Brisbane’s top food influencers reveal their favourite restaurants, cafes, coffee shops and bars
From hidden, back alley bars to tiny restaurants for just 10 diners, Brisbane’s top social media foodies let us in on their favourite places to eat and drink, and where you should be booking next.
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Need a restaurant recommendation? Or how about a cafe suggestion, or a cool new bar idea?
We asked some of Brisbane’s top food influencers – those devoted to dining out and with massive Instagram followings – for their top tips on where to eat and drink across Queensland.
From cool coffee shops to cheap takeaways, here are their top picks.
JESSICA LOW
@foodieinheels
Favourite cafe
Lady Marmalade in Stones Corner. Its pancakes were voted No.1 in The Courier-Mail Best of Brisbane for a reason!
Usually I opt for a savoury brekky but here the default order is the ricotta blueberry pancakes Canadian style, otherwise I inevitably end up with food envy.
A charming cafe which takes online bookings and aptly reflects its owners Howard and Sonja – warm, affable, delightful.
Favourite coffee
Cups on Wellington in East Brisbane. There’s nowhere to hide with a simple long black and these guys always deliver a solid brew with different single origin offerings each week.
Favourite restaurant
It’s impossible to choose just one favourite restaurant, but my current top three would be Joy, in Fortitude Valley, Takashiya, South Brisbane, and Walter’s in Brisbane City.
I’ve been a fan of Joy – an intimate 10-seater from day one. Terrific food, engaging theatre, a banging soundtrack and impeccable service.
Takashiya’s omakase may be pricey, but I see it as an affordable way to momentarily escape to Japan.
I’ve followed head chef Takashi Nami’s career for some years and the flavours of his toothfish sando and signature nigiri courses are inimitable.
When it comes to steak, the house dry aged porterhouse at Walter’s never fails to satisfy my carnivorous cravings.
Favourite bar
Honto’s bar in Fortitude Valley with its unassuming entrance inside the restaurant gets missed by many, but the dark enigmatic ambience makes an alluring space and is my top choice for first dates.
The curated selection of whiskeys and sakes is especially impressive and the team are well-versed on drink recommendations. Order the Silly Rabbit cocktail.
Favourite Takeaway
KCS Chicken by Kimchi Cheese Smile in East Brisbane is my local go-to takeaway as it consistently delivers quality food which travels well.
It was originally a Korean fusion restaurant which transformed into a Korean fried chicken concept out of necessity when Covid hit and was so successful that Sarah & her husband Jamie have stuck with it!
Order the KCS chicken sandwich, honey sweet potato chips and a jar of the housemade kimchi.
MARIELLA (MARIA) CUBITO
@bakersmithprojects
Favourite cafe
New Farm Deli & Cafe in New Farm. So much history here and the fact that the one Italian family has always owned it makes it extra special.
I grew up in New Farm and still remember the days, circa the late ’80/90s, sitting at the tables outside in the afternoons with my brothers and friends having coffee and biscotti.
It’s also my mums go-to for all things Italian and I always sneak in a salami panino when I take her grocery shopping.
You have to try the Sfogliatella, a pastry with a crispy outside shell resembling a lobster tail, filled with candied orange and a ricotta custard, dusted in icing sugar.
Only a handful of places in Brisbane make this Napolitano sweet pastry and they do it perfectly.
Favourite coffee haunt
Dello Mano at New Farm. My coffee is smooth, never bitter (and) they give you a little piece of their famous brownies on top of your coffee and it hits the spot every time.
Favourite restaurant
Mamasan Kitchen & Bar in Broadbeach on the Gold Coast for one dish mainly.
Always a great vibe, friendly service and it’s never disappointed.
A must try, and I’m sorry if you’re eating with me, I’ll never share is the spanner crab ravioli dumplings with scallops, prawns, water chestnut and coconut sambal bisque.
It’s ridiculously good! If I had to eat one dish every day for the rest of my life, this could be it. The pork baos are super tasty and the Patagonian tooth fish in a rich broth is also superb.
Favourite bar
Death & Taxes in Brisbane’s CBD because I love laneway bars and dining.
It is always playing great tunes, has beautiful booths you can just settle into, not to mention the amazing book of cocktails.
My fave is still the Blood Brother with Maker’s Mark Bourbon, passionfruit, raspberry vin cotto, orange blossom and mandarin. It’s strong, sharp and a little sweet … kinda like me.
Favourite takeaway
Yolk at Gasworks in Newstead because it’s always consistent and uncomplicated.
I love their milk buns, so I’ll get the bacon and egg burger with barbecue sauce, sometimes stuff it with a hash brown, as well as the freshly squeezed OJ and you’re sorted!
The chicken and rice is also delicious and packed with flavour.
ALIYAH RAVAT
@brisbanefoodlovers
Favourite cafe
I am in love with Tarte Bakery & Café at Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast. Amazing baked
goods alongside my breakfast, next to a beach, with great coffee.
Favourite restaurant
Elska, New Farm. Their menu is unique and creative and they use local, seasonal ingredients. Every dish has that little extra something to it and even the ones that you’re not 100 per cent sure about, they’ll leave you questioning the familiarity yet distinctness of the taste profiles. They offer a set degustation menu and whilst it is pricey, I’d recommend saving it for a special occasion.
Favourite bar
I don’t drink, however, my favourite bar is Death and Taxes in Brisbane City. It’s a breathtaking venue, hidden from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Favourite takeaway
Satay Boss, Sunnybank. It’s like being on the streets of Kuala Lumpur. I love that the food here is 100 per cent authentic Malaysian. No frills added – just good food, large portion sizes, cheap prices and a whole load of taste.
I would highly recommend ordering the Nasi Campur with seafood, meat and veg and opt for coconut rice because theirs is the best in Brisbane.
For the seafood, choose fried fish; for meat, choose the chicken curry – it’s delicious; and for the veg, opt for the okra mix. I’d also recommend trying some of the chicken skewers. All that will cost you under $35 and will feed two people.
JENNY LATCHAM
@foodie_in_dream
Favourite cafe
Method to the Madness in Kenmore. Their seasonal menus are amazing, super creative and the chef knows how to used different spices to create good brunch dishes. I love the friendly staff and flavoursome Indian/Asian-fusion dishes.
Favourite coffee haunt
Foster & Black in Chermside, Brisbane CBD and Indooroopilly. Great friendly service. They are the most chill bunch of people and serve good coffee.
Favourite restaurant
My favourite right now is Goma Restaurant in South Brisbane and Rosmarino in Fortitude Valley. The long lunch at Goma is not only super creative but the presentation and flavours are spot on.
Favourite bar
Death & Taxes and Dr. Gimlette both in Brisbane City. The venues and ambience are totally perfect, and I also love that they make their own concentrated syrup from fresh ingredients.
I normally get a few drinks when I am there but my favourite is Cobblerstone – think peach plus spice.
Favourite takeaway
Motto Motto. There are six across Brisbane and the Gold Coast. I love their new doburi rice bowl range as they have so many good options.
My go-to order is the black garlic ramen with marinated egg and their yakiniku Wagyu beef bowl. For $18 you get Wagyu beef 6+ marble score, a free-range hot spring egg, shallots, seaweed, red pickles, Motto yakiniku sauce and rice. It’s the best value dinner ever.
CASS WALL
@cassywallfood
Favourite cafe
Lady Marmalade in Stones Corner is one of my favourite cafes for a weekend breakfast stop. The owners Sonja and Howie always welcome you like a friend.
If you haven’t been here before, I recommend ordering their famous pancakes or eggs Benedict.
The menu changes seasonally and includes weekly specials. My current favourite is the cheesy hash cakes with roasted asparagus, whipped ricotta, and carrot relish, add a side of smoked salmon to take it to a whole different level.
Favourite coffee haunt
Little Glass Room Espresso Bar in Mount Gravatt is my local go-to for a coffee catch up. They serve Cat’s Pyjamas, a locally roasted blend by Seven Miles Coffee Roasters in Albion. The menu also includes single origin filter coffee, organic loose-leaf tea, hot chocolate, chai lattes and matcha lattes.
I order something different each time, however, I do enjoy the full espresso experience when ordering a cold brew served on its own tray with water and milk on the side.
Favourite restaurant
Julius Pizzeria in South Brisbane is a seriously good Italian restaurant.
This is my number one recommendation when people ask me, especially visitors to Brisbane, due to its central location in Brisbane’s cultural precinct.
The menu changes weekly and seasonally so there is always something new.
For first time diners I recommend ordering the flash fried calamari, at least one of their pizzas, and then choose some dishes from the specials board. For dessert, I always order sweet fried dumplings. Julius also mix a seriously good Negroni.
Favourite bar
Growing up in Brisbane, The Regatta Hotel has always been a Brisbane icon for me. Sitting on the balcony of this historical hotel overlooking the Brisbane River with a champagne cocktail in hand is my idea of a perfectly relaxed afternoon.
Favourite takeaway
Food truck The Bun Mobile has long been a family favourite for our fortnightly takeaway meal. It’s always great to have a chat with chef Harry about what exciting daily specials he’s created. I always order the vegetarian special while others in the family will choose the classic twice cooked pork, teriyaki chicken or Wagyu beef.
WENDY CHENG
@wendyfoodie
Favourite cafe
Given Kitchen & Bar, Paddington. Love their Asian fusion flavours across their breakfast/brunch menu. The “Ube mochi waffle” is my must order here.
Favourite coffeeshop
Koto Sanpo, Brisbane City. I cannot drink coffee so as an alternative I would go for a matcha latte at Koto Sanpo, which has an intense matcha flavour. Koto Sanpo also offers other flavoured matcha drinks like iced yuzu matcha, which is refreshing and perfect for this summer.
Favourite restaurant
It is hard to pick one so my top 3 are Agnes in Fortitude Valley. I love their contemporary ambience with the open fire kitchen.
The smokiness from open fire has elevated every dish. My must-eats are the sardine sandwich, bluefin tuna sourdough crumpet, hay-roasted mussels and tomato anchovy salad.
Then there’s Walter’s Steakhouse in Brisbane City. The best steak in Brisbane in my opinion. Their signature porterhouse and creamed spinach is a must.
And finally, Maru in Cannon Hill. It’s perfect for a budget gathering with friends over charcoal grill Korean barbecue. Maru has the best quality of wagyu among K-BBQ restaurants in Brisbane. Their Hamhung cold white buckwheat noodle is my favourite, especially in summer.
Favourite bar
Death & Taxes in Brisbane’s CBD. Their cocktail list contained in a bible-like menu is phenomenal.
The Green Man – a whisky cocktail with pandan leaf has so many layers of flavours in it and is my all time favourite. Enjoy it whilst watching the bartenders putting on a fire show or sitting back at the booth.
Favourite takeaway
KCS Chicken by Kimchi Cheese Smile in East Brisbane.
The chicken wingette is so crispy and perfect with the cheese sauce and the Oh My Cheese burger is just delicious.
I also love Sri Mahkota in Sunnybank Hills for authentic Hainanese chicken rice, which is always my comfort food to eat in my PJs; as well as neighbouring venue Shalom Indonesian Restaurant for authentic Indonesian turmeric rice.
Nasi kuning is my go-to meal when I feel like something with a kick.
Originally published as Brisbane’s top food influencers reveal their favourite restaurants, cafes, coffee shops and bars
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