EXPLORE WELL AND NOT-SO-WELL KNOWN IPSWICH RESTAURANTS
Ipswich food lovers looking to uncover new places to expand their dining experiences are blessed with a wide range of options across the city.
Whether your menu choice includes burgers or fine dining here’s a checklist worthy of consideration. It includes everything from hearty pub grub to five-star.
Prince Alfred (PA) Hotel
This locally owned and operated hotel in Booval has stood on the same site as the original hardwood building which opened in 1842. The historic building was lost to fire in 1961 after which it was rebuilt and reopened in 1963.
The Johnson family purchased the building from Carlton in 1987. The PA continues to reinvent itself and offers a very high standard of food service in no less than four restaurants in the one venue. The PA Hotel won Best Restaurant in Queensland (casual dining) in 2018 for Plantations Restaurant and best regional hotel in Australia for 2017.
Fourthchild Cafe and Lounge Bar
Located on Brisbane Street in the historic Top of Town precinct it prides itself on using locally sourced ingredients and fresh produce.
The indulgent menu includes Peach Melba Creme Brulee French Toast (pictured above) served with grilled peaches, creme brulee, praline, raspberry coulis, vanilla bean ice cream and maple syrup.
Fourthchild is also a family-run business.
The Cottage Restaurant
Owner and chef Mark Naoum and his wife Angela have taken an inner city home built in 1861 and transformed it into The Cottage.
Together they have created a location with an atmosphere to match their fine dining lunch and dinner menus.
The Cottage service modern Australian cuisine which includes high teas.
Bakehouse Stakehouse
The newly reopened Bakehouse Stakehouse in Darling Street is located in a building dating from 1875.
The building retains elements of its past life as Haleys Bakery.
For many decades this venue was a favourite place to celebrate birthdays and weddings. It is ready to be rediscovered by locals and vistors to Ipswich.
Dovetails Restaurant
Set in the historic former TAFE college at 88 Limestone Street, Dovetails has brought a relaxed yet sophisticated dining experience to Ipswich.
Dovetails is committed to making almost everything from scratch including home made spiced plum chutney, dukkha, salsa verde and breakfast granola.
There’s much more to excite the taste buds from Dovetails’ modern Australian menu.
Pumpyard Bar and Brewery
On the site of the former water supply for the fledgling municipality of Ipswich the Pumpyard has joined the list of the ‘must do’ venues in the city.
Also located at 88 Limestone Street the Pumpyard is a perfect fit in the for old technical college built in 1901.
The Pumpyard brews on site and produces small quantities of high quality flavoursome beer to go with their pizzas, burgers and main menu.
Heisenberg House
The Top of Town is home to a German inspired menu at Heisenberg House in Brisbane Street.
Classic German meals, seasonal specials and old favourites are designed to temp all palates seven nights a week.
Homage Restaurant at Spicers
Homage is located on 12,000 acres of farm land in rural Ipswich at Grandchester.
Executive chef Ash Martin is renowned for his paddock to plate approach to using produce from the on-site market garden, smokehouse, orchards, beehives and free range farm and produce from local farms.
Homage menus are spontaneous in keeping with ingredients beling grown onsite or from producers who live just down the road.
Explore more on the Discover Ipswich website.
Images: Lady Brisbane, aka Anna McGhie, an Instagrammer and blogger who shares her love of all things Brisbane – and the heritage city next door – through her iphone photos and blog www.ladybrisbane.com
