Exploring Newstead’s Commercial Road

Newstead seems to be the buzzing suburb of late… in particular, Commerical Road. With new bars, eateries & coffee shops popping up left, right and centre (and faster than you can say cheers with a cocktail in hand) it’s definitely one of the few ‘burbs where you can start AND finish your day.

Mrs. Brown’s Bar & Kitchen is one of the new kids on the block, and has most definitely amped up the nightlife scene. Fridays and Saturdays at this haunt are where things really get kicked up a notch… though during the week you can rock up for a casual dinner with no booking required. Not to mention how epic their snack menu is… with the chicken cheese spring rolls and Korean-fried cauliflower taking the crown. And with Ben and Tarryn Brown being locals, they certainly wanted to open Mrs. Brown’s with the intention of it being a local’s place… and so for them it was important they worked with their neighbouring businesses. They even serve Gianni’s pizza on their menu… how cool is that?! You’ll have to visit to find out how it works.

A few shops down are long-time Commercial Road residents, Simplicite Skincare. They’ve been on the block for about 17 years now and have seen a huge surge of urbanisation during their time, with the city coming to Newstead. David and Robin Lyons provide gentle, luxurious and highly nutritive products that are crammed (the good way) with pure, potent and organic ingredients, some of which are grown naturally on their wild bush farm in Queensland’s Lockyer Valley. If you’re in the ‘hood, swing by to say g’day.

Of course by the time you do the rounds on Commercial Road, you’re going to need a little pick-me-up… and you might be familiar with the name Jocelyn Hancock. Cake and Bake is her latest venture and landed on the block just earlier this year. Jocelyn makes all her sweet treats with plenty of TLC and not to mention her preserves and coffee are simply the bomb. This place is one to visit before departing Commercial Road… so go on, grab a brownie and take a stroll — even better when the neighbouring suburbs are Teneriffe and New Farm… we’ll see you there soon no doubt!