Outside of State of Origin fixtures, no local event has consistently brought as many Brisbanites together as Eat Street. From its humble beginnings as a night market to its emergence as the city’s favourite place to get dinner, Eat Street has ignited tastebuds and spawned food crazes continuously over the past four years. As the event grew exponentially in popularity, the brains behind Eat Street decided it was time to go big – really big. Eat Street has secured a new site within a disused wharf at Northshore in Hamilton as its home for the next five years, which has seen a frenzy of activity to transform the waterfront site into the next street food mecca.

So, what’s new? Where. Do. We. Even. Begin? First of all, Eat Street has built its expansive operation around a legitimate trawler, which has been lifted out of the water and onto shore – becoming the centre point for Eat Street Northshore’s seafood precinct. All of Eat Street’s popular food vendors have made the move as well, setting up shop in a collection of standalone containers sourced and recycled from old mining stock. Each container has been thoroughly cleaned and customised to house kitchen facilities, with each vendor upgrading to become licensed mini restaurants. Eat Street Northshore has been divided into several sections, with each housing a range of vendors worth trying. The wharf area around the trawler houses various seafood delights, while Asia Street is the new home to Chinese, Vietnamese and Thai offerings. The Laneway is a section that combines hip Melbourne alleyway aesthetics with Bourbon Street-flair, housing numerous vendors, cobblestoned paths and a stylish design reminiscent of a movie set. Kombi Alley will be the place to go for Instagram-worthy desserts, with five Kombis on hand to crank out the sweetness. A permanent moonlight cinema has been set up, complete with a stage for live entertainment until the sun sets. Patrons can hire wireless headphone sets before kicking back with a drink from one of three new bars – reclining in comfort as classics and recent releases are screened on Friday and Saturday nights.

Some of the biggest gripes about Eat Street have been addressed, with more than 1200 car parks now available and plenty of seating for diners spread throughout the site. Timber from Portside’s dismantled piers has been salvaged and repurposed to make tables, chairs, bar tops, high bars, and railings at the wharf’s edge. To address further waste, Eat Street is also rolling out recyclable polycarbon plastic cups, which patrons can use for drink refills and even take home. Those that have enquired about event hire in the past will be thrilled to know that private bookings can now be made. Six 40-foot containers are now available for groups of 25 people – each with its own butler service and pre-ordered platters – while the luxurious Boathouse marquee is also available for larger bookings of 80 patrons. Eat Street Northshore will be open on Friday and Saturday night from 4:00–10:00 pm and on Sundays from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm.