James St Food + Wine Trail: Back for 2026

For one day only, the precinct’s restaurants, cafés, bakeries and bars step out into the open air, bringing the best of the street together for a day built around flavour, craft and generous hospitality.

At the heart of JSFWT is the open-air market, where 34 gourmet food and drink stalls will serve more than 65 signature items across 8,000 square metres of James St. From woodfired seafood and handmade pizza to baked goods, spritzes, snacks and sweets, the market is the centre of gravity during a day that’s made to be eaten, wandered and shared.

But the Trail does not stop at the plate. This year’s program expands into a full sensory itinerary, inviting guests to taste, see, touch and hear their way through James St.

TASTE
Book your seat in the middle of the action with the Gourmet Traveller Express Lunches, featuring bespoke set menus and wine pairings from ESSA, Hellenika and Mosconi.

Harveys Bar + Bistro will host a feast within a feast, with Owner and Head Chef PJ McMillan presenting a five-course alfresco degustation of French-inspired dishes and matched wines.

Cru Cellar will also open its doors for a tasting with Shaw + Smith, offering a closer look at the cool-climate wines, makers and methods behind the label.

SEE
At the Gourmet Traveller Live Chef Stage, Editor David Meagher will host some of James St’s most celebrated culinary talent for a series of live demonstrations. Look forward to bluefin tuna carving with Mitsu Sakurai and Shimpei Raikuni of Sushi Room, woodfired Moreton Bay bug with Phil Marchant of ESSA, grilled eggplant with Ben Williamson of Anyday, and chargrilled South Australian octopus with Bryan Kelly of Hellenika.

Event attendees can also go behind the scenes at The Calile Hotel Rooftop Garden Tours, where eco-cultivators Future Wild will guide visitors through the hotel’s Rooftop Garden, revealing the hyper-local ingredients that feed the Lobby Bar patrons below.

TOUCH
For those who prefer to get hands-on, James St Kids Cake Haus invites mini makers and bakers to decorate cupcakes in a guided session with James St, The Australian Women’s Weekly and Jocelyn’s Provisions.

Culinary craft extends beyond the plate at Mud Australia, where Lawn Bowls founder and glassware artist Finn O’Sullivan will lead a tactile glass-fusing workshop. Inspired by in-season produce and blooms, guests will create their own miniature glass still life to take home.

HEAR
Across the day, the precinct will be scored by live music, DJs and smooth jazz. Find dynamic live bands and local talent at the Live Stage, continuous electronic beats at the Vibe Stage, and soulful sounds at the Jazz Corner.

Then, when the clock strikes 4PM, the Trail continues in-venue, with official afters at ESSA + The Nixon Room, Gerries, LOS, Penelope and Sixes and Sevens.

The day for following your appetite through the precinct, get a closer look at all that’s on offer for JSFWT 2026 here.