A bad rep can really tarnish your image, and for a long time Brisvegas has struggled to stand up to sister cities, Melbourne and Sydney. But times are changing thanks to a new wave of entrepreneurs including Damian Griffiths, and Brissy has shaken the parochial vibe and emerged as a new dining destination to be reckoned with. With comparisons to Sydney’s Merivale juggernaut driver Justin Hemmes, Damian Griffiths, former immigration lawyer turned hotelier and hospitality magnate, has brought his own urban renewal twist to Brisbane, turning run-down properties into coveted dining destinations. “I’ve always wanted to challenge Brisbane, to shake that country town mentality,” says Damian. “I love the charms and relaxed nature of this city, it’s easy going and down to earth, but I love the hustle and bustle of international cities and their dining culture.” In ten years, the food culture of Brisbane has radically changed, challenged by interstate investment by Matt Moran, who brought Sydney restaurant Aria north in 2009, and Melbourne’s Van Haandel Group, who opened Stokehouse Q in 2011, along with pioneers such as Ryan Squires of accoladed Esquire and Damian with his all-day dining culture vision. “Brisbane now has so much choice in the market. We’ve got offerings that are equally as good as Sydney and Melbourne, we’re just a smaller city.” Damian, who started out in budget accommodation, before opening Limes Hotel in 2008, now has a huge portfolio that spans bakeries, pizza shops, bars, new French bistro Le Bubbles and ice cream shop Mr Fitz. With so many venues, his mark on Brisbane has been indelible. And there’s more, with Damian’s urban winery project in Little Street still to come, watch this space! Here the Nutella-loving businessman shares his pick of Brisbane’s must visits.

In need of a sugar hit? Head to hole-in-the-wall Doughnut Time (left – 39 Alfred St, Fortitude Valley), and order a fresh, doughy hand-dipped number from one of the 12 on offer each week. The usual glazed variety is featured as well as some other decadent doozies including ‘pump up the jam’, a Snickers-laced ‘Snicky Minaj’, and ‘the cereal killer’ (topped with fruit loops, of course). Damian’s pick? “’Love at first bite’, the Nutella one has to be my favourite,” he says. If you’re drooling, don’t worry, these iconic doughnuts are headed south with new shops opening in Sydney’s Newtown and Fitzroy in Melbourne.

“Pearl Cafe (28 Logan Rd, Woolloongabba) were the pioneers of the Woolloongabba cafe scene,” says Damian, of the breakfast favourite that opened in 2007. Downstairs the cafe feels distinctly Parisian-chic, complete with wooden bistro chairs, exposed brick walls and a large semi-circular bar, while the charm continues upstairs in the more recent additions: the intimate private dining room and chefs table. The European-influenced menu by chef Eileen Horsnell has a strong seasonal ethos built around quality local produce she sources each week, and her clever use of flavours lift simple dishes to extraordinary heights from smoky beans with local artisan Vannella feta and rosemary (above) to housemade morcilla, creamy corn, jamon and fried egg. If you’re short on time, grab a coffee with a slice of dreamy lemon drizzle cake baked fresh on site.

Cafe owner Jerome Batten’s converted warehouse space that is grocer-cum-cafe Sourced Grocer (11 Florence St, Teneriffe) has been making waves in the Brisbane food scene for fresh, organic produce that leaves you feeling great. Stock up on locally sourced organic fruit and veg, gourmet dried goods, fresh bread and flowers, or perch on a milk-crate or on the wooden stairs and take your pick from the menu scrawled on the tiled wall. Lunch is the go here, from roast cauliflower with native spices to Eumundi woodfired salmon with creme fraiche on rye sourdough. The fact that it’s also the 2015 delicious. Produce Award winner for Outstanding Food Store is just another reason to visit.

Jerome Batten’s second cafe and, relative newcomer, Gauge (77 Grey St, South Brisbane) has created a name for its innovative flavours using local seasonal ingredients. “Australia has such a great breakfast culture and these guys are up there with the best for their interesting dishes,” says Damian, who can’t go past the black garlic bread with brown butter and burnt vanilla for breakfast. “It’s a surprisingly sweet dish to serve for breakfast with an interesting condiment.”

Hot from the oven and straight to the cabinet to be sold, it doesn’t get much fresher than the baked goods at Damian’s day-night Chester Street Bakery (32A Chester St, Newstead), and with cake flavours such as rainbow layer cake, chocolate cream pie and brownie cheesecake, it’s hard to stop at one piece. Order a slice and wash it down with a ‘Tim Tam slam’ shake during the day or a mojito jug for something stronger. But the piece de resistance is Damian’s favourite: Nutella lasagne. “It’s like a traditional lasagne, but it replaces the layers with cream, Nutella and crepes.” OMG.

Open late, Damian’s Kwan Brothers (43 Alfred St, Fortitude Valley) delivers the greatest hits of Asian street food. The music is loud at this party venue that’s decked out in Asian-diner kitsch and glittering disco balls, so go with a crowd and prepare to booze it up on a ‘Kwan in a million’ scorpion bowl cocktail built for three with Japanese whisky and cayenne pepper. “The twice-cooked pork belly bao is so crispy and delicious,” says Damian, and with a kick of red dragon sauce it’s no wonder it’s the specialty of the house (pictured).

A converted garage next door to Alfred and Constance, the heritage-listed Queenslanders Damian overhauled in 2012, is Alfredo’s Pizzeria (39 Alfred St, Fortitude Valley) – not your average neighbourhood tratt, this is hipster pizza with ’tude. “Alfredo’s has that late-night vibe, with loud music and a rock ‘n’ roll kind of dive bar feel to it,” says Damian. Pizzas continue that rockstar vibe – try Red Hot Chilli Peppers (inferno salami, chilli and peppers), and Damian’s favourite Brown Sugar with meatballs, pancetta and provolone. And if you can’t peel yourself off the couch, Alfredo’s delivers pizza and booze, too. Double win.

For old-school authentic italian, Damian Heads to long-time favourite Vine Restaurant (158 Moray St, New Farm). “This family-run restaurant is great for dinner,” says Damian, who goes here for classics such as the tagliatelle with prawn, mussel and crab in a tomato and white wine sauce (pictured). And if dessert calls your name, you can’t go past Damian’s recommendation: Honey yoghurt panna cotta.

ABSOLUTE WATERFRONT Prime Brisbane river waterfront by day? Tick. Twinkling city skyline by night? The views alone explain why Stokehouse Q (Sidon St, South Bank) is Damian’s go-to for an impressive meal on the town. Here seasonal produce is exquisitely handled, from Moreton Bay bugs with seaweed and buttermilk to seared Paroo kangaroo salad with ale reduction, and charred black angus with roast onions and cress. If you can’t make it for dinner, soak up rays on the outside balcony over a half dozen oysters with mignonette and a crisp glass of Chablis for the perfect Sunday afternoon out.

Hidden behind the food and shopping hub of James Street, is one-hatted Gerard’s Bistro (14/15 James St, Fortitude Valley). “I’m a big fan of chef Ben Williamson [ex-1889 Enoteca], his approach to cooking is so different, I don’t think there’s anyone else doing anything quite like him,” says Damian. Boasting stand-out Middle Eastern flavours, Gerard’s has a share plate ethos encouraging diners to select a mix of vegetable plates with a protein or two. Order the free-range duck that zings in a saffron pomegranate and walnut sauce (above) or go all-out with the slow-roasted Blackmore wagyu brisket for two.

Each week from 5pm, Wandering Cooks (1 Fish Ln, South Brisbane) hosts Thank Truck it’s Thursday where a changing line-up of Brissy’s food trucks deliver upmarket meals on wheels – think Southern dry-rubbed chicken wings from King of the Wings, slow-braised beef tacos from Juan More Taco, and crisp Napoli-style pizza from the VW Kombi van, Pizzantica.

Don’t let the simple bare-brick warehouse interior fool you. For an unpretentious meal that sings with Chinese authenticity and nothing over $25, Damian heads to Happy Boy in Spring Hill (2/36 Mein St). “They have this really small kitchen, but they’re sending out flavour bomb food,” he says. Top of the most popular list is beef brisket stew with noodle knots (pictured), but if snacking is higher on the agenda, prawn and pork wontons swimming in chilli oil and crisp salt and pepper quail eggs hit all the right notes. Sip on easy drinking cocktails, Tsing Tao or any of the craft beers on offer. For wine aficionados the small selection of boutique Australian wines ticks all the right boxes, with pairing advice happily offered by staff.

Newly renovated The New Inchcolm boutique hotel (73 Wickham Tce, Spring Hill) is the perfect spot to rest your head. Attentive staff and plush furnishings create a cosy environment to escape the city hustle, and the brand-new loft-style suites with glorious floor to ceiling views over St John’s Cathedral are breathtaking.