West End, Brisbane is one of the city’s most diverse and cosmopolitan suburbs, located only 2km from the CBD. Known for its mix of local and international cuisines, lively bar scene and inclusivity, the suburb is a mecca for young professionals and students alike. What was once an industrial area known for its agricultural beginnings, has now been transformed into a friendly and exciting suburb.
With any inner-city suburb that has undergone substantial change, comes an increase in investment opportunity paired with rising rental and property prices. So let’s see if West End is right for you.
Let’s crunch the numbers
According to REA Data from 2025:
The median house price for West End is $1,747,000, growing 5.9% in the past 12 months.
The median apartment price for West End is $790,000, growing 17.9% in the past 12 months.
The median rental price for a house is $800 p/w, remaining stagnant over the past 12 months.
The median rental price for an apartment is $700 p/w, growing 3.7% over the past 12 months.
Where should you go for coffee in West End?
Our top cafe picks in West End are:
Nestled within one of Brisbane’s most popular fitness institutions, Urban Climb, Uncommon Ground is cemented in the community of West End. Serving as a cafe in the morning, and transforming into a bar at night, this cafe works to bring West End’s residents together, hosting various pop-up events.
Morning After is one of Brisbane’s most recognisable cafes serving up a vast menu of high-quality international dishes. This is the kind of spot you come to for the coffee, and stick around for the food.
Heavily influenced by Southeast Asian cuisine, West End Coffee House offers a range of Thai street food and an abundant coffee menu. This includes dumplings, chilli jam and pulled pork fried rice served with your choice of coffee or tea.
Where should you make a dinner reservation?
West End is bursting with fantastic restaurants, we’d recommend:
Gum Bistro is one of Brisbane’s hottest new restaurants, taking social media by storm. Known for its local produce and farm-to-table style dishes, this bistro oozes casual yet refined Queensland dining.
Rich & Rare takes surf and turf to the next level. Sourcing some of the country’s best seafood and meat, this restaurant heightens your dining experience. With sumptuous decor, woodfired ovens and inventive cocktails, you’ll leave planning your next booking.
Take a trip to Italy when you step foot inside Pilloni, this restaurant and bar serves up next-level Sardinian cuisine. Make sure you leave room for dessert because their tiramisu is one of Brisbane’s best desserts.
You can’t forget about an after-dinner drink
With over 50 bars, West End is not short on options when it comes to a cocktail. Our favourite bars are:
If you’re a fan of whisky you must add Cobbler to your list, as they’ve got over 500 whiskies to choose from. You can also take your cocktail experience to new heights with their cocktail masterclasses and Japanese whisky-tasting journey.
Bar Francine offers a cosy and rustic bar experience, nestled into an old Queenslander building, complete with a corrugated iron roof. The team recently renovated the bar, transforming Bar Francine from an unassuming shack into one of the city’s most bustling bars.
Known for its extensive wine and vermouth collection, Bar Hugo is a staple in the West End bar scene. Serving up all of the French bistro vibes, this neighbourhood go-to is destined to get you hooked on your next favourite bottle of wine.
As the name suggests this colourful bar has a contagious upbeat energy. Specialising in wine and cocktails, we recommend trying the Garden Spritz, which pairs the two.
Where can you stretch your legs?
Hugging the Brisbane River, West End is not short of riverfront mileage for a stroll. The most popular walks are West End River Walk, Orleigh Park and West End Riverside Lands Park.
Want to pair your walk with a workout class?
Brisbane is home to early risers and a thriving fitness culture, and West End is no exception. Here are the best places to work up a sweat:
As mentioned before, Urban Climb is a hotspot for fitness enthusiasts in Brisbane. With its West End location being one of its most prominent, the rock climbing walls for all levels are a great way to stay fit and have fun.
Have you heard of aerial yoga? Taking the traditional exercise form known for its strength and mindfulness benefits, and pairing it with hammocks creates the perfect wellness experience. With classes for beginners through to experts, there’s something for everyone.
West End Strength pairs multiple facets of strength and cardio to create the perfect gym environment. If you’re looking for a gym that brings you an elevated experience, this one is for you.
Is a relaxing beauty treatment more your speed?
West End isn’t short of unique beauty parlours and spas, these are our recommendations:
Pairing aesthetic treatments with therapeutic practices, Somnia Head Spa provides a range of treatments to promote a healthy mind, body, and hair. Using herbal ingredients and ancient practices their treatments are sure to leave you feeling relaxed and rejuvenated.
At Soak Bathhouse, wellness is bundled up to create a one-stop destination for busy professionals wanting to unwind. Founded on the Gold Coast, this day spa is your daily fix of wellness.
Want to take your hair to the next level? Then it’s time to head over to Yuki Japanese Head Spa. With an emphasis on transforming your hair, by pairing gentle treatments with cutting-edge technology, this salon will have your hair shining.
Is West End the suburb for you? Take a look at Atelier, a collection of 36 three-bedroom vertical residences, located in the heart of the suburb.
