The Caxton Street dining precinct (in which we include some of the restaurants on neighbouring Petrie Terrace) is a busy, buzzing Paddington spot that really comes to life at night and into the early morning.
If you’re looking for dancing, live music and dining, then Caxton Street could be the place to go. Casablanca, Hotel L.A. and the Caxton Hotel combine separate bars, live music, DJs and dance floor facilities with their restaurant and cafe offerings. There’s a great vibe in the street once the sun goes down and the outdoor tables fill up. Plus, it also comes to life during afternoons when there’s a big game on at the nearby Suncorp Stadium.
You’ll find a lot of places have good mid-week or lunchtime specials too.You’ll find a lot of places have good mid-week or lunchtime specials too, which make eating out in Caxton Street a really cheap option.
If you want something a bit more elegant, then sophisticates can try the Chic Boutique with a dark, lush interior but light and bright menu. Or, there’s the funky atmosphere and music of Calypso Espresso Bar and Cafe with lovingly made pizzas.
In the centre of Caxton Street you’ll find one of Brisbane’s oldest and still thriving restaurants, Gambaro’s. Established in 1972, the exterior has been modernised as a stylish place to enjoy a drink and oysters but go inside and you’ll travel back into decorating history. Maybe it’s so retro it’s almost fashionable again. However, the famous seafood platters and other traditional seafood favourites are too good to miss. The wine list is massive too.
If you want cheaper and more casual seafood, cross the road to the Gambaro take away fish and chip shop. Another cheap (and one of Caxton Street’s only non-steak or seafood) place is the Caxton Thai. You can pretend you’re Irish at O’Leary’s Bar and Restaurant.
Plus, if you are organising a function, there are plenty of places to book on Caxton Street, with special menus and function rooms for groups.
- Hog’s Breath Cafe (in Petrie Terrace)
- Romeo’s (traditional Italian on Petrie Terrace)
- Gambaro’s
- Hotel L.A.
- Caxton Char Grill Restaurant and Street Cafe
- Caxton Thai
- O’Leary’s Bar and Restaurant
- Chic Boutique
- Casablanca
Parking At busy times parking is tight. A few places (Gambaro’s, Caxton Hotel, Hotel LA) have a limited amount of customer parking. There is a paid parking station across the road in Petrie Terrace. Don’t even try and get a park during Suncorp Stadium match days as restrictions are in place.
Public Transport The BUZ route 385 has buses every 10 – 15 minutes every day. There’s also the night link services in the area which run all night Friday and Saturday.
If you want to catch a train, you can walk about a kilometre from Roma Street Station. Check with Translink for timetable information.
Find out more about the suburb of Paddington.
