The Sitchu Awards 2025 Finalists – Queensland

After an incredible wave of nominations from our readers, the results are in — the finalists for the very first Sitchu Awards have been revealed. These are the venues, businesses, and neighbourhood favourites across Queensland that you told us make life that little bit more extraordinary.

From romantic restaurants to artisan bakeries, boutique wellness havens to foodie escapes, this is your chance to celebrate the very best of local living — the places and people who make QLD shine.

Now it’s time to cast your vote for the winners in each category. By voting and supporting your favourites, you will go in the running to win *$1,000 cash.

The Categories & Nominees

Best Date Night Venue

• Arbour Southbank (South Bank)
• D.Vino Bistro & Vinoteca (Woolloongabba)
• hôntô (Fortitude Valley)
• Southside Restaurant (South Brisbane)
• Suburban Social (Chapel Hill)

Best Deli or Sandwich Spot

• Ham on Rye (Paddington)
• New Farm Deli (New Farm)
• Sarni (Ascot)
• Sunny Side Sandwiches (Multiple Locations)
• Swiss Gourmet Delicatessen (West End)

Best Bakery

• Christian Jacques Bakery (Kangaroo Point)
• Idle (New Farm)
• Riser (Toowong)
• Rise Bakery (Multiple Locations)
• Sprout Artisan Bakery (New Farm)

Best Neighbourhood Bar

• Arcade Wine (Redcliffe)
• Bar Francine (West End)
• Patio By Range (Paddington)
• Suburban Social (Chapel Hill)
• Wild Legs Wine Room (Newstead)

Best Region For a Weekend Escape

• Gold Coast
• Scenic Rim
• Southern Downs
• Sunshine Coast
• Whitsundays

Best New Restaurant Opening of 2025

• August (West End)
• Central Restaurant (Brisbane CBD)
• Evra Restaurant & Bar (Newstead)
• Layla (West End)
• The Fifty Six (Brisbane CBD)

Best Coffee Spot

• Arbour Southbank (South Bank)
• Bellissimo Coffee (Bulimba)
• Coffee Anthology (Brisbane CBD)
• Fonzie Abbott (Albion)
• Salt Coffee Roasters (Newstead)

Best Small Local Business – Lifestyle, Beauty, Fashion, Wellness

• All My Friends Grocer (Highgate Hill)
• Avid Reader (West End)
• Camargue (Fortitude Valley)
• The Bathhouse (Albion)
• The Plant Bunker (Grange)

Best Foodie Suburb

• Fortitude Valley
• Newstead
• Paddington
• South Bank
• West End

Voting has now closed, thank you for taking part! Winners will be revealed on 12 November. Subscribe to our newsletter or follow us on Instagram to be the first to know.

*Terms and conditions apply, view them here.