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Best Things to Do in South Brisbane

View of Brutus Bar & Fish Lane by night

Updated: Sep 23, 2025

The vibrant inner city suburb of South Brisbane is a cultural and culinary mecca, with world class galleries, theatre, library, heritage trail and museum to one of Brisbane's funkiest laneways with its pocket-sized and hidden bars, cutting edge restaurants, bakery and beer hall. Elsewhere there's a gin distillery, bespoke Japanese dining room and heritage-listed pub turned retro live music bar, all in the same neighbourhood. Here's 40+ of the best things to explore and do:

Exterior view of Marlowe on edge of Fish Lane

A heritage-listed 1930's apartment block has been transformed into Marlowe, a stunning multi-level bistro and bar on the corner of Fish lane

Pool with people siting on Lina Rooftop, South Brisbane

Lina Rooftop is a jaw-dropping beach club style rooftop bar/restaurant with infinity pool and sweeping views

The Rose & Crown

Facade of The Rose & Crown South Brisbane

The Rose & Crown brings a cool London pub vibe to a landmark heritage-listed Queenslander

GOMA

Exterior of GOMA South Brisbane

GOMA has quickly established itself as the proverbial jewel in Brisbane’s visual arts crown

Enntrance to Clarence South Brisbane

Clarence is a contemporary Euro-style restaurant on a corner of Fish Lane in South Brisbane

Woman walking into Maeve Wine Bar, South Brisbane

Maeve is an art deco Euro-style wine bar occupying the top floor of a heritage-listed bank in South Brisbane

Como Restaurant

Exterior of Como Restaurant South Brisbane

This gorgeous upmarket Italian restaurant and bar brings a touch of Lake Como class to South Brisbane

Exterior of Hello Please Fish Lane

Hello Please is a Vietnamese-inspired street food restaurant and bar that has its home in Fish Lane

Julius Pizzeria

Julius Pizzeria building exterior

Julius Pizzeria is an uber slick addition to the coolest laneway this side of the river, Fish Lane

Exterior of Chu The Phat Asian restaurant and bar

Chu the Phat is Brisbane’s coolest Asian restaurant and bar – a stunning glass-enclosed 2-storey affair with an exotic menu

Seating and view of Brisbane CBD from The Terrace Hotel Emporium South Bank

The Terrace is Brisbane’s most luxurious rooftop bar, encased in glass with jaw-dropping 180 degree views all the way out to Moreton island

Queensland Art Gallery

People looking at art on the walls of Queensland Art Gallery, South Brisbane

The Qld Art Gallery has moved five times and amassed a collection of more than 14,000 Australian and International artworks

Circular atrium garden space out front of Midtown Bar South Brisbane

Midtown is a swish intimate New York style bar serving top notch food, boutique wine and two-sip martinis

People sitting at tables inside Bar Rosa South Brisbane

A buzzy elegant Italian bar and eatery serving wine and outstanding food and opposite the Queensland Museum

Eleven Bridges Gin Bar

Interior of Eleven Bridges Gin Bar, South Brisbane

Eleven Bridges is Brisbane's latest gin bar and distillery, offering over 100 boutique botanicals

Plate of noodles at Taro’s Ramen

Taro’s Ramen is changing the way we do ramen – with big bowls of MSG-free broth that’s customised to suit your taste

Saccharomyces Beer Cafe

Taps at Saccharomyces Beer Café

Saccharomyces Beer Café is a cool designer beer hall in Fish Lane, South Brisbane, serving craft beers and eats until midnight

Lune Croissanterie

Exterior of Lune Croissanterie South Brisbane

The renowned Melbourne bakery has brought the 'finest croissants in the world'* to South Brisbane

South Brisbane Heritage Trail

South Brisbane Heritage Trail

South Brisbane was originally slated to be Brisbane's CBD, with some grand commercial buildings being established on the south side of the river, until the 1893 flood changed all that.

State Library Of Queensland

State Library of Qld building in Sth Brisbane

This landmark building on the riverfront between the art galleries is home to the main archival collections of Queensland’s history

Drink on counter at Maker South Brisbane

Maker is a chic and intimate hole-in-the-wall bar reminiscent of those found in Barcelona’s back alleys, tucked away in Fish Lane

Queensland Museum Kurilpa

Entrance to Queensland Museum Kurilpa

Queensland Museum, founded in 1862, is the keeper of the state's historical collections dating back to colonial times

Riverside Dog Park

Riverside Dog Park

Riverside Dog Park is one of South Brisbane’s hidden gems - a long narrow offleash park that stretches along the riverfront

Southside South Brisbane

This multi-level Pan Asian urban oasis is tucked away under the South Brisbane railway bridge in Fish Lane

Next Episode Fish Lane

Next Episode is a secret laneway hip hop bar with a concealed entrance inside a barber’s shop

Gelato Messina South Brisbane

Gelato Messina in South Brisbane is a sibling of the famous Sydney outfit and a go-to for some of Australia's best gelato.

Kid cycling under Jolly Bridge

Kurilpa Park is a tiny pocket park where fisherman drop a line and through which the riverside bike and pedestrian track passes

Big Roddy's Rippin' Rib Shack

Ribs at Big Roddy's Rippin' Rib Shack

Big Roddy is serving up his secret recipe, prime-cut ribs in South Brisbane’s hottest dining precinct, Fish Lane

Facade of Tai Tai South Bank

Tai Tai is a casual, chic al fresco restaurant bringing authentic South East Asian cuisine to a street corner

La Lune Wine Co

Bar at La Lune Wine Co Fish Lane

La Lune Wine Co is a classy little French-style wine bar tucked away in South Brisbane's Fish Lane

Kiki

Bar at Kiki, Fish Lane Town Square, South Brisbane

This cool coffee kiosk by day, cocktail bar by night can be found nestled in a leafy urban oasis underneath a rail bridge

Under The Clock

South Brisbane Municipal Hall, exterior of Under The Clock Cafe South Brisbane

Under the Clock is a secret café steeped in historic charm, under the landmark heritage-listed South Brisbane Municipal Hall

People sitting at tables and at the bar at Uncle Don West End

A dedicated donburi (Japanese rice bowl) restaurant, serving up more than 20 variations of the delicious dish

Exterior at night of Bar Brutus Fish Lane South Brisbane

This tiny 8-seater laneway bar brings an elegant touch of Italy to Fish Lane in South Brisbane

Tarbouche Mezza Bar

Inside tables and bar at Tarbouche Mezze Bar West End

A cool subterranean Middle Eastern restaurant and mezze bar on a bustling street corner of South Brisbane

Queensland Theatre

Queensland Theatre has its home in South Brisbane, with their Bille Brown Theatre a fantastic intimate place to watch a play

more

Barbossa Bar & Bottleshop

Drinks in glasses and three plates of food at Barbossa Bar & Bottleshop

Barbossa Bar & Bottle Shop is shaking up Caribbean-inspired cocktails and cooking up island-vibed tapas

Bar with cherry blossoms hanging at TakashiYa South Brisbane

A splendid and exclusive Japanese omakase, whiskey & sake bar, tucked away under the Emporium Hotel

Nostimo Greek Restaurant

Seating at Nostimo Greek Restaurant Greek Club South Brisbane

A visit to Nostimo Greek Restaurant at the Greek Club, South Brisbane, is the next best thing to visiting Greece

Bento box at Ariake on Grey South Brisbane

Ariake on Grey in South Brisbane is a slick little Japanese Izakaya style eatery where the focus is on quality fresh seafood

Queensland Maritime Museum

Ship in dry dock in the Queensland Maritime Museum

You don’t have to be a ship enthusiast to enjoy this museum, which is well laid-out and staffed by ex-naval and maritime workers

Chinese chef in kitchen seen through window on the street

It may be a little far from the South Bank action but Bamboo Basket offers its own flurry of activity

Five Sisters Café and Bar

Exterior of Five Sisters Café and Bar

At the rear of one of the ornate brick terraces overlooking Melbourne St lies this charming character laden cafe with a delicious Greek influenced menu.

St Mary's Catholic Church

Exterior of Saint Mary's Catholic Church facade in South Brisbane

Built in the early 1890’s to replace the original wooden Catholic church of 1865, St Mary’s is a landmark in South Brisbane.

Image credit: Queensland Theatre, courtesy of Queensland Theatre website.

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