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Ultimate Guide to Fish Lane, Brisbane

Ultimate Guide to Fish Lane, Brisbane

| Last Updated: October 2023

When you find  yourself on Brisbane’s South Bank, stopping by Fish Lane is an absolute must! From your morning caffeine fix to a much-needed sundowner, this laneway gem’s got you covered! 

Tucked within Brisbane’s cultural precinct, Fish Lane is an awesome place to grab a bite after your art gallery jaunt or museum tour. Head to this vibrant alley and you’ll surely find some surefire palate pleasers, funky street art, and maybe catch a live band, too!  

Read on to find out more on our ultimate guide to Brisbane’s Fish Lane! 

Brief History

Fish Lane was called Soda Water Lane in the late 19th century and served as an access point for residents and serviced South Brisbane’s working docks. 

In 1904, it was renamed Fish Lane in honor of local politician George Fish. South Brisbane became a burgeoning commercial center and the alley was upgraded to Fish Street in 1931. 

However, the 1950’s saw a decline in South Brisbane’s commercial hub to make way for World Expo 88. Most warehouses got abandoned and the area’s laneways were lost and neglected.

In 2006, the forgotten laneway was brought back to life through the Brisbane City Council’s urban development master plan. Fish Lane was identified as a key connector between the CBD and the cultural precinct from South Brisbane to West End. 

But it wasn’t until 2014 that Fish Lane flourished into an outdoor art gallery filled with murals at every corner. It then quickly evolved into the bustling culinary hub that we know today featuring some of the best flavors South Brisbane has to offer. 

Location

Fish Lane is perfectly positioned in the heart of Brisbane’s cultural precinct and stretches from South Brisbane to West End. 

It’s just within walking distance from the Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA), Queensland Museum, and Queensland Performing Arts Center. You can access the laneway from Grey Street. 

Coffee Shops

To fuel you through the day, you can stop by one of Fish Lane’s cafes for a quick bite or a coffee to-go. But if you have the time to take it slow, find a table and maybe find a friend, too! 

Lune Croissanterie

Website: https://www.lunecroissanterie.com/

Address: Shop 1, 13-17 Manning St, South Brisbane QLD 4101

Contact: [email protected] 

Operating Hours: Monday – Friday, 7:30am – 3pm; Saturday & Sunday, 8am – 3pm

Price: $$ – $$$

Lune Croissanterie treats you to a heavenly pairing of croissants and coffee! A renowned name in Melbourne’s pastry scene as well as internationally, this dessert lab is surely a must-visit!  

Our favorites are their traditional French croissant, Morning Bun, and Kouign Amann. Their pastries are a bit pricey, but it’s definitely worth every bite – your tastebuds will thank you later! 

Kiki

Website: https://www.southside-restaurant.com.au/kiki-kiosk/

Address: Fish Lane, Town Square, South Brisbane, QLD 4101

Contact: [email protected] / (07) 3067 7269

Operating Hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 7am – 11pm; Sunday, 7am – 8:30pm; Monday, 7am – 2pm

Price: $ – $$

Southside’s little sibling, Kiki delivers the best service – offering coffee and banh mi by day starting from 7am; and come midday ‘til late, it’s cocktails and wine time! 

They’re open seven days a week, so if you need coffee to-go or an afternoon cocktail, just head over to their kiosk in the middle of South Brisbane’s urban oasis. You can easily find it under a rail bridge along Fish Lane tucked amidst tropical greenery. 

Five Sisters Art House Cafe

Website: https://www.fivesisters.com.au/

Address: 141 Melbourne Street, South Brisbane, QLD 4101

Contact: [email protected] / 3846 5904 / 0419177426

Operating Hours: Monday – Friday, 7am – 11am

Price: $ – $$

Your new weekday breakfast spot, Five Sisters Art House Cafe gives you your brunch faves with a Greek twist! It has a rustic and cozy atmosphere that makes you feel right at home.

We love their Greek baked eggs and spanakopita! Order their wide selection of desserts and take some home for your afternoon snack!

Lisboa Caffe

Website: https://www.lisboacaffe.com/

Address: 58 Hope St, South Brisbane QLD 4101

Contact: +61 434 914 770

Operating Hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 7am – 3pm

Price: $$ – $$$

Treat your tastebuds to the best Portuguese custard tarts in town with excellent coffee to boot! Sit down and savor some breakfast staples and leave room for the tastiest tarts!

Cups on Melbourne

Website: https://cupsonmelbourne.com.au/ 

Address: 187 Melbourne St, South Brisbane QLD 4101

Contact: +61 405 464 282

Operating Hours: Monday – Friday, 6:30am – 2pm; Saturday & Sunday, 7am – 1pm

Price: $$ – $$$

The perfect place to start the day or for a quick catch up with friends over a cup of coffee, Cups on Melbourne is easily a Fishlane fave! They have a wide range of specialty coffee on the menu that you can pair with scrumptious breakfast bites. 

Restaurants

Discover the diverse flavors hidden within Fish Lane! Every corner is filled with interesting eats that are sure to satisfy!

Hello Please

Website: https://helloplease.co/

Address: 10 Fish Ln, South Brisbane QLD 4101

Contact: +61 421 153 611

Operating Hours: Tuesday – Thursday,  5pm – 9pm; Friday & Saturday, 12pm – 9:30pm

Price: $$ – $$$

For some mouthwatering Southeast Asian bites, say hello to Hello Please! They offer banquets best shared with a group of friends or family that you can enjoy after exploring Brisbane’s cultural precinct or before watching a show at the QPAC. 

Julius Pizzeria

Website: https://juliuspizzeria.com.au/ 

Address: 77 Grey St, South Brisbane QLD 4101

Contact: +61 7 3844 2655

Operating Hours: Tuesday & Wednesday, 5 – 9:30pm; Thursday, 12 – 9:30pm; Friday & Saturday, 12 – 10pm; Sunday, 12 – 9pm

Price: $$ – $$$

An Italian icon in Fish Lane, you can easily spot Julius Pizzeria on the corner of Grey Street by the laneway’s entrance. They serve wood-fired pizzas and other authentic Italian dishes that are truly *chef’s kiss!*

Chu the Phat

Website: https://chuthephat.com.au/

Address: 111 Melbourne St, South Brisbane QLD 4101

Contact: +61 7 3255 2075

Operating Hours: Monday – Thursday, 12 – 3pm,  5 – 9pm; Friday & Saturday, 12 – 10pm; Sunday, 11am – 9pm

Price: $$ – $$$

From the team behind Brisbane’s well-loved, Madam Wu, comes Chu the Phat which offers an eclectic mix of Pan-Asian street food set in a striking industrial chic building. 

The facade will definitely catch your eye and you know that you’re in for a unique dining experience! 

Big Roddy’s Rippin’ Rib Shack

Website: https://www.bigroddysribs.com/

Address: 67 Fish Ln, South Brisbane QLD 4101

Contact: +61 458 307 829

Operating Hours: Monday – Friday, 10:3am – 2pm, 5:30 – 9pm; Saturday & Sunday, 11:30am – 2pm, 5:30 – 9pm 

Price: $$ – $$$

Big Roddy’s Rippin’ Rib Shack gives you a taste of America’s south with smoky racks of  mouth watering ribs, fully loaded burgers, and crispy sweet potato fries on the side. 

They have daily specials that you wouldn’t wanna miss such as ribwiches for $10 on Mondays and $1 wings on Wednesdays!

El Planta

Website: https://elplanta.com/ 

Address: 58 Hope St, South Brisbane QLD 4101

Contact: +61 412 728 047

Operating Hours: Tuesday – Thursday, 5:30 – 8:30pm; Friday & Saturday, 5:30 – 9pm

Price: $$ – $$$

For something on the healthier side and still oozing with flavor, you can try El Planta, an all-vegan Mexican taqueria that serves your fave tacos with a vegan twist! Wash it all down with a margarita from their equally interesting beverage menu!

Southside

Website: https://www.southside-restaurant.com.au/ 

Address: 63 Melbourne St, South Brisbane QLD 4101

Contact: +61 7 3067 7269

Operating Hours: Monday – Wednesday, 5  – 8:30pm; Thursday, 12 – 2:30pm, 5 – 9pm; Friday & Saturday, 12 – 2:30pm, 5 – 9:30pm; Sunday, 12 – 2:30pm, 5 – 7:30pm

Price: $$ – $$$

Another must-try Pan-Asian joint is Southside, nestled right at the center of the Town Square precinct in Fish Lane. 

Enjoy al fresco dining amongst lush tropical greens from midday to evening while sipping cocktails from Kiki paired with your savory Southside dish!

Bars

Make a crawl through the laneway’s selection of bars offering a diverse assortment of drinks. From classic wine selections and vibrant cocktails, to local craft beers, you can’t just leave Fish Lane without having a sip at one of these joints! 

Bar Brutus

Website: https://www.barbrutus.com.au/

Address: 2/49 Melbourne St, South Brisbane QLD 4101

Contact: [email protected] 

Operating Hours: Tuesday – Friday,  4pm –  12am; Saturday & Sunday, 2pm –  12am

Price: $$ – $$$

Bar Brutus is the perfect spot if you’re looking for a post-work tipple with their long list of Italian wines, spritz, cocktails, and other beverages. You can also head over to this bar after a long day at Brisbane’s cultural precinct for the ultimate laneway pub experience!

Saccharomyces Beer Café

Website: https://saccharomyces.com.au/ 

Address: Fish Ln, South Brisbane QLD 4101

Contact: +61 7 3846 0718

Operating Hours: Monday – Thursday, 3 – 10pm; Friday & Saturday,  12pm –  12am; Sunday, 12 – 8pm

Price: $$ – $$$

Tucked within Fish Lane, Saccharomyces Beer Café is a beer-lover’s hideout. It serves a fine selection of local independent craft beers that you can match with some tasty beer-friendly bites! 

Maker

Website: https://www.instagram.com/makerbrisbane 

Address: 9 Fish Ln, South Brisbane QLD 4101

Contact: 0437 338 072

Operating Hours: Wednesday – Saturday, 4pm – 12am; Sunday, 4 – 10pm

Price: $$ – $$$

Step into Maker, a quaint little corner bar that gives you that intimate laneway pub vibe! They craft some of the most creative cocktails that make quite an interesting and exciting after-dinner sip! 

Tarbouche Mezza Bar

Website: https://www.tarbouche.com.au/ 

Address: 56 Boundary St, South Brisbane QLD 4101

Contact: +61 480 341 853

Operating Hours: Tuesday – Thursday, 5 – 10pm;  Friday & Saturday, 12 – 11pm;  Sunday, 12 – 10pm

Price: $$ – $$$

Tarbouche Mezza Bar serves modern Lebanese cuisine like hot and cold mezza plates, shawarma, and grilled main dishes that you can enjoy with their colorful cocktails. 

When you visit on a Friday or Saturday night, get ready to party as they host exciting belly dancing performances! 

Maeve Wine Bar

Website: https://maeve.wine/ 

Address: Upstairs, Level 1/39 Melbourne St, South Brisbane QLD 4101

Contact: (07) 3846 7783

Operating Hours: Tuesday, 4  – 9pm; Wednesday & Thursday, 4 – 9:30pm; Friday, 9am – 10:30pm; Saturday, 12 – 10:30pm

Price: $$ – $$$

You can find Maeve Wine Bar on the second level of a beautiful heritage-listed building on the corner of Grey Street. 

This elegant little space is a haven for wine lovers, serving a continental-inspired menu that you can accompany with a bottle of classic European or Australian wine. 

Activities in Fish Lane

There’s always something happening on Fish Lane. Whenever you pass by, you’ll be surprised by some seasonal specials from its slew of restaurants, cafes, and bars. 

You might also catch live music, weekend markets, and art shows and installations, too! You can check out their website for the latest updates as there might be newly opened places as well such as Pilgrim Hot Yoga if you want a relaxing sweat sesh. 

Of course, you can see what’s on at the Queensland Performing Arts Center, Queensland Museum, and QAGOMA for shows, exhibits, and cultural events. 

If you wish to take a tour around the cultural hub, as well as a closer look at the eclectic murals in Fish Lane, you can book a free walking tour with the Brisbane Greeters! 

Accommodations in Fish Lane

We do understand if you wish to immerse yourself deeper into Brisbane’s cultural (and culinary) hub. So it’s great to book a place that’s conveniently located within the area. 

Here are some of our recommended accommodations in Fish Lane: 

Soda Apartments by CLLIX

Website: https://www.cllix.com/soda-apartments/ 

Address: 27 Cordelia St, South Brisbane QLD 4101

Contact: +61 7 3844 9988

Price: $$ – $$$

With Fish Lane just right at its doorstep, Soda Apartments by CLLIX is the best place to stay if you want to be just a few steps away from the bustling laneway. 

Emporium Hotel

Website: https://www.emporiumhotels.com.au/ 

Address: 267 Grey St, South Brisbane QLD 4101

Contact: +61 7 3556 3333

Price: $$$

A boutique luxury hotel at the cultural epicenter of Brisbane, Emporium Hotel is one of the more high-end choices with stunning city skyline and river views. 

Rydges South Bank

Website: https://www.rydges.com/accommodation/brisbane-qld/brisbane-south-bank/ 

Address: 9 Glenelg St, South Brisbane QLD 4101,

Contact: +61 7 3364 0800

Price: $$

Rydges South Bank offers state-of-the-art amenities at more affordable rates. The accommodation is just a short walk from Fish Lane and just a few steps from the river walk if you fancy a scenic stroll by the water.

Tips to Enjoy Your Visit in Fish Lane

The best way to enjoy Fish Lane is by wandering the laneway by foot if you’re coming from anywhere within the cultural precinct. 

Everything is just within walking distance and it’s very accessible via train and bus with the South Brisbane Station nearby as well as several bus stops.

You can tour the precinct through the eyes of a local with a Brisbane Greeter which is an awesome way to learn more about the city!

Take note of the operating hours of each establishment in Fish Lane as they usually vary. If you’re  planning to visit a particular spot, check their daily schedules first. 

Lastly, take it slow! Exploring Brisbane’s laneways is an intimate affair – savor all the flavors, drink your worries away, and watch the world go by between every bite and sip. 

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