Forget Sydney and Melbourne: inside the sunshine state's unstoppable foodie boom

Wander through Brisbane today and you will find a dining scene that bears almost no resemblance to the quiet city it was a decade ago.

As Queensland becomes a major travel destination ahead of the 2032 Olympic Games, the state's capital has become one of Australia's most unexpected dining hotspots.

Brisbane hospitality veteran Dave Brosnan said the city's sudden transformation was a surprise, even to him.

"The hospitality scene started shifting in 2018 and 2019 as precincts like James Street were upgraded, and the lockdown in 2020 helped by bringing a huge influx of migration to the sun," Mr Brosnan said.

But he said that preparation for the upcoming Olympic Games has sparked a dining era that the city has never seen before.

"Southeast Queensland is in the midst of this huge hospitality gold rush," he said.

Travel data shows that passionate foodies are flocking to the dining hotspot.

Travel to Brisbane has skyrocketed by around 76 per cent year on year, with an overall surge in bookings to Queensland of 32 per cent.

Flight Centre global managing director Andrew Stark said for many Australians, Queensland embodies all the best bits of our country.

"Brisbane is now home to some world-class restaurants, and of course the iconic Calile Hotel which was recently named one of the best in the world," he said.

"On the Gold Coast, we've seen one of the biggest luxury hotel openings in years with the Mondrian in Burleigh Heads, and again along with that some fantastic restaurants."

Amid this boom, Mr Brosnan hopes that Queensland can retain its signature Sunshine State charm.

"Brisbane is laidback, they don't want the pretense," he said.

"The city offers a unique style of hospitality that's warm and is genuinely interested in the guests having a good time, eating good food and having a connection with the person serving them."