What is in season in Brisbane. and what to order when the market changes.
Spring
- Granite Belt strawberries and stone fruit: Brisbane spring brings Granite Belt strawberries and early stone fruit from Stanthorpe orchards to Brisbane farmers markets. Peak season runs through October at New Farm and Davies Park.
Summer
- Bowen Mangoes (Kensington Pride): Bowen mangoes (Kensington Pride) are the bright orange Queensland summer fruit. The first crates arrive at Rocklea markets in October; through Christmas they appear on every Brisbane breakfast table, salad bar and dessert menu in town.
- Queensland Banana Prawns: Queensland banana prawns are wild-caught in the Gulf of Carpentaria and along the Queensland coast. The Brisbane Christmas table seafood platter (oysters, Moreton Bay bug, prawns) almost always uses banana prawns served chilled with seafood sauce.
Autumn
- Native Finger Limes (autumn season): Native finger lime peaks in autumn for south-east Queensland orchards. Brisbane fine-dining at Agnes, Joy and e'cco bistro features finger lime pearls on oysters, kingfish ceviche and seasonal dessert plates through autumn.
Winter
- Moreton Bay Bug peak season: Moreton Bay bug winter peaks May-August when the cooler bay water yields meatier tails. Stanley at Howard Smith Wharves, Black Hide at Treasury and Blackbird on Eagle Street feature halved-and-grilled bugs as a winter signature plate.
- Queensland Mud Crab winter peak: Queensland mud crab winter peak runs April through September. The best mud crabs are sold live from Sunnybank fish markets; Brisbane Cantonese restaurants serve whole crab steamed, chilli-tossed or salt-and-pepper as a tablecloth-staining shared plate.