1Brisbane Insider brought to you by Rydges Hotels & Resorts

Our online guide to the best that Brisbane has to offer.

How do you describe Brisbane? - Some will use tired old rhetoric to suggest that it�s parochial, unsophisticated and �sticky� whilst those that actually know will tell you, much more truthfully, that it�s a young, vibrant, friendly and laid back city.

As Australia�s fastest growing city, it must be doing something right. With its fantastic physical aspect and a progressive mentality, the city has really come of age and has steadily matured and evolved into a powerful economic and strong cultural centre.

So, if you�re heading to Brisbane for work or pleasure, The Rydges Insider guide is designed to show you our favourite things, which all add up to make a visit to this city such a refreshing experience. If you�re looking for a Queenslander�s insight into which restaurants are hot or which riverside pub serves the best cold beer, we�ll give you the tip.

Like all recommendations, some are long standing favourites, some are little known gems whilst others are new and enticing, but all are provided with the best intention of ensuring you get the best possible insight and experience whilst enjoying this fabulous city.

Brisbane is about as much a �big country town� as either Sydney or Melbourne, yet it must be said that it retains the best of the underlying tenants of that statement.

The Brisbane restaurant scene has undergone a true culinary renaissance over the last decade. Many talented chefs have moved north from the southern states attracted by lower commercial rents, a better lifestyle and access to some of the freshest ingredients in the country.

Local chefs and restaurateurs not willing to rest on their laurels have also risen to the challenge of the newer arrivals and continue to satisfy local dining tastes by creating sophisticated menus and lighter dishes, ideally suited to a semi tropical climate.

With long summer nights and a relaxed alfresco attitude, Brisbane�s culinary reputation is growing in leaps and bounds. From great seafood to country style steaks and all points in-between, Brisbane has got it covered.

With a balmy climate and even balmier locals, most �Brisbanites�, as with nearly all Queenslander�s, take imbibing rather seriously. Many locals are only too willing to engage in a passionate discourse covering the finer points of beer or the state�s official tipple, Bundaberg rum, known colloquially as �cane cutter�s cordial�. Thus it�s fair to a say the locals do indeed like a drink; after all, they invented the stubby holder!!!

The locals� �good time� & friendly attitude to having a drink means that visitors can choose from a multitude of excellent hostelries. Options range from classic wooden verandah fronted Queensland pubs to sophisticated cocktail lounges. So whether you�re after a schooner of XXXX Gold or a glass of Christal, rest assured that Brisbane has a venue, a crowd and a drink that ensures everyone is made to feel welcome.

Given Brisbane�s great outdoor climate, its varied geography and rich history, it�s not surprising that the city has many charms and attractions with which to beguile and enthrall visitors and locals alike. Singularly lacking the pretension of other cities, Brisbane exudes a supremely relaxed attitude and this is readily seen in the sights, sounds and very heartbeat of the city.

If you have a few hours or a couple of days to spend exploring, you�ll find plenty to amuse and occupy yourself. Tourist attractions range from notorious ex gaols to fine art museums and from Botanic Gardens to beer gardens. Listed above are a few our favorite places and things to do whilst in the Sunshine State capital.

As with most things, Brisbane takes a refreshingly relaxed and pragmatic approach to shopping. Don�t be fooled by the oft-abused presumption that Brisbane lacks style, sophistication or the ruder imputation that it has parochial service standards. This city is often more than a match for the southern capitals in the �retail therapy� stakes; it just does it with less noise and preening.

Given the climate, shopping malls and arcades can offer some respite from the heat and humidity of high summer, but half the fun of shopping is about exploring and finding that perfect purchase that you�ve just got to have!!

Listed above are a few of our favourite places which may induce you to spend your hard earned wages, raid the piggy bank or start squandering the kids� inheritance. We tried to include something for most budgets and tastes, but if you can�t find exactly what you�re looking for in Brisbane, we are sure you�ll have fun trying.

Dining:

Drinking:

Sights & Real Brisbane:

Shopping: