Brisbane South Bank Deluxe
Overview
Brisbane’s South Bank is world renowned for its use of green space and relaxing parklands with incredible river and city views, whilst being juxtaposed with high rise city living, an ongoing myriad of events and cultural activities and stellar dining. It is upbeat, busy and teeming with activity.
The walk along the Parklands by the Brisbane River is a must do, with the gorgeous Nepalese pagoda, outdoor playgrounds and kiddy pools, various markets, the Wheel of Brisbane and Australian wildlife to be enjoyed along the way.
You’ll find countless restaurants and eateries but I have included ones that I enjoyed for both quality of taste and ambience.
This is the perfect itinerary for those with curiosity, who like great food and love to explore. It focuses largely on the South Bank however for a grungy yet classy experience in Brisbane please see my post on Fortitude Valley. This sounds contradictory but you’ll soon discover what I mean!
Itinerary
Friday night – Riverbank picnic
Friday night – Sangria Bar at Olé Restaurant
Saturday brunch – The Wandering Cooks
Saturday afternoon – Sirromet Winery
Saturday night – Little Big House
Sunday brunch – Taro’s Ramen / Fish Lane
Sunday noon – Riverbank walk
Sunday afternoon – Saccharomyces Beer Cafe
Sunday dinner – Chu The Phat
Friday night:
Picnic on the Riverbank
The heart of the South Bank is of course the splendid Brisbane River and what more perfect way to commence a weekend in Brisbane than relaxing on the Riverbank with a great bottle of wine and cheese platter! There are multiple licensed green spaces along the Parklands including River Quay Green, Riverside Green and Picnic Island Green. The former two have stunning views of the Brisbane River and city skyline, while the latter two have impressive playgrounds for the kids to enjoy. Rainforest Green and the Liana Lounge are surrounded by tall luscious trees and provide a more intimate setting.
Alcohol may be consumed between 10am and 8pm all days of the week.
Sangria Bar at Olé Restaurant
Continue on to this funky Spanish tapas bar and restaurant as a perfect way to welcome in the evening! Order a pitcher of sangria in the chic bodega style bar and select some of the Spanish style share plates on offer. Their impressive menu includes: deep fried crumbed olives, fresh oysters in Chardonnay vinegar, baked goat’s cheese and pine nuts, ceviche, grilled octopus, beef and chorizo Spanish meatballs, crispy calamari, lemon and thyme marinated quail, a selection of cured meats, paella and crispy skin pork belly, just to name a few!
With a happy stomach, make sure to return home via the South Bank Boardwalk, where the stunning Brisbane cityscape is seen lit up at night; its vivid lights mirrored in the Brisbane River reflection below.
Saturday brunch: The Wandering Cooks
Home to great coffee, a bar and a rustic indie collective of international cuisines, this green city space on the corner of Fish Lane and Cordelia Street is a delightful surprise in the midst of the Brisbane concrete jungle. Perfect for brunch, stalls do change but include vegan options, Brazilian style fare and standard Australian style fare. Please be sure to check the Wandering Cooks website for opening times which change frequently.
As a business incubator, aspiring food and hospitality business owners are encouraged to bring their ideas to the team at Wandering Cooks, where they are assessed and judged by merit and lucky ones are chosen to join. Your patronage will go towards supporting these growing businesses!
Saturday afternoon: Sirromet Winery
Sirromet is a 30-40 minute drive/Uber south east of Brisbane and is the perfect space for a relaxed afternoon in the sunshine on the Tuscan Terrace of their Mount Cotton Winery. Alternatively, dine at their award winning Restaurant Lurleen’s or engage in a premium wine tasting at the Cellar Door for $5, 7 days a week between 10am to 4.30pm. Take a moment to walk around the unique architecture of the winery buildings, walk to the top of the viewing tower and enjoy the breathtaking scenery surrounding Moreton Bay. Sirromet offer winery tours from Thursday to Sunday. For an entry to stun the crowds, a private helicopter landing pad is available!
After a completely relaxing afternoon, it’s back to the CBD of Brisbane to refresh and prepare for a delicious dinner and drinks at our next destination!
Saturday night: Little Big House
Celebrity Chef Matt Moran is back at it again! Teaming up with Solotel to open Little Big House, this pub with a tin roof and a sweeping wraparound latticed verandah offers exquisitely Queensland-style drinks and unique takes on quintessential Australian food. Located on Grey Street within the heritage-listed Collins Place precinct in Brisbane’s Southpoint, you’ll discover open seating as well as little nooks to hide. Cocktails served in cans, frosè slushies and spiked punches to share, as well as a Young Henry’s collaboration ‘The Queenslander‘, it’s all here!
In addition to the rotisserie chook, the kitchen belts out a mean avocado tostada, broad bean falafels and kingfish options, as well as simple snacks. The kitsch tropical theme is interspersed with old op-shop paintings and a touch of olde and it’s truly a magnificent backdrop to a fun evening!
Sunday brunch: Taro’s Ramen / Fish Lane
When a good friend who lives in the South Bank suggested Taro’s Ramen for brunch, I was a little confused. Noodles for brunch? It was his birthday however, so of course I obliged. His little girl joined us and after ordering our selections on the iPad touch screen, I can’t count the number of chopsticks she had arranged into various shapes while we were awaiting our food to arrive. I digress.
Taro’s is a staple for locals on the South Bank. Founded by the chef bearing the restaurant’s name with a mission to bring Brisbane its best ramen, every single ingredient is crafted from scratch. Impressively, their website states exactly where each ingredient is sourced from. They have a ‘4 Win Policy’ which involves sustainable and economical positives for Consumers, Producers/ Suppliers, Employees and Managers.
Besides all this, the food is FANTASTIC.
We ordered Shoyu ramen, lotus root chips, takoyaki, pork gyoza and pork cheek and kimchi rice. I have a special place within for Japanese food.
If you’re not into Japanese for brunch, Taro’s is right by Fish Lane, which offers a plethora of other more conventional choices.
Sunday noon:
Fish Lane walk
It’s time for some fresh air and exercise. Fish Lane has plenty to discover, not the least its superb and culturally insightful artwork. Every time I walk along this little alley street, I pick up another idea or two for other bar and restaurant ideas.
Riverbank walk
The Clem Jones Promenade (South Bank Boardwalk) along the Parklands has some delightful inclusions along the way:
- The Arbour
- Nepalese Pagoda
- BRISBANE Sign
- Epicurious Garden
- Playgrounds
- Wheel of Brisbane
- South Bank Markets (The Collective & Young Designers)
It’s a beautiful stroll past Australiana flora and fauna, with the Brisbane city scape on full view across the Brisbane River.
Sunday afternoon: Saccharomyces Beer Café
I think of this place as the sunken bar. It’s not but it’s set off the street in such a way that it gives off the vibe of being set apart and is self described as a ‘fiercely independent bar, bottleshop and kitchen hidden down Fish Lane’. They are renowned for supporting local independent craft breweries, whilst also housing a great collection of wines and spirits. Time for a casual grungy beer before the weekend is nearly drawn to a close!
Sunday dinner: Chu The Phat
This Asian street food eatery draws on the flavours from hawker corners of Hong Kong, Korea and Taiwan and displays the charisma and charm of its big brother Madame Wu, with a resplendent menu of a la carte options and group banquets. Spread across two levels, this huge venue with two kitchens, two bars and unique art displays will leave you speechless!
After reminiscing about a jam-packed weekend, it’s time to say farewell to Brisbane and dream of those Fish Lane surprises you found along your journey that you can later return to!
Accommodation
I’ve stayed in a couple of Brisbane hotels and this is the one I always return to: for quality, price point, amenities and VIEWS VIEWS VIEWS.
Ivy & Eve Apartments on Merivale Street are in the heart of Brisbane and within walking distance of all South Bank based activities. If you book directly on their website there is also a 10% discount offer.
The apartments are large and the bedrooms with city views will have you feeling suspended in a glass box above the Brisbane skyline, with two floor to ceiling glass walls, balcony access and spacious interiors.
