The 2019 Australian Good Food Guide Winners for Brisbane/
Celebrate New Years at Queensland Parliament
For the first time in their 150-plus year history, Queensland Parliament has opened its’ doors to the public on New Year’s Eve.
New Opening | Cinnabon, Toombul
Brisbane will welcome its first Cinnabon store at Toombul Shopping Centre on December 14. We will be the first in Australia to taste the world’s sweetest brand.
“We’re humbled to bring one of the world’s most beloved brands and world-famous cinnamon rolls to Australia,” said Bansal Group Director, Gaurav Bansal.
“We were confident there was a market for Cinnabon in Australia as there’s nothing else quite like it, but we’re amazed by the love for this brand and will do our best to open bakeries around the country as soon as we can.”
Three flavours will be released at the Toombul store:
- Chocobon
- Caramel Pecanbon and
- Classic Makara Cinnamon Roll
They will be available in mini and large sizes. There will also be CinnaPacks of 4 and 9 minibons.
Information provided by Fuse Agency
Published by: Aliyah Ravat
CHRISTMAS | Nundah Christmas Twilight Markets
Nundah Christmas Twilight Markets are BACK on December 7th with an extra special spread… everything from gourmet food and pop-up bars to live music and handmade gifts.
All the Best Pho Places in Brisbane (Peoples Choice)
Pho is my absolute go to when I want something filling but I don’t want anything too solid. I am extremely spoilt for choice living close to Sunnybank, with so many great options at my disposal. Here is a very comprehensive list of all the places around Brisbane that you will be able to get your hands on delicious Pho. The majority of the recommendations have been suggested by all of you on our Instagram page. I have thrown in a few of my own suggestions too.
CBD & Inner Brisbane
- The Vietnamese Restaurant, 194 Wichkam Street, Fortitude Valley
- District 1, 7/8 Duncan Street, Fortitude Valley (highly recommend)
- Phat Pho, Shop 3, 100 Commercial Road, Teneriffe
- Banoi, King, Street, Bowen Hills
- Mamma Do, Shop 5C, 70 Little Edward Street, Spring Hill
- Pho City, 38 Burnett Lane, Brisbane CBD
- Trangs, Hardgrave Road, West End (highly recommend)
- Viet Soul, Hardgrave Road, West End
- AN Cafe, 1/738 Main Street, Kangaroo Point
- Viet Pho Ever, 19a/803 Stanley Street, Gabba (highly recommend)
- Ben’s Vietnamese, 14 Annerley Road, Gabba
North Brisbane
- Vietname Pho Ever, 66 Blinzinger Road, Banyo
- Viet Lotus, 1/17 Blanford Street, Grange
- My Banh Mi Kitchen, Westfield, North Lakes
South Brisbane
- Cafe O’Mai , 15 Cracknell Road, Annerley
- Pho Queue Vietnamese, 9 Cracknell Road, Annerley
- PH by Pho Hung, Westfield Garden City
- Pho Saigon, 223 Calam Road, Sunnybank Hills (highly recommend)
- That Viet Place, 342 McCullough Street, Sunnybank
- Rice Paper Vietnamese Cuisine, 261 Warrigal Road, Eight Mile Plains
- Viet Fresh Rolls, Shop 3/37 Watland Street, Springwood
Eastern Suburbs
- Paw Paw Asian Kitchen, Shop 6/1534 Wynnum Road, Tingalpa
- Vietnamese Mint, 18- Oxford Street, Bulimba
- Pho Inn, 4/17 Samuel Street, Camp Hill
Western Suburbs
- Kim Khanh, (highly recommend), 67 Cardiff Road, Darra
- Tan Thanh, 16/57 Corsair Avenue, Inala
- Blue Fire Grill, 156 Inala Avenue, Inala
- Pho An, 9/45-57 Skylark Street, Inala
Published by: Aliyah Ravat
Scenic Rim | Brewers, Distillers & Winemakers

Canungra Valley Vineyards
Thinking of getting out of the city for the weekend? Why not head to the scenic rim? it’s only a short drive from brisbane, stretching from Tamborine Mountain & Canungra through The Lost World & Mt Barney and across to Boonah & Kalbar. It’s a great place to explore nature, relax and enjoy award winning food and wine.
Here are our top recommendations for Vineyards and Wineries you can check-out on your visit:
Bunjurgen Estate Vineyard
Located in the beautiful Heart of the Scenic Rim, Bunjurgen Estate is an hour drive from Brisbane and only thirty minutes from Ipswich. They produce award winning Rose styles made solely from grapes grown on the property, an outstanding Sparkling Verjuice and a still Shiraz Verjuice, medium dry Chambourcin reds. There are four picnic areas and visitors are welcome to bring their own food and enjoy the facilities at their leisure. There is a walking track through the vineyard on the 24 hectare property with superb views of the Dividing Range, Mount French and other prominent landmarks.
Flinders Peak Winery
Only a short 45 minute drive from Brisbane, the Flinders Peak Winery is set on a beautiful 80 acres of property with a 47 acre vineyard consisting of 19000 vines. In addition to producing their own wines, they also make a range of spirits including gin and vodka. Tastings and sales are available at the cellar door and weddings, functions and groups of all kinds can also be catered for. The property also has 20 on-site accommodation villas, perfect for a mini weekend getaway.
O’Reilly’s Canungra Valley Vineyard
Enjoy a sample of the finest wines whilst taking in the beauty of the Canungra Valley at O’Reilly’s. You can stay for lunch and purchase one of their gourmet picnic baskets (order 24 hours before) or book in an Alpaca Picnic. Yes, they have Alpaca’s, so cute!
Scenic Rim Brewery
Just over an hour from Brisbane or the Gold Coast, the brewery is a perfect family friendly weekend destination.
They’ve created beers to celebrate the place and people they love and like all things country, they’re best shared over a couple of cold ones and a bite to eat. Open Thursday to Sunday.
The Overflow Estate 1895
The Overflow 1895 is an historic grazing property a waterfront vineyard bordered by the Wyaralong Dam. The wines are perfectly paired with antipasto, fresh seafood, pate and crusty bread.
Information provided by Kath Rose & Associates
Published by: Aliyah Ravat
Scenic Rim | Top 8 places to stay

Image by: Trevor Worden for Visit Scenic Rim
Thinking of getting out of the city for the weekend? Why not head to the scenic rim? it’s only a short drive from brisbane, stretching from Tamborine Mountain & Canungra through The Lost World & Mt Barney and across to Boonah & Kalbar. It’s a great place to explore nature, relax and enjoy award winning food and wine.
Here are our top 8 places to stay:
The Old Church B & B
Located just minutes away from the township of Boonah, the Old Church is surrounded by the beautiful mountains and lakes of the Scenic Rim. Set in an historic church, the property offers luxury B&B accommodation, retreats and weddings in a rural setting. They also offer wine tours for their guests
visiting local wineries and breweries including Normandy Wines, Bunjurgen Estate Vineyard, Scenic Rim Brewery, Kooroomba Vineyard, and The Overflow Estate 1895. Note* A campsite is also available next to the Church, prices start from $15/night/site.
The Grove B & B – Scenic Rim Olives
Just 5 minutes from Boonah and Kalbar, the Grove Cottage is located in a scenic spot with mountain views beside the olive grove at Scenic Rim Olives. The cottage sleeps up to 6, making it suitable for couples, families and small groups.
Tommerup’s Dairy Farm
Leave the city for the weekend and get a taste of farm life. Tommerup’s Dairy Farm offers farm stays for guests, so you can help milk the cows, enjoy fresh produce and retreat in a country cottage. They are 75 minutes away from Brisbane and the Gold Coast with prices starting from $130 per night.
Greenlee Farm & Cottages
Enjoy a backdrop of the Darlington Range hills and a macadamia orchard at the Greenlee Cottages. Nestled in the Canungra Valley, 12 kilometers from the town of Canungra, the property boundries the Canungra Creek which has a permanent water flow with headwaters beginning in the Lamington National Park. Cottage prices start at $180 per night.
Mt Barney Lodge
Mt Barney Lodge is located next to the World Heritage-listed Mt Barney National Park and offers a variety of accommodation options including rustic cabins, glamping, camping and a Queenslander homestead. When you stay at Mt Barney Lodge, expect to be treated to fresh, local Scenic Rim produce including Scenic Rim 4Real Milk, Cheese and Yoghurt, Kooralbyn mini goat mini soap, Smiffy’s Bakery goods, Heits Quality Meats (Hillview Pork), Scenic Rim Olives oil, Mt Barney Lodge jams & preserves, Kalfresh carrots, Barney Creek Vineyard wines, Bunjurgen Estate Vineyard wines and Oppy’s Fruit & Veg.
Milford Country Cottages
Milford Country Cottages offers you the perfect retreat from the stresses and strains of modern living, and you can get a taste of Scenic Rim produce while you’re there, too.
Located just four kilometres from Boonah town centre and located within the Scenic Rim region, Milford Country Cottages offers you the perfect retreat from the stresses and strains of modern living, with a country escape feel about it. There are two self-contained cottages available, Bottletree and Rose cottage. Both are air-conditioned for your comfort and Rose cottage has wheelchair access. Prices start from $180 per night.
Wallaby Ridge Retreat
The retreats is set at the foothill of Tamborine Mountain, only a few kilometers from Canungra. They offer self-contained accommodation in a secluded bushland setting making it ideal for a romantic getaway. Prices start from $145 per night.
Worendo Cottages
Set in the Lost World Valley and overlooking the World Heritage Rainforest Mountains of Lamington National Park, Worendo Cottages offer simplistic beauty at is best. The property is the perfect place to escape the fast life and take in the peaceful wilderness. They have a variety of cottages available, oh and they are pet friendly too.
Information provided by Kath Rose and Associates
Published by: Aliyah Ravat
Scenic Rim| Top 10 Cafes and Restaurants
Thinking of getting out of the city for the weekend? Why not head to the scenic rim? it’s only a short drive from brisbane, stretching from Tamborine Mountain & Canungra through The Lost World & Mt Barney and across to Boonah & Kalbar. It’s a great place to explore nature, camp and enjoy award winning food and wine.
Here are our top 10 recommendations for cafes and restaurants:
Canungra Hub Cafe – Open 7 days a week, the Hub is a great spot to grab breakfast whilst in Canungra. They use fresh, local ingredients including
Elizabeth Petersen jams from Mt Tamborine, lettuce and micro herbs and edible flowers from Chantilly Farm Canungra, Duck Creek Organic Honey, mushrooms from Canungra farm, macadamias from GreenLee Farm, 4Real Milk and cheeses and meat from Canungra Butcher.
Kooroomba Vineyard Restaurant – Only a 60 minute drive from Brisbane, the restaurant is the perfect place to unwind from the city with a backdrop
overlooking acres of vineyards, fields of lavender and mountains on the horizon. Open from Wednesday through to Sunday, the restaurant uses local produce including some of their amazing lavender. You can view their menu here.
Mason Wines Restaurant, Tamborine Mountain – Once an old barrel room, Mason boasts an open kitchen design with a delightful al fresco deck. The restaurant is open from Wednesday through to Sunday.
You can expect local eye fillet, local green veggies, local dairy, local camel milk gelato, local coffee and local rhubarb on the restaurant menu at Mason Wines Tamborine Mountain
Pethers Rainforest Retreat Restaurant – Known to be one of Queensland’s most romantic dining experiences, Pethers, is an intimate restaurant, set around a massive open sided and elevated fire place, overlooking pristine rainforest, which is dramatically floodlit on evenings. Open Thursday through to Saturday (evenings).
Scenic Rim Brewery – Just over an hour from Brisbane or the Gold Coast, the brewery is a perfect family friendly weekend destination.
They’ve created beers to celebrate the place and people they love and like all things country, they’re best shared over a couple of cold ones and a bite to eat. View their menu here. Open Thursday to Sunday.
Summer Land Camels Cafe – See camel milk products being made and experience the freshest products straight from the farm.
Enjoy country fare in the cosy Summer Land Camels café, taste delicious camel milk, camel gelato, camel cheeses, cakes and the famous camel-cino. Summer Land is located in Harrisville, only 45 minutes away from Brisbane.
Tamborine Mountain Coffee Plantation – An incredible place, with amazing produce grown by locals for all to enjoy. The café is open seven days for breakfast, brunch and lunch, and you can arrange a tour through the plantation and see first-hand how coffee is grown, harvested and roasted, before sitting down to enjoy a cup of Joe.
The Overflow Estate 1895 – Open Thursdays and Fridays for antipasto platters from 11:00 to 14:00. Saturday and Sunday we have our full grazing menu from 10:00 to 16:00. The culinary offerings vary daily featuring fresh farm produce, crusty bread and seasonal surprises. Kate Raymont, from The Vintage Pickle on the crest of Mt Tamborine, creates delicious morning teas, gourmet lunches and decadent petit fours to help you through the day.
Valley Kitchen, Kooralbyn – Located in the Beautiful Kooralbyn Valley just 20 minutes from Beaudesert. At Valley Kitchen, Kooralbyn, you’ll find local eggs (Pure Country Eggs, Beaudesert), sourdough bread (Beaudesert Bakehouse), bread rolls (Smiffy’s Bakery, Rathdowney), milk and red Leicester cheese (Scenic Rim 4Real Milk, Tamrookum), steak, bacon, sausages and small goods (Fassifern Ham and Bacon Co, Boonah), pumpkin and other seasonal produce (Clarke family farm, Laravale), olive oil (Rathlogan Grove, Rathdowney) and honey (Duck Creek Honey, Kerry). View the full menu here.
VK Everydays, Beaudesert – Open Monday to Friday, VK’s is a great spot for breakfast or lunch whilst passing through Beaudesert. At VK Everydays, Beaudesert, you’ll find local eggs (Pure Country Eggs, Beaudesert), sourdough bread (Beaudesert Bakehouse), bread rolls (Smiffy’s Bakery, Rathdowney), milk and red Leicester cheese (Scenic Rim 4Real Milk, Tamrookum), steak, bacon, sausages and small goods (Fassifern Ham and Bacon Co, Boonah), pumpkin and other seasonal produce (Clarke family farm, Laravale), olive oil (Rathlogan Grove, Rathdowney) and honey (Duck Creek Honey, Kerry).
Information supplied by Kath Rose & Associates
Published by: Aliyah Ravat
G(in) & Tea, hell yes!!
Motion Dining at Brisbane Marriott has reimaGINed high tea as we know it.
Sip on crafted Bombay Sapphire gin cocktails whist you indulge in their British themed high tea.
So here’s the details:
It costs $59 pp (your first gin cocktail is included in the price).
Available on Saturday and Sunday from 12pm – 3.30pm
Information supplied by Brisbane Marriott
Published by Aliyah Ravat
New Spring Menu at Brisbane Marriott’s Motion Dining
In conjunction with the 20 million dollar renovation at Brisbane Marriott , Motion Bar and Grill has had name change to Motion Dining.
Chef Sumit also introduces his debut Spring menu which celebrates local Queensland produce, delivering the highest quality of food.
He trained in India, with his passion for food leading him to Sri Lanka early on his career. He later worked at Michelin Star Restaurant, NoMad in New York and has now joined the Marriott family.
“My role at Motion Dining is incredibly rewarding and motivating. I have just returned from a Chef’s
masterclass in Fiji where we learnt the raw talents of cooking from the land. I was so excited to share this knowledge with the kitchen team.”
View the new menu here.
Information supplied by Brisbane Marriott
Published by: Aliyah Ravat
$19 Marriott Lunch specials that you need to get on to ASAP.
Did you know that the Marriott Brisbane does a $19 lunch special from Monday through to Friday??? Yeah, I didn’t know that either! It’s amazing value, cheaper than avo on toast but nestled in the stunning Marriott building with a taste of their exceptional service.
Okay, so here’s what you get for the $19:
INCLUDES A GLASS OF HOUSE WINE, HOUSE BEER OR SOFT DRINK
MONDAY
SPICY CRISPY CHICKEN THIGH SANDWICH
BABY COS, TOMATOES, PICKLED JALAPEÑOS & AIOLI ON SOURDOUGH WITH STEAK FRIES
BLT SANDWICH
HICKORY SMOKED BACON, BABY COS, TOMATOES & ROASTED GARLIC AIOLI ON SOURDOUGH WITH STEAK FRIES
TUESDAY
PULLED PORK BURGER
ASIAN SLAW & CHIPOTLE MAYONNAISE ON A BLACK BRIOCHE BUN WITH STEAK FRIES
AUSSIE BEEF BURGER 200G WAGYU BEEF PATTY, SMOKY BACON,
CHEDDAR, LETTUCE, TOMATOES, PICKLES & BEETROOT ON A BRIOCHE BUN WITH STEAK FRIES
INDIAN FALAFEL BURGER
HOME-MADE CRISPY FALAFEL, TOMATOES, ONIONS, PICKLES, LETTUCE, MINT RAITA & SPICY AIOLI ON A BRIOCHE BUN WITH STEAK FRIES (V)
WEDNESDAY
TANDOORI CHICKEN PIZZA
RED ONION, ROASTED CAPSICUM & MINT RAITA
CARNIVORE PIZZA
HAM, CHORIZO, SALAMI & PROSCIUTTO
MEDITERRANEAN PIZZA
FETTA, OLIVES, SUN DRIED TOMATOES, CAPSICUM & ONION (V)
THURSDAY
ROASTED FARMER VEGETABLE SALAD
PISTACHIO & GOAT CHEESE, QUINOA POPS & LEMONGRASS BALSAMIC(GF)
CAESAR SALAD BABY COS, PANCETTA CRISPS, ANCHOVY DUST, CROUTONS & PARMESAN
SPICED POACHED PEAR SALAD
PROSCIUTTO, BLUE CHEESE, CANDIED NUTS, MARKET GREENS & LEMON DRESSING (GF)
THAI GREEN SALAD
SPICY NAM JIM, ASIAN HERBS, ROASTED PEANUTS & FRIED SHALLOTS (GF, DF)
ADD TO ANY SALAD:
SMOKED CHICKEN, SMOKED SALMON OR FALAFEL
FRIDAY
FISH AND CHIPS
CRISPY FLATHEAD, STEAK FRIES, GREEN SALAD,
LEMON & TARTARE SAUCE
TRADITIONAL BUTTER CHICKEN
INDIAN MIXED VEGETABLE PICKLES,
BASMATI RICE & PLAIN NAAN
Available Monday to Friday from 12pm.
Information Supplied By Marriott Hotels
Dine like Royalty at Parliament House High Tea
Date: Friday 26 April
Time: 10.30am- 12.30pm
Location: Strangers’ Dining Room at Queensland Parliament
Cost: $45 (plus booking fee)

Parliament House is welcoming guests for a decadent High Tea ceremony. Hosted in the stunning Strangers’ Dining Room, guests are made to feel like royalty, with original Wedgewood and Royal Doulton table settings and a carefully crafted menu prepared by our skilled Parliamentary Chefs – all followed by a tour of Parliament House where guests can relish in Queensland’s history.
The menu is a combination of high tea hallmarks and contemporary cuisine, featuring lemonade scones & finger sandwiches, through to caramel cupcakes topped with popping candy! All elements are prepared in the Parliamentary Kitchen, including our seasonal jam and chutney, which is available in take-home bottles for you to enjoy later. Custom selections are no hassle for the chefs – they cater for all dietary requirements including gluten free, vegetarian and vegan.
Information supplied by: Queensland Parliament House