Brisbane's dining scene has become one to rival this morning, and with that, it's become one of Australia’s best cities for a long lunch. With its warm weather and riverfront views, the city lends itself perfectly to afternoons that stretch well past a single course. Here, lunch isn’t just a quick stop between errands — it’s an occasion.
Whether you’re settling in for a leisurely weekend catch-up, celebrating something special, or simply making the most of a free afternoon, these are the Brisbane spots where lunch is best enjoyed slowly.
Hellenika
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Open for lunch: daily
Is there anything more quintessentially ‘Brisbane’ than sipping something cold while you snack on authentic Greek food at Hellenika? Perched atop the hubbub of James Street, and conveniently located by the pool of The Calile Hotel, there’s a reason you’ve probably seen this place plastered all over your Instagram. Come in the late afternoon and catch the sun set for an unforgettable long lunch experience.
Greca
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Open for lunch: daily
For lunch with a view, look no further. Greca feels like you’re dining at a traditional Greek taverna, transported to the banks of the Brisbane river. Start with dips and breaks, before making your way to raw seafood, mezedes, and heartier meat dishes. But be sure to save room for dessert — the katoumari is a personal favourite.
Same Same
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Open for lunch: Friday - Sunday
Same Same takes traditional Thai flavours, and really dials them up. Ever since it relocated to the James Street precinct, it’s become the perfect, light-filled space for a long lunch. There’s also a bar upstairs, Los, if you want to keep the good vibes going.
French Exit
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Open for lunch: daily
A newer addition to the Brisbane dining scene, but one equally deserving of a mention. Anyday’s latest triumph is designed to make you feel like you’re in a corner in Paris, and it achieves exactly that. It’s a moodier space and there’s only indoor dining, which makes it ideal for lunch on bad-weather days (not that Brisbane has many of those).
Julius Pizzeria
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Open for lunch: Tuesday - Sunday
Julius does Italian, and it does it really well. Housed in an Art Deco building in Southbank's buzzy Fish Lane, you'll find everything from classic pizzas to slightly more inventive creations. It's the perfect spot to sit back and relaxe over an aperol spritz (or five).
Happy Boy
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Open for lunch: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday
Happy Boy specialises in Chinese food paired with wines by small Australian producers. Weather permitting, there's a beautiful breezy deck that makes for the perfect long lunch setting, or if you're situated inside, the energy is electric. Arguably the best part is that when you wrap up, you're in the heart of Fortitude Valley, meaning great dessert, more drinks, and perhaps a spot of shopping are just steps away.
Layla
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Open for lunch: Friday - Sunday
Layla is the first Queensland restaurant by Melbourne chef Shane Delia, who's best known for his Middle Eastern restaurant Maha. Housed inside a heritage-listed section of the Thomas Dixon Centre in West End, and boasts a menu designed to share. Come hungry, there's plenty of dishes to get through.
August
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Open for lunch: Saturday and Sunday
Arguably one of the most picturesque spots in West End, August is in the kind of light, bright space that makes for the perfect long lunch. The food is also worth getting excited about, with each dish carefully designed with seasonal produce in mind. On Sundays, there's a weekly changing set menu (and the option to BYO wine), for the ideal way to bookend your week.
Golden Avenue
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Open for lunch: daily
Green tiles, plants, and lots of light form the courtyard dining area at Golden Avenue. In fact, it's hard to believe you're in the heart of the CBD when you're sitting here. Mezze, oven roasted meats, and a specialty grill menu make for the perfect lunchtime feast — special occasion or not. There's also a private dining room for those more intimate moments, seating up to 26 guests.
