Bars
The round-up: what's open this Ekka public holiday
Food & Drink

The round-up: what’s open this Ekka public holiday

08 Aug 2024

The show bag pavilion is packed with prizes, the rides are fully operational, and the dagwood dogs are ready to be dipped. It’s Ekka time and that means a little mid-week day off for those of us in the greater Brisbane area. The show day public holiday is on Wednesday August 14 this year, and even if you’re not feeling the urge to throw yourself into some classic show-day shenanigans, there’s plenty of fun to be had! We’ve compiled a handy list of cafes, bars and restaurants that will be trading throughout the Ekka public holiday, so wherever you end up you'll be best in chow! more

Bars
Get the first look at Justin Lane's sprawling new Fortitude Valley pizzeria, rooftop bar and vinyl lounge
Food & Drink

Get the first look at Justin Lane’s sprawling new Fortitude Valley pizzeria, rooftop bar and vinyl lounge

01 Aug 2024

Burleigh came to Brisbane last week with the official opening of Justin Lane's brand-new establishment in Fortitude Valley. The team officially cut the ribbon on the jaw-dropping hub on Friday July 26, lifting the cloche on a casual restaurant space, rooftop bar and subterranean cocktail and vinyl lounge, with a soon-to-open takeaway pizzeria and cafe still to come. We were there to take a look around – here's what we saw ... more

Pavement Whispers
Pavement Whispers: Dark Shepherd, a new lamb-centric restaurant from Tassis Group, is coming to The Star Brisbane
Food & Drink

Pavement Whispers: Dark Shepherd, a new lamb-centric restaurant from Tassis Group, is coming to The Star Brisbane

01 Aug 2024

The Terrace at The Star Brisbane is starting to fill up. Joining the dining precinct's roster of restaurants is Dark Shepherd, a new Mediterranean-inspired venue from Tassis Group – the hospitality crew behind Longwang, Fatcow and Fosh. Here, lamb will be the centrepiece of the offering, with succulent woodfired morsels taking pride of place alongside freshly sourced seafood. Here's what we know ... more

Food News
Beverage buzz – the famed Mont Blanc coffee has arrived in Brisbane and we know where to get a taste
Food & Drink

Beverage buzz – the famed Mont Blanc coffee has arrived in Brisbane and we know where to get a taste

01 Aug 2024

There's a new drink on the market that is setting our Instagram and TikTok feeds abuzz. The Mont Blanc, a drink created and made virally popular at vaunted Melbourne cafe Good Measure, has made its way to Brisbane, with an increasing number of local cafes putting a spin on the cream-topped sipping sensation. We've done a quick tour around town to find the spots where you can get a Mont Blanc right now – here's what we found ... more

Cafes
Brooki Bakehouse and Whittaker's team up for a must-try cookie collab
Food & Drink

Brooki Bakehouse and Whittaker’s team up for a must-try cookie collab

31 Jul 2024

Do you fancy a fine chocolate? Crave a chunky cookie? Well do we have news for you! For two days only, Brisbane cookie connoisseurs Brooki Bakehouse will be partnering with Aotearoan chocolate artisans Whittaker’s, Whittaker’s to roll out a limited-edition Creamy Caramel Cookie. This is one confection you won't want to miss – here are all the sticky details ... more

Food News
Female-owned and operated rum brand Birds of Isle unveils new Bunya Nut Rum
Food & Drink

Female-owned and operated rum brand Birds of Isle unveils new Bunya Nut Rum

31 Jul 2024

Tweed Shire’s Birds of Isle rum distillery wants to redefine the rum-drinking experience with a new, femme-fuelled brew. Founded by partners in life and business Chanel Melani and Sally Carter, Birds of Isle produces premium rum spirits, inspired by the diverse landscape and culture of the Northern Rivers. Its latest launch, Bunya Nut Rum, has imbued the sweet depth of rum with a delicate-smokey hit of native bunya nuts for a uniquely Australian flavour. Keep reading to find out more … more

Cafes
Start the week on the right note at Monday Cafe, the new inner-city eatery from the Hey Mr crew
Food & Drink

Start the week on the right note at Monday Cafe, the new inner-city eatery from the Hey Mr crew

25 Jul 2024

Brisbane City is not short on exceptional coffee spots, but when it comes to full-service cafes ... let's just say that there's plenty of room to improve. The team behind popular New Farm cafe Hey Mr is looking to increase the amount of daytime options available to inner-city denizens with Monday Cafe, a spacious new brunch and lunch spot that quietly opened on Adelaide Street in early July. Expect to find a bunch of Hey Mr's Asian-inspired favourites alongside freshly baked pastries and specialty coffee, plus a tight lunch menu featuring pasta and snacks. more

Food News
Cartel Del Taco | Brisbane's best Mexican
Food & Drink

Where to find the best Mexican food in Brisbane

24 Jul 2024

When it comes to world cuisine, we have a lot to thank the country of Mexico for. While a lot of us are no strangers to a humble burrito, true Mexican food enthusiasts know there is so much more to it – fresh flavours, crisp textures and simple recipes are what make an authentic Mexican dish truly great. Other countries have also borrowed from Mexico’s rich and vibrant culinary culture to create food fusions that we could only dream of – so whether you’re a purist when it comes to your pozole or you don’t mind a bit of Tex-Mex action, Brisbane has got you covered. We’ve rounded the best spots to get your Mexican food fix in Brisbane – let’s taco ‘bout it. more

Pavement Whispers
Pavement Whispers: Lúc Lắc, Ghanem Group's new Indochine-inspired restaurant and bar, is opening at The Star Brisbane in September
Food & Drink

Pavement Whispers: Lúc Lắc, Ghanem Group’s new Indochine-inspired restaurant and bar, is opening at The Star Brisbane in September

22 Jul 2024

The countdown is on to the official opening of The Star Brisbane, the glitzy centrepiece of the long-gestating Queen's Wharf development. Even with the precinct's multi-stage opening slated to commence on Thursday August 29, the team behind The Star Brisbane is still dropping news of venues joining its cadre of dining destinations. In September, Ghanem Group – the team behind Blackbird, Donna Chang and more – will open Lúc Lắc, a restaurant and bar showcasing the flavours of Vietnam, Thailand and Singapore in chic tropical-inspired surrounds. Here's what we know ... more

Restaurants
Supernormal
Food & Drink

First look – Andrew McConnell’s Supernormal opens in Brisbane City

18 Jul 2024

The time has finally come. Perhaps one of Brisbane’s most anticipated restaurants, Supernormal, is ready to open. Forget the neon-lit, industrial, Tokyo-inspired aesthetic of its Melbourne counterpart, however – Supernormal Brisbane embraces its subtropical home, penning a new chapter of its story with a warm, welcoming setting, refreshed menu and energetic team. Ahead of its official opening on Tuesday July 23, here’s everything you need to know about Andrew McConnell and Jo McGann’s second Brisbane venture. more

Bars
Colour, cocktails and classic cuisine – Naldham House, The City’s landmark new dining hub, has opened to the public
Food & Drink

Colour, cocktails and classic cuisine – Naldham House, The City’s landmark new dining hub, has opened to the public

18 Jul 2024

After many months of waiting, Naldham House – DAP & Co.'s landmark hospitality hub – is finally set to open to the public on Thursday July 18. Housing a European-style brasserie, a sun-soaked alfresco terrace bar and a late-night cocktail joint (plus one more venue still to be announced), Naldham House is poised to make a pivotal mark on Brisbane's dining scene. Take a tour inside before the venue launches later this week ... more

Bars
There's nothing bland about Milquetoast, the new laneway wine bar from a forward-thinking drink-savvy duo
Food & Drink

There’s nothing bland about Milquetoast, the new laneway wine bar from a forward-thinking drink-savvy duo

18 Jul 2024

If you took a venue's name on face value, you might raise an eyebrow at the prospect of visiting Milquetoast. But the new inner-city wine bar, which opened last week inside a converted garage off Elizabeth Street, couldn't be further from its namesake. Offering a cracking collection of low-intervention wines, hyper-creative cocktails and a playful menu of British-inspired eats that’s available until late, Milquetoast is a one-of-a-kind addition to Brisbane's bar scene that is breaking the mould in the best ways. more

Bars
First look – James Street icon Cru Bar & Cellar has been revitalised with an eye-popping upgrade
Food & Drink

First look – James Street icon Cru Bar & Cellar has been revitalised with an eye-popping upgrade

18 Jul 2024

After a significant refurbishment, long-running James Street institution Cru Bar & Cellar is back and is better than ever. The cherished wine bar, restaurant and bottle shop softly reopened earlier this month, showing off a luxurious new look alongside a retooled menu and a bolstered cellar list weighing in at more than 2000 bottles. Though modernised and elevated, Cru Bar & Cellar's makeover maintains the service-centric spirit that has made the iconic venue a fixture of the scene for more than 20 years. Take a peek inside ... more

Bars
Game, Aussie whisky and classic pub vibes – take a peek inside the new-look Alliance Hotel
Food & Drink

Game, Aussie whisky and classic pub vibes – take a peek inside the new-look Alliance Hotel

11 Jul 2024

Earlier this year, we revealed that the team behind top-tier inner-city drink spots Frog's Hollow Saloon and Alice had taken over custodianship of The Alliance Hotel in Spring Hill. Well, after a few months of hard work, the team is now ready to show off a suite of exciting new elements, including a spruced-up bistro serving salivation-worthy game meat, a classically charming front bar, four versatile function spaces and a list of Australian whiskies touted as the biggest collection in the country. Take a peek inside ... more

Bars
End of an era – Caxton Street craft-beer pioneer Brewski is set to close
Food & Drink

End of an era – Caxton Street craft-beer pioneer Brewski is set to close

11 Jul 2024

In bad news for beer lovers, long-running Petrie Terrace boozer Brewski has announced its imminent closure. The Caxton Street staple, which has been slinging suds since 2013, is set to shut in August alongside its bottle shop offshoot My Beer Dealer. Though heavy news for Brisbane's hop-loving populace, there's hope that this isn't the last we'll see of the Brewski crew. We caught up with the brains behind the operation to chat about Brewski's legacy, its closing festivities and potential existence beyond Caxton Street. more

Restaurants
The Independent, Brisbane Airport's new elevated eatery and bar, launches with an offering shaped by Luke Mangan
Food & Drink

The Independent, Brisbane Airport’s new elevated eatery and bar, launches with an offering shaped by Luke Mangan

11 Jul 2024

Brisbane's hottest new dining destination isn't located in The City or Fortitude Valley – it can be found right near the Virgin terminals at Brisbane Domestic Airport. The Independent is a brand-new nosh spot where travellers departing from or visiting our fine city can enjoy fare from a rotating roster of some of Australia's finest chefs. The venue's first chef in residence is none other than Luke Mangan, who is putting his acclaimed talents towards a menu showcasing Queensland's finest produce. Got a flight coming up? Head to the airport a little bit earlier for seafood towers, Mooloolaba prawn rolls and tuna sashimi tacos. more