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One of Brisbane’s favourite Mexican spots, Pepe’s Mexican has just opened a third location over in Wynnum, meaning baysiders can now dig into their famed sizzling fajitas and classic tacos. Taking over the old site of Miss Mexicana, the team have kept the vibrant decor much the same, with bright, colourful walls decorated with hanging greenery, wicker lights and patterned cushions, and long or short tables to accommodate both lively groups and couples on date night.

Axe throwing. It's as simple as it sounds. Basically, you hurl a hatchet at a wooden wall with all your might, channelling some kind of hectic Viking lord. And now you can let off steam by chucking an axe right in the heart of the CBD—hello, post-work therapy session. 

Springing from the crew who run Say Cheese, Brisbane’s favourite cheese platter delivery company, Spread knows a thing or two about a good carb and dairy combo. Tucked away on a suburban strip in Camp Hill, the casual but stylish venue is somewhere you’d be more than happy to take a date, but is equally suited for a mid-week family dinner with the kids—and they even do takeaway. 

When standard pizzas just won't do, head for Little G, where a rotating menu board of specials features reimagined slices like nothing you've ever tasted before, and even the regular pies are a cut above average. While original owners Danielle and George Diacos have hung up their proverbial apron and chefs hat, the Woolloongabba pizzeria has been left in the very capable hands of new owner (and pizza lover) Monica Emerich. Meanwhile, the restaurant's sous chef of four years, Lucas Yamanaka, has taken over as co-head chef with best friend and up-and-coming superstar, Enzo Gajardo, who are continuing to nail the art of the perfect Roma-style crust.

Paddington just scored a new laneway Italian restaurant, one that’s sleek and stylish enough for date night but also relaxed enough that you won’t feel out of place popping in for a casual weeknight dinner. Landing right on Given Terrace, Fratelli is easy to spot by its red and white striped awning, with seating available in the stone-walled dining room or outside on the breezy deck. 

Hidden away just off Oxford Street in Bulimba you'll find Melrose, a dreamy restaurant and bar that has just been taken over by experienced husband and wife duo, Paul and Anna Adams. Originally designed to feel like one of Bali’s luxe beach clubs and resorts, a fully retractable roof means this spot has all the rooftop vibes—we recommend getting a booking for just before sunset, so you can get the full effect but still finish your meal under the stars.

The team behind Mitchelton’s hottest cafe Mitch & Antler have taken one of their best-selling menu items, the croque madame—a magnificent sourdough toastie packed with smoked ham, manchego and egmont cheese and mustard and leek cream, topped with a fried free-range egg—and placed it front and centre in their newest addition to the James Street precinct, James & Antler. Don’t let size fool you, this container cafe may be tiny but it is serving up massive flavour. 

In case you hadn’t noticed, Newport on the Redcliffe peninsula has scored a slew of delicious eateries recently, all of them worth the drive north. One of those eateries is Quê Dining, a sleek and stylish new Vietnamese spot from the team behind Paddington’s Ngon. As well as a stunning dark green fit out, here you’ll find elevated Vietnamese fare that will leave you wanting more. 

Opening on 12 October is C’est Du Gâteau, Brisbane’s newest French bakery and patisserie. Landing on Grey Street in South Bank, this heavenly spot comes to us from two French pastry chefs, Sebastien and Fred, who’ve worked their way around Europe and Brisbane, and are now keen to share their croissant-making skills with the South Bank masses. 

We're finally going to live out our dreams of weekly spa and sauna sessions, thanks a stunning open-air bathhouse in West End. The Gold Coast's Soak Bathhouse has opened a second wellness centre in Brisbane, this one on the rooftop of West Village. Yes, a rooftop bathhouse. 

Any carb-lover will know that the bread course at a restaurant is infinitely better than any loaf you’ll get at home—you know you shouldn’t fill up on it, but nevertheless, you always do. Well, at Newstead’s slick new eatery, Bosco, you might want to order an extra serve, because it’s baked right there by iconic Brisbane bakery, Brewbakers, who are now sharing their cavernous warehouse space with the Euro-inspired bar and grill. 

Greek restaurants and hipster bars West End has aplenty, but one thing it definitely isn't overflowing with is sleek, sophisticated spots where you can get a good steak. That changed with the arrival of Rich & Rare, a restaurant from the team behind Opa, Massimo, Yamas, and Fosh, where you can choose from a line up of no less than 15 different steaks. 

Southern chefs seem to be moving to the Sunshine State at an unheard of rate, and the latest to join the crowd is Martin Boetz, the ex-executive chef of Melbourne’s (and Sydney’s, before it closed) iconic Longrain. Brisbane-born, Boetz has returned to his home city with a bang, opening a new Thai restaurant and deli in the heart of the Valley, Short Grain. 

Joining Fortitude Valley’s vibrant King Street precinct is Bar Gusto, a restaurant bar that brings the magic of Italian summertime to Brisbane. The menu boasts authentic flavours from chef Francesco Tucco’s hometown of Imperia, on the Italian Riviera—think crisp wood-fired pizzas, pastas (of course) and antipasti, paired with an extensive and expertly selected list of local and international wines—all to be enjoyed in their restuarant, or on their open-air, outdoor deck that wraps around a century-old, fairy-lit fig tree.