This is the closest health food store to my house, so I use it quite a lot. It's not cheap (health food stores generally aren't) and it doesn't have the range of some larger stores, but they do a good range of gluten free products and will order items in for you if you know what you're looking for. They even have a range of frozen dessert items that are good for the dairy and gluten intolerant, including cakes and slices.

This is my favourite local petstore. It's clean (unlike some of the local stores) and huge and always has lots of pets to look at. There's an area for puppies, kittens, birds (including chooks sometimes) plus smaller animals. They sometimes re-home animals that the owners can't keep. They also have a big range of food and accessories and friendly staff.

I've been for several appointments here and always had different doctors. The reception staff aren't overly friendly and to be honest I found the experience pretty impersonal. They do have a large space and a kids play area, though, and I assume that if you find a doctor you like there you can request appointments with the same person. The clinic is also relatively new so you don't feel like there are loads of germs and grime around while you're waiting. I'm still searching for a GP I like.

My family has been using this dental practice for years. They're a traditional old-school dental surgery with the sort of service and prices you'd expect from a dentist. The clinic also has a physio clinic attached. The service is fine, the staff are nice. But don't expect the flashy new interior (or high prices) of some of the more high-profile places that specialise in cosmetic dentistry. No DVDs to watch during your treatment here.

We were on a tight budget for our wedding so I got the flowers from here and we made them up ourselves. They also offer packages where they can do the flowers for you, but picking them up and arranging them yourself is a good option if you need to save money (and wedding flowers can be so expensive). You can also use them for general floral needs.

Even though our cat hates to travel in the car, we make the journey to Wilston Vet whenever we need a vet because they are so nice there and they so clearly like animals. They take photos of your pet whenever you visit and they send them birthday cards as well as the usual reminders for immunisations etc. This practice also offers boarding for cats in full size rooms rather than in cages.

This may not be the cheapest Thai restaurant you'll ever go to, but the owner is lovely and friendly and will go out of her way to make the dish to your liking (for example, she uses gluten free soy sauce for my dishes when asked). The restaurant is in a nice, new building with plenty of room for large groups. The spring rolls are to die for. Good for takeaway, too, although they love it when you dine in.

I love this place and have even done the drive from Brisbane to Coolangatta several times just to have lunch here. They do sushi plus great plated meals including some really nice vegetarian options (that can be hard to find in some Japanese restaurants). I love the teriyaki tofu plate that comes with rice and salad and great dressing. Sit outside overlooking the beach.

This small salon in Brisbane's CBD is also a beauty therapist training academy, which means that even people on a budget can go here to pamper themselves, as they offer special student client day prices where you can get salon quality treatments (fully supervised, of course), for a fraction of the price of a regular treatment. Great for a lunch time treat (get a mani, pedi, or facial, or even a massage if you have the time), or even better if you can get the whole afternoon off and get a load of treatments at a massive discount

Approximate cost: $Check their website for current discounts

One of the few places in Brisbane (well, ok, just outside of Brisbane but it makes for a nice weekend drive) where you can get a nice breakfast in a relaxed atmosphere, but that also does a great veggie option rather than just nice options for meat eaters. Great lunch options and they make their own cakes too (including some gluten free options). Get a table or relax on one of the outdoor sofas. Don't forget to say hi to Jasper the macaw parrot.