Brisbane’s Foodie Winter Survival Guide
Photo by Chris Fuller
Brisbane is bracing itself for the two to four weeks of cold weather that hits our shores. Whilst some argue that Brisbane winters aren’t as extreme as its countries counterparts, we still feel the chill. Luckily for us, this city is bursting with restaurants and events serving us winter warmers. Wrap up Brissy, grab that cardigan, winter is coming.
After sadly being cancelled two years in a row due to the pandemic, the Night Noodle Markets are making a comeback this June for twelve nights. This bustling market celebrates Asian food with a wide selection of (you guessed it) noodles, Asian-style street food and even desserts. From June 15th to 26th, warm your belly at their new location situated in the City Botanical Gardens. You will find returning favourites such as Hoy Pinoy, Flying Noodles and Gelato Messina - with more to be announced. Oh, did we mention it’s free entry? Find out more here.
Nothing warms your soul (and your hands) like a mug of freshly brewed coffee. Luckily, Brissy’s brew scene is filled with award winning coffee, no matter what side of the river you’re on. Whether you religiously drink black coffee or prefer a caramel latte, this liquid gold is a sure fire way to warm your insides - and it’s delicious. Our honourable mentions for your java fix include Bellissimo Coffee (Fortitude Valley, Coorparoo, Bulimba), Industry Beans (Newstead), Death Before Decaf (New Farm), First Coffee Co. (Wellington Point) and Hallowed Grounds (Mt Gravatt).
Not to sound too cheesy, but it doesn’t get much cheddar than an entire festival dedicated to cheese. If you’re a dairy-driven person, you’ll need to put July 1st to 3rd in your calendar for MOULD. The festival showcases the very best of Aussie cheeses. You can even win a yearly subscription to get damn-fine cheese delivered straight to your doorstep. Make sure to grab a ticket here.
Soup is good for the soul, and ramen is a go-to for an instant winter warmer. Brisbane is filled to the brim with fantastic, authentic restaurants, with plenty of ramen-havens to get your slurp on.
Motto Motto Japanese Kitchen - With locations across Brisbane, Motto Motto’s fun, quirky and modern approach to Japanese cuisine is a Godsend to the ramen scene. With full-bodied broths, spicy or mild, using fresh, local ingredients, you’ll find yourself being a hopeless ramen-tic.
Ramen Champion – Their name says it all, Ramen Champion offers you a bowl of salty, buttery, noodle soup that has been simmering for 20 hours daily, enhancing the delicious meaty flavours. If you’re feeling brave (or really hungry) why not take on Ramen’s Champion Giant Ramen Challenge?
Still not sure? We’ve got the full ramen rundown here.
Keep warm this winter by snuggling up in the Customs House’s Igloo Bar. The Veuve Clicquot in the Snow offers you a quintessential Brisbane winter experience. Snack on some delicious whole baked brie whilst sipping on wintery cocktails. Not to mention, it’s beautiful location riverside overlooking Brisbane’s iconic Story Bridge. You and your mates (minimum six guests) can brave the Brissy cold in style. $80 per head. For more info or to book, click here.
Nature’s reward for us braving the cold is Strawberry picking season. South-east queensland is Australia’s fruit basket, and there’s plenty of farms around Brisbane where you can get your hands dirty and pick your strawberry heart out. It will depend on the weather, so make sure you plan ahead.
- Rolin Farms (45 minutes North of Brisbane)
- Luvaberry Family Farm (1 hour North of Brisbane)
- Chambers Flat Strawberry Farm (40 minutes south of Brisbane)
If you’re down for a unique dining experience, absolutely love seafood or all of the above, you need to make your way to Kickin’Inn. Don’t worry about the cutlery, here you can literally grab the freshest catch with your hands. Their seafood boil bag has all your seafood favourites; whole fresh prawns, peeled prawns, mussels, pipis, octopus and crabs. It’s a perfect winter treat, and a fun way to mix up the dining experience. You can book a table here.
Hop on over to the Valley this July, you don’t want to miss Brisbane’s Beer Festival - Juicy. Showcasing breweries from all over Australia, it’s going to be a big celebration of modern, independent beers. There will be plenty of great food options too, from oysters to steak and frites. Make sure to grab a ticket, and enjoy full access to a fantastic range of brews.
Written by Megan Turner