Brisbane Food Guide - Where and what to eat in Brisbane
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  • Mario Ng

Brisbane Food Guide - Where and what to eat in Brisbane

Brisbane, like most Australian cities, has great brunch places. Whichever restaurant or eatery you head to, you are likely to have a more than decent brunch.


Besides that, however, Brisbane also serves many other types of food. With a relatively large Asian population in the city, there are quite a few Vietnamese and Japanese eateries around the city. Coffee houses are an obvious hit with locals and tourists alike as well. All these mean that food-wise, you are unlikely to go wrong in Brisbane.


Check out our list of food places that you should head to while in Brisbane below!

 

For your convenience, refer to this list of places you should head to for a meal while in ​Brisbane!

1. The Croft House Town Kitchen and Bar

2. John Mills Himself

3. Miss Kay's

​4. Beppin Ramen and Cake

5. Noosa Chocolate Factory

 

Scroll all the way down to get our list of attractions and food places in Brisbane on Google Maps!

 

1. The Croft House Town Kitchen and Bar

Serving authentic Australian food in the heart of Brisbane city, The Croft House Town Kitchen and Bar is a great place to have some brunch, a proper meal, or a place to hang out with friends after a hard day’s work. It is located at The Sebel and is also on the ground floor of a traffic cross junction. While it is really busy outside, the atmosphere inside the restaurant remained peaceful and relaxing. For those who love to people watch, there is a high table where customers can have their meal and look out at the busy city.

The Croft House Town Kitchen and Bar
The Croft House Town Kitchen and Bar

I had the privilege of having breakfast there before heading off on my day trip down to Byron Bay and Gold Coast, and it was fantastic. The staff showed their Australian hospitality and provided suggestions when I was wondering whether to add sides. In the end, I chose a Bacon & Eggs, with a side of smoked salmon. With a skinny latte to go with, it was a hearty and delicious breakfast, one that fully fuelled me for the 2-hour drive. The bacon was cooked perfectly, where I could actually taste the meat itself, as opposed to some restaurants who prefer to cook it to a crispy piece of burnt meat. I enjoyed it, along with fresh sourdough. I also loved the scrambled eggs, where I could taste the milk in them, which I absolutely love. The latte was great, as with most Australian coffee houses, and it just allowed me to conclude a perfect breakfast.

Bacon and eggs, with a side of smoked salmon
Bacon and eggs, with a side of smoked salmon

When I am back in Brisbane one day, I will surely head over again for another meal, and some drinks!


Opening hours: 6.30 am to 9.30 pm daily

Website (includes menu): https://www.thecrofthouse.com.au/

 

2. John Mills Himself

A must-go cafe for coffee lovers when in Brisbane, John Mills Himself is not too difficult to find, as long as you have the patience.

John Mills Himself: Coffee house by day, bar by night
John Mills Himself: Coffee house by day, bar by night

Located within a building, your best bet is to enter from Charlotte Street. You will find a redbrick building, with a flight of stairs up the building. Enter it and you will head down to a basement. Walk all the way through it and you will find John Mills Himself right at the end of the walkway. While the place is a little small, the coffee is huge. It is always quite crowded, although it is not difficult to find seats. It looks like most people head there to buy takeaway coffee. There are light breakfast items for sale, including croissants and pain au chocolat, and you will do very well to order the raspberry danish. Sweet and crunchy, it was perfect to go with my latte. I had the largest available, a 12oz cuppa, and I enjoyed my short time there. For those who enjoy alcohol, John Mills Himself converts into a bar come evening, and you can have a gin & tonic after your day has ended. Make sure you head here for one of Brisbane’s best coffee!

A simple breakfast at John Mills Himself
A simple breakfast at John Mills Himself

Cafe opening hours: 6.30 am to 3.30 pm (Mondays to Fridays)

Bar opening hours: Mon 4pm-9pm (Closed Public Holidays) Tues - Thurs 4pm - 10pm, Friday 4pm-Midnight, Sat 4pm - 10pm

 

3. Miss Kay’s

There are quite a few burger joints in the city area and Miss Kay’s is one of the numerous joints competing for customers.


There are a total of nine types of burgers available, which includes a vegetarian burger and gluten-free ones. For those who are hungry, the M.K Special comes recommended, and it does not disappoint. Stacked high with a beef patty, maple bacon, onion rings, along with cheese, lettuce, and pickles. Coated on it are mayonnaise and sweet BBQ sauce. While I did not particularly like the bun itself, I figured it was just Miss Kay’s style. For those who enjoy an airy bun, especially those who prefer to use their calories on protein, you will surely enjoy it. I enjoyed the burger, and it just about made me full, but not just yet.

Miss Kay's
Miss Kay's

The joint also serves some mean milkshakes, with plenty of unique options, like The Milli Vanilli, The Chuck Berry, and The Puff Daddy. Those who prefer a conventional milkshake can settle for Cookies & C.R.E.A.M, which is a cookies & cream milkshake. Filled with vanilla soft-serve, full cream milk, and topped off with whipped cream, it was sinfully delicious. The fact that soft serve was used means the milkshake was not too cold and hard, and I soon finished it. One might be tempted to order a second shake, which does not sound too bad!

Burger and a milkshake at Miss Kay's
Burger and a milkshake at Miss Kay's

There are a few Miss Kay’s around Brisbane but the closest one to most should be the one in the city centre, at George Street. The staff were friendly and did not hesitate to provide his recommendations when I asked for his. Both his burger and milkshake suggestions turned out to be fantastic!


​Opening hours: 11 am to 8.30 pm (Sundays to Thursdays); 11 am to 10 pm (Fridays to Saturdays)

Website (includes menu): https://www.misskaysburgers.com/

 

4. Beppin Ramen and Cake

Beppin Ramen and Cake presents itself as a place where ramen lovers head over to have a simple meal. It also has the vibes where one can head to to enjoy some comfort food. It looks just like those ramen places you can find in major cities around the world, where people head here for the food, instead of the ambience or romantic style of the shop.

The entrance of Beppin Ramen and Cake
The entrance of Beppin Ramen and Cake

After a long day of driving in the rain, I desperately wanted some comfort food. I was glad to have found this place, where I could enjoy some noodles and soup. Among the many selections, I chose the basic Tonkotsu Ramen as I just wanted some nice ramen without any frills. It was delicious. The broth was so thick and creamy that I was thankful I saved it for the last. As usual, I will eat the noodles first and leave the broth for last. It was a good decision. I finished up the broth and my tummy was happy. It was a satisfying end to the day.

A delicious and comforting bowl of ramen at Beppin Ramen and Cake
A delicious and comforting bowl of ramen at Beppin Ramen and Cake

For the more adventurous, you will be happy to find out that there are many other choices available, including the Wagyu Ramen, where it must be really tasty. As the store’s name suggests, there are also Japanese cakes on sale, and you can indulge in a sweet treat after a tummy-warming bowl of ramen, and you will be sure to leave the store satisfied and smiling.


​Opening hours: 11 am to 9 pm daily

Website (includes menu): https://www.beppinramen.com.au/

 

5. Noosa Chocolate Factory

Not exactly a place to have a proper meal, Noosa Chocolate Factory nevertheless makes it to our list of the places to go to eat something!


A Queensland and indeed, Australian institution with its origins in Sunshine Coast, Noosa serves freshly-made chocolates to its Brisbane customers daily. Its most famous export is probably their Rocky Road, which are actually made fresh every morning before they are delivered to the stores in Brisbane city. Their signature product, the Rocky Road is simply such a delicious treat that one needs to try it to believe it. Their Rocky Road comes in 2 sizes: small and large. I bought the small one and regretted not getting more. You have been warned!

Freshly-made Rocky Road sold at Noosa Chocolate Factory
Freshly-made Rocky Road sold at Noosa Chocolate Factory

There are also other more conventional chocolate treats available and you should get some for your daily cocoa intake. At the Adelaide Street branch, there is also a small area for customers to order beverages, and I could see it is a popular cafe in its own right, with customers getting hot chocolates and mochas while purchasing some Rocky Road. Be here on your next trip to Brisbane!

Get some tasty beverages like a hot chocolate while shopping for chocolates at The Dark Chocolatier
Get some tasty beverages like a hot chocolate while shopping for chocolates at The Dark Chocolatier

Opening hours @ The Dark Chocolatier Noosa Chocolate Factory: 7 am to 7 pm (Mondays to Saturdays); 7.30 am to 6 pm (Sundays)

 

Google Maps: List of attractions and food places in Brisbane!

 

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