The Best Waterfront Venues in and Around Brisbane That Serve Drinks with a View All Year Round
Make the most of Brisbane's usually balmy weather with a spritz or meal by the water.
In Brisbane, we're lucky when it comes to the weather. Living in the Sunshine State will do that. It's always pretty balmy, and we have no shortage of spots by the river and water to drink and dine in.
So, no matter the season, you can soak in a waterside restaurant, cafe or bar in Brisbane while enjoying another brunch, spritz or bowl of fresh seafood spaghetti. And, if it does rain, all the best waterfront drinking and dining spots in Brisbane have undercover areas — where you can still enjoy the views.
(Yes, some will take you further south or north than Brisbane, but day trips and weekends away are what our gorgeous climate is all about, too.)
Top image: Stanley, Markus Ravik.
Recommended reads:
The Best Rooftop Bars in Brisbane
The Best Beer Gardens in Brisbane
The Best Dog-Friendly Bars, Cafes and Restaurants in Brisbane.
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RestaurantMademoiselle
39 Hercules Street, Hamilton
Rise Bakery's Harry Ohayon and Maxime Bournazel have doubled their footprint at Portside with this Parisian bistro.
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RestaurantCucina Regina
33 William Street, Brisbane City
A sibling to the Gold Coast's Cucina Vivo and Sydney's Cucina Porto, Queen's Wharf's resident Italian eatery takes its cues from old-school trattorias.
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RestaurantBlack Hide Steak and Seafood
33 William Street, Brisbane City
Black Hide's Queen's Wharf restaurant is Brisbane's new go-to for steak, seafood and cocktails with a view.
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BarCicada Blu
33 William Street, Brisbane City
This sky-high Brisbane cocktail spot sits 100 metres above the city on Queen's Wharf's Sky Deck.
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RestaurantSupernormal Brisbane
443 Queen Street, Brisbane City
Andrew McConnell has expanded his Melbourne restaurant to Brisbane, bringing its lobster rolls and Asian-influenced dishes to a prime riverside location.
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BarPortside Social
39 Hercules Street, Hamilton
You'll find pints, parmigianas and games of pool at this Hamilton gastropub at Portside — and burgers, ribs and boozy bottomless weekend brunches, too.
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BarBar Miette
443 Queen Street, Brisbane City
Andrew McConnell's hospitality empire has arrived in Brisbane with this Euro-leaning terrace cafe and wine bar.
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CafeRiva Kitchen & Events
285 MacArthur Avenue, Hamilton
If you're after cruisy breakfasts, brunches and lunches with a view, you'll find them at Northshore Brisbane's airy riverside eatery.
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BarKirra Beach House
4 Marine Parade, Coolangatta
Part of the Kirra Point Precinct, this oceanfront drinking and dining spot boasts cabanas, cocktail bars and a seafood barbecue area.
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BarBabylon Garden
145 Eagle Street, Brisbane City
This two-tier waterfront bar on Eagle Street cascades down to the river, and serves up Middle Eastern and East Mediterranean bites and cocktails.
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BarKirra Beach Hotel
2 Marine Parade, Coolangatta
This Gold Coast favourite returned in late 2023 after a three-year absence — and now sprawls across 1300 square metres.
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BarThe Belvedere
Oxley Avenue, Woody Point
Woody Point's 122-year-old pub has relaunched after a $10-million-plus redevelopment.
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BarOTTO Brisbane
Sidon Street, South Brisbane
The revamped site now features three Otto ventures, including its restaurant, a waterside bar and an events space.
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BarRiverbar & Kitchen
71 Eagle Street, Brisbane City
Watch the boats slink down the river with an ice-cold cocktail in hand.
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BarMassimo Restaurant & Bar
123 Eagle Street, Brisbane City
Get a taste of the Amalfi Coast with bottomless lunch and Aperol spritzes on Eagle Street.
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RestaurantLa Boca Bar and Grill Brisbane
Margaret Street, Brisbane City
Stamford Plaza Brisbane is now home to an Argentinian bar and grill by the river.
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RestaurantBabylon Brisbane
145 Eagle Street, Brisbane City
Sydney's Babylon has launched a 120-seat Brisbane restaurant by the river on Eagle Street.
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BarTGI Fridays Surfers Paradise
2 Cavill Avenue, Surfers Paradise
Surfers Paradise is now home to the American bar and grill chain's first-ever beachside venue.
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BarLa Luna Beach Club
74 Seaworld Drive, Main Beach
The Gold Coast is now home to Australia's first European-inspired floating beach club.
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RestaurantLa Luna Dining
74 Seaworld Drive, Main Beach
Cider mussels, lobster rolls and pineapple margaritas are on the menu at this Seaworld Drive restaurant, which is part of La Luna Beach Club.
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BarBreakfast Creek Hotel
2 Kingsford Smith Drive, Albion
With 12 cuts of prime Queensland beef and 400 varieties of rum, The Breakfast Creek Hotel still has the goods, even after 130 years.
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BarBrewDog DogTap Brisbane
77 Metroplex Avenue, Brisbane
Open since 2019, the Scottish brewery's first Aussie outpost has arcade games, brunch fare and a bottle shop.
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BarMr Percival's
5 Boundary Street, Brisbane City
The octagonal overwater spot at Howard Smith Wharves serves up seafood, spritzes and European beachside vibes.
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BarRegatta Hotel
543 Coronation Drive, Toowong
Drink riverside at this Brisbane institution with a jam-packed history.
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RestaurantGreca
Howard Smith Wharves, 5 Boundary Street, Brisbane
A Greek taverna from restaurateur Jonathan Barthelmess at Brisbane's Howard Smith Wharves precinct.
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BarSandstone Point Hotel
1800 Bribie Island Road, Sandstone Point
Join the revelry at this expansive waterside pub.
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BarFiume Rooftop Bar
5 Boundary Street, Brisbane City
Peer over the river, hang out on daybeds by the pool and sip cocktails — all on Crystalbrook Vincent's rooftop.
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RestaurantPatina at Customs House
399 Queen Street, Brisbane City
Here you can enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner or high tea overlooking the Story Bridge.
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BarBurleigh Pavilion
43 Goodwin Terrace, Burleigh Heads
With seats basically on the sand, this Gold Coast eatery and bar serves up seafood and cocktails to help you make the most of that beachside view.
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RestaurantYoko Dining
5 Boundary Street, Brisbane City
A sprawling riverside restaurant with Japanese food and cocktails.
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RestaurantStanley
5 Boundary Street, Brisbane City
A two-level Cantonese bar and restaurant at Brisbane's Howard Smith Wharves.
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BarBribie Island Hotel
29 Sylvan Beach Esplanade, Bellara
Following a $2.2 million revamp, this refurbed hotel now boasts a big fairy light-lit beer garden.
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BarRevel Brewing Co Rivermakers
82 Colmslie Road, Morningside
Brisbane’s eastside has a new beer-drinking go-to — a second venue for this local brewery, complete with shady umbrellas, fairy lights, and karaage chicken and burgers on the menu.
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BarCoast Beach Bar & Kitchen
86 Esplanade, Surfers Paradise
Surfers Paradise just scored a glam new dining spot with uninterrupted ocean views.
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BarManiax Gold Coast
Cavill Avenue, Surfers Paradise
The Viking-themed axe-throwing chain has opened its second Queensland venue on the Gold Coast.
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RestaurantEl Camino Cantina Surfers Paradise
2 Cavill Avenue, Surfers Paradise
The Tex Mex chain's 250-seat Surfers Paradise joint is its first with beach views — and a breakfast menu.
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BarBlackbird Bar & Grill
123 Eagle Street, Brisbane City
Nothing screams 'Queensland summer' quite like champagne and seafood on the waterfront
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CafeMedley Cafe & Restaurant
62 Wharf Street, Kangaroo Point
Enjoy a delicious global-inspired meal with a delightful Brisbane view.
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BarPig 'N' Whistle Riverside
123 Eagle Street, Brisbane City
A slice of Britain on the banks of the Brisbane River.
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BarByblós Brisbane
39 Hercules Street, Hamilton
This Portside favourite has relaunched after 18 years with a revamped look and refreshed Lebanese menu.
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BarBrisbane Jazz Club
1 Annie St, Kangaroo Point
Coopers on tap, RSL alcohol prices, some of the nation’s best talent.
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RestaurantMadame Wu
Upper Plaza Level, Riparian Plaza, 71 Eagle Street, Brisbane
Let Madame Wu give you a real taste of Asian dining, with the occasional gastronomic thrill and a view to match.
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BarCustoms House
399 Queen Street, Brisbane
Indulge with friends and feel like royalty at Customs House's decadent high tea.
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BarStradbroke Island Beach Hotel
East Coast Road, Point Lookout
Nestled on the headland just a few short steps from the ocean.
You can find Abbott’s Bakery products at all major supermarkets — and discover more tasty sandwich recipes via its website.