If there’s one thing that can be said about Brisbane, it’s that there is plenty to eat. We may not have endless cultural experiences or a yearlong calendar of epic musical events, but if you’re looking to wine and dine a weekend away and make one hell of a food baby, it’s definitely the place to be.
While an ibis attacking you for your hot chips, or getting that annual Ekka strawberry sundae are foodie experiences every Brisbanite has ticked off their list, there’s a few epically delicious experiences you probably haven’t heard about – but really should have.
#1. Test Kitchens | Thomson’s Reserve | Spring Hill
Thomson’s Reserve does a good job of hiding itself away in Spring Hill’s New Inchcolm Hotel & Suites, but you should definitely sniff it out. Every second Monday, this fine dining venue holds a Test Kitchen, where guests can enjoy a 5 course degustation dinner of innovative Australian cuisine crafted by Thomson’s Reserve chefs just for the evening. You’ll taste things you’ve never heard of before (and love them), and partake in some of the best produce Australia has to offer, all while relaxing in their private dining room. If that doesn’t scream ‘exclusive,’ we don’t know what does.
#2. Food Walking Tours | Various locations
We know, we know – the concept of exercise works directly against our desire to create the world’s biggest food baby. Hear us out, though – these Brisbane walking tours mean you visit more foodie spots than you thought possible in a few hours. Plus, we feel less guilty about eating seven desserts if we’re walking to them. There are a bunch of walking tours available, including tours dedicated to chocolate, desserts, Asian street food, and craft beer.
#3. Matcha High Tea | Sinmei Tea Room | Fortitude Valley
Located in the aptly-named Scrumptious Reads bookstore, Sinmei Tea Room’s unique high tea experience is totally worth a chai (sorry). The tea room specialises in a Chinese tea known as matcha. With plenty of matcha-inspired food items, and heaps of exotic teas on the menu, high tea at Sinmei is unlike any other in town. The unconventional menu features Earl Grey angel cakes, green tea lamingtons, and matcha pesto sandwiches.
#4. Downey Park Food Trucks | Windsor
Admittedly, we had to narrow down Brisbane’s (super long) list of food truck venues and events. Downey Park’s ease of accessibility (ie. ease of stuffing our faces) and regular schedule (ie. regular access to binge-worthy food) has made this particular food convoy a winner in our eyes. Located only 5km north of the CBD, and running once a month with some of the best food trucks in town rolling in for an afternoon, no Brisbane foodie has an excuse not to visit.
#5. Sunnybank Discovery Tour | Sunnybank
Any local lover of dumplings, ramen, or sizzling Korean BBQ would be familiar with the area of Sunnybank. The southern suburb is best known as a hub of authentic Asian eateries. For the time-poor (or dim-sum fanatic), you can discover some of the suburb’s most iconic venues in just one afternoon. Over three hours, a tour guide will take you to Sunnybank’s top foodie spots, including a progressive dinner at some of the best restaurants. Pork bun addictions will officially be cured (for at least 12 hours).
#6. Degustation | Esquire | Brisbane
Fancy fine dining (and wine to match)? The degustation experience at Esquire is an experience like no other – even if you’ve already been there. When you arrive for your degustation, you’ll be presented with 12 to 25 (no, that isn’t a typo!) seasonal dishes that tend to change daily. Crafted by top-notch chefs and paired with seriously good drops of wine, this event will have you simultaneously gesturing for more and wishing you’d stopped four courses ago.
There’s no place like home – especially when home has six awesome ways to eat full to bursting.
Words by Samantha Chariton
Images by Judit Losh
