Brisbane's best pub food 2016

Brisbane's pub food has progressed way past battered schnitzels and tough-as-boots steaks. There's never been a better time to grab a mate and head down the local for pint and a parmie. Or the brewery or craft beer bar – it's not just pubs serving beaut bangers and mash these days, you know.

The Alliance Hotel

It's easy to overlook this grand old dame in favour of trendy newcomers, but The Alliance's creative bistro menu starring suckling pig, Fraser Island spanner crab and ocean-fresh oysters is up there with the best of them – not to mention the charming Chalet Bar.

320 Boundary Street, Spring Hill, 07 3839 0169, thealliancehotel.com.au

Embassy Bar

Tucked inside the Embassy Hotel is a craft beer bar that looks the look and talks the talk. It's tempting to stick around starter territory, perhaps brisket and cornbread or chorizo hushpuppies, but the hefty barbecue meat board and panko schnitzel are mains not to miss.

217 Elizabeth Street, Brisbane, 07 3221 7616, embassybar.com.au

The Flying Cock

Roosting in the heart of the Valley, The Flying Cock serves up more than your standard pub fare. Think buttery corn skewers, bahn mi tacos, one of the best cheeseburgers in town and, of course, classic parmies and schnitties well worth crowing about.

388 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley, 07 3172 6109, theflyingcock.com.au

The Fox

Whether it's cocktails and pizza at Dandy's Rooftop or steak frites at Fish Lane Bistro (pictured above), dining at The Fox is one-size-fits-all. Visit the Long Bar for specials you know and love: two-for-one parmies, a $10 wing feast or a tasty bout of trivia.

71-73 Melbourne Street, South Brisbane, 07 3844 2833, thefox.com.au

Newstead Brewery

While malty brews are the focus of this Newstead beer hall, a well planned menu of cheese boards, gourmet pizzas and dolled-up pub grub such as bangers and mash persuades you to stay long enough to try just one more of the dozen beers on tap.

85 Doggett Street, Newstead, 07 3172 2488, newsteadbrewing.com.au

The Normanby

Best suited to Sunday sessions and post-footy feeds, The Normanby may surprise if it's been some time since your last visit. Amongst the prime cuts of steak and look-at-me tapas towers are lighter, prettier dishes such as scallop and prawn risotto and some very on-trend salads.

1 Musgrave Street, Red Hill, 07 3831 3353, thenormanby.com.au

Statler & Waldorf

Widely regarded as Brisbane's first true gastropub, Statler has lifted Caxton Street's culinary game. Pull up a pew in the beer garden for Sunday roast or peruse a menu with local produce at its core, from the ploughman's platter through to home-style pies.

25 Caxton Street, Brisbane, 07 3368 1931, statlerandwaldorf.co

The Regatta

From casual (the Street Cafe) to formal (the Boatshed), The Regatta has all dining bases covered, with the added advantage of its riverside location. The Regatta is an enduring favourite for good reason, and the prawn Waldorf salad with blue cheese dressing doesn't hurt either.

543 Coronation Drive, Toowong, 07 3871 9595, regattahotel.com.au

Tippler's Tap

What's a good tipple without something tasty? You'll need something to line your belly if you're working your way through Tippler's tapped brews. Lucky there's an American-inspired menu of beer-braised ribs, Reuben sangas (pictured above) and Chicago-style hot dogs to do just that.

Shop 5, 182 Grey Street, South Bank, tipplerstap.com.au

The Wickham

Heritage icon The Wickham has well and truly entered a new era. The ever-welcoming old girl keeps patrons well fed with loaded fries, black bun burgers, po' boys and pork belly bao, with a permanent Donut Boyz pop-up taking care of dessert.

308 Wickham Street, Fortitude Valley, 07 3852 1301, thewickham.com.au

The Brisbane Times 2017 Good Food Guide is available for $9.99 from participating newsagents and bookstores from July 23. Purchase includes free download of the new Good Food app, launching late 2016. Read all the latest reviews, get the scoop on scores and hats and book your favourite restaurants.