Hello!<BR>I've gotten the picture from posters here that Brisbane isn't the greatest city in Australia, but we'll be there for a week, so I need your help. I'm looking for great breakfast spots, yummy lunch spots in shopping areas and dinner houses and pubs full of locals, not tourists. I'll be willing to drive 30 minutes or so outside the city. (Staying in the suburb of Paddington at the Waverly B and B) So if you've been, share your favorites!<BR><BR>Gratefully,<BR>Lynette<BR>

Lynette<BR><BR>Here a couple of ideas. e'cco in the CBD is wonderful, and expensive. A long lunch or a dinner. Breakfast Creek wharf Restaurant is a great lunch spot for the views if nothing else. Michaels on the river does good seafood, again expensive. The west is the best spot for asian and pub food in my opinion. Lots and lots of choice.

Thanks so much! I appreciate your suggestions and I'll look them up. Is food in general expensive there? Like what? Please give me an example of price AUD for a nice seafood dinner. I'm just curious.<BR><BR>Lynette

Lynette<BR><BR>I don't find that food is particularly expensive in Australia compared to Europe and is probably similar to the US. However if you are coming from the US then generally your exchange rate will make you very happy! A main course (entree in America) at a good seafood place in Brisbane would run from around 20 - 40 Australian dollars and an entree (first course in America) at around 15 AUD. From memory lobster at Michaels cost me around 40AUD but what a lobster and what a view! Wine is on the expensive side because of the tax.

Sounds reasonable. Is there a special tax on alcohol? Thanks for your help Lynn.<BR><BR>Lynette

Lynette, yes. The Australian Goverment believes that alcohol is bad for you so they have a special tax on wine. Australia operates on a flat goods and services tax (GST) of 10%, wine has a special tax of around 30% as well, which in inself is subject to the GST which results in a tax rate of around 50% on wine! I can buy Australian wine in bottle shops in Europe and America more cheaply than I can in Australia!

Good to know... I'll have to bring an extra stash just to sample that yummy Australian wine! Thanks for the heads up! That isn't mentioned in my travel books! Or maybe I just skimmed over that part in denial! <BR><BR>Lynette

Hello Lynette,<BR>South Bank is also nice although a bit 'touristy'. Try the Tandoori Chicken Pizzas at the bar at Rydges Southbank. A good people watching spot too. Couple of nice Irish pubs in the city 'Gilhouleys' and another just around the corner whose name escapes me. Not a bad spot, Brisbane (I'm not from there) a bit more relaxed than the larger cities. Weather can be a bit trying for some people - very hot &amp; humid in our Summer (Dec/Feb). Have a good time!<BR>

Caxton Street is a little strip of pubs and restaurants about 5 minutes west of the CBD. It's a great place to meet the locals.<BR><BR>John in Miami

P.S. I don't understand why Brissy gets bashed on the board so much. We loved Brisbane &amp; SE Queensland and plan to visit again next year.<BR><BR>John in Miami