Whether it’s starting your morning with a freshly-brewed coffee, or punctuating your afternoon with a 3pm sweet treat, the importance of a great local cafe can’t bee overstated. It’s a fact Brisbane locals know well, with a plethora of cafes popping up across the sunshine state’s capital city.
Whether you’re after a sun-drenched locale that the whole family can sprawl out in, or a cosy hole-in-the-wall joint is more your style, we’ve got you covered. Below, our pick of the best cafés in brisbane.
1. Florence (Camp Hill)
Arguably one of the city’s best – Florence in Camp Hill is popular for a reason. The corner cafe exists on a sunny suburban street, and its breezy interiors link a coffee counter (full of pastries) to an enormous shared table, and individual tables and booths around the outside. This is the place not to skimp on a pastry to take home. But their proper breakfast menu (which changes seasonally with the produce) is unmissable. I’ve simply never had a better porridge.
2. Dicki’s (New Farm)
One of the city’s finest (and a personal favourite), Dicki’s is a plant-based cafe located across the street from New Farm’s Merthyr Village (which means you can park in their carpark to avoid the panic of street parking). Their veggie burritos have reached mythic status among friends, and their vegan iced chocolates are a decadent addition to a hangover feed. Opt for out-front or on the porch dining during the cooler months, or tuck yourself inside to enjoy a spot of aircon.
3. Nodo (Newstead, Camp Hill, Southbank)
Nodo is one of those cafes that I yearn for when I’m away from Brisbane. There really aren’t many donuts that come close to their baked-not-fried GF creations, and their cafe features a menu of faves like kimchi benedict and a suite of burgers (don’t miss the pulled beef or Korean-fried mushroom iterations). A spot to take your coeliac friends without feeling like you’re missing out on a 10/10 meal.
4. Felix For Goodness (CBD)
Nestled in Burnett Lane just off from Queen Street Mall is Felix For Goodness, a casual hideaway serving delicious coffee and house-made meals. If you’re feeling hungry, their all-day brunch menu spans classic goodies like granola and avocado on sourdough, plus a few Japanese-inspired items, like cold udon soup and an oolong tea donut.
5. Industry Beans HQ (Newstead)
Serving as a headquarters for coffee roastery Industry Beans, you’ll find this café in a modern warehouse conversion in the backstreets of Newstead. Naturally, top-notch coffee is the main attraction, but there’s plenty of food to satisfy your cravings, from brunch classics to burgers. There’s also a retail store on-site for everything you need to perfect your home coffee brew.
6. Morning After (West End)
I’m old enough to have been there when Morning After first thrust open its doors in 2015, and it’s been booked and busy ever since. If your prefer inventive brunch fare to the typical eggs-on-toast combinations, look no further. From their famous breakfast carbonara, to red velvet buttermilk and ricotta hotcakes, Morning After specialises in menu items you won’t find anywhere else. Stop by from 7am until 4pm to see what the fuss is about.
7. New Farm Deli (New Farm)
There really aren’t many cafes that smell as delectable as this one, and New Farm Deli – the neighbourhood’s favourite family-owned provisional grocer and delicatessen – is fragrant day-long with the scent of parmaggiano and cured meats. They are open from 6am every day for breakfast – you can opt for a pastry and coffee from their counter, or a sit-down full-blown breakfast affair.
8. Joey’s Cafe (Kangaroo Point)
The vantage spot is sometimes just as important as the culinary fares – and Joey’s has both. Poised on the edge of the clifftop at Kangaroo Point, it’s an apt destination for those wanting to end their morning stroll with a flat white, a crusty croissant and maybe, if you come late enough in the day, a spot of woodfired pizza.
9. Baker D Chirico (Newstead)
There was plenty of fanfare when this Melbourne favourite finally opened its doors in Brisbane – and for good reason. With a sprawling fit-out in Newstead, this bakery specialises in European-inspired goodies, from cannoli and bombolini, to perfectly filled savoury paninis. Find a sunny outdoor seat and indulge in a delicious coffee as you make your way through the menu.
10. Superthing Bakery (West End)
For whimsical pastries that will look excellent on your Instagram feed, try Superthing. A newer addition to West End’s thriving food scene, you’ll find everything from sweet danishes to savoury croissants and, of course, great coffee.
11. Kin (Teneriffe)
Tim and co. at Kin are second-to-none when it comes to flavours with punch (he’s often foraging and fermenting and generally experimenting in the culinary arena). First things first, the matcha here is second-to-none, from classic hot or iced, to more experimental creations. But beyond their beverage offering, this riverside hole-in-the-wall also excels at food too, from re-imagined dippy eggs to açai bowls loaded with fresh fruit and granola.
12. Swalk Cafe (Ascot)
This Ascot local earned the title of Brisbane’s best cafe back in 2023, and for good reason. Their egg and bacon roles are famous amongst customers (and proven to cure all ails), but their menu also spans things like smoothies, parfaits and, of course, great coffee.
13. Idle (New Farm)
A newer addition to the Brisbane cafe, but one earning a lot of (deserved) hype. Idle is the re-imagining of former bakery Agnes, but this time in a much bigger capacity. In the new space, you’ll not only find your old favourites, but you can also sit down and enjoy their expansive dine-in menu. We’re salivating just thinking about their selection of sandwhiches.
14. PawPaw Cafe (Woolloongabba)
Southeast Asian might not be the first cuisine that comes to mind when you think of a cafe, but trust us, PawPaw Cafe is worth visiting. This sprawling space serves brunch by day, ranging from classics like avocado toast, to moreish chicken salad and fish tacos. At night, the space transforms into one of Brisbane’s best Thai restaurants, so you’ll need to visit at least twice to see everything they have to offer.
Shouldn’t you be on the list?
Sign up to the RUSSH Club for exclusive offers and invitations.
