Riverfire Brisbane 2026:
Where to Eat in South Bank
Riverfire returns on Saturday 6 September 2026, lighting up the Brisbane sky with fireworks, aerial displays, and over 500,000 people lining the riverfront. Poppies Southbank sits right in the heart of it all — just a 2-minute walk from the best viewing spots along the river.
At a Glance
Riverfire Night at Poppies
Saturday 6 September 2026
Riverfire fireworks from 7pm
2-Minute Walk to the River
Little Stanley Street to the best viewing spots
Curated Chef's Menu
Feature dishes, not a canapé package
Dinner Service from 4pm
Dine early, then stroll to the fireworks
Countdown to Riverfire
Saturday 6 September 2026
Days
Hours
Minutes
Seconds
Not Your Typical Riverfire Package
A Curated Riverfire Dining Experience
While most South Bank venues sell $200-$300 canapé packages on Riverfire night, Poppies takes a different approach. Our chef prepares a curated, shortened menu with feature dishes designed specifically for the occasion — a proper sit-down Riverfire dinner, not a standing-room ticket.
Enjoy a thoughtful dining experience before the fireworks, then stroll down to the riverfront to secure your spot. If you're looking for where to eat for Riverfire Brisbane, this is the kind of evening we think the night deserves — good food, a relaxed pace, and the fireworks just a short walk away.
Bookings are essential — Riverfire restaurant tables fill up months in advance. We recommend booking as early as possible to secure your preferred time.
Curated Menu
Feature dishes by our chef, not a generic canapé package
Proper Dinner
A sit-down dining experience with table service
2 Min to the River
Walk straight from your table to the best viewing spots
Brisbane Festival 2026
Make a Weekend of the Brisbane Festival
Riverfire kicks off three weeks of the Brisbane Festival (4-27 September 2026). If you're visiting South Bank for the Brisbane Festival, make a weekend of it — there's plenty to see, and Poppies is the perfect base for Brisbane Festival restaurants and dining.
Pre-theatre Dinner Before QPAC
Catch a show at QPAC during the Brisbane Festival and join us for a pre-theatre dinner beforehand. Our kitchen timing is designed around QPAC curtain calls.
QPAC Dining GuideLunch or Brunch Near GOMA
Visit the latest exhibition at the Gallery of Modern Art and stop in for lunch or brunch. GOMA is an 8-minute walk from Poppies along Grey Street.
GOMA Dining GuideBrisbane Festival Events
Explore everything South Bank has to offer during the Brisbane Festival — from live performances in the Spiegeltent to riverside markets and free outdoor shows.
Best Free Viewing Spots
Where to Watch Riverfire from South Bank
All of the best free Riverfire viewing spots are within a short walk of Poppies. Arriving early is key — spots fill up fast, which is why having dinner at Poppies first is the perfect strategy. Finish your meal, walk two minutes, and you're there.
South Bank Parklands
The closest and most popular spot. Unobstructed river views with the city skyline as your backdrop. Get there early.
Clem Jones Promenade
The wide riverside promenade between the Wheel of Brisbane and the Goodwill Bridge. Great sightlines up and down the river.
Streets Beach Area
The grassy areas around Streets Beach fill up fast but offer a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere with clear views.
Neville Bonner Bridge
The pedestrian bridge connecting South Bank to the CBD gives you an elevated, 360-degree perspective of the fireworks.
Pro tip: Book dinner at Poppies for 5pm or 5:30pm. Enjoy a relaxed meal, then walk straight to the river by 6:30pm to claim your spot before the crowds arrive. The fireworks start at 7pm.
Secure Your Spot
Book Your Riverfire Table
Riverfire is Brisbane's biggest night of the year. Tables at Poppies sell out well in advance — this is one of the most sought-after Riverfire dinner bookings in South Bank. Book now to secure your spot for the best Riverfire restaurants experience.
For groups of 8+, email [email protected]
6 Sep 2026
Riverfire Date
2 minutes
Walk to River
4-27 Sep
Brisbane Festival
From 4pm
Dinner Service
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Poppies Southbank on Little Stanley Street is one of the best Riverfire restaurants in South Bank. We're a 2-minute walk from the best fireworks viewing spots along the river. Instead of expensive canapé packages, our chef prepares a curated, shortened menu with feature dishes for a proper sit-down dinner before the fireworks.
Several restaurants along Little Stanley Street and Grey Street in South Bank are open for Riverfire 2026. Poppies Southbank offers a curated dining experience with feature dishes, just a 2-minute walk from the best viewing spots. Book early as Riverfire dinner bookings fill up months in advance.
Riverfire Brisbane 2026 takes place on Saturday 6 September 2026. It marks the finale of the Brisbane Festival, which runs from 4-27 September 2026. Over 500,000 people are expected to line the Brisbane River for the fireworks and aerial displays.
The best free viewing spots near Poppies Southbank include South Bank Parklands along the river (2-minute walk), Clem Jones Promenade, the Streets Beach area, and Neville Bonner Bridge. Arrive early as spots fill up fast — having dinner at Poppies first is the perfect strategy.
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