get — and with good reason. The best way to experience it? Saunter through blooming gardens, and pebbled creeks before joining the promenade and taking a dip at the dazzling man-made Streets Beach. VISIT WEBSITE
South Bank Parklands
LOSE YOURSELF in culture
EXPLORE
Discover the wonders of Moreton Bay, where hidden treasures await in every corner. From peaceful seaside towns to picturesque villages, this region offers a tapestry of beauty and charm. Immerse yourself in the tranquillity of coastal landscapes or venture deeper into the heart of the region and explore the captivating hinterland villages. VISIT WEBSITE
Moreton Bay Region
Adventure starts here
It’s not all riverside dining, and luxe hotels... Brisbane also has a host of outdoor experiences within an hour of the city centre. Cue magical scenery, unparalleled adventure, and unforgettable memories.
O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat
Set within the heart of the Lamington National Park, this celebrated countryside sanctuary has welcomed visitors for nearly a hundred years. Exhilarating activities await across bike tours, guided walks, and zip-lining. How should you end the day? In the Lost World Spa infinity pool, naturally. VISIT WEBSITE
With such easy access from the city, yet worlds away, visitors can have a slice of island paradise without the effort. Switch off and spend your time wandering the rolling sand dunes, 4-wheel driving, or snorkelling the famous Tangalooma Wrecks. Can’t do it all in one day? Stay overnight at Tangalooma Island Resort. The options are like the serenity — boundless. VISIT WEBSITE
Moreton Island/Mulgumpin
A hikers’ playground of subtropical grasslands, ancient Gondwana rainforest, and boulder-scattered peaks, the Scenic Rim’s true bounty is its walking trails. From half-day strolls to multi-day treks — across a scattering of obscenely stunning national parks — there is something for everyone with incredible views around every corner. VISIT WEBSITE
Imagine watching the sunrise over Brisbane from the utter vacuum-like tranquillity of a hot air balloon. Floating Images Balloon Flights take off from nearby Ipswich and will leave you breathless with flawless views of Greater Brisbane, and its striking coastline. And on touchdown, there’s a Champagne breakfast waiting. VISIT WEBSITE
Floating Images Hot Air Balloon Flights
The best way to comprehend a city is from the air. Elite Helicopters offers scenic flights over Brisbane, which last as little as 15 minutes or as long as an hour. But up the ante even more with a fly-in lunch, winery tours, or an unforgettable private beach picnic. VISIT WEBSITE
Elite Helicopter
Raise your pulse
ADVENTURE
REST AND RELAX
From the glamour of one of the World’s 50 Best Hotels through to stunning glamping in the wilderness, these stays will have you wishing you’d booked many more nights.
Don’t expect to flop and drop here. The W Brisbane provides exciting and captivating extras like rooftop group training sessions, and regular live music events. Instead, expect an exceptionally well-appointed and aptly positioned stay for those keen to explore and make the most of their time. VISIT WEBSITE
W Brisbane
Rejuvenating body, mind, and soul is the mandate at Beechmont Estate — and it isn’t hard to see why. On the doorstep of the pristine Scenic Rim, guests can while away their days at the beautiful onsite spa, picnic on rolling hills, hike ancient rainforest, or simply stop and breathe in the fresh mountain air. VISIT WEBSITE
Beechmont Estate
The secret is out: Brisbane’s Scenic Rim is a stunning trove of wilderness and relaxation. Glamping perfection doesn’t come easy, yet the sense of adventure and unadulterated luxury at Nightfall Camp make this a truly unique accommodation. Explore trails, and soak in your outdoor bath, all while experiencing brilliant fire-cooked organic food. VISIT WEBSITE
Nightfall
With prime positioning at Howard Smith Wharves, and a rooftop-pool-city-skyline view that’s near impossible to beat, this riverside hotel screams location. But at heart, it’s an art-centric five-star charmer with a strong sustainability focus. Energetic, and unashamedly fun, Crystalbrook Vincent invites you to enjoy Brisbane on your terms. VISIT WEBSITE
Crystalbrook Vincent
Australia’s only inclusion on the World’s 50 Best Hotels shines bright on the leafy boulevards of ever-popular James Street. The Calile’s sexy persona is the backbone of a boutique selection of gorgeous rooms and painstakingly designed suites across seven storeys — not forgetting one of the country’s most desirable swimming pools. VISIT WEBSITE
STAY
