Brisbane

Seven of the best places to eat after service (or on your break)

Skip the packet ramen – tuck into tom yum noodles, kimchi pancakes and crispy chicken skin at these late-night Brisbane venues.

Becca Wang

06 Aug 2025 • 4 min read

Barry Parade Public House in Brisbane. Photo: Boothby

Welcome to Sidecar No Sugar, a weekly Boothby newsletter about Brisbane bars and the people, work and creativity that grounds it. (You can sign up to get it in your inbox each week, right here.) This week, I have a deliciously non-exhaustive list of the best places to eat on your break or after service.

If you have info the Brisbane bar community should know, please email me contact@beccawang.com.au or send me a message via Instagram (@supper.partying).

I’m not a morning person. Breakfast is the least interesting meal of the day, sunrise hiking (or hiking in general) is overrated and morning traffic is one of the singular worst things ever – barring missing the delivery guy and the rise of fascism. Unfortunately, Brisbane is a morning person. Brisbanians are one of, if not, the earliest risers in the country and this has cursed our late-night dining and drinking culture.

Up until five years ago, you could count on one hand the number of venues that serve food past 10pm (fast food is disqualified here – I’m partial to a kebab once, maybe twice a year but it has to be a very dire situation). This means that after a long shift, there aren’t many options besides cooking at home, waiting for a McDonald’s delivery or going to bed hungry.

Now thanks to myriad factors – growing population, the upcoming Olympics – we have seen more late-night venues permeate the early bird culture. Here are, in my opinion, the best places to eat (and drink) after service.

Doodee Boran is the standout spot. Photo: Becca Wang

Doodee Boran, CBD

Doodee Boran is the standout late-night spot. (It’s not open late-late but I used to go on my break – the food comes out in 1-5 minutes on average, perfect for a 30 minute break.) They serve bold, comforting Thai staples – tom yum noodles with crispy pork, green papaya salad, soft shell crab – and sweet, unserious cocktails and very good iced tea. It’s always pumping and the staff are always on top of it and attentive. I love their raw salmon salad so much I wrote a whole article about it.

Closes 10:45pm Friday to Sunday

David’s Master Pot, CBD

I am unashamedly obsessed with David’s. In these dry, brittle months, I want nothing more than a cauldron of rich, salty broth and miscellaneous meats, vegetables and noodles. Not only is it comforting, filling and easy to transport, it’s incredible value for money; you’ll be covered for breakfast too. My order is the signature broth (spice level: 3) with sliced lamb, quail eggs, greens, glass noodles, duck blood, beef tripe and bamboo shoots. The David’s sesame sauce add-on is a must.

Closes 11pm everyday

Crispy chicken skins after service? Photo: Becca Wang

Bird’s Nest, West End and Fortitude Valley

This yakitori institution doesn’t need an introduction. The menu is significant and varied which means as a regular, you will not be bored (take it from this dedicated BirdsNestian). Some nights, it’s steak and onigiri and others, crispy chicken skins, grilled octopus and wombok salad. They also have a thoughtful umeshu offering. Otherwise, Japanese beers and Lychee Martinis never go awry.

Closes 11pm Friday and Saturday

That's the best damn chip butty in Australia. Photo: Becca Wang

Milquetoast, CBD

It would be remiss not to mention the newest late-night kid on the block. Milquetoast is the only wine bar in the Brisbane CBD and the only wine bar generally that is open after 11pm. For those who live under a rock, their chip butty – white sandwich bread, potato pave, curry butter and aioli – has stolen the city’s heart and is even featured in a cookbook dedicated to Brisbane restaurants. They also have a dip and chip on rotation, a seasonal devilled egg and a whole duck if you’re so inclined.

Closes 12am Tuesday to Saturday

Han Jan, CBD

This unsuspecting George street joint has some of the best black bean noodles in town: glossy, umami sauce and perfectly chewy noodles – what’s not to love? It’s always busy until late so if you’re riding that post-service high, this is the perfect place for beer, snacks and a catch up with other closers. They also offer spicy hot pot and their garlic fried chicken and deep fried octopus is return-worthy.

Closes 1:30am everyday

Bar Brutus, South Brisbane

When it’s summer and a hot meal sounds nauseating, Brutus is my go-to spot for a light dinner and an amaro tonic. There’s always a seasonal burrata on or a cheese plate and if that’s not enough, olives and grissini are a safe bet. It’s a bit of a girl dinner (as the kids would say) but there’s no wait time and there’s always a tropical cocktail if you’re feeling unsatiated.

Closes 12am Tuesday to Sunday

Barry Parade Public House, Fortitude Valley

Barry Parade’s food offering is much less extensive than their multi-page cocktail list but they’ve covered all the necessary bases. Small plate classics – potato gems, anchovy on toast and cured meats – are served all night at the neighborhood bar, as well as bigger plates like grilled prawns, rotating pastas and a handful of toasties. Keep an eye out for hearty weekly specials that are often hospo priced.