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Best Things to do in East Brisbane

Updated: Feb 08, 2025

This charming historic riverside suburb is full of hidden gems, including a pocket-sized Japanese restaurant, a traditional German beer hall & restaurant, antiques, cool cafes and a splendid riverfront park. Here's 20 things to eat, drink, see and do in East Brisbane:

Shunsai

Shunsai is a real slice of Japan in Brisbane - a pocket-sized upmarket Japanese restaurant and bar found tucked away

Pawpaw Café

Inside seating at Pawpaw Cafe East Brisbane

Inhabiting an historic shop on Stanley Street is this all-day brunch café and Pan Asian restaurant by night

Future Magic Brewing Co

A convivial suburban microbrewery tucked away in an industrial side street, serving cool beers & hot pizza

The Barra Boys

The Barra Boys is East Brisbane’s go-to for top-notch fish & chips and mouth-watering burgers

La Bodega Taqueria

A bright and breezy terracotta-hued Mexican restaurant located in a tiny precinct of eateries off Lytton Rd

Schnucki Dirndl & Lederhosen

Heading to Oktoberfest this year? Then get kitted out for the occasion at Bavarian shop Schnucki

Banana Leaf

Banana Leaf dishes up top-notch Thai fare in a funky setting

Hey Joe Coffee + Co

Seating inside Hey Joe Coffee East Brisbane

Hey Joe is a slick eatery dishing up delicious breakfast, lunch & dinner with plenty of plant-based fare

Olli Italiano

Olli Italiano is a charming contemporary Italian eatery and bar serving up delicious pizzas, pasta and antipasti as well as Italian cocktails

The German Club

For a rollickin' good night in an old-fashioned community setting, The German Club, is one of Brisbane’s best-kept secrets

Mowbray Park

Mowbray Park is a remnant of the riverine estate established in 1850 by the father of East Brisbane Reverend Thomas Mowbray

Cafetal Coffee Roasters

Cafetal Coffee Roasters bring the best coffee that Colombia has to offer to an industrial side street

Michael Allen Antiques

This fancy black 1880’s weather board shop consistently houses one of Brisbane’s most intriguing antique collections

KCS Chicken

A hidden gem of a Korean fried chicken eatery occupying an historic shop in East Brisbane

Allpress Espresso

Allpress Espresso is brewing Melbourne’s favourite specialty coffee in the inner-city suburb of East Brisbane

Fifth Avenue Café

Exterior of Fifth Avenue Cafe, East Brisbane

A new dog-friendly café in East Brisbane dishing up delicious brunch fare like loaded croissants and

Mowbray Park Playground

This playground is located in the beautiful fig shaded surrounds of Mowbray Park.

East Brisbane

This walk around East Brisbane, one of Brisbane’s best kept secrets, reveals quaint churches, elegant parks, stately Victorian villas and a hidden creek life

Mowbraytown Presbyterian Church Group

This little cluster of stand out weatherboard buildings are both an ode to the father of Presbyterianism in Brisbane, Reverend Thomas Mowbray

Triumph Theatre

This 1920’s built picture theatre is one of a few remaining intact interwar cinemas left in Queensland

Looking to discover more hidden gems of Brisbane, check out our Guide to Brisbane Suburbs HERE! Happy exploring!

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