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

City buzz, gourmet trails, surf breaks and art scenes are all at your fingertips.

When it comes to planning a trip, picking a holiday destination is the easy part. The real dilemma is where to set yourself up for the night. Do you go coastal, city, or countryside? Somewhere remote and rugged, or right in the action? Luckily, the Sunshine Coast, and huge number of amazing Sunshine Coast day trips, have kindly made the choice for you.

Ditch the hotel-hopping and suitcase-lugging. Instead, base yourself at Novotel Sunshine Coast or Mantra Mooloolaba , where big-city culture, vine-covered valleys, and theme parks are all within a two-hour drive.

1. Sunshine Coast to Brisbane

Drive time: 1 hour 20 minutes (105km)

Shake off the sand from your sandals and swap the beach for the throb of the Queensland capital. Ease in gently with a bougainvillea-filled stroll through South Bank, iced latte in hand, before cooling off at Streets Beach lagoon – Brisbane’s answer to the coast (but without the waves).

Once firmly in big-city mode, hit up the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) , home to Australia’s largest collection of modern and contemporary artworks. Dive into the past at the Queensland Museum, where prehistoric fossils of Australian dinosaurs and megafauna collide with First Nations cultural collections and interactive science exhibits.

All this learning got you hungry? Howard Smith Wharves calls. Here, riverside dining delivers breweries with meat-forward menus, Japanese fine dining and overwater bars. If you’ve got room for more, Fortitude Valley’s shopping boutiques await you and your wallet.

woman walking around Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) — Wander the Gallery of Modern Art. (Image: TEQ)

2. Sunshine Coast to the Scenic Rim

Drive time: 2 hours 15 minutes (170km)

Make your way inland to the Scenic Rim for the state’s best vineyards and age-old volcanic slopes. Start your day early (like, sparrow’s breakfast early) at O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat in Lamington National Park . Here, take a treetop walk through the canopy and hand-feed the wild birds who flock here.

Next, it’s your turn to eat. Here, the food scene operates where locally sourced produce is an expectation, not an exception. Order a picnic basket crammed with regional wine and cheese to devour next to the creek at Canungra Valley Vineyards . Or perhaps a grazing platter of vegan and non-vegan cheeses at Witches Falls Winery .

Feeling bold? Tackle the Twin Falls circuit in Springbrook National Park. Or keep the gourmet life going with a Scenic Rim Brewery tasting paddle, best enjoyed while taking in the rise of the Great Dividing Range.

woman with cheese and wine at Witches Falls Winery — Enjoy a cheese platter at Witches Falls Winery. (Image: TEQ)

3. Sunshine Coast to the Gold Coast

Drive time: 2 hours (180km)

Surf, sand and sparkling skylines might be the Gold Coast’s MO, but there’s more to Surfers Paradise and beyond. Kick things off with a beachfront coffee at Burleigh Heads, then hike through Burleigh Head National Park to look over the ocean and whale sightings (dependent on the season, of course).

Cool off in the calm waters of Tallebudgera Creek before chowing down on the famously buttery Moreton Bay bug rolls at Rick Shores . Travelling with the kids? Then you can’t miss Australia’s theme park capital, with Dreamworld ’s big rides and Warner Bros. Movie World ’s Hollywood treatment at hand to keep the family entertained.

aerial view of Tallebudgera Creek — Dive into Tallebudgera Creek. (Image: TEQ)

4. Sunshine Coast to Tweed Heads

Drive time: 2 hours 15 minutes (200km)

Dare to cross enemy lines? Then welcome to New South Wales. Tweed Heads blends the laid-back attitude of the Northern Rivers with high-quality dining, experimental art, and farm-fresh indulgence – a combo worth the drive.

Start strong with a long, lazy brunch at Tweed River House , then swing by Tropical Fruit World for exotic finds like red dragon fruit, handfuls of lychees and black sapote. Next, hit M|Arts Precinct – an art deco hub of micro galleries, artist workshops and one-off boutiques.

Round off the day with sunset drinks at Husk Distillers among the glowing cane fields, and order one with their famous Ink Gin. You’ll thank us later.

exterior of Husk Distillers — Taste the famous Ink Gin at Husk Distillers. (Image: Destination NSW)

5. Sunshine Coast Hinterland

Drive time: 1 hour (70km)

Strap on those hiking boots and make tracks inland, where volcanic peaks, misty rainforest and hinterland townships beckon. Ease in with the Glass House Mountains Lookout Walk, or, if you have energy to burn, tackle the Mount Ngungun Summit Walk for a 360-degree sight of the surrounding summits.

Next: Montville. This township delivers European-style architecture and old-world appeal. Nearby, settle in at Flame Hill Vineyard, where a large pour of estate-grown wine comes with encompassing views of the countryside.

Not ready to leave the hinterland villages just yet? Of course not. Meander past art galleries and indie shops at Maleny. Nab some fudge from Sweets on Maple for a sweet fix. Or go salty at Maleny Dairies with a farm tour and a chunky wedge of their deliciously creamy cheese.

End the day among the eucalypts and rainforests of Kondalilla National Park. Here, the Kondalilla Falls Circuit winds down through trees humming with life to a rock pool beneath a waterfall – as if designed for soaking tired feet before heading back to the coast.

view of Mount Ngungun on the scenic rim queensland — Take on the Mount Ngungun Summit Walk (Image: TEQ)

Start planning your Sunshine home base at all.com.

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