EATING OUT in Brisbane
An Aussie HIGH TEA, a nook for books near a NOSHERY and a temple to the CHEESE TOASTIE are just a few of the family-friendly EATERIES that await in the Queensland CAPITAL.
WHILE THE BRISBANE CBD has a riot of restaurants, cafes and some must-visit foodie precincts to sample and savour, venturing to the city fringes and inner suburbs allows you to eat like the locals do while tapping into the pulse of this increasingly cosmopolitan capital.
VICTORIA PARK BISTRO
Mini cheeseburgers, crumbed chicken and battered fish and chips are the perfect fuel ahead of a game of putt-putt golf at Victoria Park. Nab a table on the wraparound balconies at the bistro at the entertainment precinct, which overlooks the golf course and Victoria Parklands, just two kilometres from the city centre. Victoria Park Bistro has picnic-table-style dining and a kids’ games area that includes a repurposed farm tractor, row boat and giant cubby house. victoriapark .com.au
BILLYKART WEST END
Billykart goes the extra mile when it comes to the most important meal of the day. From homemade crumpets to eggs in all their guises to wonderful breakfast burgers that pack a real crunch. Kids will love the buttermilk and ricotta pancakes at this colourful cafe owned by chef Ben O’Donoghue and business partner Ben Roberts where a picket fence, latticework and bricks add to the ‘backyard in Bris Vegas’ vibes. Head to Billykart Bar next door for burgers. billykart.com.au
RIVERBEND BOOKS
Step away from the city centre and into the Tardis that is Riverbend Books, where everyone in the family can call ‘time out’ and bunker down with a good book. The menu at the adjacent Bulimba bookshop cafe is a simple affair: order coffee for the adults; house-baked raspberry and banana bread or flaky croissants for the kids and settle down on the sprawling deck until it’s time to catch your ferry back to the West End. riverbendbooks.com.au
W BRISBANE
Forget fussy sandwiches and cakes. Think meat pies, lamingtons and Milo all reimagined into miniature morsels at the High Tea of Aus at the W Brisbane. This Aussie-as version of a traditional high tea was conceived to thrill with wild creations such as hibiscus jam-filled lamingtons, mini Milo éclairs and torched ironbark honey nougat. The sweet and savoury treats also celebrate homegrown produce such as Fraser Island crab and quandong. marriott.com
MELT BROTHERS
The ratio of hot, gooey cheese to bread at Melt Brothers Cheese Co. is about 50:50, which makes the creations at this dedicated toastie cafe pretty much perfect. The fillings for the melted sangas also level up the experience: try the Mouse Trap with mozzarella, aged cheddar, thyme and Dijon mustard; or the Holy Cheezus, with ham off the bone, tomato chutney, mozzarella and aged cheddar. It’s a temple to the toastie and we love it. meltbrothers.com.au
HARAJUKU GYOZA
Harajuku Gyoza feels like it has been transplanted straight from Tokyo. While
the raucous izakaya offers classics such as pork and prawn gyoza, it has also gone all out with contemporary variations such as cheeseburger, mozzarella and marshmallow gyoza. Children will love the delicate raindrop cake, which dissolves on your tongue like a drop of rain. harajukugyoza.com
JULIUS PIZZERIA
While Fish Lane was once an ugly snarl in South Brisbane, it is now an urban oasis – where art, food and entertainment collide. Check @explorefishlane on Instagram to get a handle on the hub, home to standout eateries like Julius Pizzeria, housed in a repurposed heritage building. Sit at a table near to the floor-to-ceiling windows that frame Fish Lane and enjoy pizzas such as the signature tartufo: it’s a transcendental experience. juliuspizzeria.com.au
POPOLO
Parents looking on Google maps for restaurants near to wide open spaces where their children can run and play will likely drop a pin at Popolo on Brisbane’s
South Bank. The restaurant is located near to an expansive lawn by the Brisbane River where little people can cartwheel or kick a ball to their heart’s content until lunch is served. Order from the picnic menu or say ciao to a carb coma with a nod-to-nonna feast of ravioli, risotto, ragu and pancetta pizza. popolodining.com
HALF PINT KITCHEN & BAR
This newly opened eatery has quickly hoisted its flag as the unofficial headquarters for residents of Bowen Hills. Parents will love the craft beer on tap at Half Pint Kitchen & Bar and the fact they can gather the whole gang without having to re-mortgage the house. The 70-seater bar has a mini library, board games and Foosball so wee ones can bide their time while waiting for mix-and-match plates such as crispy chicken, fat chips and garlic prawns. facebook .com/HalfPintBowenHills