Brisbane in winter 2026

July 16-17, 2026

 

   

 

Being in Brisbane is more about friends than food, but that doesn't mean we can't have both! Here are three meals that I pulled the camera out for this time around.

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We try to visit Alphabet Cafe for brunch whenever we're in West End. (Thanks to Tash for first sending us there!) Pretty much everything on the menu has a vegetarian option and many have vegan substitutes. Once I saw the words 'flaky cheddar buttermilk biscuit' I was hooked, arranging for pumpkin in lieu of ham ($28.10). They're teamed with scrambled eggs, avocado and pickled green tomatoes, and I spent a loooong time picking my way around this excellent plate. Michael was just as pleased and finished much faster with the chilli eggs ($27.10), a heaped plate of scrambled eggs, sprouting broccoli, roast pumpkin and grilled sourdough with house chilli oil and toasted sesame. I carefully selected a chocolate-chip cheesecake blondie to share for breakfast dessert - it tasted great but was a touch dense and dry - and we took home house-made jams for ourselves and our cat-sitter.

 

   

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We don't get to Bar Francine every year, but it's always a fun time when we do, and usually involves our friend Tash. (I will never forget the mushroom toasts from our first visit.) Somehow we ordered a lot of potatoes this time: as rosti topped with cultured cream cheese and capers (above right, $10 each), binding an artichoke croquette ($34), roasted with paprika and parmesan ($12), and then as straight-up chips ($12, all pictured below left). The staff took pity on our poor judgement and sent over a complimentary cucumber salad (usually $14, and much needed). For dessert we split an Earl grey pannacotta topped with rhubarb and honeycomb ($16), and a brulee carrot cake with cream cheese icing and brown butter ($18, both pictured below right).

 

   

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On a day that alternated with rain and bright sunshine, we did a circuit of the river by CityCat, through New Farm Park, and eventually on to the Valley. Vegan cafe Dicki's has been in New Farm for years, but this is the first time we've spotted it on Happy Cow and had the time to try it. It's small but bright and cheerful, with a menu full of the kind of wraps, toasties, salads and snacks that really appeal to me, many featuring mock meat plus both fresh ingredients and judicious condiments. (There's also a hint of Supreme Master about the place.) 

 

It takes a lot to steer me away from waffles (they had apple pie crumble and peanut butter & jelly versions!), yet what I really wanted was the Reef Burger ($24.50). This was fish of their own making - tofu with a beer batter that had great seasoning - sandwiched with tartare sauce, pickles and cos lettuce, then heaps of fries on the side. Michael happily demolished a brunch burrito ($23.50) stuffed with sausage, tofu scramble, spinach and hash brown, then helped me out with my fries. This is the kind of cafe that one need not move mountains to visit, but would easily become a regular favourite if it were in your neighbourhood.

 

   

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Though it's not been our neighbourhood for many years, these parts of Brisbane still feel a bit like home. It felt so nice to be back.