Food
Brisbane is a city that has a lot of food options. When I receive friends from Sydney or Los Angeles, I ask them, “What would you like?” It’s all right here.
Inala is 30 minutes outside the city and has great Vietnamese food. There are also world-class restaurants on James Street.
La Lupa is a favorite. This Italian restaurant in West End, which has a bit of a secretive reputation, is a favorite. Owners Valentina Vigni and Andrea Contin, and the food is all Italian. Andrea also has a wine import business, so there are some great bottles.
Otto on the riverside is also a good spot, and their menu focuses on local seafood. It’s a Brisbane tradition to eat beef carpaccio and champagne lobster spaghettini.
For breakfast I send people to Florence, in Camp Hill. This is a renovated old corner shop in a leafy suburb where there are only streets and streets of beautiful Queenslander homes. This is a locals’ favorite.
Sunnybank, Australia’s largest Taiwanese community, is also home to a number of Taiwanese-style restaurants. I love The Glamorous work because it’s so fresh. I also ordered the crystal chicken salad and the hot and spicy pig’s ear.
Enjoy the Inspiration
Goma is known for its big-budget shows, but the collection of Asian and Pacific art in its smaller galleries is among the best in the country.
Brisbane Powerhouse is located on the river at New Farm, and it’s a great place for small exhibitions or stand-up comedy.
Neighbourhood
If I am out with my girls, I will take them to James Street. This leafy area is full of boutiques, great restaurants, and beautiful architecture. Like all of Brisbane, the area is very accessible. We can grab a Lebanese Breakfast or a Coffee at The Green or a Gelato at Messina. Or we can go to Bianca and eat pasta in front of the restaurant while watching the world.
Green space
Brisbane is a city that loves the outdoors. But my favorite spot in Brisbane is the City Botanic Garden. The City Botanic Gardens is so well-connected with its bike paths, and the bridge that crosses over the river leads to the South Bank. The girls are amazed at the palms, figs, and rainforest.
We’ll go to the new basketball court that was recently constructed at Gardens Point, right next to the Queensland University of Technology. There, we can shoot hoops and perhaps get a baby chino at the Gardens Club café.
Nightlife
Newstead is the perfect place to start a night because you can either stay at one of the many bars in Newstead or head to Fortitude Valley for a more exciting experience. Niky has been a great addition to the wine bars in Brisbane. This is a good place to start with a few wines and some snacks.
The Valley is what Kings Cross was to Sydney, and more. It’s busy and dingy but also democratic. The Press Club has a great late-night bar and dance scene. I love to go to the Salsa night at Cloudland every Thursday. Brisbane is home to a large community of South Americans who work in restaurants and service industries. This is a good place to meet them and mix with them. It reminds me of LA. It has a really nice atmosphere.
Stay in touch with us.
Crystalbrook Vince is my favorite. It’s located right behind Stanley, in the Howard Smith Wharves area. The rooms have a great view of the river and a large decor. There are also a lot of paintings by Melbourne portraitist Vincent Fantauzzo. The hotel is close to all you need.
The Point in Kangaroo Point (from $137 per night) offers great views and an amazing location. It is also just a few minutes walk from Story Bridge, the cycle paths that lead to South Bank, and the ferry to the CBD. The Point offers city and water views at half the cost of other places in the city.
