The gift that keeps on giving, Portside Wharf continues to elevate its offering with everything from fine dining to eclectic pre-loved clothing markets—throw in some weekly live entertainment and it sounds to us like your summer calendar is pretty much sorted.
Rediscover Brisbane’s Portside Wharf and the very best places to eat, play and enjoy in the beloved waterside village.
Among the lineup of newbies joining the precinct, one of the most highly anticipated has to be Bella Deli. The team behind Queensland’s famed Tamborine Cheese have answered the calls from Brisbanites wanting their fix of the award-winning product as they’re set to open the doors to their 50-seater artisanal deli in early 2025. With over 40 varieties of locally crafted cheese to sample, customisable cheese boards, and all the usual suspects, Bella Deli has weekend sips written all over it.
And if cheeseboards don’t quite do it for you, here’s another ten places to add to your Hamilton hit list:
- Byblós
- Rise Bakery
- Mademoiselle
- Dumbo
- Fosh
- Gusto Da Gianni
- The Ballpark
- Dendy Cinemas
- Gold Class Nails And Head Spa
- Love Me Again Market
Eat
Byblós
Looking fresh after a major reno that covered both venue and menu, the much loved Byblós has now reopened and is ready to welcome you with open arms, and a big plate of Brissy’s best hummus.
Blending traditional Lebanese hospitality with a modern touch, Byblós is offering up refined yet comfortable banquet-style dining. The stunning new fit-out designed by Space Cubed accentuates the river views and transports you right to their namesake city in Lebanon. Head in for a Mezza Banquet and sink your teeth into all the faves like baba ghanoush, lamb kafta and of course, falafel.
Rise Bakery
If a little treat is your love language, this one’s for you. After opening on the Gold Coast in 2022 and rapidly amassing a cult following of baked goods lovers, Rise Bakery made its way to Portside Wharf—and thank the French pastry lords for that.
With all the classics like buttery croissants, decadent quiches, and macarons served up in an elegant European-inspired setting—you’d be forgiven for thinking you were sitting in a cafe by the French Riviera. If you want to elevate your experience, The Champagne Bar might just be for you, with pastry and champagne pairing experiences starting from $29, it would be rude not to.
Mademoiselle
Speaking of French classics, the unstoppable duo behind Rise Bakery have recently opened their hotly anticipated second Portside spot, Mademoiselle. Working with Michelin-starred chef Laurent Hoffarth, the menu blends his roots in rustic French dining with modern techniques, offering innovative twists on classic dishes from his home country.
Choose from 1,2 and 3-course lunch menus from Monday to Friday, or take the stress out of group dining and opt for a banquet menu. Designed by Sydney-based Tom Mark Henry, the space feels cosy and intimate with a stunning open kitchen showing off the classic French rotisseries for a touch of that Parisian authenticity. Mademoiselle is the perfect spot to settle in for a long lunch or a Sunday roast, and hey, it’s cheaper than a flight to Paris.
Dumbo
From Paris to Brooklyn, this next venue is one for the true burger aficionados. The duo behind the CBD’s iconic spot Red Hook as well as Ruby, My Dear have created a sibling venue aptly inspired by the NYC riverside district, Dumbo.
Hit up Dumbo for your classic American street eats like burgers, wings and hotdogs, but stick around for the impressive wine and cocktail list. Dumbo does a lot of things well, but their meal deal has to be one of our favourites, and who doesn’t love that in this economy? Score yourself a $10 burger on Mondays from 6pm with any drink purchase, or get around their ‘Bubble Wing Thing’ Wednesdays which land you with a bottle of Taittinger and 24 wings for $90. Check out the Dumbo website for the full list of their daily deals.
Fosh
Pescatarians and seafood lovers rejoice, finally a place where you can eat pretty much everything on the menu. Embracing their stunning riverfront location at Portside Wharf—Fosh is seafood done right, serving up sustainably caught seafood that hits your plate within 24 hours of being caught.
The ‘Hooked Banquet’ is the perfect way to sample a little of a lot, including oysters, scallops and their Thai fish curry with lightly poached barramundi. Otherwise, fend off the Sunday scaries with their ‘Sunset Sunday’ menu which gets you a selection of fresh seafood, a cocktail of your choosing and fries—of course.
For something a little more casual, stop in right next door to Fosh Tails for a more pared-back menu offering up fish and chips, burgers and all the sides. Throwing down the picnic rug and tucking into some Fosh n’ chips on a sunny day by the river? Heaven.
Gusto Da Gianni
This Portside Wharf fave has had a makeover, but some things never change. Gusto Da Gianni might look different, but promises to offer up the same authentic Italian food and welcoming service Brisbane locals know and love.
With a sleek new fit-out, extended trading hours and an updated menu to boot, there’s so many reasons to visit—or revisit—the family-run Gusto Da Gianni. If you’re looking for the perfect place to snack and enjoy a tipple in the sun, be sure to check out their brand-spanking new tapas menu. Anchovies with whipped butter or crab and prawn sliders with a crisp glass of rosé? Why not have both?
Play
The Ballpark
A virtual baseball sports bar in the middle of Hamilton—get your head around that. The Ballpark is the first of its kind in Australia, and nothing short of a sports lovers' playground. We’re talking batting cages, baseball game simulation as well as the old faithfuls—pool and dart boards galore.
With live sport playing on the big screens, including baseball and NFL, a full bar and food by our friends at Dumbo—they’ve truly covered all bases. Whether you’re a pro wanting to show off your skills, or a complete newbie—the virtual batting cage experience is suitable for anyone and everyone. The standard price is $35pp, or if you find yourself looking for a mid-week activity, take advantage of The Ballpark’s $20pp batting cage deal Monday—Wednesday between 10am-5pm.
Dendy Cinemas
Got a few summer blockbusters to knock off your to watch list? This is your official sign to catch them at Dendy Cinemas Portside, and treat yourself to a choc top at the candy bar while you’re at it.
Proud supporters of the filmmaking and arts community, Dendy is one of the country's leading indie cinema chains and there’s oh so much to love about them. From the latest blockbusters to art house gems, they’ve got it all. This summer, beat the heat with free aircon and take advantage of their special screening offer for Bridget Jones, which includes a free glass of sparkling with your ticket.
Enjoy
Gold Class Nails And Head Spa
Find yourself having an out-of-body experience every time the hairdresser washes your hair at the salon? Brisbane’s nail tech royalty Gold Class have opened up their 10th location at Portside Wharf, alongside Gold Class Head Spa. And yep, it does exactly what it says on the tin.
This goes beyond hair washing and a heavenly head scratch, this is deep scalp cleaning, hair nourishment and stress relief at its very best. Using natural products to help promote hair growth and health, the team at Gold Class are experts in premium hair care. Offering a complimentary drink with all their services, getting your nails done, or your scalp cleansed, has never sounded so good.
Love Me Again Market
Circular fashion is having a moment, and rightly so. The Love Me Again Markets are Brissy’s answer to pre-loved treasure hunting, and you can find yourself browsing over 20 stalls from 8am to 12pm on the second Saturday of each month.
Situated in the spacious shopping pavilion at Portside Wharf for just $3 entry, clear your schedule and allow yourself ample time to dig through curated racks of vintage designer, high-street and popular brand clothing, shoes and accessories until you find that gem. Sustainable shopping looks good on you. Don’t forget to BYO bag to take home your goodies.
Bursting at the seams with places to eat, play and enjoy—check out Portside Wharf for more and to plan your visit.
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Images: Supplied.