By day, we flock to Woolloongabba to perk up on specialty coffee and buy industrial quantities of cheese at the delis. Come night time, Brisbane/Meanjin’s antiquing homeland lights up with bistros, restaurants and bars flogging everything from pizza to pad Thai with some live tunes and a hell of a lot of whisky and wine thrown in.
Whether you're searching for casual eats or fine dining, this 'burb has it all going on—here at Urban List we'd even go so far as to say it's one of the tastiest areas of Brisbane. If you need further proof, just eat your way through the best restaurants in Woolloongabba.
Casa Chow
4b/148 Logan Road, Woolloongabba
Casa Chow mashes stunning, high end interiors and vibes with a hands on, casual dining menu and somehow, it just works. Speaking of said menu, expect Chinese-Peruvian fare, better known as chifa, a delicious combo of Latin and Cantonese flavours. It’s a share-style menu, so best to rope in the squad. It’s not just about the food though—the colourful bar slings brews like scorpion bowl cocktails, South American wines and a bespoke rice lager made with hints of Peruvian purple corn from Aether Brewing.
Electric Avenue
23 Logan Road, Woolloongabba
There’s a lot going on in this quarter and it feels like every inch of space is working harder than Kris Jenner. Downstairs, Electric Avenue splits between their expansive bar offering cocktails and the best bar food you’ve ever had, and the pillowy bistro area serving up share plates, hearty burgers, and decadent mains for the main event. Upstairs is the secluded Jack Rabbits whisky lounge where you can settle in with a smoky nightcap and mellow in some live jazz like the prohibition-era scoundrel you wish you were.
1889 enoteca
10-12 Logan Road, Woolloongabba
Image credit: 1889 enoteca | Facebook
Half restaurant, half wine cellar, 1889 enoteca is as much about the drop as it is about the dish. The focus for their wine selection is on Italian natural wines (read: low intervention), which harmonises nicely with their Roman-style menu of classic Italian dishes including pasta and stuffed zucchini flowers. They’ll even go full Italian and bring you into the family fold with a three-course Sunday lunch. It's hands down one of the best restaurants in Woolloongabba.
Clarence
617 Stanley Street
This modern Australian bistro is bringing some pretty special creations to its heritage location in the cute Clarence Corner, right near the Mater. With a focus on sustainably sourced produce and protein, expect super seasonal dishes like shallot tarte tatin with goats cheese, coral trout with sprouting cauliflower and almond, and dessert of pear and polenta cake with honey ice cream. Clarence does dinner Thursday–Sunday, and prix fixe lunches on the weekend.
D.Vino Bistro & Vinoteca
77 Jurgens Street, Woolloongabba
Tucked away in a side street is where you’ll find D.Vino Bistro & Vinoteca, an uber romantic dining spot serving up inventive Italian feeds paired with a 400 bottle-strong wine list. The dimly-lit all-black interiors are the perfect spot to settle in for a night of charcoal grilled octopus and margra lamb loin with radicchio, plum and carrot cream. This is one Woolloongabba restaurant where you definitely shouldn’t skip out on dessert—the pistachio souffle is what keeps D.Vino’s regulars coming back again and again.
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Sasso Italiano
4/148 Logan Road, Woolloongabba
Image credit: Sasso Italiano | Facebook
Located in Woolloongabba’s South City Square, Sasso Italiano restaurant was inspired by the lively, old-school nieghbourhood trattorias of the USA in the 70s—only with a sleek, modern upgrade. Coming out of the open plan kitchen is a lengthy line up of traditional Italian eats, from crudo and antipasti to pizza, pasta and steak. Seriously, take a big group and bags the big round table which takes pride of place in the centre of the restaurant—you’ll want to try everything. And if you’re a fan of negronis, there’s 10 variations on the cocktail list to sample here.
Pawpaw
898 Stanley Street, Woolloongabba
Known for slammin’ breakfasts on weekends, Pawpaw also offers pretty hectic Thai fusion situation for dinner on Wednesday through Sunday. Stuff your face with dishes like pineapple fried rice, pad Thai and one of the (if not THE) best beef cheek massaman curries in Brisbane are all on offer, making it the perfect pleaser for those nights when you want good food but you don't want to have to dress fancy.
Little G
64 Logan Road, Woolloongabba
Having moved over from their previous home in Dutton Park, Little G is well known for their rotating menu board of pizzas featuring creative toppings like nothing you've ever tasted before, but even their usual menu takes the humble slice to the next level. For us, the hot salami with pickled fennel, honey and stracciatella is a Friday night staple. Make sure you get a pot of house-made ranch to dip your crusts in—it's a gamechanger.
C’est Bon
609/611 Stanley Street, Woolloongabba
Image credit: C'est Bon | Instagram
For a classic French bistro experience you can’t pass up C’est Bon. These guys kick it old school with traditional dishes from escargots and duck a l’orange to thin and flaming Crêpes Suzette. If, like us, you suffer from menu indecision, order C’est Bon’s tasting menu, which gets you five courses of their best seasonal dishes and relieves the panic of indecision.
Superfly Pizza
17 Gibbon Street, Woolloongabba
This smashing pizza operation can summarise their edict with a three-pronged credo. Pizza, balls, booze. And that’s exactly what you’ll get. Whet your appetite with some cheesy arancini balls or pork and beef meatballs and a cheeky negroni, then get stuck straight into the pizza situation. Superfly’s pizzas are made on hand-stretched dough, and come with both traditional and not-so-traditional toppings, with regular specials to slice up each week.
KCS Chicken
2/888 Stanley Street, Woolloongabba
This cosy, romantic looking Woolloongabba restaurant may not look like a fried chicken joint, but after switching their focus from fine Korean fare to crispy chicken mid-2020 year in the midst of lockdown, KCS has never looked back—turns out ‘Gabba locals love their fried chicken. Their tender pieces come in flavours like original, secret soy and KCS hot sauce, and the boneless fried chicken comes with a side of house made kimchi—we recommend ordering the mashed potato and wombok slaw as well.
Frankie’s Smokehouse
719 Stanley Street, Woolloongabba
Image credit: Frankie's Smokehouse | Instagram
As you might guess from the name, low and slow cooked meats are the name of the game at Frankie’s Smokehouse, and you’ll find them coming hot out of the smokers five days a week. Melt-in-your-mouth brisket, pork ribs and pulled pork are best paired with coleslaw, soft bread rolls and fries for a feast worthy of the south.
South City Wine
5/148 Logan Road, Woolloongabba
The best thing about a good wine bar, aside from discovering a great new drop, is the romance and intimacy of the often small venues. This is especially true for South City Wine. There’s a distinctly European vibe upon walking in here and the same can be felt through their menu. Of course, they have an extensive cheese and charcuterie menu, as well as stunning lunch, dinner and desert ones too. Endless share-style snack plates is the way to go though, with options like crispy pork croquettes, truffle burrata and whipped ricotta soldiers with artichokes and estragon.
Mr Badgers
24 Logan Road, Woolloongabba
Another venue from the team behind Electric Avenue and Canvas, Mr Badgers’ claim to fame is the life-sized tram taking up most of the interior—but the food is pretty damn good too. Perfect for a casual midweek dinner, quick lunch or even after work drinks, you can snack on multi level charcuterie boards, epicly crusty pizzas and share plates like wings and calamari. And we highly recommend nabbing a table inside the tram for the full Mr Badgers experience.
Uncle Don
148 Logan Road, Woolloongabba
Image credit: Uncle Don | Instagram
Uncle Don are Brisbane’s donburi specialists. For those unacquainted, donburi is a Japanese classic: rice topped with an array of toppings and the ultimate comfort dish. And here at Uncle Don you’ll find over 20 variations. No matter your dietries, you’ll find a don for you with seafood, veggie, chicken, beef, pork and even curry as options for your delicious rice bowl. Aside from the perfect donburi, Uncle Don also do a pretty delicious line up of Japanese starters. The pork katsu sando is Japan in a bite, while the crispy eggplant chips are something we need to order at least once a month.
Chili Coco
148 Logan Road, Woolloongabba
Chilli Coco has been dishing up insanely delicious Thai eats to the people of Stones Corner for over 10 years to nothing but rave reviews and a string of loyal customers. Now, the restaurant has relocated to Woolloongabba for roomier digs and it’s now your turn to try out their authentic Thai line up. Owners Rose and Fern are passionate about their culture and food, running on pure passion for bringing Thai food to the community. Stop by to try their Thai milk tea and all of the Thai classics: pad krapow, pad Thai, satay chicken, and crispy pork and we’re convinced you’ll join their army of Stones Corner devotees.
The Morrison Hotel
640 Stanley Street, Woolloongabba
If you’re bordering on hangry and looking for a winner, dinner at the Morrison Hotel cuts to the damn chase. They offer a whole bunch of quality pub grub but it’s the steaks everyone gathers round. Using only high quality Australian beef, these cuts are cooked perfectly and come complete with toppers and sides. Once you’re done head over to their resident Naked Whisky Bar to fulfil your Ron Swanson fantasy.
Looking for more of the best restaurants around Woolloongabba and the inner city? Head here:
- Coorparoo And Camp Hill's Best Restaurants
- Kangaroo Point's Best Restaurants
- South Bank's Best Restaurants
Image credit: Casa Chow | Supplied
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