Find A Foodie's Paradise At Brisbane Festival's Arcadia

It ain't easy being a culture vulture, especially when the back-to-back entertainment cavalcade of Festival season rolls around. Legging it between shows is thirsty work and all that applauding is a sure-fire way to get your stomach rumbling. If the thought of having to survive on chips and choc tops from the theatre bar is somewhat unappetising, worry not. The Brisbane Festival's legendary hub is the perfect pit stop for any famished festival-goer, and what's more, it's a thoughtfully crafted experience that's also a feast for the senses.

The "hub" is a tried and true tradition found at pretty much every major arts festival in Australia, but in Brisbane, this meeting place-cum-night spot-cum-food court has been elevated to an art form in itself. This year named 'Arcadia' after the mythical paradise of Greek antiquity - a savvy nod to the 2016 Festival's 'You-topia' theme - this is more than just a convenient place to grab a bite on the run.

Designed by one of Brisbane's top architecture firms, Arkhefield, Arcadia is underpinned by a whimsical Game Of Thrones meets The Lord Of The Rings brand of storytelling, aimed at inspiring an immersive sense of wonder. After crossing a moat, guarded by a dragon of course, you'll trek through forests, dodge giant spiders and find yourself in the Snake Charmer's Lounge, where you can take in one of the finest views of the Brisbane River on offer anywhere in the city while enjoying a range of tasty morsels from Tapas by Zen.

You can then take a trip to the Little Creatures Treehouse, where the Aussie Ale brewers can pull you a pint while you check out their dedicated programme of live music. They'll also be hosting a series of workshops on everything from wood carving to playing the ukulele and, as you might expect, the delicate art of making craft beer.

Six pop-ups at Arcadia will dish out a range of world cuisines, including Vietnamese-fusion by celebrity chef Luke Nguyen's Treasury Casino outfit, Fat Noodle, instant ice cream by the mad scientists of Nitrogenie and Mexican with a twist by the new kid on Brisbane's culinary block, Mucho Mexicano. Anyone in need of a pick-me-up can sip on a micro-lot speciality brew from the artisan baristas at Pourboy Espresso, and for those in search of a heartier bite, the filling Italian menu at Mister Paganini has got your back.

Also found at Arcadia are the Festival's dual homes of comedy and cabaret, the Magic Mirrors and Aurora spiegeltents. World class acts, both home-grown and imported, will grace their stages throughout the Fest, including subversive chanteuse Meow Meow, champagne circus Blanc de Blanc and the whip-smart sartorial art of raconteur Rhys Nicholson.

What: Brisbane Festival Arcadia

Where: Southbank

When: 3 - 24 Sep