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Best Things to Do in South Brisbane

The vibrant inner city suburb of South Brisbane is a cultural and culinary mecca, with world class galleries, theatre, library, heritage trail and museum to one of Brisbane's funkiest laneways with its pocket-sized and hidden bars, cutting edge restaurants, bakery and beer hall. Elsewhere there's a gin distillery, bespoke Japanese dining room and heritage-listed pub turned retro live music bar, all in the same neighbourhood. Here's 30+ of the best things to explore and do:

GOMA

GOMA

During its relatively short existence has quickly established itself as the proverbial jewel in Brisbane’s visual arts crown.

It's Still a Secret

It's Still a Secret South Brisbane

An exquisite 1970's style vintage bar occupying the ground floor of 130 year old heritage-listed Coronation Hotel

Maeve Wine Bar

Maeve Wine Bar

Maeve Wine Bar is an art deco Euro-style bar diner occupying the top floor of a heritage-listed bank at South Brisbane

Como Restaurant

Como Restaurant South Brisbane

A gorgeous upmarket Italian restaurant and bar bringing a touch of Lake Como class to South Brisbane

Hello Please

Hello Please Fish Lane

Hello Please is a Vietnamese-inspired street food restaurant and bar that has its home in Fish Lane

Julius Pizzeria

Julius Pizzeria building exterior

Julius Pizzeria is an uber slick addition to the coolest laneway this side of the river, Fish Lane.

Chu The Phat

Chu the Phat is Brisbane’s coolest Asian restaurant and bar – a stunning glass-enclosed 2-storey affair with an exotic menu

Queensland Art Gallery

Queensland Art Gallery, South Brisbane

From the time of acquiring its first art work in 1895, the Qld Art Gallery has moved buildings five times and amassed a collection of more than 14,000 Australian and International artworks

Midtown

Midtown bar South Brisbane

Midtown is a swish intimate New York style bar serving top notch food, two-sip martinis and classic cocktails

Eleven Bridges Gin Bar

Eleven Bridges Gin Bar, South Brisbane

Eleven Bridges is Brisbane's latest gin bar and distillery, offering over 100 boutique botanicals

Taro’s Ramen

Taro’s Ramen is changing the way we do ramen – with big bowls of MSG-free broth that’s customised to suit your taste

Saccharomyces Beer Cafe

Saccharomyces Beer Café

Saccharomyces Beer Café is a cool designer beer hall tucked away in Fish Lane, South Brisbane, serving a daily breakfast, followed by craft beers and eats until midnight

South Brisbane Heritage Trail

South Brisbane was originally slated to be Brisbane's CBD, with some grand commercial buildings being established on the south side of the river, until the 1893 flood changed all that.

Lune Croissanterie

Lune Croissanterie South Brisbane

The renowned Melbourne bakery has brought the 'finest croissants in the world'* to South Brisbane

State Library Of Queensland

State Library of Qld building in Sth Brisbane

This multi-story award-winning architectural landmark building on the riverfront between the art galleries is home to the main archival collections of Queensland’s history.

Maker

Maker South Brisbane

Maker is a chic and intimate hole-in-the-wall bar reminiscent of those found in Barcelona’s back alleys, tucked away in Fish Lane, South Brisbane.

Riverside Dog Park

Riverside Dog Park

Riverside Dog Park is one of South Brisbane’s hidden gems - a long narrow offleash park that stretches along the riverfront

Southside

Southside South Brisbane

This multi-level Pan Asian urban oasis is tucked away under the South Brisbane railway bridge in Fish Lane

Next Episode

Fish Lane Next Episode

Next Episode is a secret laneway hip hop bar with a concealed entrance inside a barber’s shop

Gelato Messina

Gelato Messina South Brisbane

Gelato Messina in South Brisbane is a sibling of the famous Sydney outfit and a go-to for some of Australia's best gelato.

Kurilpa Park

Kid cycling under Jolly Bridge

Sandwiched between the evergreen Paul’s milk factory, William Jolly Bridge and GOMA is a tiny pocket park where fisherman drop a line and through which the riverside bike and pedestrian track passes on its way to Kurilpa Bridge.

Big Roddy's Rippin' Rib Shack

Big Roddy is serving up his secret recipe, prime-cut ribs in South Brisbane’s hottest dining precinct, Fish Lane.

Phuc Deli Viet

Phuc Deli Viet West End

Phuc Deli Viet is a cool contemporary Vietnamese street food bar tucked away in South Brisbane’s bustling SW1 laneway.

La Lune Wine Co

La Lune Wine Co Fish Lane

La Lune Wine Co is a classy little French-style wine bar tucked away in South Brisbane's Fish Lane

Kiki

Kiki, Fish Lane Town Square, South Brisbane

This cool coffee kiosk by day, cocktail bar by night can be found nestled in a leafy urban oasis underneath a rail bridge

Under The Clock

Under The Clock South Brisbane

Under the Clock is a secret café steeped in historic charm, found tucked away under the landmark heritage-listed South Brisbane Municipal Hall that is now part of Somerville House.

Bao Bar

Bao Bar South Brisbane

This pocket-sized Japanese fusion eatery is the new go-to for delectable bao

Bar Brutus

Bar Brutus Fish Lane South Brisbane

This tiny 8-seater laneway bar brings an elegant touch of Italy to Fish Lane

Ginger And Green

Ginger and Green South Brisbane

Ginger and Green is South Brisbane’s secret go to for great coffee, serving Seven Seeds espresso alongside house made sweets and an all-day menu.

Queensland Theatre

Queensland Theatre has its home in South Brisbane, with their Bille Brown Theatre a fantastic intimate place to watch a play

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Barbossa Bar & Bottleshop

Barbossa Bar & Bottle Shop is shaking up Caribbean-inspired cocktails and cooking up island-vibed tapas

GrassFed Vegan

Grassfed Vegan

Grassfed Vegan is a cool pocket-sized vegan burger and ice-cream bar tucked away in South Brisbane’s Fish Lane

TakashiYa

TakashiYa South Brisbane

A splendid and exclusive Japanese omakase, whiskey & sake bar, tucked away under the Emporium Hotel

Nostimo Greek Restaurant

Nostimo Greek Restaurant Greek Club South Brisbane

A visit to Nostimo Greek Restaurant at the Greek Club, South Brisbane, is the next best thing to visiting Greece

Ariake On Grey

Ariake on Grey South Brisbane

Ariake on Grey in South Brisbane is a slick little Japanese Izakaya style eatery where the focus is on quality fresh seafood

Bamboo Basket

Chinese chef in kitchen seen through window on the street

It may be a little far from the South Bank action but Bamboo Basket offers its own flurry of activity

St Mary's Catholic Church

Saint Mary's Catholic Church facade in South Brisbane

Built in the early 1890’s on the site of and to replace the original wooden Catholic church of 1865, St Mary’s is today a landmark in this area of South Brisbane.

Image credit: Queensland Theatre, courtesy of Queensland Theatre website.

Top Things To Do In Brisbane This Week

Dawn French

Dawn French

The Queen of British comedy is coming to Brisbane

ARC, Australian Rock Collective

Led Zeppelin IV Live

ARC will bring one of the greatest rock albums of all time to life

Elvis: A Musical Revolution

Elvis: A Musical Revolution

A magnificent tribute to the King of Rock 'n' Roll

Chelsea Handler

Chelsea Handler

Chelsea Handler is bringing her brand new stand up show to Brisbane

Twilight in the Vineyard

Twilight in the Vines

A magical summer experience set amongst the vineyards

HOT PROPERTY

For Sale

Graphic House is pure inner city luxury, a stunning residence set high on Paddington hill only 3.5km from the CBD with panoramic 270° views stretching from the city to the Scenic Rim and Mt Coot-tha

Park Play

Take a virtual trip to Asia at Brisbane's Hologram Zoo

Click here for your chance to win this great prize

Win a year of Parmis at Morayfield Tavern, valued at $1,768

Click here for your chance to win!

Win a 2024 Gold Film Pass to GOMA's Australian Cinémathèque