Hangry? Order Up At Brisbane’s Best Cafes
I’ll have the…
By Style Journo | 9th June 2023Looking 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! Hide the form
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Victoria Park
Herston
Surrounded by blooming parkland and city views, Victoria Park’s family-friendly Bistro offers a menu for all that’s packed with tasty dishes. It’s the perfect place to grab a cuppa or while away a sunny Saturday with family and friends. The relaxed yet ambient dining scene at the Bisto caters for all from couples to bigger groups, and meetings. And, conveniently overlooking the kids playground, parents can sit back on the terrace and enjoy a meal while the kids play. Grab a bite off their seasonal menu after a round of putt-putt of gold practice – their local ingredients and produce are fresh and plentiful!
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.
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.
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!
Paw Paw Cafe
Woolloongabba
A bustling cafe in the heart of Woolloongabba, Paw Paw Cafe offers beautifully plated dishes and punchy flavours. Feeding you all day long, take your pick from brekky favourites as well as Asian-inspired lunch dishes. And you better believe us when we say it’s good; where else but at one of the best cafes in Brisbane could you wake up and tuck into a tasty Golden Gaytime Waffle or a creamy Mac and Cheese Benedict? Had a big night and missed brekky? Nothing like recovering with a Malaysian yellow curry or steamed bao. Paw Paw Cafe also hosts occasional evening events such as all-you-can-eat boa boa taco nights – just keep an eye on their oh-so-aesthetic Insta for deets.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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!
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.
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.
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!
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.
Corn Street Cafe
Ashgrove
Dig into a delightful dish of Mediterranean and Latin-inspired options at Corn Street Cafe – the home of hearty, healthy food. A family owned and operated cafe with plenty of ambience, this is one wholesome place to stop and grab a bite. With a strong focus on local and quality ingredients, Corn St Cafe’s offerings are made fresh, with plenty of options on the cards for breakfast and lunch such as their benedicts, pollo a la brasa, or tacos, plus grab-and-go selection like their signature carrot cake and savoury selections such as seasonal salads, housemade sausage rolls, and toasties. Down for an afternoon tipple? This charming little suburban hangout is licensed, and plays host to trivia nights, Turkish mosaic lamp workshops, and other local events.
The Kitchen
Brisbane City
With a relaxed sophistication that’s nothing if not authentic, The Kitchen at Old Government House offers a sandstone oasis in the heart of the Brisbane CBD. With a location steeped in 100 years of Queensland history, it’s natural that the menu and atmosphere have both been carefully curated to help visitors enjoy the very best of this stunning landmark. With everything from expertly brewed espresso to their famous Vienna loaf sandwiches, and daily custom salad selections, The Kitchen is your charming neighbourhood cafe, just elevated. Oh, and for something a bit finer, did we mention the wine list and premium dining menu? With favourites like stockyard beef terres, green pea mousse, and buttered broccolini, we promise you won’t need your arm twisted.
WalkAbout Creek
Enoggera
Get away from it all, grab a gourmet picnic, and spend the day experiencing a piece of Brisbane’s rainforest history at Walkabout Creek. Originally opened as a wildlife reserve and tea house in 1988 as part of Brisbane’s legendary Expo ‘88, Walkabout Creek is a beautiful, serene spot to enjoy a brew (or two). Whether getting the family out into nature, or taking a moment for yourself during the week, the Walkabout Creek cafe has all of your breakfast favourites (hello, avo on toast), as well as snacks for the littles, pizzas, and fantastic vegetarian options. And did we mention the coffee? It’s freshly brewed and fabulous.
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.
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.
Still hungry? You can check out the rest of the best in food here. Or, you can read the latest issue of Style here.
