The 19 Best Cafes In Brisbane | Australian Traveller

No longer playing second fiddle to Sydney and Melbourne, the cafe scene in Brisbane has exploded in recent years.

From hidden laneway gems and delightful bakeries to inner-city staples and sun-filled establishments, there’s a cafe for every occasion in Brisbane.

Here are the 19 best cafes in Brisbane to give you some inspiration.

1. Little Black Pug

Named after the owners’ two pugs Bowie and Mate, Little Black Pug has a small menu that packs a punch, utilising fresh local produce and integrating different cuisines into their food.

It’s also a pet-friendly cafe (naturally, given the name) and serves up doggie meatballs and a ‘Puggy-cino’ for your furry friends.

Pancakes from Little Black Pug cafe in Brisbane. — Little Black Pug packs a punch. (Image: Shaelah Ariotti)

Address: 6/1297 Logan Rd, Mt Gravatt

2. Alphabet Cafe

Head to Alphabet Cafe for your favourite baked goods. While they do have a classic breakfast menu to order from with all the savoury breakfast faves, the celebration cake menu with cookies, muffins, slices, brownies, doughnuts and more is where it’s at! Making everything in-house where possible and only using the freshest produce, you’ll come back to Alphabet time and time again.

Alphabet Cafe exterior in Brisbane — Head to Alphabet Cafe for your favourite baked goods.

Address: 243 Boundary Street, West End

3. Lait Noir

Embrace your inner Emily Cooper from the Netflix hit show Emily In Paris at Lait Noir , a Parisian-style cafe in the Brisbane CBD. Lait Noir does French favourites like roast beef baguettes, truffle egg brioche rolls and a vast selection of French pastries that will transport your tastebuds right to the French capital.

Address: G2, 144 Edward Street, Brisbane

4. Single O Newstead

The iconic Surry Hills cafe that changed Sydney’s coffee scene, Single O has arrived in the heart of Newstead. Known for its signature coffee, self-serve batch brew taps, cult-favourite oat iced latte and classic coffee bar menu, caffeine lovers in Brisbane must stop in at this hotspot.

Single O Newstead cafe in Brisbane exterior — Single O has arrived in the heart of Newstead. (Image: Patrick McKenzie)

The menu is to die for with unique dishes like the mushroom kimchi toastie and the avo show, which adds achiote cashew cheese and pickled fennel to a traditional smashed avo.

Single O Newstead cafe in Brisbane dishes and coffee — The food is just as good as the coffee. (Image: Patrick McKenzie)

Address: 16 Austin St, Newstead

5. Lisboa Caffé

Famous for its well-loved pastéis de natas (Portuguese custard tarts), Lisboa Caffé is found in uber-cool Fish Lane. A visit here isn’t complete without trying its authentic sweet treat, but the cafe also dishes up savoury breakfast items like bacon and egg rolls and beet hummus on toast.

Portuguese custard tarts from Lisboa Caffé in Brisbane — Lisboa Caffé is famous for its Portuguese custard tarts.

Address: 58 Hope St, South Brisbane

6. The Green

The Green is a lush Middle Eastern-inspired cafe filled with leafy plants in Fortitude Valley’s James Street. Not only will you get some incredible pics for Insta, but you’ll be blown away by the menu as it puts a spin on traditional brunch and celebrates Lebanese cuisine. Opt for the baklava French toast or the Sabah porridge for the full experience.

Middle Eastern-inspired food from The Green cafe in Brisbane — The Green is a lush Middle Eastern-inspired cafe.

Address: Shop 1/27 James Street, Fortitude Valley

7. St Coco Cafe

St Coco Cafe is another photo-worthy cafe to add to the list. The aesthetic is rustic, it’s full of cacti and succulents, and it’s pet-friendly too.

This stunning cafe also offers a unique menu that will have you drooling. Think bratwurst benedict, acai bowls and coconut pancakes.

Border Collie dog at St Coco Cafe in Brisbane — St Coco Cafe is pet-friendly, so bring your dog along.

Address: Shop 8B, 3-5 Cupania Street, Daisy Hill

8. Bear Boy Espresso

Bear Boy Espresso is the second instalment from the people who brought you the Gold Coast cafe of the same name.

Located in a 100-year-old classically restored character building, there is nothing old-fashioned about Bear Boy. Not only is it super cute, but the food is a perfect hangover cure. The eggs benny on a crispy potato hash waffle is a classic, but we can never go past the chicken and waffles.

special brunch menu laid out at the table at BearBoy Espresso, Bendigo — All great brunch choices at BearBoy Espresso.

Address: Shop 8, 180 Albion Road, Windsor

9. Morning After

This bright and airy Brisbane cafe is the perfect antidote to sore heads and tired eyes. As the name suggests, if you need a little hair of the dog, you’ll be able to liven up with mimosas, bloody Marys, beer, and wine.

If you’re a later riser, there’s also a lunch menu from 11:00 am with dishes like squid ink spaghetti, tempura bug tacos, or massaman curry.

Morning After Brisbane — An aesthetic paradise.

Address: Corner of Vulture Street and Cambridge Street, West End

10. Agnes Bakery

Starting as a pop-up during lockdowns from the team at Agnes (who are also behind Brisbane restaurants Same Same, Honto, and Bianca), Agnes Bakery , with its undeniable popularity, launched a permanent venue on James Street.

The bakery has a wood-fired oven as well as a custom-built pastry kitchen, so be prepared to wait in line to get your hands on delights such as smoked potato sourdough, chocolate tarts, and Kouign Amann. Don’t forget to grab a coffee to go as well.

Kouign Amanns from Agnes Bakery. — Agnes Bakery often does special Kouign Amann’s.

Address: 85 James Street, Fortitude Valley

11. Industry Beans Newstead

Housed inside an airy warehouse, Industry Beans Newstead is a breath of fresh air. Dine on their seasonal menu which features brunch delights like fig and goat’s cheese omelette, the porcini nest and a banana bubble waffle. They also have an extensive coffee menu that allows you to choose your favourite coffee blends.

Address: 18 Proe Street Newstead

12. Andonis Cafe

Andonis Cafe has three locations across Brisbane where you can tuck into the huge menu, so you’ve got plenty of opportunities to try everything on the list.

And when I say huge menu, I don’t just mean the number of items. With a big breakfast that comes with a warning regarding its size and a chicken schnitzel loaded with eggs benedict, make sure you’re hungry when you come here.

Double Fluffy Buttermilk Pancakes with vanilla ice cream at Andonis Cafe & Bar — Satisfy your sweet tooth cravings with these double-fluffy buttermilk pancakes with vanilla ice cream at Andonis Cafe.

Address: 4/281 Station Rd, Yeerongpilly

13. Lune Croissanterie

A household name for pastry fiends in Melbourne, Lune Croissanterie has opened two shops in Brisbane – one in the CBD and one in South Brisbane .

As well as serving up the croissants The New York Times declared as possibly “the finest in the world," Lune offers specialty coffee and other sweet treats including Kouign Amann and cruffins, with monthly specials utilising seasonal ingredients.

So, although not technically a cafe, you can’t not try Lune when you’re in Brisbane.

Interior of the Manning Sy Lune Croissanterie. — Lune Croissanterie has two Brisbane locations.

Address: CBD – Entrance on Burnett Lane, Shop 10/79 Adelaide St, Brisbane City
South Brisbane – 15 Manning St, South Brisbane

14. Citron Bayside

Open all day, Citron Bayside is a summer destination with coastal breezes flowing through the venue as you dine on light, coastal dishes. On weekdays, visit during coffee happy hour from 7am to 8am, where you can get a small hot coffee, dine in or takeaway, for just $3.⁠ The Caprese avocado toast is a nice twist on the classic and paired with a refreshing iced matcha, Citron Bayside is the place to be this summer.

Interior of Citron Bayside cafe in Brisbane — Citron Bayside is a summer destination.

Address: 354 Main Rd, Wellington Point

15. Wild Canary

The rhythms of the seasons are vitally important to the chefs at Wild Canary – a bistro renowned for being botanically minded. It’s not unusual for vegetarians and vegans to be a second thought at cafes, but not here. Devour mushrooms on toast or a warm coconut rice pudding and you’ll start the day with a bang.

Vegetarian breakfast at Wild Canary cafe Brisbane. — The vego-friendly menu is to-dine-for. (Image: Simone Gonzalez)

Address: 2371 Moggill Rd, Brookfield

16. Petrichor & Co

Meaning ‘the pleasant smell of earth after rain’ in ancient Greek, Petrichor & Co is a cool cafe in Hamilton, inspired by Colombian and Latin American flavours. Try the cheese empanadas with pineapple and chilli sauce, the carne asada sandwich and the cassava chips for an authentic dining experience.

Petrichor & Co cafe interior in Brisbane — Petrichor & Co is a cool cafe inspired by Colombian and Latin American flavours.

Address: Shop 1/33 Racecourse Road, Hamilton

17. Lokal + Co

A touch of Scandinavia in Brisbane? Yes, please. This sleek timber , copper and white-walled cafe wears its Nordic influences lightly – think potato served with house-cured salmon gravlax, coriander chutney and cucumber labneh.

And who can go past a morning cocktail? With a few different mimosas (lychee, yum) and some other classics, it’s the ideal brunch spot.

a bowl of poached pear porridge at Lokal + Co, Brisbane — Fill your tummy with a bowl of poached pear porridge at Lokal + Co.

Address: 6 O’Connell Street, West End

18. The Brooke

Sitting in front of a heritage-listed former church in Fortitude Valley, The Brooke is a quiet cafe that provides a delightful escape from Fortitude Valley’s energetic atmosphere. Their menu is quiet, too, with a handful each of small bites and larger brekky items. The wholly crumpets with fig, toffee ice cream and honeycomb are our pick of the bunch.

Address: 116 Brookes Street, Fortitude Valley

19. Snag & Brown

A quaint little cafe around 15 minutes from the Brisbane CBD, Snag & Brown has an extensive all-day menu with all your favourite breakfast items and sweet treats. It’s also pet friendly with its very own dog park – a fenced area at the back of the outdoor seating, where dogs can be let off lead – and serves up puppaccinos in wide, low-rise bowls.

Snag & Brown cafe exterior in Brisbane — Snag & Brown has an extensive all-day menu.

Address: 97 Ekibin Rd, Brisbane

Exploring the world’s largest sand island starts with the perfect K’gari homebase.

The morning light is still soft, but it’s already a perfect sunny day. We left our K’gari homebase at Kingfisher Bay Resort with our guide, Peter Meyer, at 9 am to make the most of our time to explore all that the world’s largest sand island holds. The size of K’gari is hard to grasp until you arrive here. This is no sandbar. Stretching 120 kilometres, unique lakes, mangrove systems, rainforest, 75 Miles of beach, historic shipwrecks, small townships and even one of Queensland’s best bakeries are all hidden within its bounds.

But first, one of the island’s most iconic sights: the pure silica sand and crystal clear waters of Lake McKenzie.

Laying eyes on it for the first time, I’m finally able to confirm that the photos don’t lie. The sand is pure white, without the merest hint of yellow. The water fades from a light halo of aqua around the edges to a deeper, royal blue, the deeper it gets (not that it’s particularly deep, six metres at most). The surface remains surprisingly undisturbed, like a mirror.

Arriving with our guide before 10 am means that no one else is around when we get here. Which means we have the pleasure of breaking the smooth surface with our own ripples as we enter. As a self-confessed wimp with chilly water temperatures, my fears are quickly assuaged. Even in the morning, the water stays around 23 degrees – perfect for lazing about all day. But we have more sights to see.

Exploring K’gari

ariel of in lake mckenzie on k'gari fraser island — Relax in the warm waters of Lake McKenzie. (Image: Ayeisha Sheldon)

This was the Personalised 4WD tour offered by Kingfisher Bay Resort, and my absolute top pick of experiences. Over the course of the day, we had the freedom to create our own bespoke itinerary (plus a provided picnic lunch along the way), with an expert guide who had plenty of stories and local expertise to give context to what we were looking at. From the history of the SS Maheno shipwreck, which survived the First World War only to be washed ashore by a cyclone in 1935, to a detailed description of how an island made of sand could sustain such diverse flora.

If it’s your first time to K’gari, the Beauty Spots Tour is another great option. Departing daily from Kingfisher Bay Resort (you’ll start to notice a trend, as many of the tours do start and end here), an air-conditioned, 4WD bus takes guests to the island’s most iconic locations, including the best places to swim, like Lake McKenzie and Eli Creek. The latter offers a gentle current, perfect for riding with a blow-up tyre out towards the ocean.

The next day, for a look at a completely different side of K’gari, I joined one of Kingfisher Bay Resort’s Immersive Ranger-guided tours to kayak through the mangroves of Dundonga Creek. This long, snake-like stretch of creek winds its way inland from the ocean outlet we entered by, at times too narrow for three kayaks to be side-by-side. Small insects buzz from leaf to leaf, while birds call overhead. Occasional bubbles indicate we’ve passed some fish that call this place home.

kayak tour through the mangroves at k'gari island — Learn about the island’s mangroves from your Ranger. (Image: Reuben Nutt/ TEQ)

If kayaking isn’t for you – or if, like me, you simply want more – other ranger-led experiences include nature walks and a dedicated Junior Eco Ranger Program for kids ages five to 12 (these run every weekend, and daily over the peak December holidays). Just ask for a timetable of upcoming tours when you check in.

While during whale season, Hervey Bay Whale Watch & Charters operates tours from the hotel’s jetty to get up close to the famous Humpback Highway of Hervey Bay, from 7 November to 31 May, attention turns to the Aqua Oasis Cruise . Departing from the resort every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday for resort guests, adventure along the island’s remote western coast, pointing out wildlife like dolphins, turtles, flying fish and eagles along the way.

The cruise drops anchor so guests can jump into the water using the boat’s equipment – from SUP boards to inflatable slides and jumping platforms. Then refuel with a provided lunch, of course.

Unwind at sunset

two people drinking cocktails at sunset bar, kingfisher bay resort — Unwind at the Sunset Bar. (Image: Sean Scott)

As much as days on K’gari can be filled with adventure, to me, the afternoons and evenings there are for unwinding. Sunsets on K’gari are absolutely unbelievable, with Kingfisher Bay on the west side being the best spot to catch the colours.

The Sunset Bar , located at the start of the resort’s jetty and overlooking the beach, is the ultimate location for sundowners. Let chill beats wash over you as you sip on cool wines, beers and cocktails in a relaxed, friendly vibe. Personally, a cheese board was also absolutely called for. As the sun sinks, the sand, sea and horizon turn a vibrant shade of orange, with the jetty casting a dramatic shadow across the water.

When the show is over, head back to the hotel for dinner at the Asian-fusion Dune restaurant, or the pub-style Sand + Wood. But if your appetite is still whetted for more lights and colours, the evening isn’t over yet.

Settle into the Illumina stage for Return to Sky, an immersive light and sound show leading viewers on a captivating journey through K’gari’s stories and landscapes.

Indulge and disconnect

woman setting up massage room at kingfisher bay resort Island Day Spa — Find bliss at Island Day Spa. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

Of course, there is a type of traveller who knows that balance is important, day or night. While Kingfisher Bay Resort offers more than one pool for guests to spend all day lounging by (they’ll even serve you food and drinks while you do it), you’ll find me at the Island Day Spa.

The masseuses could match the magic hands of any big city spa, and I felt the warm welcome as I walked into the light, breezy reception. Choose from a range of botanical facials, beauty treatments and soothing massages using traditional techniques (obviously, I couldn’t go past a relaxing massage). All products used contain organic, native botanical ingredients with nutrient-rich plant extracts to soothe skin and mind. To really indulge, try out one of the packages, couples treatment or even a pre-wedding day offering.

Getting there

kingfisher bay resort 4wd tour driving passed ss maheno on k'gari island — The world of K’gari awaits. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

Getting to K’gari is shockingly easy. Find daily flights into Hervey Bay from Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. Kingfisher Bay Resort offers a shuttle bus between the airport, their headquarters in Hervey Bay and the ferry to take you to K’gari.

19 must-visit Brisbane cafes you can’t miss in 2024