If your Insta feed is overflowing with friends living their best Euro summer, we get it. But before you start pricing flights, South Bank is stepping in with the next best thing. From 6 June to 14 July, the Cultural Forecourt is transforming into Brisbane’s own City of Light, complete with a four-storey Eiffel Tower lighting up every night with dazzling light shows and surprise performances on Fridays and weekends.
And while you're feeling the Euro vibes, South Bank's top dining spots are serving a culinary trip through France, Italy, Spain and Greece. No passport needed, just an appetite.
Popolo
First stop, Italy. Popolo delivers serious Italian Riviera vibes without the plane ticket. Their menu is packed with rustic southern flavours and drool-worthy dishes like beef short rib ragu, char-grilled lamb cutlets with peperonata and goats curd, and the forever iconic margherita pizza. The hardest part is choosing what to order so maybe bring a friend and try everything.
OTTO
Next up, OTTO is all about that la dolce vita energy. Head Chef Will Cowper crafts a modern Italian menu inspired by the southern regions of Italy using only the best local produce. One bite of the spaghettini with champagne lobster, garlic, chilli, lemon butter and bottarga and you will be fully transported. Pro tip is to pair it with a crisp Italian white from their stellar wine list.
Olé
Feeling more Spanish coast than Amalfi? Olé has you covered with their flavour-packed tapas and classic paella. With ingredients imported straight from Spain and share-style dishes made for long lunches with your crew, it is a fiesta from the first bite. Do not miss the croquetas, and the hero dish which is the paella piled high with all the good stuff.
C’est Du Gâteau Bakery
Craving a Euro escape? A coffee and croissant from C’est Du Gâteau is the next best thing. With buttery croissants, golden pain au chocolat, rich almond pastries and savoury bites like their Tuscan baguette, this spot delivers a truly authentic Parisian experience. Grab a coffee, take a bite and you’ll feel like you’re in the heart of Paris.
Vici
Euro summer not on the cards? Vici is your ticket to Italy, serving up all the indulgent vibes with their iconic Bottomless Pasta Nights. Every Wednesday from 5pm, enjoy 90 minutes of pure comfort, now featuring rich oven-baked lasagna layered with house-made pasta, slow-cooked ragu, creamy béchamel and bubbling cheese. It’s the ultimate midweek escape.
Zeus
Zeus is the spot you can’t skip on your European food crawl. They’re serving up fresh Aussie-Hellenic flavours that nod to Greek classics but keep it modern and exciting. Get stuck into sticky, sweet Loukoumades (aka honey puffs), a clever healthy spin on souvlaki, and the feta and oregano chips everyone’s obsessed with. The menu is so good you’ll need a few visits just to make a dent.
No passport required. Just show up hungry.
