Restaurants Near QPAC Brisbane
Pre-Theatre Dining, 2-Minute Walk from QPAC
Now Showing: The Last Ship
Starring Sting
Acclaimed musical THE LAST SHIP, written, composed and starring international music icon Sting, presented for the first time in the Southern Hemisphere.
Poppies Southbank is a 2-minute walk from QPAC on Little Stanley Street — the closest full-service restaurant to the Lyric Theatre, Concert Hall, and Cremorne Theatre. Book your pre-theatre table and arrive relaxed.
Plan Your Evening
Dinner & a Show
We're just a 2-minute walk from QPAC. Book your table and we'll have you seated, fed, and at the theatre right on time.
6:00 PM
Arrive at Poppies
Cocktails & starters
6:30 PM
Enjoy Your Meal
Mains & share plates
7:15 PM
2-Min Walk to QPAC
Right next door
7:30 PM
Curtain Up!
Glasshouse Theatre
Tonight's Recommendation
The Pre-Show Dinner
Heading to The Last Ship tonight? Our kitchen is set up to get you fed, happy, and at the theatre with time to spare. Share plates, signature cocktails, and just the right pace.
- Full dinner menu available from 4pm
- Signature cocktail pairing available
- Dog-friendly outdoor seating
- 2-minute walk to all QPAC venues
The Pre-Show Promise
We know the feeling — you've got show tickets, you want a proper dinner, but you're worried about cutting it fine. That's exactly why we've built our pre-show service around one simple promise:
Tell us your show time, and we'll make sure you're out the door with time to spare.
Just mention your show time when you book or sit down. Our kitchen will pace your courses so you enjoy every bite without watching the clock. No rushing, no stress, no cold plates arriving at the wrong moment.
Tell us your show time
Add it to your booking notes or let your server know when you sit down
We pace your service
Starters arrive quickly, mains follow naturally — no awkward waits, no rush
2-minute walk to QPAC
You'll be in your seat with time to spare — we've done this thousands of times
We've been feeding QPAC audiences since we opened on Little Stanley Street. Pre-show dining is what we do — and we've never sent anyone running.
Book Pre-Show DinnerPlan Ahead
Coming Soon to QPAC
48 shows · last updated 29 Apr 2026
The Last Ship
Starring Sting
Glasshouse Theatre
7:30 PM
Now Playing
Acclaimed musical THE LAST SHIP, written, composed and starring international music icon Sting, presented for the first time in the Southern Hemisphere.
MJ the Musical
Lyric Theatre
7:30 PM
Final Weeks
Michael Jackson's unique and unparalleled artistry is set to thrill audiences in the multiple Tony Award-winning MJ the Musical. Don't miss the final weeks.
La Cenerentola (Cinderella)
Opera Queensland
Concert Hall
7:00 PM
29 Apr & 2 May 2026
Rossini's sparkling operatic take on the Cinderella story. A tale of heart and humour full of clever disguises, unlikely heroes and a midnight ball.
Steel Magnolias
Playhouse
7:30 PM
30 Apr – 10 May 2026
The iconic story that made us laugh, cry, and fall in love with six extraordinary women is back under the direction of Lee Lewis.
GRIMM
Tales from the Brothers Grimm — Shake & Stir
Cremorne Theatre
7:30 PM
22 May – 13 Jun 2026
Shake & Stir's sold-out smash hit returns. Fairytales reimagined with dark intensity and irreverent glee — Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood and others share the truth behind their stories. Warts and all.
Petite Messe Solennelle
Opera Queensland
Concert Hall
7:00 PM
1 May 2026
Perfect for seasoned concertgoers and newcomers alike. Rossini combines orchestral and choral textures in this deeply moving final masterwork.
Good To Know
Pre-Show Tips
How to Time It
How early you should arrive depends on the night. On Friday and Saturday evenings, we recommend booking 2 hours before curtain — these are our busiest nights and you'll want a relaxed pace. On weeknights (Sunday to Thursday), 1.5 hours is plenty of time to enjoy your meal without rushing.
Weeknights
Sun – Thu
1.5 hrs
before curtain
Weekends
Fri & Sat
2 hrs
before curtain
That said, we can absolutely accommodate closer bookings too. If you're running tight on time, give us a call on 0439 621 964 or email [email protected] — we'll let you know how busy we are and can suggest faster options or even put your order ahead so it's ready when you arrive.
What to Order
For pre-show dinners, our share plates and mains are the way to go. The snow crab linguine and the white beef ragù linguine are both standout dinner dishes. The calamari and the sourdough with dip are great to start while you settle in. If you're after something lighter before a long show, the salads and smaller plates work well. And yes, a cocktail is practically mandatory.
The Walk to QPAC
From our front door on Little Stanley Street, QPAC is a 2-minute walk. It's a genuinely lovely walk in the evening — the Parklands are lit up, the river is on your left. We'd recommend leaving the restaurant 15 to 20 minutes before your show starts — enough time to find your seats and settle in.
After the Show
We're open until 8pm Sunday to Thursday and 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays. If your show wraps up in time, come back for post-show snacks and cocktails — we can do drinks and bar snacks from 8pm to 9pm on weeknights, and 8pm to 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
Quick Tips from the Team
Book in advance: Pre-show slots — especially 5:30pm to 6:30pm on show nights — fill up quickly. Book online as soon as you have your show tickets.
Tell us it's pre-show: Mention it in your booking notes and we'll make sure your service is timed so you're never rushing.
Parking: The Cultural Centre car park on Melbourne Street is the closest to both Poppies and QPAC. Alternatively, South Bank train station is a 5-minute walk.
Dining near QPAC · 2-minute walk
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Mention your show time in the booking notes and we’ll take care of the timing.
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