Order Up And Dig In At Brisbane’s Best Cafes

I’ll have the…


By Style Journo | 14th June 2024

Looking for a new spot to meet your mates for a bite?

While we’ve shared with you where to find the best kid-friendly cafes around and scoured the city for the best breakfasts in town, so it only seems fair we share our pick of the best cafes to get a feed at, no matter what time of day.

Whether you’re looking for somewhere cool and casual to sit in the sunshine, or crave a fresh dish outside of your own kitchen, Brisbane is home to a drool-worthy assortment of cafes ready to sort you out. So, get the gang together, and polish your phone’s camera lens   – here are the best cafes in Brisbane you need on your dining radar.

By the way, we consider everyone in this list the best of the best! To make finding your next favourite that much easier, we’ve ordered the list alphabetically by suburb and also have filtering tabs for your convenience. Did we miss someone from the list? Let us know here!   

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Victoria Park

Herston

Pairing a delightfully seasonal menu with lush surroundings, Victoria Park’s family-friendly Bistro is the perfect place to grab a cuppa or spend a sunny weekend with your nearest and dearest. Kick back in the charming alfresco setting to soak in the rolling hills of the parkland and city skyline, while the passionate chefs create beautiful flavours for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Highlighting locally sourced produce, the menu features classic brekky favourites, delicious shared plates, and woodfired pizza to fill you up. The kids will love the playground near the Bistro, while the relaxed yet ambient dining scene makes for the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle.

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Corner Store Cafe

Toowong

Nestled in the heart of Toowong lies Corner Store Cafe, and yes – it’s as wholesome as it sounds. Homed in a historic turn-of-the-century cottage, Corner Store Cafe delivers a unique feel to enjoy your morning brew in. The cafes’s charming setting is only made better by the hearty meals prepared by talented chefs, washed down with a superbly brewed coffee or freshly squeezed juice. Whether you’re a loyal smashed avo fan or a sucker for something a little more exotic, Corner Store Cafe has something for you. Enjoy a fruity menu filled with favourite breakfasts from around the globe including Belgian waffles, chilli con carne, or Greek scrambled eggs, overlooking the gorgeous herb and veggie garden.

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Lady Marmalade

Stones Corner

Want a nice spot to enjoy your morning cap? This sunny spot in the heart of Stones Corner might be just what you ordered. What makes Lady Marmalade one of the best cafes in Brisbane? Maybe it’s the view overlooking the park? Or perhaps it’s the fact it sits inside a historical 100-year-old cafe and still contains relics from its past inhabitants, giving Lady Marmalade a quirky, antique charm. It could even be its extensive menu of hearty meals and tasty unique bites, from ricotta and blueberry pancakes, to mushroom ragout, and honey and rosemary glazed pork belly benedict. Whatever you decide are Lady Marmelade’s most striking assets, you can be assured there’s something that will appeal to everyone. Welcome to all, the cafe is a bustling scene on a weekend and definitely a perfect way to kick start your days off.

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Unbearable Bagels

Teneriffe

With a promise to deliver ‘bitchin’ bagels and black coffee’,  you know you’re in for a saucy experience at Unbearable Bagels. They don’t mess around here – bagels and specialty black coffee is all they do, and they do it well. Coffee purists and bagel snobs alike will unite over their offering, which includes seasonally changing bagel fillings using the finest ingredients. Start your morning in a savoury style with The Dealer (chorizo patty, egg, cheese, caramelised onion, homemade ketchup) or sweeten up with This One Is Fruity (Nutella and strawberries on a plain bagel). Just be warned: the specials are never around for long! 

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Pawpaw Cafe

Woolloongabba

As an OG on the Brisbane foodie scene, Pawpaw Cafe has been feeding locals with punchy flavours and beautifully plated dishes for 14 years – and counting! Pull up a seat and be transported to a tropical paradise, featuring all-day breakfast, Asian-inspired dishes, and their famous Thai menu for dinner. Order up their signature hash decked out in turmeric hummus, smashed avo, beetroot relish, and almond dukkah, or indulge in comfort with their creamy Malaysian yellow curry for lunch. As for drinks, their specialty coffee offering is now joined by a delicious matcha menu – think soft serve, affogato, floats, and more! We also recommend hitting follow on their oh-so-aesthetic Insta, so you’ll be the first in line for their next all-you-can eat bao night. 

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The New Black

Fortitude Valley

If you’re a coffee nut, you’ll definitely be satisfied with your daily dose at The New Black. The flagship store for The Black Lab Coffee Co., this cafe boasts premium coffee paired with innovative gourmet meals. You might not be inclined to head back into The Valley if you’ve spent a night out there, but trust us, you’ll be glad you did for their epic brunches. As the perfect place to get your morning feed, indulge in red velvet waffles, a chorizo burger, or build-your-own breakfast. Offering a grungy vibe with exposed brick walls and striking wall art, the hole-in–the-wall haunt is not to be missed.

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King Arthur

Fortitude Valley

Tuck into a flaky croissant and a warm brew at King Arthur Cafe – a two-storey brekky spot only a step away from James Street. Open daily for breakfast and lunch, this delightful spot offers delicious treats and dishes for all you kings and queens. Upon entry, you’ll be greeted by a packed-to-the brim cabinet of artisan-baked breads, pastries, and other goodies. With a full menu of our brekky favourites, King Arthur offers left-of-centre dishes such as mortadella eggs benny and salmon tartare, perfect for you foodies out there. If you’re more into the classics, enjoy the house granola or smashed avo in the cool and airy atmosphere.

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Felix For Goodness

Brisbane City

A cosy, hideaway cafe and restaurant in Brisbane’s hip Burnett Lane, Felix For Goodness knows how to warm your heart and stomach. With a vibey, neutral palate, this locale captures Brisbane’s Sunday feel for the entire week, with their all-day brunch menu featuring both savoury and sweet meals, perfect to satisfy all hungry visitors. Passionate about sustainability and conscious consumption, Felix For Goodness focuses on minimising waste and ethically sourcing all ingredients to do their part for the planet. The cafe is also licensed, so you can add a kick to your brunch with a glass from their thoughtful selection of beer, wine and spirit selection.

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Joedy’s

New Farm

Looking for a hearty meal to fill your belly? Joedy’s is up for the challenge, promising delicious brekky cult favourites. Located by the bustling Merthyr Village, Joedy’s is a local hot spot for a quick coffee stop before work or a lazy brunch on a Sunday morning. For all of you who can’t stop themselves from posting a cheeky brekky pic, Joedy’s get it – they wouldn’t be one of the best cafes in Brisbane without being easy on the eye too; their beautifully plated dishes topped with edible flowers and fresh fruit will give you the aesthetic Instagram pic your feed will adore.

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Morning After

West End

A West End favourite, this sundrenched space with white-washed brick walls, offers a neutral and vibey atmosphere perfectly contrasted with the bright and flavour-packed dishes coming out of the kitchen. Bring your family and friends for an equally indulgent yet nutritious meal selected from Morning After’s ‘Morning’ all day menu or their ‘After’ lunch menu. Fancy a morning indulgence? Their carbonara is practically iconic, with malloreddus, smoked bacon, mushroom, kale, parmigiano cream, and 63 degree egg. In fact, it’d be plausible to say their whole menu is iconic.

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Sister Cafe

Hawthorne

Good food and good vibes – this is what you’ll find at Sister. This light and breezy cafe in Hawthorne sets the vibe with peachy tones and hanging greenery. Tend to your hunger with one of Sister’s mouth-watering bites from crumpets to brekky gnocchi or cauliflower fritters. Good news dog-lovers! Your pooches are welcome to enjoy a morning munch, with pavement seating out in the fresh air. Enjoy a cuppa of Single O at Sister to satisfy your coffee cravings or sip on something tasty from Sister’s smoothie and shake menu. Malteser shake, anyone?

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Plant Vibes

Bowen Hills

It doesn’t get more homey than dining at Plant Vibes. Housed in a traditional Queenslander fitted out with Scandi design, Plant Vibes offers a unique dining experience – a 100% plant-based menu with seasonal changes. From strawberries and cream waffles to a breakfast croissant with tofu scramble and a housemade chive potato cake, the cafe also offers freshly baked goods in their cabinet and fresh smoothies to boot. The dog-friendly joint also doubles as a plant shop, so you can browse for your new green roommate on a full belly.

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To Be Or Not To Be

Westlake

Calling all theatre kids! We’ve found your new hangout. This Shakespearean-themed café brings quirk to the ‘burbs. While pondering the big questions, such as to be or not to be, enjoy a tasty breakfast or lunch only made better by the Shakespearean puns that they go by. Care for a Eggs Thy Way or Benny Act 3? If you’re worried that the food is also Elizabethan-inspired, do not fear – there’s no boiled meat or stewed broth here. Their menu features an array of unique delights, from mouth-watering wagyu spag bowl brioche sandwiches to Korean bibimbap with marinated tofu, house kimchi, and mixed mushrooms.

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Halo Ground

Fortitude Valley

Dig into a ‘gram worthy feed at Halo Ground! Inspired by the churches surrounding the cafe, these meals are nothing short of holy goodness. The seasonal menu is as pleasing for the palate as it is for the eyes, with an array of ingredients handpicked by the talented chefs. From the pork belly benny to their famous souffle pancakes, the inventive dishes are sure to have you coming back for more.

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Anouk Cafe

Paddington

For a feast that fills your soul and your stomach, look no further than Anouk. Renowned for their menu of international flavours, impeccably crafted, and happily served, the hearty offering is sure to brighten your morning. Level up your eggs on toast with Anouk’s cilbir – labneh, roasted pumpkin, and a perfectly runny egg. Sweet tooths will revel in the zeppole with traditional chocolate ricotta doughnuts dressed in choc orange ganache, mascarpone, and candied orange. Or, start your day with slow cooked lamb ragu, black olives, and fried garlic bread.

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The Gunshop Cafe

Chermside, Toowong, West End

The West End institution that has spread its delicious reign across Brisbane, this is cafe dining at its finest. Whether you opt for the original locale, the sleek Toowong cafe, or Chermside’s Modern Australian hub which also offers an evening menu, you’re in for classic dishes done incredibly well, including The Gunshop’s crowd favourites. Think potato and feta hash cakes, pork, apple, and sage, sausage, or green eggs and ham with pesto scrambled eggs and leg ham; just about everything on this menu 

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Mylk + Co

New Farm

Tucked away in the lush streets of New Farm, you’ll find an ode to wholesome dining that doesn’t compromise on taste. Catering to a variety of dietaries across their savoury brunch foods and decadent acai bowls, Mylk + Co work with local producers to deliver you the best from around town. Mylk + Co is also dog-friendly, treating your four-legged friend to a complimentary dog biscuit so they can start their day right too!

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Paddington Social

Paddington

Once an old Queenslander and now a home for innovative feasts, Paddington Social is the brainchild of three talented chefs, who sought a destination for each of their crafts – delicious breakfasts, scrumptious pastries, and creative Thai dishes. Throw in great coffee and a relaxed atmosphere, and you have yourself another one of the best cafes in Brisbane to add to your regular rotation. 

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The Green

Fortitude Valley

A relative newcomer to James Street’s high calibre of dining, The Green is a lush plant nursery that doubles as a Middle Eastern-inspired eatery. The authentic offering across breakfast and lunch is filled with exotic flavours and perfect spices, like grilled zhug marinated lamb cutlets and shawarma with smoked yogurt and toum. Hungry on the run? Their grab-and-go lunches are fresh, convenient, and positively drool-worthy.

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Huskk Cafe

Grange

Take your tastebuds on a journey of fresh, seasonal produce, locally sourced dishes, and thoughtfully handmade meals at Huskk. The light, contemporary space’s all-day menu takes a simple approach to its offering, in corn and zucchini fritters, gingerbread pancakes, and buttermilk chicken burgers and often has lunchtime dining specials. Huskk is also licensed, so you can add a tipple to your morning bliss from 10am!

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Let Minnow Cafe

Clayfield

Arguably the northside’s best kept secret, this suburban haunt serves up a breakfast and lunch menu that’s sure to keep you coming back for more! Curated by talented chefs who take cues from the seasonal offerings, feast on sauteed truffle mushrooms, wagyu cheeseburgers, and crab linguine, alongside Bear and the Beard coffee by Seven Miles – a smooth, sweet, and rich blend taking your morning cuppa up a notch. Or, if you’re feeling a little more cheeky, order from the bar stocked with wines by the glass, breakfast cocktails, beer, and cider.

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Corn Street Cafe

Ashgrove

A local icon with a new look, Corn Street Cafe is a favourite on the westside for homely flavours influenced by its owners’ Turkish and Latin backgrounds. Dishing up all-day breakfast and lunch from 10am, Corn Street Cafe welcomes you to indulge in the likes of Churrasco (sunny side up eggs, flank steak, rice avocado, and tomatillo salsa), Drunken Eggs (soy soft boiled egg, miso bean hummus, tempura pumpkin, savoury tofu mince, sesame sour cream & wasabi furikake), or Pollo a la Brasa (marinade chicken supreme, menestra, garden salad & aji verde). Plus, as a fully licensed venue, you can wash it all down with a delicious tipple or barista-made brews.

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WalkAbout Creek

The Gap

Total serenity is on the menu at this lush rainforest cafe, located only 25 minutes from the city while feeling a world away! Immerse yourself in nature as you sip on a fresh cup of coffee (or glass of bubbles) and soak in the gorgeous surroundings of D’Aguilar National Park. Walkabout Creek Cafe dishes up crowd pleasers on the daily, from jam-packed breakfasts in the morning to delicious pizzas, platters, and plates for lunch. Have an animal lover in the family? Meet the locals at Walkabout Creek with wildlife encounters nearby, or simply sit back on the deck and watch the tree kangaroos play below. It truly is a nature lover’s paradise!  

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Farmhouse Kedron

Kedron

Despite its convenient inner-city location, Farmhouse will have you feeling like you’re kicking back in a country sanctuary miles away. The bustling cafe dishes out a produce-driven menu – supporting local and regional farmers and providores – with restaurant chefs transforming the homegrown fare into seasonal menus honed by considerable skills. The sprawling cafe offers little pockets of atmospheric spaces, from the external veranda to the country hall, a forgotten laneway, the Farmhouse main room, and the old gelateria featuring a chandelier and all. With weekend crowds thronging to this Kedron locale on the regular, you can’t go wrong when you pull up a seat by the old farm saddles and milk tins to dig into made-from-scratch meals from 6.30am to 2.30pm.

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Bellezza Espresso Bar

Brisbane City

Get your morning cup of liquid gold in the heart of the city thanks to the modern and elegant Bellezza Espresso Bar. Serving up coffee with a smile, Bellezza’s classic 1920s Italian vibe doubles as a welcome reprieve in the bustling CBD, with locations on Creek Street (currently under renovation) and their new flagship QueensPlaza. Get comfy on their leather benches and dig into breakfast paninis, sweet treats, salad bowls, or delicious sandwiches and wraps, all made fresh daily with quality ingredients. There’s a reason why Italy is the capital of coffee and a sip (or bite!) at Bellezza Espresso Bar certainly proves the case. 

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Citron Bayside

Wellington Point

Enjoy coastal cuisine paired with the bayside breeze at this refreshing oasis designed for laidback dining! Citron Bayside has quickly cemented itself as a fan-favourite for drool-worthy shared plates with a broad range of seafood, salads, and vegetable options. Whether you keep it light with their signature housemade scones or sweeten the day with their famous buttermilk pancakes (think Canadian maple syrup, local strawberries, and mascarpone), both your eyes and taste buds are in for a treat. Bring your pup to make the most of their gorgeous outdoor space, as you relish in all the best of our glorious Sunshine State. Looking to quench your thirst? Join Citron on Saturdays for a delightful $12 spritz – we’ll cheers to that!  

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Nodo

Multiple Locations

Whoever said you can’t have donuts for breakfast hasn’t experienced the wholesome and gluten-free goodness at Nodo. Lovingly prepared with nothing but good intentions, Nodo’s ‘baked not fried’ donuts have a dedicated following all on their own. Combined with the cafe menu that emphasises fresh and seasonal ingredients as well as Nodo’s ethical and sustainable rich coffee roast, this Brisbane institution is where you can never go wrong. Just do yourself a favour and always get a box to take home! 

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If you think we’re missing a venue worth mentioning on  our Best of List with Style, get in touch with the team at advertising@stylemagazines.com.au

Header: @walkaboutcreekcafe / @____morningafter / @sister__cafe

 

 

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