Where to dine in Kangaroo Point and Woolloongabba

Kangaroo Point and Woolloongabba don’t exactly scream "food wonderland" but hidden inside historical buildings are a number of award-winning restaurants, top-notch cafes and speakeasy-style bars worth visiting.

Fine dining

Dishing up exquisite Roman fare, 1889 Enoteca has become a local favourite since its opening in 2009. Like a classic enoteche in Italy, the establishment features a restaurant, bar, wine store and basement-level cellar where guests can enjoy a private dining experience. The pillowy soft gnocchi dish has been a best seller each year since the restaurant opened.

1889 Enoteca

Named Best New Restaurant by the Brisbane Times Good Food Guide 2016, the Catbird Seat Bistro serves seasonal modern European cuisine inspired by French, Nordic and Scandinavian flavours. Reminiscent of a secret Parisian backstreet, the petite restaurant has a boutique vibe that will leave you feeling special.

The Catbird Seat Bistro

Further out, The Wolfe offers a classic but intriguing menu that changes monthly, making no two visits the same. The setting evokes sentiments of old-world charm, with thanks to a 120-year-old oak bar in the main dining room.

The Wolfe

Breakfast

Popular for breakfast, Woolloongabba is also home to some of Brisbane’s finest cafes and brunch spots. Head to the Gabba Five Ways precinct where it practically rains eggs. Set amid the heritage-listed houses and antique stores, Pearl Cafe’s menu serves the likes of savoury crepes with saffron and fennel prawn, char sui pork toasties or handmade gnocchi. Across the way, the Baker’s Arms offers a selection of freshly-baked sweet and savoury goodies that you can enjoy on the go or sit in with a Campos coffee. Make your weekend brunch boozy at Canvas, where a Madame Mimosa pairs perfectly with bacon.

Canvas

Just a stone’s throw away, Brown Dog Cafe understand the importance of all-day breakfast at a reasonable price. Moose & Gibson (named after the owners' two beloved pooches) also offers all-day breakfast that you can enjoy in a funky, industrial setting.

Brown Dog Cafe

Other local favourites include Pawpaw Café for its extensive choice and Asian or neighbouring rabbit warren, the character-filled Foxy Bean. On Logan Rd, Greenroom Cafe sources local, ethical and sustainable ingredients to create delicious breakfast and freshly made treats, Lady Marmalade Cafe serves classics with a twist including confit duck on chilli corn bread waffle while Tuckshop Time is picture perfect with colourful lattes and scrumptious brunch options. 

For breakfast with a view, check out these two in Kangaroo Point. Perched atop the Kangaroo Point Cliffs, enjoy a delicious breakfast at Bar Spritz while overlooking the river and spectacular city skyline. Enjoy outdoor dining at its finest at Medley Café. Tuck into breakfast and sip a coffee while watching walkers and riders cruise past the path along the river. And a short walk away, find Little Smirk serving up quality coffee by Espresso di Manfredi and classic breakfasts – the hash brown stack is a crowd pleaser.

PawPaw Cafe. Image credit @emotivelightphoto

Pubs and local bistros

Kangaroo Point and Woolloongabba are home to a number of iconic Queensland pubs. Best known is the legendary The Story Bridge Hotel, built around the massive pylons of the namesake bridge. The Norman Hotel is proudly known as “Brisbane’s worst vegetarian restaurant” and serves up some of the best steaks in Brisbane. Just leave that vegan friend at home. Another carnivore haven is the Morrison Hotel where you can select from eight cuts of meat, which you should definitely pair with the classic mushroom sauce. Also hunt out the whiskey bar hidden within. One of the original brew pubs, Brewhouse serves up mouth-watering steaks and seafood, plus its nine giant screens are extremely popular with sporting fans. If it's craft beer you're wanting, then it's craft beer you'll get at Sea Legs Brewing Co., now serving frothies and shareable plates from the cavernous warehouse space on Main St. Last but not least, try the Pineapple Hotel (fondly known as the Piney) for its classic pub menu.

Story Bridge Hotel

Around the world in 80 flavours

These two southside suburbs will spoil you for choice when it comes to cuisine variety. Taste the flavours of Italy at Ristorante La Famiglia, where every bite at this modern Italian restaurant will leave you wanting more. Follow your nose to Sorellina Pizzeria to sample one of its wood-fired pizzas made with fine Italian flour and a glass from the carefully-curated wine list.

Ristorante La Famiglia

Ben’s Chinese and Vietnamese offers a main course of traditional cuisine served with a side of karaoke or stop in for some of Brisbane’s best (and cheap) sushi or bowls at Kotobuki Sushi in East Brisbane.

Let your mouth water at the sight of the succulent ribs, steaks and burgers at Ribs & Burgers in Trafalgar Lane, or put on your bibs and jump aboard the seafood express at St James Crabhouse and Kitchen to get messy with delicious crustaceans. If seafood isn’t your thing, St James also serves chicken wings and slow-cooked ribs.