SITE PARTNER:

Best Things to do in East Brisbane

Updated: Jun 03, 2026

This charming historic riverside suburb is full of hidden gems, including a pocket-sized Japanese restaurant, a traditional German beer hall & restaurant, antiques, cool cafes and a splendid riverfront park. Here's 20 things to eat, drink, see and do in East Brisbane:

Shunsai

Shunsai is a real slice of Japan in Brisbane - a pocket-sized upmarket Japanese restaurant and bar found tucked away

Pawpaw Café

Inside seating at Pawpaw Cafe East Brisbane

Inhabiting an historic shop on Stanley Street is this all-day brunch café and Pan Asian restaurant by night

Future Magic Brewing Co

A convivial suburban microbrewery tucked away in an industrial side street, serving cool beers & hot pizza

Yakitori Kiku

Tucked away in East Brisbane, Yakitori Kiku serves up authentic Japanese charcoal-grilled skewers in a cosy, Tokyo-style setting.

La Bodega Taqueria

A bright and breezy terracotta-hued Mexican restaurant located in a tiny precinct of eateries off Lytton Rd

Sunny Side Sandwiches

Sunny Side Sandwiches have opened their third outlet in East Brisbane, bringing their delectable gourmet shokupan sandwiches

Banana Leaf

Banana Leaf in East Brisbane dishes up top-notch Thai fare in a funky setting

Olli Italiano

Olli Italiano is a charming contemporary Italian eatery and bar serving up delicious pizzas, pasta and antipasti as well as Italian cocktails

The German Club

For a rollickin' good night in an old-fashioned community setting, The German Club, is one of Brisbane’s best-kept secrets

Mowbray Park

Mowbray Park is a remnant of the riverine estate established in 1850 by the father of East Brisbane Reverend Thomas Mowbray

Cafetal Coffee Roasters

Cafetal Coffee Roasters bring the best coffee that Colombia has to offer to an industrial side street

Michael Allen Antiques

This fancy black 1880’s weather board shop consistently houses one of Brisbane’s most intriguing antique collections

KCS Chicken

A hidden gem of a Korean fried chicken eatery occupying an historic shop in East Brisbane

Allpress Espresso

Allpress Espresso is brewing Melbourne’s favourite specialty coffee in the inner-city suburb of East Brisbane

Mowbray Park Playground

This playground is located in the beautiful fig shaded surrounds of Mowbray Park

East Brisbane Walk

Brisbane River and city views along footpath in Mowbray Park East Brisbane.

This walk around East Brisbane, one of Brisbane’s best kept secrets, reveals quaint churches, elegant parks, stately Victorian villas and a hidden creek life

Schnucki Dirndl & Lederhosen

SEQ's own Bavarian shop Schnucki Dirndl & Lederhosen is the go-to for traditional German gear and accessories

Mowbraytown Presbyterian Church Group

This little cluster of stand out weatherboard buildings are both an ode to the father of Presbyterianism in Brisbane, Reverend Thomas Mowbray

Triumph Theatre

This 1920’s built picture theatre is one of a few remaining intact interwar cinemas left in Queensland

The historic neighbourhood hotel had a major makeover in 2025, featuring a stunning restaurant, bar, kids zone and lush beer garden

Looking to discover more hidden gems of Brisbane, check out our Guide to Brisbane Suburbs HERE! Happy exploring!

Top Things To Do In Brisbane This Week

WSW MEGA MANIA

Brisbane is in for a serious dose of international wrestling action

Oct 30

Open, Enclose by Shayle Flesser

Open, Enclose launches at Emma Street Studio this October!

Oct 30-31

Halloween Spooktacular

Westfield Chermside is throwing a Halloween Spooktacular

Oct 31

Melbourne Cup Day at The Regatta Hotel

Celebrate Melbourne Cup Day with flowing drinks, fine food, live racing and riverside vibes at The Regatta Hotel.

Nov 3

Melbourne Cup Day at Riverland

Nov 3

Melbourne Cup at Bar Pacino

Swap the racetrack for riverside glamour

Nov 3

Melbourne Cup at Haig Rd. Bistro

Celebrate the race that stops the nation with a French twist

Nov 3

Melbourne Cup at Howard Smith Wharves

Nov 3

Melbourne Cup at The Prince Consort

Nov 3

2026 Let’s Go Explore Caravan and RV Expo

The 2026 Let’s Go Explore Caravan and RV Expo is rolling back into Brisbane Showgrounds bringing four days of caravans, motorhomes, outdoor gear and everything you need for your next great escape

2026 Let’s Go Explore Caravan and RV Expo

MUST DO

Cinematic: The Wonder of Animation

Queensland Symphony Orchestra brings some of the most beloved animated movie soundtracks of all time to life at Cinematic: The Wonder of Animation

Cinematic: The Wonder of Animation

THIS WEEKEND

Top Things to Do Oct 23-25

A massive bayside art trail, Aerospace Aviation Day, a live-action animation soundtrack concert and a $180 million lifestyle precinct on the way – here are the top things to do in Brisbane and beyond this weekend:

This Weekend Oct 23-25

COMING UP

What's on in November in & around Brisbane

From Spring Carnival racing and Melbourne Cup events to Supanova Comic-Con, blockbuster theatre, world-first exhibitions and adults-only arts and crafts parties, what's on in November

What's On in November 2026

HOT TICKET

Into The Woods

Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood and Rapunzel heading into the woods! Stephen Sondheim’s much-loved Into the Woods is coming to Brisbane this November!

Into The Woods

HALLOWEEN

Halloween Spooktacular

Westfield Chermside is throwing a Halloween Spooktacular with trick-or-treating, a spooky disco, free face painting and plenty of family-friendly fun

Halloween Spooktacular

BEST OF BRISBANE

50+ Best Restaurants in Brisbane

Looking for the best restaurants in Brisbane? Then check out this guide for the must-do dining experiences from the city to the suburbs

Best Restaurants in Brisbane

Best Of Brisbane

Brisbane's Best 50 Bars

Whether you're after breezy drinks by the river, a stiff whiskey in an underground bar, a cosy laneway hideaway or a rooftop with views, here's 50 of Brisbane's best bars

Best Bars in Brisbane

A brand-new Nutcracker is coming to Brisbane

Win two tickets to the Taste of Love Festival in Gympie, valued at $970

Enter here

WIN a 2-Night Stay over New Year's at BIG4 Gold Coast valued at $1300

Enter here