The Best Late-Night Eats in Brisbane
Minimally regrettable (and actually good) nosh that you can get on the other side of midnight.
The Best Late-Night Eats in Brisbane
Minimally regrettable (and actually good) nosh that you can get on the other side of midnight.
Perhaps, unsurprisingly for the Sunshine State, the Brisbane food scene tends to be geared towards early birds rather than night owls. Spots open after the witching hour with sit-down service and good quality nosh seem few and far between. So, we've rounded up a comprehensive list of Brisbane's flavoursome feeds to fight the post-midnight munchies, from mega burgers to Korean barbecue and even all-night breakfast faves. Whether you need comfort food or a quick caffeine refuel, the city has some gems offering both. If you find yourself scrambling for scrumptious repast after midnight, these are the places you need to round off your evening with a full belly.
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In a post-industrial basement bar in the heart of the Valley, Greaser, true to its name, serves the kind of brash American-style eats that’ll threaten to cause serious — and seriously worth it — health issues later in life. Think big, dirty burgers, fancy chicken nugs, loaded crispy potato skins and hot dogs decked out in pickles, relish, mustard and jalapeños with a side of crinkle-cut fries. For sippin’, try the range of craft beers, milkshakes and original cocktails, and if you’re brave you could attempt the ‘pickleback’ – a pickle with whisky and spicy brine.
How late? Open till 2am Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and 10pm on Sundays.
Image: Anwyn Howarth.
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Heya serves up Pan-Asian street eats amidst hip surrounds of atmospheric neon, graffiti art and paper lanterns. The kitchen churns out unique creations until 1am during the week and until 2am on Friday to Sunday, including pork and peanut dumplings and a green tea soba noodle salad with fresh tofu and fried wonton crouton. The ramen’s decadent duck and pork bone broth is a special twist. It ramps up the fusion in damned creative ways, too — think cheeseburger spring rolls with dill pickle, karaage cauliflower and an Asian slaw hot dog. Heya slings some seriously impressive summer cocktails too, including the GOMA Old Fashioned with sesame oil-washed whiskey, sherry, smoked honey, honey shards and sesame seeds.
How late? Open till 1am Wednesdays and Thursdays and 2am Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
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Wander into the medieval-themed ex-cathedral any time and you can grab yourself a big ol’ stack of fluffy buttermilk pancakes. Pancake Manor does them every which way, from traditional style with maple syrup to brekkie twists, like pancake eggs benedict, and decadent desserts such as Bavarian apple. Somehow not a pancake fan? The Manor also offers an array of satisfying eats, including burgers, steak, salads and old-school savoury crepes. With a heavy kitsch factor and the same menu available 24 hours a day, Pancake Manor has the timeless quality of a Las Vegas casino, and has long been a classic CBD joint to wind up at in the wee hours for party animals and shift workers alike.
How late? Open 24 hours, seven days a week.
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If you still feel like cooking after midnight, take the party to Funny Funny Korean and whip up a hotpot or barbecue the whole squad can enjoy. Funny Funny’s grill-ready meat and vegetables platters, including a pork intestine special — don’t knock it till you’ve tried it — lets you do a late-night meal your own way. For those who’d rather just eat, try the famous KFC — Korean Fried Chicken — with beer, a bibimbap or stir fry noodles. Or, just split some dumplings and a shallot pancake for a satiating snack. Funny Funny also has daily specials, like pork stews and sashimi, and provides the usual kimchi and banchan (side dishes).
How late? Open till 1.30am Mondays through Saturdays.
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When it comes to sating post-midnight appetites, Jimmy’s on the Mall has had Brisbane’s back for over 30 years. For all those wandering, searching, hungry in the late-night CBD, when uninspired fast food won’t hit the spot, Jimmy’s supper menu — running from 10pm to 7am — plates up substantial comfort food to satisfy any growling belly. Finish up your long night — and soak up the booze — by chowing down on crispy chicken wings in kung pao sauce, cheesy garlic bread or a heaping helping of wagyu beef lasagne. Open bright and full of life in the dead of night, Jimmy’s is an old friend you can rely on.
How late? Open 24 hours, seven days a week.
Image: Grace Smith.
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For obvious reasons, a casino needs to offer sustenance options for all-nighters, and to that end the Treasury has opened Bite, which opens from 11am–6am daily. With the clean and casual setting of rustic wood and white tiles, Bite provides a low-key oasis from the chaos of late night shenanigans. Bite’s emphasis is on freshness, and the food is a cross between cafe and deli, with pies, sandwiches and salads providing lighter meal options. Chicken, beef or bacon and egg burgers and the barramundi are great for folks who need a bit more fuel, and it’s all at reasonable prices you won’t regret the morning after.
How late? Open till 6am daily.
Image: Grace Smith.
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For some of us, 24-hour access to coffee is vital to our very lives, and there’s only one place in Brisbane geared towards satisfying us caffeine junkies: Death Before Decaf. Despite the ominous name, the trendy, rockabilly coffee nook is here to purvey its late-night energy medicine in New Farm. It does a damn fine cup of coffee, a few other sweet hot bevs, and a lineup of syrups for a sugar hit in your bean juice. Round it off with some fresh baked goods — including Butterbings and an impressive brownie selection — and you’ll have the energy you need to get back out there and go.
How late? Open 24 hours, seven days a week.
Top image: Heya Bar.
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