South Bank has a good dining scene. Little Stanley Street is the heart of it — a walkable strip of restaurants and bars a few minutes from the Parklands, QPAC, and GOMA. There are some solid options. But if you want one restaurant that works for breakfast, lunch, dinner, pre-show, post-show, a long Sunday session, or a birthday dinner — that's Poppies.
We're not the fanciest restaurant on South Bank. We're the most well-rounded one. Open from 7am every day, with a full cocktail bar, a menu that covers everything from eggs benedict to snow crab linguine, and a team that's been doing this long enough to know how to make any occasion work.
This guide covers what to expect from dining on South Bank, where we fit in, and why locals keep coming back.
Every Occasion
One Restaurant That Works
For All Of It
Breakfast & Brunch
One of the few South Bank restaurants open from 7am. Eggs benedict, smashed avo, acai bowls, and specialty coffee — all with a view of the Parklands.
Lunch
Relaxed all-day dining with share plates, salads, and mains. Perfect for a long lunch or a quick bite between activities.
Dinner & Cocktails
Our cocktail bar comes alive at night. Signature cocktails, a full dinner menu, and a warm atmosphere that works for date nights, groups, and everything in between.
Pre-Show Dining
2 minutes from QPAC and the Lyric Theatre. We time your meal around your curtain — tell us your show time and we handle the rest.
Events & Functions
Private dining, corporate events, birthday celebrations. We have dedicated spaces and a functions team who know how to make it work.
Special Occasions
Anniversaries, graduations, Mother's Day, Father's Day — we've hosted thousands of them. Let us know what you're celebrating.
What Sets Us Apart
Why Poppies
Heart of Little Stanley Street
Right in the middle of South Bank's dining strip. Not tucked away — easy to find, easy to park nearby, easy to walk from anywhere in the Parklands.
Open All Day, Every Day
Breakfast from 7am through to late. Most South Bank restaurants are dinner-only or close mid-afternoon. We're here whenever you are.
A Menu That Works for Everyone
Australian fusion with something for every taste — share plates, salads, pasta, seafood, grills. Not a single-cuisine restaurant. Not a fixed menu. Just good food.
Proper Cocktail Bar
Not just a wine list. Our full cocktail bar is one of the best on South Bank — classic cocktails done properly, plus house signatures you won't find anywhere else.
Know the Area
Dining on South Bank —
Where Things Are
Little Stanley Street
The main dining strip. Poppies is here — alongside a mix of casual cafes and restaurants. The street runs parallel to the Parklands and is the most walkable dining precinct on South Bank.
Grey Street
The main road through South Bank. A few restaurants here, mostly hotel dining. Less intimate than Little Stanley Street.
Sidon Street & Fish Lane
Trendy laneways with some good spots, but a 10–15 minute walk from QPAC and the Parklands. Better for a dedicated night out than a pre-show dinner.
West End
Excellent dining scene but a different suburb — about 15 minutes walk or a short drive. Not South Bank proper.
"If you're visiting South Bank and want one restaurant you can rely on for any meal of the day — Poppies is the answer. It's not the trendiest option, but it's the most consistent, the most versatile, and the one locals actually recommend."
Frequently Asked Questions
South Bank has a solid dining scene centred on Little Stanley Street. Poppies is consistently recommended for its all-day menu, cocktail bar, and location in the heart of the strip. Other options include Vici for Italian, The Arbour for a more formal experience, and various cafes along the Parklands. For the best all-round experience — food, drinks, service, and location — Poppies is the most versatile choice.
Little Stanley Street is the best street for dining on South Bank. It's pedestrian-friendly, lined with restaurants and bars, and a short walk from the Parklands, QPAC, GOMA, and the Brisbane Convention Centre. Poppies is located on Little Stanley Street and is open from breakfast through to late — making it the most flexible option regardless of when you're visiting.
Yes — South Bank has one of Brisbane's best dining precincts. Little Stanley Street in particular has a strong mix of restaurants, bars, and cafes. The area is walkable, well-connected by train (South Bank station is a 5-minute walk), and surrounded by cultural venues including QPAC, GOMA, and the Brisbane Convention Centre. Poppies is open all day and serves everything from breakfast to late-night cocktails.
Poppies is one of the few South Bank restaurants open from 7am, seven days a week. The breakfast menu includes eggs benedict, smashed avocado, acai bowls, French toast, and specialty coffee. Most other South Bank restaurants open at 11am or noon.
Poppies is the closest proper restaurant to QPAC — a 2-minute flat walk from the Lyric Theatre and Playhouse. We're experienced at timing pre-show meals and can work around any curtain time. Book in advance on show nights as we fill quickly.
Yes — Little Stanley Street runs parallel to the South Bank Parklands and is the main dining strip. Poppies is on Little Stanley Street, a 2-minute walk from the Parklands beach and lagoon. The South Bank car park on Glenelg Street is a 3-minute walk from Poppies.
Poppies is known for being South Bank's most versatile all-day restaurant and bar. Locals come for breakfast and brunch, visitors come for lunch and pre-show dinners, and groups come for the cocktail bar and share plates in the evening. The restaurant has a warm, relaxed atmosphere that works for everything from a quick coffee to a long celebration dinner.
Yes — bookings are available via OpenTable and are strongly recommended for dinner, weekend brunch, and any show nights at QPAC or the Lyric Theatre. Walk-ins are welcome when space allows.
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