Brisbane. The city of possibilities. And plenty of bars and restaurants.
You can head down to the CBD, meander along the riverbanks, or even take a short trek into the hillsides. So, why not make the most of all the beautiful sights that the city has to offer, and take them in over a delicious meal? It’s not a very hard sell, so without any further ado, here are our favourite hideaways with views for days.
Soko Rooftop
Fortitude Valley
Climb into the clouds at Soko Rooftop, putting on a show with sights spanning from the Brisbane River, to the CBD, to the meal set in front of you. 14 storeys high, melt into this slice of paradise with fully stocked, lush garden beds and outstretched umbrellas reminiscent of a tropical vacation in the heart of the city.
This menu is the best of Peruvian and Japanese cuisines, with an impressive luxurious twist. Kick off the evening with edamame, empanadas de queso or gyoza, and stay for the bao buns, nigiri and yakitori.
Riva Kitchen & Events
Hamilton
No more than a few paces from the banks of the Brisbane River, Riva Kitchen & Events offers breathtaking views on a silver platter, from the shimmering blue water to the local’s yachts bobbing with the flow. As you step inside, you’re enveloped by their fresh new look; a contemporary and boho blend with light tones perfect for the summer sunshine.
The Baked Spanish Eggs come with their own fan club here, stacked with chorizo, roasted capsicum, butterbeans, parsley and green chilli oil all on a crunchy toasted sourdough. If you’re feeling like something sweet, the French Toast is a can’t-miss with homemade lemon curd, mascarpone, vanilla ice cream and blackberry coulis. If you’re hanging around till lunch, the Classic Beef Burger is a classic, with Riva special sauce to top it all off.
La Belle Vie
Bardon
A 15 minute drive from the centre of Brisbane lands you in the breathtaking hills of Bardon, where an equally stunning dining experience awaits. As the name suggests, La Belle Vie delivers a très decadent and luxurious array of French cuisines, paired with floor-to-ceiling windows and sweeping views of suburbia.
If you’ve never sampled escargots (and believe us, it’s not as beurk as it sounds), now’s your chance to take a bite of an authentic snail cooked with garlic and butter. But if you’re looking to keep it traditionnel, you can start with saint-jacques pan-seared scallops and stay for the tartare (French-style raw steak), vivaneau (pan-seared snapper) or poulet (lemon and thyme marinated chicken breast) among the delicious main courses. With tarte au chocolat, crème brulee and artisanal ice creams to finish with, you’ll be satiated by the time you have to say au revoir!
Eat Street Northshore
Hamilton
Along the beautiful Brisbane River sits the foodie paradise Eat Street Northshore, where you can tuck into food options from over 70 different vendors. Simply choose a dish (if you can), and set yourself down on the riverbank to watch the sunlight (or the city lights) scintillating on the water as far as the eye can see.
Boasting over 15 different cuisines from around the world, take this chance to traipse across the globe with your tastebuds. Paralysed by the options? We’ve been there. Our recommendations are the Hot Honey Crispy Fried Chicken Burger at T & L’s Kitchen (with ice cream for the more adventurous foodies), the Burrata Cheese Balls at Arancini Bros, and the compulsory dessert visit to Fluffy Japancakes for their famous soufflé pancakes.
Victoria Park Bistro
Herston
Just a fifteen minute trip from Brisbane, Victoria Park Bistro is set inside the beautiful entertainment precinct brimming with lush gardens and fun for all ages. Looking out over the treetops, take in Brisbane’s phenomenal skyline in all of its glory from sunrise to sunset.
Starting the day right is easy here, with a classic Breakfast Burger to cater to the morning hungries. But as the sun rises higher, we recommend the delectable Haloumi Burger with tomato, lettuce, beetroot hummus and lemon mayo. Also renowned for their fragrant, delicious and classic wood fired pizzas, you’ll have to start flipping coins over which flavours you want to split with your mates (or devour on your own).
So what’s your poison? Riverside, lush gardens, hilltops, or storeys above the clouds? Whatever you’re craving, these bars and restaurants are bound to be serving it up with a side of “wow”.
