Old buildings and new food – it’s an Ipswich thing

And it’s a drawcard already proven by Rafter & Rose  – a café sporting plants and old wares at every turn including down the old brick laneway its tables spill out to.

Fourthchild serves crowd-pleasing restaurant and café fare from an historic pub on Brisbane Street in the Top of Town where you’ll also find Heisenberg Haus with its popular German menu and authentic German beers.

Not too far away in the 88 Limestone precinct that was once the city’s Technical College you’ll find Pumpyard Bar & Brewery – the home of 4Hearts Brewing.

Bakehouse Steakhouse is a former bakery dating back to the 1870s now reclaimed as a dining hub.

Memories of India is a popular restaurant in the historic Ulster pub that has graced a corner on Brisbane St near Queens Park since 1910.

The Cottage is an 1860s house-turned-restaurant that chef Mark Naoum and his wife Angela opened in 2016, at 108 Limestone St, opposite the fire station at number 108.  The heritage building, Darver Cottage, exudes the colonial charm factor for which Ipswich is known, and the seating is laid out in rooms inside and on the verandah.

The couple have worked in many restaurants around Australia and overseas – he in the kitchen, she at front of house – including acclaimed Michael’s back in the day on the Brisbane River, and overseas at the Sheraton Grand in Edinburgh, Scotland. Mark’s fine dining menu at The Cottage features classic European dishes tweaked according whatever local seasonal produce he can get his hands on.

For more dining options around the region see our eat and drink section.