King Arthur
Lovers of South Brisbane’s Merriweather cafe will be excited to learn that the team is opening a new cafe in Fortitude Valley. Crowned King Arthur, the new cafe will sit just off James Street, serving up the much-loved Coffee Supreme. Whilst offering something a little different to Merriweather, King Arthur will have a similar focus on high-quality locally sourced produce from smallholding and organic farmers, with healthy dishes a strong focus. King Arthur is set to open in the coming months – look out on The Weekend Edition for full details soon.

The Foundry
Fortitude Valley’s entertainment precinct is set to welcome a new player on the live-music scene, when The Foundry opens on March 6 at 228 Wickham Street. Equal parts live-music venue, bar and collaborative space, The Foundry will be a multi-level mecca for creative types and live-music fiends. What was formerly an abandoned backpackers has been transformed into The Foundry Studios, which will house numerous creative businesses including 4ZZZ, Lost Movements and Mucho Bravado. The Foundry’s 300-person live room will become a central space in the Valley precinct, as it will also boast a beer garden and a rock ’n’ roll bar. Applications for studio spaces are now open – stay tuned for more updates.

Malt Pier and Malt Traders Emporium
As Newstead’s waterfront residential area continues to grow, so too does the number of dining destinations. The latest set to join the area is Malt Pier, a new project from restaurateur Nick Pinn. Malt Pier will be a sister venue to Nick’s Malt Dining in Brisbane City, and will initially open for breakfast and lunch. The cafe-bistro is due to open in April, taking over the space that once housed French Twist. Nick (also co-owner of Aquitaine Brasserie at South Bank) has been a busy man of late, currently overseeing the upcoming opening of a new Malt Traders outlet at Emporium. The Fortitude Valley branch will have a similar offering to its Market Street sibling, selling pre-batched cocktails and take-home dinners.

Pizzeria Violetta
Kenmore is getting ready to welcome a new pizzeria to the neighbourhood. Renata Roberts, owner of Sichuan Bang Bang, is looking to open Pizzeria Violetta next door to her spicy locale later this month. The kitchen will be pumping out simple traditional-style pizzas from a hand-built Stefano Ferrara wood-fired oven, with the help of three pizzioli straight from Italy. You’ll also find a selection of salads and small appetisers to accompany your meal, as well as wines, prosecco, a cocktail and Aperol spritz to wash it all down.

Cafe O-Mai
Annerley foodie haven Cafe O-Mai has become a local’s favourite, serving up Vietnamese-style cuisine for breakfast and lunch. The mother-and-daughter duo behind the cafe, Kim and Maggie, have announced that they are expanding their cafe after securing ownership of the neighbouring property. Construction is underway to free up space for a new commercial kitchen, a takeaway section and more seating space to accommodate ever-increasing demand. The extensions are due to be completed in March, so if you are a long-time fan of Cafe O-Mai or are curious to see what is on offer, check in soon.

Wardrobe Warriors
Brisbane’s market boom is only getting bigger, with new boutique markets opening every month. The latest market to hit the scene is the Wardrobe Warriors Market, selling only pre-loved fashion and accessories at bargain prices. For a gold coin donation, anyone can come by the MacGregor State High School on February 28 to scope out what is on offer. All proceeds from the Wardrobe Warriors Market will go to Assist A Sista, a charity that helps survivors of domestic violence. Wardrobe Warriors Markets will occur monthly in different suburbs around Brisbane.

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