Welcome to The Wanderbug, a travel blog written for humans, by a human. I'm Genevieve, and every guide is personally written by me and based on my firsthand travel experiences.

Whether you’re a Brisbane local or a visitor looking to go beyond the inner city sights, there is plenty to enjoy in Brisbane’s leafy, inner-west suburbs of Paddington, Red Hill & Bardon. This Brisbane neighbourhood guide covers three charming Brisbane suburbs, with recommendations for the best things to do, see & eat in the area, including the Mt Coot-tha Summit, the Paddington antique shopping and some of the best neighbourhood cafes, restaurants & bars.

Paddington is the best place to start, with the highest concentration of cafes, boutiques and antiques housed in historic cottages lining Latrobe Terrace. Further down, Given Terrace has a number of restaurants and a few bars & pubs, especially around Caxton Street and Suncorp Stadium, which heaves on game nights.

Bardon and Red Hill are quieter suburbs, but are home to a handful of hidden gems, tucked away in the leafy, hilly backstreets.

Best Things to Do in Paddington, Bardon & Red Hill

Shopping on Latrobe Terrace

Paddington is one of Brisbane’s most charming shopping & cafe precincts, especially along pretty Latrobe Terrace. Historic cottages house dozens of independent boutiques, homewares stores, vintage & antique shops, and cafes. The landmark Paddington Antique Centre, now called Empire Revival, is the best place to start, with a collection of more than 50 antique vendors, housed in a historic, former theatre. You will struggle to leave empty handed!

Other longstanding favourites include vibrant Thousand Island Dressing, which is the quintessential Queensland homewares store, and Green Tangerine.

Mt Coot-tha Summit Lookout

For one of the best views of Brisbane, head to the Mt Coot-tha Summit Lookout. From the top, you’ll get spectacular panoramic views of the Brisbane city skyline. You can just hit the lookout, or take in the view over coffee, breakfast or lunch at the popular Summit Cafe, which has plenty of outdoor seating with perfect views. There’s also a Summit Restaurant.

The best way to get to the summit is to drive, but you can also get the 471 bus.

Five Star Cinemas Red Hill

Five Star Cinemas is a boutique cinema, with a handful of outposts around the city. The Red Hill outpost offers premium cinemas, with recliner seats & the option to get drinks, hot food & dessert delivered to your seat at the beginning, middle or near the end of your movie session. 

Bardon Markets

The Bardon Markets is a small but vibrant community market, held on Friday nights and Sunday mornings, held at the end of Baroona Road alongside Norman Buchan Park. Sunday mornings are a typical food & produce market, with coffee, fresh produce & ready-to-eat snacks, with the occasional themed market event, and the Friday night market runs from 4:30-8:30pm.

Upcoming themed markets include a Pawgust in the Park, Fathers Day Market, Around the World Food Market and a Spring Gardener’s Market, to name a few!

Red Hill Gallery

Red Hill Gallery is one of Brisbane’s most respected commercial art galleries, showcasing a range of contemporary Australian artists working across painting, sculpture, glass & ceramics, and jewellery. It’s the perfect place to find original artworks from local artists, especially if you’re looking for paintings of Brisbane. Open every day from 10am-4pm.

Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha

The Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha is Queensland’s best subtropical botanic garden, and one of the best free things to do in Brisbane, especially with kids. Spanning more than 56 hectares, inside the garden you’ll find several zones including an Arid Zone, Fern House and Japanese Garden, large ponds & lakes (perfect for feeding the ducks & spotting turtles), and the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium. There is plenty of space for a picnic, as well as an on-site cafe. 

Best Cafes in Paddington, Bardon & Milton

Naim

Naim is a perennially popular Paddington cafe, continuing to attract crowds every weekend with its Middle Eastern and Mediterranean inspired menu. Housed in a cottage in the backstreets of Paddington, you’ll want to book a table in advance or prepare for a long wait!

Good Folk

Good Folk brings specialty coffee to Bardon, and has an extensive all-day menu and in-house made smoothies and juices. Housed in a historic shopfront, it has a warm, neighbourhood vibe, whether you sit inside the cosy interior or the leafy garden.

La Dolce Vita

La Dolce Vita is a landmark Italian restaurant on Milton’s Park Road dining precinct, but I’ve listed it under cafes because I’m recommending it for its inimitable Italian Hot Chocolate. It’s so thick you can eat it with a spoon, and I’ve never found anything like it anywhere else in the world – including in Melbourne and New York City’s Italian precincts. Heaven!

Sassafrass

Sassafrass is one of the longest-standing cafes in Paddington, and an inner west institution! The longstanding Latrobe Tce cafe has all the cafe classics, a mouth-watering cabinet, and a shaded outdoor area.

Anouk

Housed in the former Paddington apothecary, Anouk is one of Paddington’s most charming cafes. Cosy interiors and a European-influenced menu make it one of Paddington’s favourite cafes – it’s stood the test of time, and will celebrate 20 years in 2027! 

Best Restaurants in Brisbane’s Inner West

La Belle Vie

La Belle Vie is a beautiful French restaurant in Bardon, and one of the few restaurants in the inner west that is fitting for a special occasion or celebration. Head Chef Samuel Perrin trained under the legendary Alain Ducasse, bringing technical expertise and an homage to his French provincial upbringing, to the menu. The front of house team are warm and extremely knowledgeable, and draw on their own Michelin-star experience to ensure a seamless and unforgettable experience.

Curtains at the front of the restaurant obscure busy McGregor Terrace, and instead all eyes will be on the panoramic views over the neighbourhood from the back of the dining room.

The Boatshed 

Located inside the iconic Queensland pub, The Regatta, The Boatshed is a premium Brisbane steakhouse. A selection of 15+ steaks, including a signature dry aged steak menu, is complimented by premium restaurant mains, offering something for all tastes.

Marinara Trattoria

For cosy, homestyle Italian, look no further than Marinara Trattoria on Latrobe Terrace in Paddington. Marinara has proper, old school Italian style vibes with colourful checked tablecloths, warm yellow interiors and a hearty, comforting menu. 

Best Bars in Brisbane’s Inner West

Regatta Hotel

The Regatta is the most iconic pub in Brisbane, and a local institution for more than 150 years. Located on the riverfront in Toowong, the historic pub is the best pub in Brisbane’s inner west for catching up with friends, whether that’s over a high quality pub meal in the historic main bar, or for woodfired pizzas and snacks in the sunny courtyard. The Regatta heaves on Friday & Saturday nights, as one of the best nightlife spots outside the Brisbane CBD. 

Hope & Anchor

Hope & Anchor is a cosy, English-style pub in Paddington, that is a longstanding neighbourhood favourite. Housed in a former 19th-century bakery, it’s a very small pub, which only adds to the atmosphere! Open for brunch, lunch & dinner, it’s an all day neighbourhood hangout.

Frank’s Social Club

Frank’s Social Club is a cute neighbourhood bar in Paddington, on Latrobe Terrace in Paddington. It’s a popular local hangout, and has a strong cocktail line up with ten signature cocktails, alongside classics and a few non alc options, and a range of gourmet toasties, sharing plates and snack boards.

Further Reading

• 9 of the Best Restaurants in Brisbane
• Ultimate Brisbane Travel Guide
• Itinerary: 3 Days in Brisbane for First Time Visitors

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