Mamamia Recommends: The bougie Brisbane food festival everyone is talking about right now.

Is there anything better than an abundance of food in a festival setting? I think not. There is something so fun and wholesome about spending the weekend perusing an array of stalls, nibbling on cheese and trying new things. That’s why if you’re lucky enough to be located in the greater Brisbane area, you’ll want to head to Roma Street Parkland for the return of Providore Park on the weekend of July 13 and 14. 

What is Providore Park?

Providore Park is a two-day food and wine festival set in one of Brisbane's most iconic locations. Roma Street Parkland is a stunning oasis of lush lawns, botanical gardens and walking trails set across 16 hectares — and soon in July will host this festival for you to enjoy local artisan foods, a whole bunch of treats and a cheeky drop while lounging and listening to live music.

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Come for the…

Insane list of diverse stallholders. We’re talking about Bisou Bisou, The Arancini Guy (who doesn’t love deep fried cheesy-rice balls?), Margarita Margarita (yes, please), Ugly Duck Fine Foods and Happy Stack Cookies, to name a few. Plus, the event is sponsored by some of the greatest brands in the Australian food and drink landscape, including Stone & Wood, Lune Croissanterie (Melbourne icons, IYKYK), City Winery, Fever-Tree, Seabourne Distillery and more.

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Stay for the…

Live music all day long at the Celebration Lawn and the Stone & Wood Garden Bar – whichever tickles your fancy. There are options and that’s why this festival will be fun for pretty much anyone. 

Plus! There’s more! You can secure tickets to one of the exclusive masterclasses hosted by incredibly talented members of the food industry. Intimate groups will be guided by experts to teach you the fine art of food and drink pairing, an educational experience where there'll be samples aplenty.

The Picnic Society will also be styling an area where you can book a spot to enjoy an antipasto platter and bottle of wine or beer, accommodating groups of up to 8 people so you and your friends and family can set up camp.

What’s so unique about it?

The festival is literally open to everyone and anyone, with free entry granting you access to the stallholders in The Village and the music on both stages. You then have the option to level up the experience of your weekend by purchasing tickets to a masterclass, a spot at the Picnic Society or an exclusive VIP ticket which means you can enjoy food, a gift bag on arrival, drinks from your private bar and other private amenities. 

Why does Mamamia recommend it?

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Providore Park is perfect for couples, singles, groups of friends and families. We know how tough it can be to find family-friendly activities that are enjoyable across age groups and allow room for both fun and relaxation. With the festival being set in such a gorgeous, wide-open setting, the whole day can be spent in one place — meaning you don’t have to load people in and out of the car constantly or worry that you’re going to run out of snacks. It’s the ideal place for your kids to run and play, boogie to some local artists, or stroll along the trails if you’re wanting to explore. 

Plus, there is no better feeling than knowing that you're investing back into your community's economy by attending a local event and supporting local Queensland and wider Australian artists and vendors. 

Okay, what's the practical stuff I need to know?

Okay, so we mentioned a large portion of the event is free (The Village, Main Stage and Stone & Wood Garden Bar), with some experiences requiring pre-purchased tickets, and some events are ticketed. You can view the full program and secure any tickets on the Providore Park website. 

If you decide not to purchase a booked seating at the Picnic Society or VIP area, there will still be plenty of seating available in the General Admissions area — you can always bring along a picnic rug and foldable chairs to set up camp, too. 

There will be an abundance of food and beverages for purchase at the festival, which means this event is licensed and not BYO.

Roma Street Parkland is a 10-minute walk from Brisbane CBD, meaning city dwellers might prefer to walk and make their way to the festival. Alternatively, for those who require other transport, there are up to 200 spaces available for metered parking, including eight disabled bays. 

There’s also a drop-off/pick-up bay for anyone opting to carpool or rideshare to the event.

And the most important factor of all: yes, you can bring your dog (to the free entry areas!). So long as they’re friendly and you keep them on a lead — and clean-up after them (all the usual dog owner stuff that you’re already aware of).

Providore Park will take place from 10am to 5pm, and sure to be a luxe weekend filled with delicious local foods, beverages for all ages and good tunes. There’s something really special about a festival that caters to people of all ages, with plenty to enjoy with the cost of living in mind. A fun weekend with affordable, high-value experiences on offer – what’s not to love? 

Providore Park returns to Roma Street Parkland, Brisbane on July 13-14. Secure your free tickets now.

Feature Image: Instagram/@providorepark.