Brisbane is in its Golden Age. Long before the 2032 Olympic Games arrive, Queensland’s capital has already undergone a transformation that extends far beyond infrastructure. This is a city rediscovering itself through culture, cuisine and design-led hospitality that rivals Sydney or Melbourne.
Rising above the banks of the Brisbane River – known to the Turrbal and Yugara peoples as Maiwar – is a city beyond the ordinary. Here, rooftop terraces capture the golden-hour light in champagne coupes, hidden Italian gems perch on the water’s edge, and the best cultural events unfold beneath a canopy of stars. From boutique hotels in Brisbane that command skyline views, to riverfront restaurants showcasing Queensland’s coastal larder, these are the experiences that define the city’s new era of subtropical sophistication.
The Terrace at Emporium Hotel – Brisbane’s sky-High sanctuary
Perched atop the Emporium Hotel in South Bank, The Terrace is where Brisbane’s architectural ambition meets its culinary coming-of-age. Beneath a retractable glass roof, this rooftop bar and restaurant unfolds like a glittering stage with panoramic views sweeping across the Brisbane River and city skyline.
The menu takes the best of Queensland produce and overlays it with Asian accents. Mooloolaba king prawn sliders are sandwiched with wasabi mayo and tobiko; and the chargrilled grain-fed OP Rib is served with a Korean yellow mustard. Signature cocktails, such as Liquid Sunshine, catch the afternoon light. This is Brisbane luxury at its most confident. It’s proof that the city’s best hotels now stand proudly on any global itinerary. Whether you’re plotting things to do in Brisbane or simply seeking the city’s finest sunset ritual, The Terrace delivers an experience that’s hard to replicate.
Brisbane Powerhouse – where culture meets the river
On the northern bank in New Farm, the Brisbane Powerhouse anchors the city’s creative pulse. This brutalist former power station now hums with contemporary theatre, visual art and dining energy that draws crowds across the water. Bar Alto brings Italian soul to the precinct, while the Dendy Outdoor Cinema transforms warm evenings into an arthouse affair under the stars.
Come summer, the Night Feast festival takes over the forecourt (you’ll catch it until 9 November so be quick). It’s where acclaimed chefs and artisans collaborate beneath string lights, reimagining local produce in dishes that blur the line between theatre and table. The New Farm Riverwalk offers the perfect pre-show meander: jacarandas overhead, skyline reflections shimmering below.
Otto Osteria – la dolce vita, Brisbane style
Back across the river at South Bank, Otto Osteria’s sunlit terrazza overlooks the Goodwill Bridge. Chef Will Cowper’s menu celebrates coastal Queensland with elegant restraint: grilled swordfish dressed simply in lemon oil.
The wine list moves effortlessly from Barolo to Barossa. The mood is intimate, refined, refreshingly unpretentious – exactly the kind of riverfront restaurant Brisbane does best. It’s a hidden gem that feels both discovered and discreet, where every table commands a view.
These experiences chart Brisbane’s evolution from easy going to extraordinary – a city that has mastered understated luxury without sacrificing its subtropical warmth. Brisbane’s moment isn’t coming. It’s already here.
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