SITE PARTNER:

Best Things to do in East Brisbane

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

Shunsai East Brisbane

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

Pawpaw Cafe East Brisbane

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

Future Magic Brewing Co

Future Magic Brewing Co East Brisbane

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

The Barra Boys East Brisbane

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

La Bodega Taqueria

La Bodega Taqueria East Brisbane

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

Coffee Mentality

Coffee Mentality Brisbane

A unique Brisbane venue for coffee lovers, offering a coffee tasting degustation in their dedicated tasting room

Schnucki Dirndl & Lederhosen

Schnucki Dirndl & Lederhosen

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

Bonjour Banh Mi

Bonjour Banh Mi East Brisbane

A chic little bakery and eatery bringing a fresh authentic taste of Vietnam to East Brisbane

Banana Leaf East Brisbane

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

Hey Joe Coffee + Co

Hey Joe Coffee East Brisbane

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

Staff behind counter at 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

The German Club

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

Mowbray Park seen from across Brisbane River

Mowbray Park is a remnant of the riverine estate established in 1850 by the father of East Brisbane Reverend Thomas Mowbray and on which his house once stood.

Cafetal Coffee Roasters

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

Michael Allen Antiques

Cottage front of Michael Allen Antiques in East Brisbane

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

Kimchi Cheese Smile East Brisbane

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

Allpress Espresso

Allpress Espresso

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

Fifth Avenue Cafe

Fifth Avenue Cafe, East Brisbane

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

Mowbray Park Playground

Boat themed playground equipment in Mowbray Park Playground East Brisbane

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

Brisbane River and city views along footpath in 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

Mowbraytown Presbyterian Church Group building and rooftop in East Brisbane.

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

Triumph Theatre

Triumph Theatre building facade in Brisbane

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

The QC Club

QC Club is one of Woolloongabba’s best kept secrets, from its in-house café to its expansive dining rooms and bar

Lemak

The casual BYO eatery serves up delicious Malaysian street food and fried chicken

more

Image credits: courtesy of PawPaw Cafe & Lemak

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

Top Things To Do In Brisbane This Week

Cast of Sister Act on stage

Sister Act

The most heavenly of musicals, Sister Act, will debut in Brisbane

Actors in The Wharf Review QPAC

The Wharf Revue: The End of the Wharf as We Know It

The Wharf Revue is returning to QPAC's Playhouse for its last show – ever!

Sacred Sonic: Live Music & Lighting

Sacred Sonic: Live Music & Lighting

String quartet, Angel Strings, lights up St Stephen's Cathedral

Joseph Keckler

An Evening With Joseph Keckler

Joseph Keckler returns to Australia to perform a new selection of songs

Maori dancer at Waitangi Day Ipswich

Waitangi Day

Celebrate Waitangi Day at The Handmade Expo Market

Élan by AVID Builder Expo

Élan by AVID Builder Expo

Dreaming of a new home?

Musicians performing The Rite of Spring

The Rite of Spring

It caused cultural shockwaves when it opened in Paris in 1913

Three girls standing at BRC Girls Day Out

Roku Gin Girls Day Out

The ultimate Girls Day Out returns to Eagle Farm Racecoure

Co.As.It International Women's Day Lunch

Co.As.It International Women's Day Lunch

Celebrate community at Co.As.It. International Women's Day Lunch

Drummers performing at BrisAsia Festival

EDITOR'S PICK

BrisAsia Festival 2025

Celebrate the Lunar New Year as Brisbane's biggest cultural festival returns for 10 spectacular days with 25 free and affordable activities & events

BrisAsia Festival 2025

MUST DO

Brisbane Bel Canto Festival

Opera Queensland's festival for the stage returns for its 2nd year, covering music from the beginnings of operatic song in Italy to a song cycle composed in Australia

Brisbane Bel Canto Festival

View of Neville Bonner Bridge from South Bank

THIS WEEKEND

Top Things to Do Jan 31-Feb 2

From Penn & Teller at QPAC, Stage Door Sessions at RPAC & Queens Wharf art tours to a new gin distillery and Sri Lankan restaurant, the top things to do this weekend in and around Brisbane:

This Weekend Jan 31 - Feb 2

WIN A TRIP TO JAPAN!

To Celebrate the Opening of Goros Brisbane

On the night of Goros Brisbane's grand opening party, one lucky winner will win a 7-day trip to the neon-lit streets of Tokyo and the culture of Kyoto

Goros Japan trip

Performers on stage at BrisAsia Festival

COMING UP

What's on in February in Brisbane

From Sister Act the musical, Singapore Symphony Orchestra, BrisAsia Festival & the end of The Wharf Review to Penn & Teller live, the top things to do in Brisbane

What's On in February 2024 around Brisbane

World famous comedians in Brisbane!

3 women conspiring, Macbeth, La Boite Theatre

WIN 1 of 3 double passes to La Boite Theatre's daring reimagining of Shakespeare's MACBETH

WIN a double pass to the Opening Night of La Cenerentola (Cinderella)