The 11 Best Cafes In Toowoomba

The so-called Garden City is brimful of cafes – take your pick from eight of Toowoomba’s best.

The pretty little city of Toowoomba, has a surprisingly vast supply of cafes that tap into all kinds of different tastes. From a hole-in-the-wall skateshop-cum-coffee-house to a social enterprise cafe that showcases the works of local artists, and a Melbourne-esque laneway cafe with an inventive menu, start the day right at one of the best cafes in Toowoomba.

1. Ortem

Ortem cafe toowoomba — Dive into colourful and tasty dishes. (Image: TEQ)

Situated right next to Toowoomba station, this smart little cafe is open daily for breakfast, brunch and lunch. Ortem is a perennially popular spot that always seems to be buzzing with punters, and serves up colourful, artfully plated dishes at its streetside tables. The menu runs the gamut of all the classics, but often with a small twist: the avocado toast is sprinkled with dukkah, the buttermilk pancakes are topped with passionfruit curd and fairy floss, and there’s a veg-heavy eggs Benny just for vegetarians. Moreover, if your appetite’s yet to pique, you can opt for a mini portion of one of the mains, or try one of Ortem’s special sweet and savoury boards out for size.

Address: 15 Railway Street, Toowoomba City, QLD, 4350
Website: ortem.com.au

2. Ground Up Espresso Bar

Ground up espresso bar cafe toowoomba — Feel like you’ve stepped into Melbourne at Ground Up. (Image: TEQ)

Come for the inventive and decadent breakfast menu, stay for the expertly brewed single-origin Blackboard Coffee Roasters’ coffee’, should be the mantra at Ground Up Espresso. Located in a mural-freckled laneway, this overachieving Toowoomba cafe has a bit of a playful Melbourne air about it. Gorge on wildly fluffy ricotta pancakes, or the super stacked Benny, replete with double-smoked bacon, slow-cooked brisket, a house hash brown, fried halloumi, spinach, poached free-range eggs, hollandaise, and locally made sourdough. Not for counting calories.

Address: 501 Ruthven St, Toowoomba City, QLD, 4350
Website: facebook.com/grounduptoowoomba

3. Sweet Talk Coffee

table spread of food at Sweet Talk Coffee toowoomba — Enjoy meals with a sophisticated continental inspiration.

Housed within the recently developed Longs Quarter, Sweet Talk Coffee is a strong addition to Toowoomba’s booming cafe scene. With its exposed brick walls, tall ceilings and concrete bar counter, there’s an air of industrial-chic to this light-filled space in the city centre. The menu, meanwhile, has a definite whiff of sophisticated continental inspiration – dishes such as crispy sumac squid with romesco sauce, labneh and fried capers; and ricotta doughnuts bathing in a sauce of house-made crème diplomat and roasted apple, line the menu.

Address: 3/203 Margaret St, Toowoomba City, QLD, 4350
Website: sweettalkcoffee.com.au

4. The Finch

bowl of soup at the finsh cafe toowoomba — Taste comforting modern Australian dishes at The Finch (Image: Facebook/ The Finch)

Chow down on tasty modern Australian food for breakfast and lunch at The Finch in downtown Toowoomba. Meals are intriguingly colourful, and if you’re lucky, your coffee might even come with some pretty impressive foam art.

Can’t get enough? They’ve have a second location in East Toowoomba that also happens to stay open on Friday and Saturday nights (in addition to everyday breakfast and lunch), serving up Italian-style pizzas for dinner.

Address: 469 Ruthven St, Toowoomba CBD, QLD, 4350
Website: thefinch.com.au

5. Framed Espresso bar

Coffee paddle Framed Espresso. — Morning tea is sorted at Framed Espresso.

A speciality coffee bar located in the ‘burbs, Framed is among the city’s best when you’re in need of a caffeine fix. Make a morning of it and tuck into some of the bar’s cakes and pastries, settling into one of their leather armchairs, or timber bar stools, and enjoying some downtime with a good book. The venue shares the space with a framing studio, so you could peruse the selection before setting off too.

Address: Corner, Ruthven Street, Hurstway Ct, Toowoomba City, QLD, 4350
Website: downsframing.com.au/framed-espressobar-toowoomba

6. Grinds espresso rail

Wolff Roasters coffee at rinds Espresso Rail — Grinds Espresso Rail is serious about Wolff Roasters coffee.

A dedicated skateshop cafe slap bang in the centre of the city, Grinds Espresso Rail is serious about two things: its Wolff Roasters coffee, and the skateboards and skate apparel it purveys. This well-loved hole-in-the-wall shop zeroes in on all things local, from the beans that come from a micro-roastery in Brisbane to the independent skate attire labels it hosts, showcasing homegrown talent. Fans of Grinds’ brews can also take home a box of Wolff Roasters’ bold ready-to-drink cold brew, as well as its beans.

Address: 2/255 Margaret St, Toowoomba City, QLD, 4350
Website: facebook.com/grindsespressorailtoowoomba

7. Sage+Butler Neighbourhood Cafe

This small East Toowoomba neighbourhood cafe has a loyal following for its reliably strong coffee, reasonable prices, friendly and welcoming atmosphere, and rather moreish cinnamon scrolls. Pull up a pew at one of the tables outside on leafy Margaret Street and devour one of Sage+Butler’s homemade cakes and quiches in the sunshine.

Address: 62 Margaret St, East Toowoomba, QLD, 4350
Website: facebook.com/sagebutlerneighbourhoodcafe

8. Banter Coffee Kitchen

SAge green facade at Banter — Banter is a social-enterprise cafe.

A cafe with a difference, the bohemian Banter Coffee Kitchen is a social enterprise, offering employment opportunities to the local migrant and refugee community. The cafe even boasts its own commission-free gallery wall, named The Brouhaha, where works by Toowoomba’s local artists are showcased and rotated every six weeks. There’s a real community feel to this Toowoomba CBD establishment, with growlers of local honey for sale, and a new mural from the exhibiting artist gracing the cafe’s facade every six weeks.

Address: 229 Margaret St, Toowoomba City, QLD, 4350
Website: facebook.com/BANTERCOFFEEKITCHEN

9. The Baker’s Duck

baked goods at The Baker's Duck in toowoomba — Taste freshly baked goods.

For those who (correctly) feel that it doesn’t get better than freshly baked treats, pop into The Baker’s Duck. Almond croissants, brownies or fruit danishes, oh my. Locals also line up for their coffee to wash down their bakery breakfasts. If you’re on a deadline, order online and pick up your order to go.

Address: 124 Campbell Street, Toowoomba, QLD, 4350
Website: thebakersduck.com.au

10. Park House Cafe

meal and wine at Park House Cafe toowoomba — Eat al fresco at Park House Cafe. (Image: Facebook/Park House Cafe)

Get out and enjoy the Toowoomba sun with a meal at Park House Cafe across from the beautiful Queens Park in the heritage conservation precinct. Sit down to breakfast and lunch (or take it away and picnic across the road) with all your Aussie cafe favourites on offer.

Address: 124 Campbell Street, Toowoomba, QLD, 4350
Website: parkhousecafe.com.au

11. Cafe Valetta

Cafe Valetta toowoomba — Revel in the historic decor as much as the food. (Image: TEQ)

Get a little bit of culture when you dine at Cafe Valetta. Named after the historical home it’s housed in, chandelier-lit rooms and an elegant outdoor courtyard tell the stories of its history, dating back to 1911 (although it’s had many eras since then). Pop in for breakfast, lunch or dinner, with a menu boasting classics like Bruschetta, pies, fish and chips and sangas. Book a high tea when you’re looking for something a little elevated.

Address: 96 Margaret Street, Toowoomba, QLD, 4350
Website: cafevaletta.com.au

Beyond the sand, sea and food scene, Townsville is shaping up to be the new events capital of the Sunshine State.

Townsville is quickly making a name for itself as an events capital of Queensland. From worldwide sporting events to celebrations of the arts, there’s never been a better time to align your next tropical getaway with the unbeatable vibes of an event in Townsville.

The yearly calendar is full, meaning there’s an event for everyone. But these are shaping up to be some of the biggest events in 2025.

1. North Australian Festival of Arts (NAFA)

24 Sep – 12 Oct 2025

While sun, sea and sand might be the first images conjured up at a mention of Townsville, the tropical city is fast making a name for itself as a cultural hub. Experience it at its best during the North Australian Festival of Arts.

Over several weeks, the famous Strand in Townsville will be bursting with colour, sound and energy as it celebrates the arts, culture and community. Catch theatre, cabaret, dance, circus acts and so much more. Stop to listen to world-class live music and even get involved with interactive workshops.

In previous years, the Queensland Symphony Orchestra performed a free outdoor concert and Brisbane Author, Trent Dalton, was there to share his latest book.

performers at North Australian Festival of Arts (NAFA) — Catch live music and more.

2. Supercars NTI Townsville 500

11-13 July, 2025

Sports fans will be pleased to know that Townsville boasts more than just the NRL Cowboy’s. Those facing the comedown of this year’s Formula 1 can bounce back with the 2025 NTI Townsville 500. Each year, the event draws motorsport enthusiasts from around the country as Supercar racing takes over the streets of Townsville.

Off the race track, the weekend also promises plenty of car tricks and displays – think drifting, car builds and the MotorEx automotive expo – plus live music, ADF displays, freestyle motocross and more.

crowd watching Supercars NTI Townsville 500, townsville events — See supercars take over Townsville.

3. Australian Festival of Chamber Music

25 July – 2 Aug 2025

Clear your ears of the sounds of revving engines with one of the city’s longest-running events, The Australian Festival of Chamber Music (AFCM). Here, some of the world’s most celebrated musicians head to Townsville to perform an impressive 30 concerts over nine days.

The best part? AFCM features exclusive shows that can only be experienced at the festival, like AFCM Concert Conversations, where visiting festival musicians share their personal and professional lives.

lead image for Australian Festival of Chamber Music, townsville events — Experience exclusive events at the AFCM. (Image: Andrew Rankin)

4. SeaLink Magnetic Island Race Week

28 Aug – 2 Sep 2025

Just 20 minutes from the city, koala-filled Magnetic Island is a must-do at any time of year. Time the trip for the annual SeaLink Magnetic Island Race Week to not only enjoy paradise, but also five days of tropical racing fun with a twist.

Every August to September, enjoy live bands, parties, beach festivals, markets, long lunches and even mud crab races. All while taking in tropical island views.

SeaLink Magnetic Island Race Week — Enhance Magnetic Island trips with five days of tropical racing. (Image: TEQ)

5. Wedgwood: Artists and Industry exhibition

23 Apr – 24 Aug 2025

Hailing from England, Wedgwood has been a household name almost since the brand started in 1759 (by Charles Darwin’s grandfather). With over 260 years under the company’s belt since then, its ceramics and designs are popular all over the world.

And now, Wedgwood: Artists and Industry will showcase highlights of the brand’s history – straight from the UK’s Victoria and Albert Museum – at Townsville’s Perc Tucker Regional Gallery.

Wedgwood teacup — See the best of Wedgwood. (Image: Getty/ Photonewman)

6. Wallabies v Argentina

6 September

Rugby fans should time their Townsville getaway for September to add watching the Wallabies clash against Argentina from Queensland Country Bank Stadium to their itineraries.

The home ground of the NRL North Queensland Cowboys, this vibrant and stylish $185 million sporting venue in South Townsville is the perfect setting to enjoy sports.

aerial of Queensland Country Bank Stadium in townsville — See the rugby at Queensland Country Bank Stadium. (Image: TEQ)

Start planning your event-filled getaway at townsvillenorthqueensland.com.au .

The 11 best cafes in Toowoomba