Overview
Over the past 18 months, change has been sweeping through Bowen Hills, and it shows no signs of stopping any time soon. King Street continues to flourish as Brisbane's new foodie precinct, adding new eateries with frequency. A new boutique laneway is set to join the fold, complete with its own dining hub. And now a huge food truck hangout is speeding towards the Ekka site as well.
The new meals-on-wheels mecca is named Welcome to Bowen Hills — and no doubt you'll be making yourself most welcome indeed when it opens in mid-February 2018. Designed to host a rotating array of Brissie's best food vans, it'll change its lineup daily. It'll also boast a permanent indoor bar slinging craft brews and cocktail jugs, plus a separate boutique gin bar called Swill.
The concept not only follows in the footsteps of Melbourne's Welcome to Thornbury, but will be run by the exact same team. If you'd like an idea of just what might be in store, their Victorian venture has hosted burger festivals, mulled wine and hot cheese parties, vegan feasts and a mimosa and brunch fest — as well as events dedicated to hot chilli sauce, dim sims and dumplings, bacon and chicken nuggets.
Welcome to Bowen Hills will make its home in the Dairy Hall and Sugar Building at the Brisbane Showgrounds Precinct, which has been revamped for its new purpose while also retaining the precinct's heritage.
"It's full of history and atmosphere with a unique fitout, perfectly suiting the friendly community growing in this urban lifestyle precinct," explains Brisbane Showgrounds project director Andrew Hay.
Find Welcome to Bowen Hills in the Dairy Hall and Sugar Building at the Brisbane Showgrounds Precinct, Bowen Hills, from mid-February 2018.
Image: Welcome to Thornbury.