Woolloongabba’s burgeoning dining scene punches far above its weight—a slew of trendy restaurant, bar, and brewery openings in this Brisbane suburb has ignited the restaurant landscape in recent years. South City Square is a well-known hive of activity, but there are also some backstreet hotspots worth venturing off the beaten track for.
On Logan Road, a retro-chic spot dishing up traditional Italian food caused a stir when it sauntered into the area in 2021. Nearby, a longstanding local pub is ideal for a pre-game pint with mates. A modern Australian restaurant aces the outdoor dining taste atop the Kangaroo Point cliffs.
Woolloongabba and its surroundings are filled with places worthy of memorable group hangouts, family dinners, and dates. Read on for a guide to 10 of the best restaurants to book there now.
Joey’s (Kangaroo Point)
Perched atop the Kangaroo Point cliffs, Joey’s offers breathtaking Brisbane River and cityscape views. The bright all-day alfresco channels a luxe but comfortable Amalfi Coast escape. Stop in for a morning coffee and an acai bowl topped with fresh fruit, granola, and coconut chips on the way to work. Linger over a long lunch, where the focus is on fresh produce served in simple and raw forms—think oysters, crudo with grapefruit, and Moreton Bay bug rolls with chile mayo. Though the best experience may be during golden hour, where an aperitivo and sunset view can easily stretch into a wood-fired pizza dinner. No matter what time you land up here, you’ll quickly see why Joey’s is a scenic go-to for Woolloongabba locals.
Detour (Woolloongabba)
Sustainable dining lies at the heart of Detour’s identity. That ethos is palpable in its industrial interiors (a blend of brickwork and warm timbers), constructed mostly from recycled and sustainable materials. But it’s also noticeable in head chef Damon Amos’ (formerly of Public) modern Australian dishes that aren’t shy to experiment with native flavours and ingredients. Case in point: Emu tartare with burnt shallot, chile, and yolk. Plant-friendly highlights include fossilised carrots with dukkah, curry, and cashew. Detour is a convivial mission-driven spot that’s worth venturing off the main street to find.
Sichuan Tiger (Woolloongabba)
Take a hot and spicy journey to southwestern China at this favourite. Head chef Tiger Zhang combines Sichuan traditions with modern techniques to create dishes such as roasted duck pancakes, flash-fried pork ribs with black pepper, and the beloved Sichuan classic, dan dan noodles with minced pork. If your group is extra hungry, let the chef do the decision-making with a five- or eight-course menu. It all adds up to a sensational but casual mid-week dinner.
Sasso Italiano (Woolloongabba)
Snag a table at Sasso Italiano for a memorable Italian meal in a sleek contemporary space. Amalfi Coast-born chef Gabriele Di Landri (formerly of Aria, Chiswick, and The Dolphin Hotel) stirs up nostalgic Italian hits at this well-loved trattoria, making it an ideal space for a special occasion—or a just-because weeknight dinner. Classic pastas include rigatoni amatriciana and spaghetti with local crab meat and zucchini. Pizzas are blistered to perfection in a rotating wood-fired oven. Pair your feast with a glass of natural wine, a negroni crafted with vintage housemade vermouth, or a brewed-in-Brisbane tap beer. Then soak in Sasso’s warm and hospitable ambience and raise a glass to this lovable neighbourhood gem.
Lemak East Brisbane BYO (East Brisbane)
Grab your mates and a bottle before heading to this Malaysian-inspired BYO spot. Lemak is just as suited for a fun-filled meal as it is for a quick bite before a match at The Gabba. The restaurant scooped up the Reader’s Choice award in the 2022 Australian Good Food Guide, all thanks to a stellar comfort food selection that includes spring rolls, samosas, noodles, and laksa. But you’re really here for the winning fried chicken (served with rice or noodles) which is responsible for most of Lemak’s crowds and accolades.
Casa Chow (Woolloongabba)
Casa Chow is one of Brisbane’s first Chifa restaurants, fusing Peruvian and Chinese cuisines. Expect Cantonese flavours with Peruvian staples, best sampled in shared plates such as kingfish with leche de tigre and crispy wontons and Peruvian fried rice with prawn and pork. If you’re imbibing, don’t skip a rice lager with hints of Peruvian purple corn or a cocktail from the pisco-heavy menu, including the Insta-famous Khaleesi pisco sour brightened with lychee and passion fruit. Neon lights, a pastel colour scheme, and Latin beats from live DJs add to the wow factor at this vibrant and high-energy spot.
South City Wine (Woolloongabba)
South City Wine is the third venue to join Woolloongabba’s South City dining precinct from hotel vets Vincent Lombino and Jared Thibault. Natural wine is the undeniable MVP at this classic European-style wine bar. The 200-bottle list features drops from Australia, France, Spain, the USA, New Zealand, and Italy—but if wine isn’t your thing, there’s a strong classic cocktail selection featuring inventive ingredients such as pink peppercorns and cucumber and rosewater gin. To graze, there’s cheese, charcuterie, and fancy tinned anchovies and sardines, plus shareable French dishes including chicken liver parfait, steak frites, and a rotating fish special. Dig into it all in an intimate space decked with green marble, timber panelling, and ornate dining tables. In the warmer months, channel a Parisian vibe, grab a perch under the green awning outdoors, and gaze at passersby.
Pineapple Hotel (Kangaroo Point)
The Pineapple Hotel has presided over Woolloongabba since 1864 and remains a hotspot for its prolific wine, beer, and hearty pub fare selection. But it’s equally loved for its numerous bars and dining spaces, making the longstanding pub one of the area’s ultimate crowd-pleasers. Come for a pre-game beer and choose from 16 options on tap in Helsby Ale House. Enjoy a $13 lunch menu with colleagues (available daily from 11 am to 3 pm) in the new Garden Bar, or bring the family for a weekly special such as Chicken Parmy Wednesday or Steak Night on Tuesday and Thursday. For the sports fanatics, there’s a designated 5th Quarter Bar & Lounge to watch your team live and loud. The result is a versatile haunt with a little something for everyone.
Future Magic Brewing Co. (East Brisbane)
There’s little not to love about this family- and dog-friendly brewery and tap room. Future Magic Brewing Company is all about craft beer and is the passion project of directors Sean Astill and Rhys Pike. The airy 150-seat brick warehouse was brought to life through a crowdfunding campaign, so it’s only fitting that the resulting spot is deeply linked to its surrounding community. East Brisbane residents can’t get enough of Future Magic’s ales, lagers, and stouts (there’s also a seasonally rotating fruit sour). Counter the booze with hearty wood-fired pizzas—including two kid-friendly versions—topped with everything from pepperoni to pesto, spinach, sun-dried tomato, and eggplant.
Purple Palm (Woolloongabba)
The hitmaking team behind Sasso Italiano, Casa Chow, and South City Wine bring you a Southern California-inspired paradise complete with a ten-foot gin wall and a palm-flanked open-air oasis. Despite its American accent, Purple Palm is dedicated to small-batch Australian spirits, showcased via signature G&Ts featuring hand-stamped ice. Consider the vanilla-infused spin on the classic cocktail served with lemon tonic, dehydrated lemon, and an edible flower garnish or a tropical riff which blends gin with tonic, dried mango, and kaffir lime leaf (there’s also a small selection of beers and by-the-glass wine). The striking indoor-outdoor space glows a soft purple as the sun sets, so it’s no surprise that Purple Palm is one of Woolloongabba’s most popular perches for an after-work or pre-dinner drink.
