Brisbane – where the living is easy – is bursting with fun things to do along with being a cosmopolitan hub for arts, culture and dining, heavy on laid-back charm.
Boasting stunning natural assets, clear blue skies all year round and a subtropical alfresco lifestyle, Queensland’s capital city is an urban metropolis with a relaxed vibe. Here you’ll receive a warm welcome from the city with timeless nature in its soul.
Continuing on our delicious drive around Australia of 2023 Readers’ Choice award-winning restaurants, here are four Brisbane locations that will satisfy any hunger growl:
Readers’ Choice 2023 – Asian:
For a modern fusion take on Indian fare, head along Vernon Terrace in Teneriffe to find Aji Café Bar Kitchen. Nestled in the heritage-listed Australia Mercantile wool store dining precinct, Aji’s lunch and dinner menu is unlike anything you’ll find anywhere else in Brisbane – highly refined Indian and Southeast Asian dishes that are well worth crossing town for.
From Nepalese pork momos to vegetable pakoras, there are small plates to suit all tastes, perhaps wrap your hands around a confit duck bao bun, with spiced hoisin sauce and spring onion, or an Indian spiced fried chicken taco, with mint sauce and salad, wrapped in a crispy paratha.
Readers’ Choice 2023 – Indian:
Drop by Australia’s first eco-friendly Indian restaurant, Poppin Papadums on Old Cleveland Road in Camp Hill to care for the palate and the planet. A scrumptious tale of a female squad from culturally diverse cities of India sharing their respective food cultures; they are the best of friends, foodies and hearty eaters, who share a vision of a world as a rejuvenated recipe of authenticity.
Pledging to be the most carbon neutral they can, expect to devour starters of lamb seekh kebabs, grilled in the tandoor and served with mint chutney; before classic curries such as beef madras with mustard seeds, fenugreek, dry chilli and coconut cream, or classic tender butter chicken with a side of steamed rice.
Readers’ Choice 2023 – Modern Australian:
Old-world charm and Mod Oz fare abound at Wooden Horse Restaurant & Bar on Junction Road in Clayfield. This converted general store welcomes guests with rustic wooden floorboards, leadlight windows and French doors, creating a subtle, moody vibe that entices taking time over Mediterranean-influenced plates.
Choose from entrées like octopus, whitebait, pumpkin and ice plant, or a lamb taco with purple potato, pea shoots, eucalyptus and mint; for the main, think dishes like Wagyu brisket, cornbread, okra and pickled watermelon, along with Firebreak Farm pork, kumara, chestnut, kale, umami and black garlic jus.
Readers’ Choice 2023 – Café:
For casual waterfront dining in Redcliffe, take to Preece’s at the Jetty on Redcliffe Parade. Warm and welcoming, Preece’s compact alfresco area allows guests to soak up scenic views out to Moreton Bay, while a smart, trendy interior of wood floors and modern lamps beckons you to take a seat in cosy surroundings.
Preece’s breakfast menu features favourites like eggs Benny with chorizo, wilted spinach and Hollandaise on sourdough toast, while the lunch crowd enjoys plates such as grilled barramundi, warm bean salad, shallots, almonds, caper mayo and fresh lemon, washed down with an icy glass of white wine.
