There’s something quietly magical about Brisbane in early January. The pace softens, the river glimmers a little longer at dusk, and the city feels like it’s exhaling after the festive rush. Whether you’re easing into 2026 with a long lunch, discovering a new bar, or finally ticking off that exhibition you’ve been meaning to see, now is the perfect time to lean into Brisbane’s summer rhythm.
Stay close to home or roam a little further. Book a table, claim a rooftop sunbed, jump on a ferry or head island-side. This is your invitation to soak up the very best of Brisbane as the new year unfolds.
Brisbane’s New Restaurants and Bars to Know Right Now
If 2026 is the year you say yes to more nights out, Brisbane has delivered.
Cocktail lovers can slip underground at Death & Co Brisbane, a low-lit, late-night escape in Toowong where impeccable cocktails meet a moody, intimate atmosphere. It’s the kind of place you lose track of time, in the best possible way.
Above: Death & Co, Toowong
For something effortlessly European, The French Exit channels Parisian bistro energy right in the CBD. Perfect for lingering lunches, post-work wines or an unhurried dinner that stretches into the evening.
Over in Woolloongabba, Birria Boy Taqueria brings smoky, slow-cooked Mexican street food to a beautifully restored heritage space. Think hands-on dining, bold flavours and a soundtrack that feels like summer.
Above: Birra Boy Taqueria, Wooloongabba
Newstead locals are embracing the day-to-night appeal of Rise Le Restaurant, where refined French-inspired dishes pair beautifully with river views and a relaxed, social atmosphere.
And when the sun is shining, it’s hard to go past Above Rooftop Pool and Bar. Poolside by day, elevated and electric by night, it’s an easy choice for welcoming a new year with a cocktail in hand and the skyline at your feet.
Island Time Still Counts as Local
A North Stradbroke Escape Without the Fuss
If your version of a fresh start includes salty air and ocean views, Point Lookout is calling. The newly revitalised The Straddie Hotel has re-emerged as a coastal favourite, perfectly positioned above Cylinder Beach.
It’s relaxed, nostalgic and ideal for long afternoons that roll effortlessly into the evening. Seafood, classic pub dishes, live music and that unmistakable island pace make it a natural choice for a January reset.
Above: The Straddie Hotel, North Stradbroke
See the City Through Fresh Eyes
New Experiences to Shape Your Summer
Brisbane’s cultural and lifestyle calendar is stepping confidently into 2026, with experiences that invite you to slow down, explore and engage.
At Brisbane Airport, Landers Pocket is emerging as a major new destination, blending sport, dining and leisure in one expansive precinct. Whether it’s a casual hit at Golf Central or a long lunch at 4 Pines Brewing Co., it’s designed for easy, all-day enjoyment.
In South Brisbane, Queensland, the Queensland Art Gallery and the Gallery of Modern Art welcome 2026 with Olafur Eliasson: Presence. This immersive exhibition plays with light, perception and participation, offering an experience that feels both grounding and otherworldly. It’s one of those exhibitions that stays with you long after you leave.
Above: Olafur Eliasson / Denmark b.1967 / Your negotiable vulnerability seen from two perspectives 2025 / Polarisation filters, steel, wood, LEDs, motors, electrical ballast, Polyhedron: PVC, resin, motor, control unit / Dimensions variable / Courtesy: The artist; neugerriemschneider, Berlin; and Tanya Bonakdar Gallery, New York / © 2025 Olafur Eliasson / Photograph: Studio Olafur Eliasson
Above: Above: Olafur Eliasson / Pluriverse assembly 2021 / Courtesy: The artist; neugerriemschneider, Berlin; and Tanya Bonakdar Gallery, New York / © 2021 Olafur Eliasson
Closer to the heart of the city, the Museum of Brisbane presents Stories You Wear, a powerful collaboration with Magpie Goose that celebrates First Peoples artists and designers. It’s thoughtful, vibrant and deeply connected to place, making it a meaningful way to begin the year.
Above: The Stories You Wear, Magpie Goose at Museum of Brisbane
Maybe this is the year you explore Brisbane like a visitor. Whether you’re embracing full staycation mode or simply showing your city a little more love, the first weeks of 2026 are the perfect time to slow down and savour what’s right here.
Consider this your gentle nudge to get out and enjoy it. Brisbane is ready when you are.
