Looking for a place to enjoy your next morning pick-me-up in Brisbane? Whether you’re a local or visiting Queensland’s capital for work or leisure, Brisbane is packed with fantastic cafes and eateries featuring big breakfasts, premium bean roasters and a variety of different settings. If you’re looking for a coffee or breakfast fix in the sunshine state, be sure to check out our top 10 best cafes in Brisbane.
Ltd Espresso + Brew Bar, Fortitude Valley
The team at Ltd Espresso puts a huge focus on their coffee, while also offering a small, yet tasty, selection of pastries, muffins and other cafe classics to compliment the fantastic blends and origins served up at the bar. This Fortitude Valley cafe is definitely one for coffee lovers, with three different coffees carefully selected for a particular style of drinker – whether you like your cup of Joe white, black or filtered. If coffee isn’t your thing, the cafe’s drinks menu also features hot chocolate, tea and an assortment of cold beverages.
Gunshop Cafe, West End
Nestled in the middle of Brisbane’s eclectic West End, the Gunshop Cafe is a great spot for a relaxing brunch or afternoon tea catch-up. Often considered to be one of the city’s first breakfast hotspots, the Gunshop serves up a flavour-packed menu that encompasses breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert and a variety of drinks. Settle in for a good cup of Merlo coffee and grab a bite to eat within the cafe’s character-filled heritage building. A longtime member of Brisbane’s cafe scene, the Gunshop continues to attract large numbers throughout weekend mornings, so plan an early visit to avoid missing out on a table.
Bunker Coffee, Milton
Tucked away in an ivy clad bomb shelter that dates back to the 1940s, the super hip Bunker Coffee is right near Milton Station and just a short walk from the Milton Ferry Terminal. Alongside a small-scale food menu, this hidden gem serves up a house blend from Five Senses and a rotating menu of blends sourced from roasters around the country. First opened in 2010, this hole in the wall spot also offers an extended menu of iced coffee, filter coffee, hot chocolate, tea, and more.
Pearl Cafe, Woolloongabba
Another foodie pick that pits Woolloongabba against some of the city’s other acclaimed dining districts, Pearl Cafe is considered to be a true Brisbane institution. Set within a two storey terrace dating to the Victorian era, the eatery offers a menu filled with modern takes on cafe classics, delicious mains and an assortment of dishes that are perfect for sharing. From delightful sweet treats through to hearty mains, Pearl Cafe serves up great food from 7am, including lunch and dinner (four nights a week).
Billykart Kitchen, Annerley
Operated by celebrity chef Ben O’Donoghue and his wife Dee, Billykart Kitchen is a licensed cafe situated in the southern suburb of Annerley. Set up in an old corner store, the cafe’s menu features a fantastic assortment of fresh local produce, seasonal ingredients and housemade cakes, jams, butters and cream. Straddling the fine line between cafe and restaurant, Billykart Kitchen does serve good Campos coffee, but is perhaps best known for the incredible dishes sent out by its kitchen.
Death Before Decaf, New Farm
If you’re craving a cup of coffee in the late afternoon or after dark, you can be hard pressed to find a cafe that is still serving customers, but Death Before Decaf in New Farm has you well and truly covered. Open 24 hours, seven days a week, the hardcore, heavy metal and skate culture inspired espresso bar is the perfect place to stop by and pick up a fresh cup of Bellissimo Coffee. Adorned with skateboard decks and all manner of interesting decor, Death Before Decaf is a great place to head when the caffeine cravings kick in, regardless of the hour.
Cafe O-Mai, Annerley
Focused on delivering simple, home style Vietnamese comfort food, a visit to Cafe O-Mai in Annerley is the perfect way to start your day. Take your pick from Vietnamese-inspired interpretations of cafe classics, or fill up on traditional dishes such as pho, banh mi, vermicelli salads and marinated charcoal grilled chicken. Whether you’re feeling like a big bowl of flavour-rich pho at 7am or are after some great options for lunch, Cafe O-Mai delivers a menu that comes complete with Toby’s Estate’s Woolloomooloo blend, Vietnamese iced coffee, a variety of teas, and fresh juice blends.
King Arthur Cafe, Fortitude Valley
Operated by the same team that first launched South Brisbane’s Merriweather, Fortitude Valley’s King Arthur Cafe places a firm focus on local, organic and sustainable produce, resulting in a food selection dictated by what is in season and readily available from suppliers. Ever changing and packed with flavour, King Arthur’s food menu provides some fantastic options for breakfast or lunch on the go. If you’ve got time to spare, settle in for a cup of coffee, a seasonal smoothie or a cold press juice, and admire the cafe’s charming refurbished warehouse setting.
Naïm, Paddington
Set within an old Queenslander cottage, Naïm adds a touch of modern Middle Eastern flair to Paddington’s cafe scene. Serving an assortment of dishes filled with aromatic spices and Middle Eastern-inspired flavours, options such as shakshuka (eggs baked in a rich tomato sauce), stuffed Israeli pita and the cafe’s own unique take on avocado on toast (complete with Persian feta, dukkah, pomegranate gel, dill and poached eggs), offer no shortage of fantastic culinary treats. Whether you’re planning to stop by for breakfast or lunch, Naïm is a cafe that is certainly well worth checking out next time you find yourself in Paddington.
The Jam Pantry, Greenslopes
Another Brisbane eatery embracing the use of fresh and seasonal produce, Greenslopes’ The Jam Pantry not only serves up an assortment of all day cafe classics, but also builds out a new and creative specials menu each and every month based on what’s available from their suppliers. Owner Nims also stocks the cafe with her delicious homemade jams and preserves, meaning you can take a taste of The Jam Pantry home with you. Coffee lovers aren’t forgotten either, with the cafe brewing the Supreme “Origin” blend and steeping luxurious T2 teas.
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