Best of Brisbane
Billykart Kitchen | Brisbane's best cafes | The Weekend Edition

The round-up: Brisbane’s ten best cafes – as voted by you!

By James Frostick 22 Aug 2019

There's never been a better time to be a brunch lover or coffee craver in Brisbane. Our cafe scene is going from strength to strength, and now every suburb boasts a top-flight breakfast spot vying for the title of the city's best. It's a hard task definitively picking a top cafe, which is why we gave the task over to our readers! This year's EAT/drink Awards were some of the most hotly contested in recent memory, and the category of Brisbane's Best Cafe was naturally amongst the biggest vote getters. We've collated your votes and have assembled a list of Brisbane's ten best cafes, as decided by The Weekend Edition's readers! more

Bars
Palm Springs meets Acapulco at Fortitude Valley's Ivory Tusk
Food & Drink

Palm Springs meets Acapulco at Fortitude Valley’s Ivory Tusk

22 Aug 2019

One of Fortitude Valley's popular mainstays is exchanging its rustic craft-beer bar aesthetic in favour of a colour-packed, Cali-Mex-inspired vibe. That's right – Woolly Mammoth Alehouse has undergone a shake-up, trimming away the shaggy fur and debuting with a fresh new cut as Ivory Tusk. The boozer is officially relaunching today, Thursday August 22, debuting its range of Mexican eats, a plethora of tap cocktails and lively atmosphere. more

Restaurants
An icon on the move – Mecca Bah opens at Gasworks Plaza
Food & Drink

An icon on the move – Mecca Bah opens at Gasworks Plaza

22 Aug 2019

Since its inception, Mecca Bah has long been a go-to for those seeking a mix of North African and Middle Eastern cuisine. Its lengthy tenure at Fortitude Valley's Emporium precinct cemented it as a culinary institution, but even the most durable destinations are prone to a shake-up every once in a while. Earlier this year, Mecca Bah vacated its Fortitude Valley digs in favour of a fresh start as an anchor tenant of Gasworks Plaza's new dining extension. The new space quietly opened to the public last week, and already regulars are trekking to sample Mecca Bah 2.0's menu, which features all the popular favourites as well as a clutch of experimental newcomers. more

Community
What's on in Brisbane this weekend
Event News

What’s on in Brisbane this weekend

22 Aug 2019

The carnies have come and gone, the ferris wheel has been taken down and the scent of dagwood dogs is a distant memory – Ekka season is over and we’re coming down from that sugar high. To ease the pain, we’ve put together some choice ways to spend your days off – from Armakeggon to dog shows, here are the best things happening in Brisbane on the August 22–25 weekend. more

The Locals Panel Series returns to examine food choices and eco eating

The Locals Panel Series returns to examine food choices and eco eating

A few short months back, Brisbane's dining scene was put under the spotlight as a panel of our city's culinary best dissected everything from review aggregators to the future of fine dining. June saw a collection of Brisbane-based designers gather to go into detail about how they built a sustainable business on their terms. Last month, several forward-thinkers dug deep into the world of slow fashion and sustainable style. On Wednesday August 28, The Locals Panel Series returns for the fourth and final event of 2019. This time, we're double dipping back into the realm of food, pivoting our point of focus to shine a light on the environmental impact of our food choices and how we can eat healthier, smarter and more sustainably. more

Theatre
A mammoth milestone and the theatrical event of the year – Queensland Theatre's 2020 Season has been announced
Event News

A mammoth milestone and the theatrical event of the year – Queensland Theatre’s 2020 Season has been announced

22 Aug 2019

It's the 1980s in a housing estate on the outskirts of Brisbane. A young boy and his mute brother are soon to be erroneously inducted into a complicated world of drugs, crime and domestic violence. Their mum is about to end up in Brisbane's infamous Boggo Road Gaol, and they will be sent to live with their estranged alcoholic father thereafter. This is the story described by award-winning journalist-turned-novelist Trent Dalton in his debut book, Boy Swallows Universe. It is also the story that is about to have its own stage adaptation, having just been announced as the theatrical event of the coming Queensland Theatre 2020 Season.  more

Restaurants
Rico Bar & Dining set to make its mark on Eagle Street Pier
Food & Drink

Rico Bar & Dining set to make its mark on Eagle Street Pier

22 Aug 2019

Earlier this year, acclaimed fine-dining institution Aria officially shuttered after ten years of operation. After diners came to terms with the closure, much discussion has erupted over what will take over Aria's prime location at Eagle Street Pier. We can reveal that the space will soon be home to Rico Bar & Dining – a multi-faceted eatery from the crew behind George's Paragon Seafood Restaurant and Massimo Restaurant & Bar. Want to know more? Read on ... more

Event Highlights

Community
IndOz Festival
23 - 24 Aug 2019

IndOz Festival

Music
Camerata – Sisters
29 Aug 2019

Camerata – Sisters

Exhibitions
High Rotation
Daily from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, Fridays from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm

High Rotation

Circus & Dance
Brisbane Festival
5 - 28 Sep 2019

Brisbane Festival

Festival
Brisbane Writers Festival
5 - 8 Sep 2019

Brisbane Writers Festival

Comedy
Josh Thomas
31 Oct - 2 Nov 2019

Josh Thomas

Events: What's on in Brisbane this week. Start planning your weekend

Thu 22 Aug See all events today
Free
Dissecting Digital Dilemmas

Dissecting Digital Dilemmas

Exhibitions
Quilty

Quilty

Community
City Hall tours

City Hall tours

Exhibitions
Agatha Gothe-Snape and Wrong Solo – Certain Situations

Agatha Gothe-Snape and Wrong Solo – Certain Situations

Next 07 Days See all events this week
Community
Women's Work Outdoor Gallery Exhibition

Women’s Work Outdoor Gallery Exhibition

Theatre
PUFFS The Play

PUFFS The Play

Exhibitions
Empathy Swarm at QUT Art Museum

Empathy Swarm at QUT Art Museum

Exhibitions
Plantation Voices: contemporary conversations with Australian South Sea Islanders

Plantation Voices: contemporary conversations with Australian South Sea Islanders

Workshop/Class
Precious Layerings Exhibition and Workshops

Precious Layerings Exhibition and Workshops

Casual Dining
Meat-free Mexican – El Planta takes tacos to new heights at Wandering Cooks
Food & Drink

Meat-free Mexican – El Planta takes tacos to new heights at Wandering Cooks

22 Aug 2019

When it comes to culinary pop-ups, the humble taco stand is perhaps the most iconic. Street food doesn't get more beloved than this Mexican staple, so when we say one of Brisbane's best pop-up concepts hawks top-notch tacos, it's unlikely that you'll be surprised. However, there's much more to the story – El Planta at Wandering Cooks is Brisbane's first entirely plant-based Mexican concept, dishing out authentic (and addictive) flavours that are devoid of animal products. more

Captured View All

The Locals Next week: A BRISBANE LOCAL

Vivien Goldman
I've been brought up with the ideology of finding a way to function, even if you have to hack out some new path ... ~ Vivien Goldman more

Weekly Inspire… Theme of the Week: words of wisdom

Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world ... ~ Harriet Tubman

The Street Photographer View All

Hellenika
SHOOTS: Hellenika, Fortitude Valley