If you were coming to visit us here in Brisbane, where it is often warm and sunny, I would say that no matter how much we complain about its drawbacks, its beloved corners are a secret worth sharing. I know the inner city suburbs best so I am happy to share my favourites.
In West End, you can wander and be surprised on every street. It's the perfect place to pass time and not make any plans about where you might go. It's earthy, peaceful and has a village feel (this increases in the narrowest part of Boundary Street).
Take Away
The Fishmonger has the most amazing fish and chips I've ever had -- look for the octopus in the window
Indian Kitchen is the best value for money, and they make the naan fresh to order
Restaurants
Ouzeri or Little Greek Taverna are my picks for crazy good Greek. Remember that a shared meal is best value, and they are both BYO wine only
Coffee and Sweets
Blackstar roasts on site and is perfect at any time, but the open mic and poetry slam is where it's at for magical moments
Paladar Fumior has incredible coffee, is best for a date and there are serious Cuban cigars here too
Eros has the best petit fours, dessert and coffee, with the best quality ingredients I've found (if you're lucky you'll get to taste some of their Maleny dairy products)
Bars
The End has an excellent sound system and astroturf, two things that make a bar even more wonderful
Lock n Load is fun at any time, but a breakfast Bloody Mary isn't out of line
Lychee Lounge has exceptional food and drinks, which for the variation and attention to detail is relatively affordable
In Fortitude Valley, we most often visit for bars and specialty grocers.
Bars
Bar Soma for music and cocktails:
Limes for an elegant Sunday go to
The Bowery or Ric's for dancing (although Ric's has died a little)
Kerbside is best for laid-back times and quality local DJ sets
LaRuche is best for inspiring decor and atmosphere, plus many different types of chair (although many people love Cloudland -- a bit over the top for me)
Restaurants and Take Away
Mad Mex has good burritos and is somewhere we visit a lot (free guacamole for vegetarians!)
Green Tea is choice for a shared meal with friends and very cheap as a result
Freestyle Toüt at Emporium is pretty special and reliably indulgent
ShliX Gelati is worth the extra pennies for innovative gelati flavours
Grocers
McWhirters Greengrocer is where we do the majority of our fruit and vege shopping, plus the people are lovely
Indian Grocer in McWhirters is the best place to buy wholesale spices, incense and other surprising things
Burlington Supermarket is our go-to for fresh Asian supplies, crockery and fortune cookie runs
Breakfasts and Lunch
The Moray Café serves house-roasted coffee, a wagyu blue cheese burger, and thrice-fried chips
Café Bouquiniste has the most affordable, thoughtful and homestyle meals I've experienced
Restaurants
Arriva for incredible Italian (their pizza is all I think about)
Karma for epic Indian-Nepalese
Siam Square for fresh and flavoursome Thai
Vespa for the Nutella and marshmallow dessert calzone (and the fairy light courtyard)
Burger Urge for the sweet potato chips and pesto lamb haloumi burger (I had my 21st here -- BYO, no corkage!)
Zafron for a special occasion and Persian delicacies
Coffee and Sweets
Cibo and Re Del Gelato for their gelato and coffee
Chouquette is a proper French patisserie-boulangerie (I'm not sure of the certification, but it's so tasty)
The Little Pantry has exquisite coffee
Bars and Entertainment
Gerties for cocktails, tapas and sangria
Anise, for special wines and perhaps the degustation depending on the night
In terms of entertainment, The Powerhouse Museum is my absolute favourite for exhibitions, comedy and gigs, as well as the opportunity to meander through New Farm Park. There is a Moonlight Cinema here in the summer months too.
Please check back for more! I will continue to update this page as I visit more places, and create new categories.
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