4 – 26 September 2026
BRISBANE FESTIVAL
DINING GUIDE 2026
Poppies is 2 minutes from QPAC and the Festival Village. Open from 6:15am through late — breakfast before the parklands, lunch between shows, pre-show dinner, or post-Riverfire drinks.
Festival Dates
4–26 Sep 2026
Poppies to QPAC
2-min walk
We Open
6:15am daily
Riverfire
Sat 5 Sep 2026
Your guide
PLAN YOUR FESTIVAL DAY
Brisbane Festival runs for 23 days across the city. Poppies is your anchor on Little Stanley Street — wherever your day takes you, we're 2 minutes from the action.
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 TableSaturday 5 September 2026
RIVERFIRE NIGHT
Riverfire is Brisbane's most spectacular night of the year — Foti Fireworks lighting up the river, tens of thousands of people lining the South Bank. It's free, it's enormous, and it's right on our doorstep.
Our recommendation: book an early dinner at Poppies (from 5pm), walk to the best viewing spots along the river, then come back for post-fireworks drinks. The terrace is the perfect place to wind down after the show.
Book for Riverfire Night
What's on
BRISBANE FESTIVAL 2026 PROGRAM
Full program launches 9 June 2026. Confirmed events below — more to be announced.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Fri 4 Sep | Brisbane Festival Opens Opening night — city comes alive |
| Sat 5 Sep | Riverfire 2026 Fireworks spectacular — best views from South Bank |
| 3–13 Sep | Festival Village Performances, food, and festival atmosphere |
| 3–13 Sep | The Choir of Man World-class cabaret at the Cultural Forecourt |
| 1–19 Sep | Strong is the New Pretty Powerful new Australian theatre |
| 2–19 Sep | Koreaboo A show of family and belonging |
| Thu 4 Sep | Maestro 6: La Mer Queensland Symphony Orchestra |
| 25–26 Sep | Maestro 7: Symphonic Dances Queensland Symphony Orchestra season finale |
| 12 Sep–Apr | The Worlds of The Jim Henson Company Major exhibition — book ahead |
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 — a 2-minute walk from QPAC (Lyric Theatre, Concert Hall, Cremorne Theatre) and a 2-minute walk from the Cultural Forecourt where the Festival Village is based. It's the most conveniently located restaurant for Brisbane Festival dining.
Yes — September is one of our busiest months. During Brisbane Festival, tables fill quickly, especially for pre-show dinner slots (5pm–7pm) and post-Riverfire drinks on 5 September. We strongly recommend booking at least a few days in advance.
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 is Brisbane Festival's iconic fireworks spectacular — one of the largest pyrotechnic displays in Australia. In 2026, Riverfire is on Saturday 5 September. It's a free event along the Brisbane River, with the best viewing spots in South Bank Parklands. Poppies is a 2-minute walk from the main viewing area.
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.
Instant confirmation · No booking fees · Powered by OpenTable
Join the Poppies Family
Sign up to our newsletter and receive 15% off your meal on your birthday. Plus, be the first to hear about events, seasonal menus, and exclusive offers.
Exclusive offer cannot be redeemed on the same day as signing up.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.