Ah, Brisbane. One of the few cities in the world where you can swim in winter, have a legitimate fear of birds (they’re all either trying to kill you or steal your lunch) and eat al fresco all year long. We’re extremely spoiled here in the great South East, with almost too many outdoor dining options (if such a thing is possible), so here are some of our favourites to help you decide where to next soak up some rays and fill your bellies.
It’s reasonable to conclude that there’s no way to improve upon eating a delectable selection of baos, Vietnamese rolls and dumplings, right? Well, Hello Please has found a way to make Vietnamese even more inviting by setting up a charming outdoor sitting area. Literally everything is better with fairy lights.
River Quay Fish | South Brisbane
It always feels a little wrong to eat seafood without a waterfront view. River Quay Fish understands that barra tastes better when you can see where it used to live, and are serving up some of the city’s best seafood in one of the city’s best riverside locations. They also do takeaway, so if you STILL feel like you’re too far from the river, you can take your soft shell crab baguette down to where the water is literally in jumping distance.Customs House | CBD
Just in case the river views, spectacular architecture and pop-up spritz bar weren’t enough incentive for you to visit Customs House, they’re now offering a $40 lunch deal! Including a glass of wine and your choice of either an entre or dessert to pair with your delicious main, this deal FINALLY lets us have a fancy, riverside lunch even if we don’t have a company credit card to charge it to.Bar Alto | New Farm
Riverside Italian, irresistible cocktails and a view to die for? You’ll think you’ve died and gone to Italy at this New Farm spot, a well-kept secret by those in the know. With a shady verandah hidden away from, well, everything but the occasional ferry sailing past, you can shovel their infamous parpadelle goat ragu into your mouth in peace.The Jetty Oxford | Bulimba
This stylish riverside restaurant is serving up waterfront deliciousness for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Next time you’re on Oxford Street, make sure to stop by The Jetty and tuck into pork belly arancini or crispy pork belly with red pepper salsa, and sip a cocktail as you gaze proudly at the majestic brown snake.Riverbar & Kitchen | CBD
You knew this one was coming. Riverbar & Kitchen is Brisbane’s quintessential riverside bar and restaurant. Serving up delicious pizzas, share platters and cocktails, Riverbar is only a stone’s throw away from dozens of other bars and is the perfect place to kick off (or kick on) a Saturday night.
Hello Please | South Brisbane
It’s reasonable to conclude that there’s no way to improve upon eating a delectable selection of baos, Vietnamese rolls and dumplings, right? Well, Hello Please has found a way to make Vietnamese even more inviting by setting up a charming outdoor sitting area. Literally everything is better with fairy lights.
Balfour Kitchen | New Farm
Ask any Brisbanite what they consider to be the best al fresco dining location in town, 9/10 of them will answer, ‘from the verandah of my mum and dad’s pre-war Queenslander’. Luckily, the folks at Balfour Kitchen have come up with the brilliant idea of situating their restaurant on the verandah of a gorgeous Queenslander in New Farm. So now mum can have the night off, but we can still enjoy outdoor dining in the best way possible.The Palms Bar and Grill | Mt Gravatt
We know it’s not even February yet, but does anyone else feel like they need a holiday? Even just like, a really little, mini-holiday? Well, look no further than The Palms Bar and Grill. Their poolside restaurant, featuring a spectacular selection of share plates and cocktails will make you feel like you’re smack-bang in the middle of your December holiday. Lean into the delusion, you’ve earned it.Red Robin Supper Truck | Morningside
A food truck and beer garden hybrid sounds like something dreams are made of, right? Well the Red Robin Supper Truck and Death Valley Bar have made our dreams a reality. Situated in Morningside, this dynamic duo is slinging some seriously good grub and brews (watermelon and bacon burger, anyone?) and to top it all off, you can enjoy all this deliciousness under the stars. Sign us the hell up.South Bank Beer Garden | South Bank
Only in Brisbane can you look over a beach, a river, and bustling walkway all at once. The South Bank Beer Garden is nestled right in the heart of the Stanley Street Plaza, so you can watch all the action South Bank has to offer and make passer-byers jealous as you inhale your pork riblettes with apple and bourbon BBQ sauce. God bless this city. All right, we’ve put in the hard work testing all these joints, now it’s your turn. Slip, slop and salivate, Brisbane! Words by Georgia Casey
