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Best Things to Do in Moorooka

Updated: Oct 19, 2025

The inner southside suburb of Moorooka, which backs on to the original Brisbane bush tracts of Toohey Forest, dates from the 1920s when the first housing estate was built in Queenslander Ashgrovian style, with street names taking their names from World War I. Since then the suburb expanded with a major brick war estate built in the late 1960s and in the late 1980s saw an influx of African migrants, who established home and businesses there so that the main shopping strip along Beaudesert Rd became known locally as 'Little Africa'.

Today Moorooka is well worth a visit for its colourful multicultural shopping centre, with its traditional Eritrean, Ethiopian and Middle Eastern eateries, grocery stores and mixed businesses as well as funky cafes and Brisbane's oldest Chinese restaurant, plus, tucked away in a side street, one of Brisbane's most creative events spaces, including a garden bar and small theatre: 

An authentic Ethiopian/Eritrean restaurant found in an arcade in the heart of Brisbane's Little Africa
Roo Kitchen and Bar is a rustic chic family owned cafe which is open daily and located on Moorooka's main shopping strip
Ethiopian Village is a traditional Ethiopian eatery tucked away in the rear of a retro shopping arcade in multicultural Moorooka
Vizzeto is a pocket-sized pizzeria in Moorooka offering a fusion of Brazilian, Italian and Australian mouthwatering, woodfired pizza
A little slice of South Africa found along Beaudesert Road in Moorooka, specialising in South African groceries
Arcana would have to be Brisbane's most unique event and function space, tucked away in a cleverly repurposed warehouse
Todd & Pup is a popular cafe nestled on a leafy street in Moorooka, offering top-notch coffee and breakfast fare

This little green oasis with kids playground takes its name from Peggs Farm which occupied the site in the late 1800s before being subdivided as part of Mayfield Gardens Estate in the 1920s 

This little eatery in heart of Brisbane's Little Africa, Moorooka, offers authentic Ethiopian/Eritrean cuisine
This little store in the 1950s Hughes Centre is packed to the hilt with Middle Eastern and Afghani staples and delicacies.
Brisbane's oldest Chinese restaurant stands like a time capsule in Moorooka, dating from 1966
Botanicafe is a cool little foodie's oasis tucked away in the Woolworths precinct of Moorooka
Dishing up traditional Iraqi cuisine from its home tucked away on Moorooka's main shopping strip

Tucked away in Moorooka is this gem of a popular Persian and Afghani BBQ restaurant serving delectable authentic cuisine

Don't be fooled by the no-frills appearance because The Barra Boys serve some of Brisbane's best fish & chips

This convivial little acai bar serves up acai bowls worth travelling for including the must-try Dubai Acai - and it's open until midnight! 

The tiny Thai restaurant, a local favourite, has been serving up delicious traditional Thai food for years

Looking to discover more hidden gems of Brisbane, check out our Guide to Brisbane Suburbs HERE! Happy exploring!

Image credits:

Peggs Park pic courtesy of Brisbane City Council

Zeitoon pic courtesy of Zeitoon Facebook page

Rooka Acai courtesy of Rooka Acai 

Jao Jorm Thai pic couresy of Jao Jorm Thai Facebook page

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