Home to a brewery, a Betty’s Burgers, a gelato joint, an Italian kitchen and bar, a rooftop bar, a Greek taverna, a two-level Cantonese restaurant and bar, a Japanese Izakaya and bar, the city’s first overwater bar, several event spaces, and even a five-star boutique hotel (and breathe) - Howard Smith Wharves truly has it all!

Arguably the most anticipated opening of 2018, Howard Smith Wharves is an incredible hundred-million-dollar development situated on prime riverfront real estate, directly below the Story Bridge. This well overdue rejuvenation of the Howard Smith Wharves area has completely transformed the city and made it undoubtedly into Brisbane’s hottest and newest entertainment and lifestyle destination.

For all the other must-try foodie spots in Brisbane beyond Howard Smith Wharves:

EAT / DRINK.

Felons Brewing Co.

Taking centre stage at Howard Smith Wharves is Felons Brewery Co., for it dominates the space just in its sheer size. Felons have been cleverly designed in a way that truly maximises its prime frontage on the Brisbane River, with bar stool-style seating running the length of the entire venue, as well as benches with umbrellas sprawled across the lawn, and everywhere else. The menu at Felons mainly comprises delicious burgers and authentic wood-fired pizzas, with both pairing perfectly with one of their brewed beers or ciders.

View Felons Brewing Co.’s menu.

Open 7 Days 11.00am - Midnight

WHAT WAS ORDERED:

GAMBERO Tomato, mozzarella, prawns, rocket and aioli.

FISH BURGER Crumbed barramundi burger, tartare with pickled jalapeño.

CHICKEN BURGER Spicy chicken burger, shredded iceberg with comeback sauce.

SPRING ROLLS Seafood spring rolls with chilli sauce.

BUG BURGER Moreton Bay bug burger with shredded lettuce and sauce served with chips.

APEROL SPRITZ

Mr. Percival's

Named after an Australian pelican which featured in the 1976 Australian film Storm Boy and novel of the same name, Mr. Percival's is unlike any other bar in the city for it is Brisbane's first-ever overwater bar. Set directly under the historic Story Bridge, this octagon-shaped venue offers incredible, unbeatable views looking back at the city and Eagle Street Pier and is the perfect place to enjoy a cocktail or two and a few shared plates with friends.

View Mr. Percival’s food menu and drinks menu.

Open 7 Days 11.00am - 1.00am

WHAT WAS ORDERED:

FRIED CALAMARI with rocket and aioli.

RIGATONI with tomato sugo, basil and stracciatella.

½ SHELL SCALLOPS with tarragon butter.

CRISPY FRIED WHOLE SCHOOL PRAWNS with lemon mayo.

MOOLOOLABA KING PRAWNS

PANNA COTTA with grilled peach and pistachio.

SICILIAN CANNOLI

TROPICO Vodka, Crème de Peche, passionfruit, mango, orange blossom, and soda.

GRECA

Beneath the Story Bridge, inside the revitalised Howard Smith Wharves, you’ll find Greca, a contemporary Greek taverna serving food just as it should taste, and generous Mediterranean hospitality, just as it should be. Inspired by the Mediterranean way of life, and the pleasures of eating together, all of Greca’s dishes are designed for sharing.

View Greca’s food menu and drinks menu.

Open 7 Days 5.00pm - 10.00pm (Thursday - Sunday opens at midday)

WHAT WAS ORDERED:

TARAMASALATA Traditional fish roe dip with house-baked fresh bread.

GRILLED PITA

SAGANAKI with honey, oregano.

SPANAKOPITA Feta and spinach.

OCTOPUS Pickled octopus, potato, celery, chilli.

KALAMARI TIGANITO Fried calamari.

OVEN-BAKED LAMB SHOULDER with tzatziki.

AVGOLEMONO PIE Lemon curd, torched meringue and an olive oil crumb.

KATOUMARI Smashed filo layered with butter and cinnamon, walnuts, semolina cream.

KARPOUZI SPRITZ Watermelon, vodka, aperol and basil.

POSEIDON SPRITZ Spiced rum, mango and pineapple.

ciao papi

Literally steps away from ARC Dining (now permanently closed), connected by an elegant outdoor courtyard of olive trees and succulents, is Ciao Papi, a relaxed, casual Italian homestyle kitchen. Located at the New Farm end of the precinct, the restaurant offers a more subdued, intimate setting for some antipasto and a spritz or something a little more filling, compared to other nearby venues, such as Felons Brewery and Mr. Percival’s. Personally, I enjoy its position being slightly removed from the main hub of Howard Smith Wharves and the fact it offers, in my opinion, a more impressive outlook of the city and Story Bridge.

View Ciao Papi’s menu.

Open 7 Days 4.00pm - 10.00pm (Friday - Sunday opens at Midday)

WHAT WAS ORDERED:

RIGATONI with slow braised pork ragu.

MARGHERITA Tomato, fior di latte and basil.

CRIPSY THIN PIZZA Bug, chilli, fior di latte and lemon oil.

FIUME BAR

Located on level three of the Crystalbrook Vincent hotel at Howard Smith Wharves you will find the property's rooftop bar, Fiume Bar. When the bar first opened and we stayed at the hotel my first impressions of Fiume was that I was a little disappointed and thought I wouldn’t really return just because I believed venues such as Mr. Percival’s and Felons Brewery generally were superior and possessed a less obstructed view of the city and Brisbane River. However, whilst I still believe it doesn’t provide the best view, as Howard Smith Wharves generally get busier, escaping the crowds (to some extent) and opting for a drink and bite to eat at Fiume is definitely a nice alternative.

For the best places to drink sky high in Brisbane view Brisbane’s Best Rooftop Bars

For overnight accommodation read about my stay at The Fantauzzo (now Crystalbrook Vincent)

View Fiume Bar’s menu.

Open 4 Days Thursday - Sunday 4.00pm - Late (Saturday & Sunday opens at Midday & 2:00pm respectively)

WHAT WAS ORDERED:

PINK KOALA Eucalyptus vodka, Cointreau, cranberry and lemon.

BETTY’S BURGERS & Concrete Co.

The burgers are better at Betty’s Burgers! Situated at the base of The Fantauzzo, Betty’s Burgers is perfect for those seeking a quicker and more affordable bite to eat. Today operating 27 stores Australia-wide, with plenty more stores planned to open in the near future, Betty’s Burgers has gone from strength to strength ever since it opened its first store in Noosa in 2014. Now visitors to Howard Smith Wharf can enjoy the freshest, juiciest, most mouth-watering burgers that the Sunshine Coast-born burger chain is so well-known for, along with one Betty signature decadent ‘concretes’ - made from rich and creamy frozen custard ice-cream and combined with a variety of different mix-ins.

View Betty’s Burgers’ menu.

Open 7 Days 11.00am - 9.00pm (Thursday open till 10.00pm, Friday opens at 10.30pm till 10:30pm, Saturday & Sunday opens at 10.00am till 10:30pm & 10.00pm respectively)

Screen Shot 2020-04-02 at 12.48.18 pm.png

GOODTIMES GELATERIA

Adjacent to Betty’s Burgers and the entrance of The Fantauzzo you’ll find Goodtimes Gelateria, the perfect pitstop post-lunch or dinner when you inevitably begin to crave something sweet. Goodtimes Gelateria offers gelato-lovers a selection of 22 different flavours, including the bona fide much-loved classics such as vanilla, chocolate, salted caramel, coffee and mint choc-chip, six incredibly refreshing sorbet flavours, as well as a rotating set of more unique, adventurous flavours, such as tutti frutti, baked apple pie, and yellow peach and basil. Whatever flavour you choose, no matter how many scoops you opt for, or whether it’s in a waffle cone or cup, know that all the gelato served if made using the finest premium, locally sourced ingredients. Otherwise, get your gelato fix by ordering one of the gelato shakes on offer, or select from one of four different gelato cakes.

View Goodtimes Gelateria’s menu.

Open 5 Days Wednesday - Sunday 2.00pm - 9.00pm (Wednesday closes at 8.00pm, & Saturday & Sunday opens at 11.00am till 9.00pm & 8.00pm respectively)

felons barrel hall

Taking over the massive space once exclusively reserved for large-scale functions (pre-COVID), Felons Barrel Hall is a modern Australian interpretation of the rowdy beer halls found all over Germany. Walk in anytime, without a booking and enjoy delicious bold food inspired by Southeast Asian street food, all designed to be shared and eaten without cutlery, and washed down with a Felons beer. Plus, visit on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday you’ll be treated to live music also.

View Felons Barrel Hall’s menu.

Open 5 Days Wednesday - Sunday 11.00am - Midnight

WHAT WAS ORDERED:

CRISPY MORETON BAY BUGS with electric honey.

CLASSIC CHEESEBURGER and fries.

CRISPY MORETON BAY BUG BUN with cos lettuce and spicy mayo.

Polpetta italian kitchen & bar

The Italian kitchen and bar located on the ground floor of the Art Series hotel, The Fantauzzo (read about my stay at The Fantauzzo), Polpetta offers rustic and authentic Italian fare. Although the menu reads well and the space does look inviting, the lack of any real view and the many other eating and drinking options in the precinct, I struggle to see the allure of dining here, personally. Despite this, during our recent stay at The Fantauzzo, we did enjoy breakfast here and I must say the food was delicious.

View Polpetta’s lunch & dinner menu and breakfast menu.

Open 7 Days 6.30am - 10.00am & 12.00pm - 2.30pm & 5:30pm - 9:00pm (Monday & Tuesday - no lunch service)

WHAT WAS ORDERED:

POLPETTA BENEDICT Poached free-range eggs, Prosciutto, toasted sourdough, and hollandaise sauce.

EGGS Free range eggs your way, Bronte Beechwood smoked bacon, toasted sourdough, avocado.

YOKO

Brining the energetic experience of Tokyo’s izakayas, music bars and pop-infused counter culture to Howard Smith Wharves, Yoko is a raucous riverside Izakaya - a type of Japanese bar where a variety of small dishes and snacks are served to accompany alcoholic drinks. Set over two levels of dining, drinking and fun classics on vinyl, Yoko marries Brisbane’s breezy lifestyle with all the highlights of Japan’s sophisticated and sustainable cuisine. At the centre of Yoko’s kitchen is the hibachi charcoal grill – influencing Yoko’s seafood-leaning menu with smoke and char. Abundant bar snacks such as seasonal gyoza, tempura, plentiful noodles and light textural salads are perfect cocktail partners.

View Yoko’s menu.

Open 7 Days Midday - Late (open from 5.00pm Monday - Wednesday)

STANLEY

A sophisticated, contemporary waterfront Chinese and Cantonese restaurant and bar, Stanley philosophy is centred around great food, friends, fishermen and farmers. Inspired by head chef, Louis Tikaram’s travels across the globe and grounded by his local roots, Stanley’s menu showcases some of the best seafood, meat, vegetables and fruit in the world. Stanley’s ethos combines the best produce, mostly sourced locally, supporting our Australian industry with traditional Cantonese flavours.

View Stanley’s menu.

Open 7 Days Midday - 10.00pm (only open from 5.00pm Tuesday & Wednesday)

STAY.

The Fantauzzo

Located directly beneath the iconic Story Bridge and costing over a hundred million dollars to build, The Fantauzzo is the five-star boutique hotel which calls Howard Smith Wharves home. Part of the Art Series collection, the 166-suite hotel draws inspiration from and gets its name from the well-known and highly acclaimed Australian painter Vincent Fantauzzo.

Read more about my stay at The Fantauzzo.