Brisbane Vegan Foodie Walking Day-Trip Itinerary
Roma Street Station & Roma Street Parkland
Your Brisbane foodie day starts at Roma Street Station, a major transport hub in Brisbane that's easy to get to. When you arrive, head towards the direction of Roma Street Parkland (address). I love the Spectacle garden which showcases flowers that change with the seasons. There's also a rainforest, a lookout over the large lake in the middle of the park. It's a calm way to begin your day before your breakfast (or as we call it in Australia, brekkie).
Vega Cafe
Vega Cafe (address) in Spring Hill is a gem for vegan food in Brisbane. While they have Western dishes like savoury croffle (croissant waffle) and loaded scrambled tofu bagel, it's their Southeast Asian dishes, especially Thai food, that truly shines and reflects the owners' heritage. I love their tangy Pad Thai, creamy yellow curry, and the flavourful murtabah. They put a lot of care into their food and it shows in the quality. The cafe itself is also relaxing and the staff are welcoming.
Noosa Chocolate Factory
Your first stop in the Brisbane CBD (central business district) is Noosa Chocolate Factory (address) on Adelaide Street. This is the place if you love chocolate. Not only they have clearly marked vegan chocolate that you can buy home, like chocolate coated strawberries and coconut chocolate slab, they also have some amazing vegan-friendly chocolate drinks.
For the drinks, although they have a vegan milk chocolate, I think the 56% dark chocolate is richer and tastes better. Treat yourself to a chocolate that you can enjoy while exploring the city.
Brisbane City Exploration
Now it's time to see the Brisbane city. One of the recommended activities is the free Clock Tower Tour at Brisbane City Hall (make sure to book in advance). Inside City Hall, there's also the Museum of Brisbane you can check out. Walk down Queen Street Mall, which is a busy street with shops lining both sides. Be sure to look up when you're walking along, as many of the buildings have preserved their original facade from even the Victorian era. You can also go into the historic Brisbane Arcade and admire its beautiful early 20th-century architecture and unique boutiques.
Happy Dough or Krispy Kreme
It's time for a vegan snack break, and I have two recommendations. The first one is Happy Dough (address), which is located in Post Office Square food court. Their cinnamon doughnuts are vegan and are a simple, yummy choice. They also have 'filled' doughnuts as well, with vegan toppings like vegan Nutella or lemon curd. Another great option is Krispy Kreme (address), which is a doughnut chain in Australia which has vegan options. Their Apple Custard Crumble Doughnut and Kookies 'n' Kreme Doughnut are sweet and satisfying.
Queen's Wharf & Skydeck
Experience one of Brisbane's newest developments, the Queen's Wharf precinct. The main attraction here for visitors is often the Skydeck (address), which is a free observation deck. You'll get great views of the Brisbane River, South Bank, and the mountain range in the distance. It’s a fantastic photo spot and a great way to see Brisbane from a different perspective before you cross the river.
South Bank Parklands
When you get off the Neville Bonner Bridge, you're in South Bank Parklands (address). There's quite a few things to see and do here. You'll first come across The Wheel of Brisbane. When you walk along the river or see the flowers at the Arbour, you'll also se the Nepal Peace Pagoda and a rainforest walk. About half way in Southbank, you'll see the Streets Beach – it's a man-made beach in the middle of the city. Plan to spend some time here. It's easy to spend a couple of hours just enjoying the different parts of the parklands.
GOMA, Queensland Museum & Art Gallery
If time permits and you have an interest in arts and culture, head to the cultural precinct where you'll find the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA), the Queensland Museum, and the Queensland Art Gallery. All of them offer free entry to their general collections. Out of the three, GOMA is my favourite with its collection of indigenous art and modern architecture.
Ma Pa Me
End your Brisbane foodie walking tour with a delicious dinner at Ma Pa Me (address) in South Bank. This restaurant has tasty modern Southeast Asian food with lots of good vegan choices. Their eggplant tempura is a must-try – crispy, light, and flavourful. Another highlight is the jackfruit rendang, which is incredibly rich and satisfying. It’s a good place to relax after your day of walking and enjoy some delicious food.