4 – 26 September 2026
BRISBANE FESTIVAL
DINING GUIDE 2026
Poppies is an easy walk from QPAC and Festival Village. Plan breakfast before the parklands, lunch between shows, a pre-show dinner or post-show drinks around your South Bank visit.
Festival Dates
4–26 Sep 2026
Poppies to QPAC
Easy South Bank walk
We Open
6:15am daily
Festival Status
On now to 26 Sep
Your guide
PLAN YOUR FESTIVAL DAY
Brisbane Festival runs across the city through 26 September. Poppies is a relaxed Little Stanley Street base for a meal before or after a South Bank plan.
From 6:15am
Morning Coffee & Breakfast
Start your festival day right. We open before anyone else on Little Stanley Street — Allpress coffee, eggs benedict, and alfresco seating in the morning sun. Perfect before a full day of shows.
Book BreakfastMidday
Lunch Between Shows
The Festival Village at the Cultural Forecourt is a 2-minute walk from our door. Grab a table on our terrace between sessions — our all-day menu means you can eat on your schedule, not ours.
Book Lunch5pm – 7pm
Pre-Show Dinner
The classic festival ritual. A relaxed dinner at Poppies before the curtain rises at QPAC. We're a 2-minute walk from the Lyric Theatre and Concert Hall — close enough to walk, far enough to breathe.
Book Pre-Show DinnerAfter the show
Post-Show Drinks
The show was great. Now let's talk about it. Our cocktail bar stays open late during festival season — Aperol Margaritas, local wines, and a terrace that catches the South Bank evening breeze.
Book a TableRiverfire 2026 · Saturday 5 September
RIVERFIRE RECAP
Riverfire 2026 has now concluded. It opened a busy Brisbane Festival weekend along the river and through South Bank.
Brisbane Festival continues through 26 September, with Festival Village, QPAC performances and South Bank programming still shaping the precinct. Check the official festival programme, then plan your meal around the event you choose.
Book for Brisbane Festival
What's on
BRISBANE FESTIVAL 2026 PROGRAM
Festival Village runs at the Cultural Forecourt, South Bank from 4–26 September. This list focuses on verified current South Bank, QPAC and GOMA programming; confirm times and availability through the official festival site.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 4 Sep | Brisbane Festival 2026 Festival continues through 26 September |
| Sat 5 Sep | Riverfire 2026 — completed Riverfire took place on 5 September |
| 4–26 Sep | Festival Village Performances, food, and festival atmosphere |
| 3–26 Sep | The Choir of Man Cabaret musical in the South Bank festival program |
| Sun 13 Sep | Human Nature All The Hits Live — Night at The Parkland |
| Fri 18 Sep | ICEHOUSE Night at The Parkland |
| Sat 19 Sep | PNAU Night at The Parkland |
| Sun 20 Sep | Missy Higgins Night at The Parkland |
| Thu 24 Sep | Agnes Obel Brisbane Festival concert at QPAC |
| 12 Sep 2026–18 Apr 2027 | Make, Believe, Magic: The Worlds of The Jim Henson Company Major GOMA exhibition opening 12 September |
| 4–26 Sep | Bright Nights by ANZ Free Brisbane Festival installation in the parklands |
Full program at brisbanefestival.com.au
Why Poppies
YOUR FESTIVAL BASE CAMP
2 Minutes from QPAC
Walk from our terrace to the Lyric Theatre or Concert Hall in under 2 minutes. No rushing, no stress.
2 Minutes from Festival Village
The Cultural Forecourt is right around the corner. Lunch between shows, or drinks before the evening session.
Open All Day from 6:15am
Breakfast through to late. Your festival schedule is unpredictable — ours isn't.
Alfresco Terrace
September in Brisbane is warm and clear. Our covered terrace on Little Stanley Street is the best place to decompress between shows.
Full Bar
Cocktails, local wines, craft beer, and non-alcoholic options. Post-show drinks sorted.
No Rushing Required
Tell us your show time. We'll pace your meal so you arrive at QPAC relaxed and on time.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Poppies is on Little Stanley Street, South Bank — an easy walk from QPAC and the Cultural Forecourt where Festival Village is based. It is a relaxed option for a meal before or after nearby Brisbane Festival events.
September can be busy around Brisbane Festival performances and weekend plans. Check current booking availability if you are arranging a pre-show meal or dining with a group.
We open at 6:15am every day, including weekends. We serve breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner through to late. Our kitchen runs all day so you can eat whenever your festival schedule allows.
It's one of the best options in South Bank for pre-show dining. We're a 2-minute walk from QPAC, our kitchen is fast when you need it to be, and we know the show times. Tell your server which show you're seeing and we'll time your meal accordingly.
Riverfire 2026 took place on Saturday 5 September. Brisbane Festival continues through 26 September, with current events and ticket information available from the official festival programme.
Yes — the Festival Village is at the Cultural Forecourt on Grey Street, South Bank. From Poppies on Little Stanley Street, it's about a 2-minute walk. The whole South Bank precinct is very walkable during festival season.
Yes. Our alfresco terrace on Little Stanley Street is one of the best spots in South Bank for outdoor dining. It's covered and comfortable in all weather — ideal for the September festival season when Brisbane evenings are warm and clear.
Reserve your table
Book for Brisbane Festival 2026
2 minutes from QPAC and the Festival Village. Open from 6:15am.
Prefer a direct link or need a backup? Reserve on OpenTable or call 0439 621 964.
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