Riverside Bulimba in Brisbane’s east is home to one of Brisbane’s hippest shopping strips: Oxford Street. Exuding community atmosphere, it offers a plethora of cafés and restaurants along with sassy boutiques and groovy retail outlets.
Books in Bulimba
Bibliophiles who like to graze while they browse the latest literary offerings can drop into Riverbend Books & Teahouse – winner of the Australian Independent Bookshop of the Year 2006 & 2007 – or Mary Ryan's, just across the road. Both shops host a great range of books along with delicious food and coffee. For pre-loved tomes (including out-of-print editions), pop into Anne's Secondhand Shop.
Flower power
Fancy a bouquet? The art of flower arranging is raised to an art form at Bulimba Florist. Along with gorgeous bouquets and fresh flowers, the shop stocks an enticing range of gifts.
Deli divine
Local New Farm institution – The Deli – opened an attractive deli-eatery on Oxford Street in December 2007. Among other delights, it stocks thin-crispy pizza bases made by The Bakers Corner in Carina as well as San Nicola boneless prosciutto – cured at Corniglia in Italy's Upper Parma Valley – and Hermanos serrano ham from Spain. Cheese fiends will love the huge rounds of grana padano and parmigiano-reggian on display. The Deli's coffee shop dispenses Vittoria brews, cakes, salads and deli rolls.
Fashion street
For a distinctly European feel, check out Bella Dalia Boutique near the Balmoral Cinema. In store you’ll discover gorgeous imported shoes, handbags, accessories and the latest offerings from Morgan Marks, Seduce, Vallen and Smith and Miles. Affordable boutique shopping can also be found at Timbuctoo. Urban life meets beach lifestyle at Fuel Clothing Co., a cosy little store presenting fresh lifestyle fashion (and one of the few places to stock limited-edition footwear, including some classic kids styles). And at parkside Être, you’ll find innovative fashion with an edge.
Make a fashion statement with a custom, handmade piece from Carbon Contemporary Jewellery. More of the glittery stuff can be found at Fiera Jewellery, Gifts & Interiors (check out the imaginative Amaro jewellery concocted from gems, pearls, swarovski and glass stones, and other enticing materials) and Thousand Island Dressing. And if your appetite for cool stuff isn’t satiated, head to Bulimba’s favourite concept store, Green Grass Home & Body, which offers a delectable range of gifts, baby and women’s clothing, Rhubarb home wares and trendy toys.
Lipstick a bit jaded? Need a make-up make-over? Pop into the new Issada concept store, which showcases the luxurious Australian-made line of Issada cosmetics (including a large range of 100% pure mineral make-up for reactive skins) formulated with skin health as a major focus.
For the kids
If you’re setting up a nursery – or looking for a gift for someone who is – make tracks to My First Room, a boutique-style nursery/decorating shop near the river end of the street. Choose from Designers Guild, Tree House, Little House, Lilly and Lolly and Red Plum Linen, among other brands. Owners Peta and Elizabeth are both mothers – so they know what’s what when it comes to children’s décor.
