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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Address: 97 Ekibin Rd, Brisbane
