Brisbane’s Must-Eat Dishes: Your Guide To The City’s Best Bites

Have a limited time to explore Brisbane and only want to eat the best? We’ve narrowed down a selection of the city’s best dishes, from breakfast carbonara (yes, it’s true) to the best dumplings in the city.

Brisbane has an array of fantastic restaurants that pack a punch with their offering. It wasn’t easy to choose but here are the 10 must-eat dishes in Brisbane.

1. Saganaki, Greca

Fried cheese with honey? Yum.

This dish is something else. It comes to your table sizzling in the pan and you’ll devour it in seconds. Not to mention you’re eating it with Greca ’s stunning waterfront view from Howard Smith Wharves. Chef’s kiss.

Saganaki cheese sizzling in pan at Greca in Brisbane — Is there anything better than seeing your food sizzle on a pan right before your eyes? (Image: Nikki To)

2. Breakfast carbonara, Morning After

Why has no one thought to serve pasta at breakfast before?

Carbonara is a natural extension of bacon and eggs with toast: pappardelle provides a dose of carbs, guanciale (cured pigs cheek) adds that meaty umami hit, and a 63-degree hens egg stands in for the requisite yolk.

If you are having one of those morning-after moments, bring a pair of shades to Morning After .

The all-white, timber and green cafe is bright and breezy, and one of the best in Brisbane, but a bowl of that pasta will have you feeling human in no time.

The Breakfast Carbonara with a long black coffee from Morning After in Brisbane — The breakfast carbonara is a twist on classic bacon and eggs.

3. Gnocchi with pork and fennel sausage, 1889 Enoteca

Arguably one of the best-known dishes in Brisbane, 1889 Enoteca’s ridiculously rich gnocchi has been the restaurant’s bestseller for seven years straight.

When the weather gets cool, head to this moody Roman-style trattoria, housed in an elegant heritage-listed space, for handmade gnocchi, folded with truffle and Parmesan cream, and fennel-flecked pork sausage.

The dish begs for a good glass of vino and, happily, the restaurant happens to have one of the best wine lists in town.

a plate of gnocchi at 1889 Enoteca — Trust us when we say that 1889 Enoteca’s gnocchi is the bomb!

4. Tonkotsu ramen, Taro’s Ramen

Bow down to Brisbane’s undisputed ramen king. Formerly in the city, this casual-style ramen shop holds an unassuming position on Racecourse Road, with bare tables and a basic fit-out, save for the new addition of tableside touchscreen ordering.

Taro’s noodles are made by hand in-house, and shoyu and shio ramen are both based on ‘golden triple soup’ (a blend of chicken, seaweed and vegetables) but the tonkotsu ramen is really special.

Bangalow sweet pork bones are slow-simmered for two days to create the rich, cloudy soup, which comes topped with two slices of char sui pork, soy-cooked soft egg and nori.

Add in some pickled ginger to cut through the richness, and, if you’re a heat-seeker, go for the fire tonkotsu, with four types of chilli added in.

Tonkotsu ramen from taro's ramen from top in Brisbane — Taro’s *tonkotsu* ramen is bursting with flavour and spice.

5. Goat ragu pappardelle, Bar Alto

Bar Alto is located in the Brisbane Powerhouse, which is a contemporary multi-arts, dining and conference venue nestled on the beautiful banks of the Brisbane River beside New Farm Park.

While overlooking the river try Bar Alto ’s goat ragu pappardelle. You won’t regret it. This dish is comprised of house-made pappardelle mixed with a slow-cooked baby goat shoulder ragu. Packed with flavour, it’s not to be missed.

6. Kouign Amann, Agnes Bakery

Starting as a pop-up during lockdowns Agnes Bakery now has a permanent venue on James Street.

Agnes Bakery does a weekly Kouign Amann special where they experiment with flavours and make you salivate for days. Kouign Amann means “butter cake" in Breton, a Celtic language spoken in Brittany. They are dense, sweet, salty and wonderfully buttery. Yes, please!

Kouign Amann pastries from Agnes Bakery in Brisbane — The Kouign Amann specials are a hit.

7. Kentucky fried duck, Detour

Once an icon at Public, Detour ’s head chef and owner brought the recipe with him when he left their kitchen.

These deep-fried duck nuggets served in a paper bag are a customer favourite that are so unique and delicious, that you won’t find them this good anywhere else.

8. Dumplings in sweet soy chilli sauce, Little Red Dumpling

Little Red Dumpling prides itself on preparing dumplings in-house daily, using only locally sourced ingredients — ‘just like mama used to’.

They dish up the best dumplings in town, and nothing beats their dumplings in sweet soy chilli sauce.

Dumplings in sweet soy chilli sauce at Little Red Dumpling in Brisbane. — Nothing beats these delicious dumplings.

9. Gonuts, Flour and Chocolate

Flour and Chocolate is a series of low-key stores that serve up some of the city’s best patisseries.

On Thursday, the daily special is gonuts (a version of the croissant-doughnut hybrid, the cronut) and crowd-sources flavour ideas via social media.

Think delicate layers of croissant pastries, fried until crisp, and topped with white chocolate and pistachio, or sandwiched with vanilla custard.

Assorted flavour Gonuts from Flour and Chocolate in Brisbane. — You can’t miss the Thursday special at Flour and Chocolate.

Explore some of Australia’s most stunning coastlines on this epic route.

This scenic, 1800-kilometre Brisbane to Port Douglas road trip takes in some of Australia’s most beautiful landscapes, from the wildlife on Bribie Island to the rainforests of Far North Queensland. Our advice? Slow it down, take your time and really get to know this part of Australia.

Day 1: Brisbane to Noosa

Wake up in the luxurious Sofitel Brisbane Central , enjoy a hot buffet breakfast and a swim in the outdoor pool before hitting the road to travel north. Take the exit to Bribie Island to view the abundant wildlife.

aerial view of bribie island — Enjoy the beauty and animals of Bribie Island. (Image: TEQ)

In the afternoon, check into Peppers Noosa Resort & Villas hidden near Noosa National Park and spend the afternoon relaxing at the luxury Aqua Day Spa. Daredevils can book a seat on an Ocean View Helicopters tour and experience the adrenaline of exploring the Glasshouse Mountains from the air.

Before dinner, head to the Original Eumundi Markets just 25 minutes away or explore the nearby trails in the national park. For dinner, book a table at Park & Cove located just near your hotel and feast on a locally-sourced menu that changes with the seasons.

table spread at Park & Cove Novotel Sunshine Coast — Refuel at Park & Cove.

Day 2: Noosa to Bundaberg

Wake up to sounds of the rainforest outside your window and take the opportunity for a quick swim before you dive into a freshly cooked buffet breakfast at Park & Cove. After breakfast and an expertly brewed coffee, stroll down the hill and spend the morning shopping along Hastings Street in the various boutiques, or hire a kayak or surfboard and conquer the waves.

After lunch, head north for the three-hour drive to historic Bundaberg . If you feel like feeding a kangaroo or wallaby, visit the Fraser Coast Wildlife Sanctuary . Once in Bundy, head to Spitter’s Farm just outside of town. This 160-acre property offers a unique experience in their deluxe glamping safari tents, where you can listen to the cows mooing as the sun sets.

baby kangaroo at australian wildlife Sanctuary — Say hello to the adorable creatures of Fraser Coast Wildlife Sanctuary. (Image: Jewels Lynch)

Day 3: Bundaberg to Rockhampton

Before getting back on the road, take time to visit the many museums, and, of course, the famous Bundaberg Rum Distillery for a tour. Then head to the Beef Capital of Australia, Rockhampton.

Although, ‘Rocky’ is surrounded by beef cattle farms, your first stop should be to the impressive Rockhampton Museum of Art , which features an art collection valued at over $16 million. Rest your head at the centrally-located Mercure Rockhampton overlooking the mighty Fitzroy River. Grab a quick swim in their outdoor pool before enjoying a steak at their in-house restaurant.

Day 4: Rockhampton to Mackay

Grab a strong coffee at your hotel and drive the short distance to the nearby Capricorn Caves for a morning tour of these natural limestone beauties. Then hit the road for the four-hour drive to Mackay.

Reward yourself with a swim in the large, resort-style pool at the Mantra Mackay . Overlooking the marina, it’s the perfect location from which to explore the city, before enjoying a sundowner and dinner at the popular Latitude 21 on the hotel terrace.

woman exploring the Capricorn Caves in queensland — Explore the Capricorn Caves. (Image: TEQ)

Day 6: Mackay to Townsville

Grab your breakfast to go, then head just out of town to Finch Hatton Gorge. Here, spend the morning ziplining 25 metres above the rainforest floor with Forest Flying . Head to Airlie Beach for lunch and a swim in the famous Airlie Beach Lagoon , before heading north to Townsville.

Hop on a 20-minute ferry – they leave regularly – and check into the stunning Peppers Blue on Blue Resort . Spend the evening swimming in their two pools with views across the private marina to Mount Cook National Park, before feasting on fresh seafood at their on-site restaurant, Boardwalk Restaurant and Bar.

aerial view of beach at Airlie Beach queensland — Dive into the crystal clear waters around Airlie Beach. (Image: TEQ)

Day 7: Townsville to Cairns

After a morning swim on one of Magnetic Island’s beautiful beaches, hop back on the ferry and travel north to the sleepy Mission Beach for lunch. You’ll be sandwiched by rainforest on one side, and the beach on the other.

Continue on to Cairns and check in at the centrally-located Novotel Cairns Oasis, where the lagoon-style pool and swim-up bar alone is worth the visit. Or continue north for 25 minutes to the coastal village of Palm Cove.

Once there it’s a tough choice between the luxurious, five-star Pullman Palm Cove Sea Temple, or the beautifully designed Peppers Beach Club and Spa Palm Cove , where the pool has its very own beach.

two people in deck chairs by Novotel Cairns Oasis' lagoon-style pool — Relax by Novotel Cairns Oasis’ lagoon-style pool.

Day 8: To Port Douglas

No matter where you spent the night, your journey to Port Douglas will be one of the most scenic road trips you’ll ever experience. Following the coastline, travel past champagne-coloured beaches, offshore islands and submerged reefs, before rolling into town at Port Douglas.

Although you’ll be spoilt for choice with hotels, two of the best are Peppers Beach Club Port Douglas, which is closer to town (think stunning pool and walking distance to Macrossan Street) and the famous, five-star Pullman Port Douglas Sea Temple Resort & Spa , located a little further down the beach. If the 3000-metre-squared lagoon-style pool isn’t enough at this hotel, you’ll also find the exclusive Vie Spa and popular restaurant, Aluco Restaurant & Bar , widely known as being one of the finest restaurants in Port Douglas.

aerial view of pool at Pullman Port Douglas Sea Temple — Revive from road-tripping in one of the best pools in Port Douglas.

Start planning your Queensland adventure at all.com.

Brisbane’s must-eat dishes: Your guide to the city’s best bites