Brisbane lured us north for two days of naturopathic seminars and a chance to catch up with family. As is our slow travel style, we stayed longer – a five night stay giving us plenty of time sample Brisbane’s food scene. By day, it was earnest note-taking; by night, restaurant scouting and finding the best dining experiences.

We’re based at the elegant InterContinental Brisbane, perfectly positioned for “just a quick walk” that somehow ends at a fabulous restaurant. You can easily walk to South Bank and across the river. We usually stay at the Sofitel in Brisbane, but we are enjoying the change as this spot gives us so much more choice for lunch and dinner, and we’re excited to dig in.

First up – breakfast

The breakfast buffet at InterContinental Brisbane puts on a very respectable spread each morning. Hotel buffets can be a dangerous place for any traveler – it’s all too easy to pile up your plate “just because it’s there,” so watch your portion size. We keep plates balanced: a good protein base like eggs + other proteins and vegetables (always something green and red) or yoghurt with fresh fruit, and healthy fats from nuts & seeds. Avoid the bread/toast. Aa simple way that gives us energy without the regret of overeating.

While the official purpose of this trip may have been professional development, this post is really about far more important discoveries: where to eat, what to order, and which dishes are genuinely worth photographing.

Before diving into the meals themselves, it’s probably worth mentioning how we choose where to eat. We’re always drawn to places with a welcoming ambience, interesting flavours and presentation, and menus that offer something a little different. Being a naturopath, I can’t help but look for meals that are balanced and nourishing – good proteins, colourful vegetables, healthy fats, and sensible portion sizes. I’ll be honest, we don’t always get it right. For us, it’s about quality, flavour, and food that leaves you feeling satisfied rather than overstuffed and later regretting your choices. Except for breakfasts, all dishes are shared.

With that in mind, here’s a few of the places that caught our eye and our appetite.

Lunch Bites

Sendok Garpu (Indonesian)

We’re staying in the student hub of Brisbane, where lunchtime is basically a sport dodging the office workers and students all looking for lunch. So many different choices – poke bowls, gyoza, smoothie bars, tea shops, dumplings and asian cafes of all descriptions. On our first day, we opted for Sendok Garpu, an Indonesian gem that gave us exactly what we were looking for – something light, nourishing and full of protein after our flight. Note to self – we could have ordered a salad on the side as this meal is missing a good serve of greens even though the Ayam Baker was advertised “with salad” – it wasn’t nearly enough.

Ole Restaurant (Spanish)

Another lunch adventure took us across the river to Ole Restaurant in the lively South Bank Parklands precinct. We chose it for the tapas – small plates, big flavours – which makes it perfect when you want to taste a few different things rather than commit to one large dish. In true slow-travel style, we walked there and back from the hotel, partly to build up an appetite and partly to walk it off afterwards.

Confession time: a shared gelato somehow found its way in. It’s all about balance, right?

Night Bites

Milquetoast (Australian fusion)

One evening we stumbled upon Milquetoast, tucked down a dim little laneway that opens into a surprisingly fabulous wine bar and dining space. The name apparently comes from Caspar Milquetoast, a timid cartoon character from the 1920s. The menu is built around shared plates with bold, creative flavour combinations, the ambience is cosy and intimate. It’s one of those places that feels like a bit of a hidden discovery which was exactly the sort of venue we love to find when wandering a city in the evening.

Roti Place (Malaysian)

Back in the student hub one evening, we were looking for something a little more relaxed but with a lively atmosphere, and good food without too much fuss. That’s how we found Roti Place. It was absolutely packed when we arrived, which is usually the first good sign. It was full of students along with a scattering of older diners like us – another reassuring indicator. Naturally, we had to order a roti (it would have felt wrong not to), along with a Malaysian curry, one of Jeff’s favourites. Simple, comforting, and full of flavour – exactly what we were looking for.

Greca (Greek)

Another evening took us back to the river to Greca, nestled beneath the Story Bridge in the buzzing Howard Smith Wharves precinct. We’d eaten here on a previous visit and loved it, so returning was an easy decision. Greca is a modern Greek taverna created by chef Jonathan Barthelmess, designed around the Mediterranean idea of sharing good food with friends. There’s plenty of great choices, all showcasing fresh produce and flavours that are simple but beautifully executed. The restaurant was busy, the atmosphere lively, and the food every bit as good as we remembered. Best of all, it was an easy walk from our hotel, which somehow makes dinner taste even better. This night we indulged a little more than usual.

Olive & Angelo (Italian)

The next night, we strolled from the hotel through the streets of the CBD, pausing at the Port Office Hotel for a quick drink.

Arriving at Olive & Angelo, we were welcomed into a relaxed Italian setting that immediately felt inviting, just like in Italy! The restaurant’s garden area, softly lit with warm, ambient lighting, highlighted the greenery and gave the space an intimate yet airy feel. The seafood dishes were our choice for the evening, fresh and beautifully presented and delicious. So Italian!

Longwang (Asian Fusion)

Our last night in Brisbane called for something special. We’d had our eye on the highly acclaimed Asian fusion restaurant Longwang, but securing a booking had been proving rather elusive. Deciding to take our chances, we opted for the ever hopeful traveler’s strategy – the walk-in. To our delight, they offered us seating at the chef’s bench overlooking one of the prepping station. Perfect! Our favourite place to sit in a restaurant. We chatted with the staff, sampled sauces over the counter and were delighted when the chef presented us with their signature dessert complementary. It turned out to be the perfect finale to our Brisbane food explorations

Five days in Brisbane turned out to be the perfect amount of time to explore the city’s vibrant food scene. Brisbane delivers an impressive mix flavour, creativity, and atmosphere. What we loved most was the variety of cuisines. Add in the pleasure of walking everywhere, building an appetite and then walking it off again, and the whole experience felt wonderfully balanced. Safe to say, Brisbane proved once again that it’s a city well worth visiting, especially if, like us, good food is always high on the travel agenda.

Catherine & Jeff