New suggestions for conference-goers in Brisbane?

May 13, 2016 10:42 AM

A friend is heading to Brisbane for a conference next week. Does anyone have any suggestions for good local restaurants or experiences that she shouldn't miss?

I've already forwarded previous questions to her: Best Experiences in Brisbane from 2011; What to do in Brisbane from 2007; and Brisbane Conference-Goer Suggestions from 2006.

I'll be living vicariously through her pictures and stories, so help me make them good ones, please!

posted by LOLAttorney2009 to Travel & Transportation around Brisbane, Australia (2 answers total)

I haven't lived in Brisbane for a little over a year so it's possible that one or two of these restaurants may no longer be trading...

Restaurants worth hitting:
- Gerard's Bistro in New Farm (short taxi ride from the city in the small Rodeo-Drive-ish district called "James Street") with drinks at Cru or At Sixes and Sevens or Gerard's Bar ahead of time (these are all nearby)
- Alfred & Constance in New Farm/Fortitude Valley is probably my favorite place in the city. It's the first place I took out-of-town visitors whether business or personal.
- Survey Co in the Brisbane CBD. This is right across the bridge from the Convention Centre
- Malt Dining in the CBD (probably the best combo of food and service in the city)
- Jamie's Italian (Jamie Oliver's joint)
- Sitar in New Farm for Indian

Experiences:
- Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is a bit outside of the city but worth a visit. You can even cuddle a koala.
- The CityCat is the catamaran public transport that runs on the river through the city. Absolutely positively ride that up and down the river at sunset on a nice day.
- Saturday mornings at the Brisbane Powerhouse at New Farm Park is one of the best farmers markets you'll ever see. Don't eat before going.
- Sunday there are markets in South Bank with crafts and tourist stuff. Worth a walk around.
- There's nothing better than beers (or wine or Pimms cups or whatever) in the Brisbane sunshine. Eagle Street Pier has a spot called Riverbar (and a more posh smaller joint upstairs called Mr & Mrs G's) that give you beautiful views of the river and let you sit outside and enjoy the day to your heart's content.
- If there's any chance this friend of yours is a craft beer nerd feel free to DM me. I could add another half-dozen recommendations based on that alone.
posted by GamblingBlues at 2:32 PM on May 13, 2016

If by chance your friend is into rock climbing, the Kangaroo Point cliffs are an inner-city outdoor climbing venue.

If she hasn't booked a hotel yet, I can highly recommend the Next Hotel. Extremely central, pool overlooking Queen Street mall, free minibar... what's not to like?

Seconding Lone Pine sanctuary. It's well worth a visit and there are lots of different animals, not just koalas. The sheepdog show is pretty fun.
posted by superfish at 5:14 PM on May 13, 2016