Four (Not-So) Hidden Gems to Discover and Rediscover in Brisbane Over Summer
The little nuggets of gold you may have forgotten — or never got around to visiting in the first place.
in partnership with 
It's hard to come by actual hidden gems in your city these days. Chances are you've heard about the latest hidden/vegan/swimming/rooftop hotspot via social media — and so have the masses, and they've beaten you there. Most, save the truly intrepid city wanderers among us, often miss the boat on undiscovered goldmines. But hey, it's more than okay to jump on a bandwagon if something is truly good.
But how about those little nuggets of gold in the city you've forgotten, or never got around to visiting in the first place? This summer just might be the perfect time to back-up a little bit, consult the notes app in your iPhone and see what you had scribbled down as a to-do. Not sure where to start? We've partnered with Henkell, purveyors of quality bubbly, to pull together a hit list of some (kinda) hidden gems to dig up around Brisbane on your summer break. They'll all bring a little sparkle to your day and remind you that Brisbane is pretty darn great.
WANDER AN ARTISANAL FOOD AND DRINK MECCA
This might be one of those places you've heard about but haven't managed to get to yet, or perhaps can't find? Well, this summer's your chance to discover (or re-discover) this old warehouse-turned-community culinary clubhouse on the cusp of West End. Wandering Cooks is an excellent spot for hangs with the group breakfast, lunch or dinner. It has 101 food vendors on rotation, so make sure you check out the website for who is serving up what and when. Oh, and still not sure where to find it? Simply walk all the way to the end of Fish Lane and there you'll find it. And if you're keen to catch some rays by the water, grab some artisanal treats to take away and head to Riverside Green down the road for a gourmet picnic — complete with a bottle of Henkell Blanc de Blancs.
Pizzeria Violetta.
HEAD TO THE 'BURBS FOR SOME CULINARY GEMS
Northwest Brisbane's barbecue belt, and home to some solid architectural splendour of the 70s, Kenmore has become more and more popular among the city's epicures. Move over Oxford and James streets — this is the place to head if you want to experience a 'suburban dining hub' at its best. Located just off Marshall Lane, Wongabel Street houses three fantastic restaurants owned by Brisbane restaurateur Renata Roberts: Stavros the Greek, Sichuan Bang Bang and Pizzeria Violetta. Plus, you'll find a pretty ace Thai restaurant and espresso bar at the top of the street. Not sure where to head first? Look to Sichuan Bang Bang for its spicy dishes of Sichuan bean curd with minced pork, classic Sichuan Ma La dry pot with beef or chicken or the sizzling Singapore chilli prawns. The eatery also welcomes BYO so you can take your meal up a notch with a nice bottle of bubbly.
VENTURE TO A CITY OASIS
Just a hop, skip and jump from inner-city Brisbane (about 25 minutes), you'll find this perfect oasis of a swimming spot. Enoggera Dam is a shady freshwater dam that offers something for the laziest and most active among us. Float the morning away alongside waterlilies or jump on a paddleboard or kayak, then head to the lush grassy lawn for a picnic and maybe a glass of Henkell Trocken in the sun. You'll also find bushwalking tracks along the perimeter of the dam. It can get busy, but a morning or afternoon dip here will make anyone's summer brighter.
FIND A HIDDEN HUB OF CHEESE AND LIVE MUSIC
Junk by name, but certainly not by nature; this trash is Brisbane's treasure. An oldie, but perpetually a goodie, Ashgrove's Junk Bar is a self-proclaimed 'hidden' bar that's half the fun to find. You'd be forgiven if you've walked straight past its un-signed and curtained entrance on Ashgrove Avenue. Step inside, out of the hot, hot sun and you've got a spot where you can catch local live music over a cheese board. It's pretty chill here — they don't even mind if you BYO your own food — so it really is one of the best spots to unwind and recalibrate after a hectic festive season.
Summer is here and it's time to pop the bubbly. Pick up a bottle of Henkell Blanc de Blancs or Henkell Trocken for your next sparkling occasion.
