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

Explore some of Australia’s most stunning coastlines on this epic route.

This scenic, 1800-kilometre Brisbane to Port Douglas road trip takes in some of Australia’s most beautiful landscapes, from the wildlife on Bribie Island to the rainforests of Far North Queensland. Our advice? Slow it down, take your time and really get to know this part of Australia.

Day 1: Brisbane to Noosa

Wake up in the luxurious Sofitel Brisbane Central , enjoy a hot buffet breakfast and a swim in the outdoor pool before hitting the road to travel north. Take the exit to Bribie Island to view the abundant wildlife.

aerial view of bribie island — Enjoy the beauty and animals of Bribie Island. (Image: TEQ)

In the afternoon, check into Peppers Noosa Resort & Villas hidden near Noosa National Park and spend the afternoon relaxing at the luxury Aqua Day Spa. Daredevils can book a seat on an Ocean View Helicopters tour and experience the adrenaline of exploring the Glasshouse Mountains from the air.

Before dinner, head to the Original Eumundi Markets just 25 minutes away or explore the nearby trails in the national park. For dinner, book a table at Park & Cove located just near your hotel and feast on a locally-sourced menu that changes with the seasons.

table spread at Park & Cove Novotel Sunshine Coast — Refuel at Park & Cove.

Day 2: Noosa to Bundaberg

Wake up to sounds of the rainforest outside your window and take the opportunity for a quick swim before you dive into a freshly cooked buffet breakfast at Park & Cove. After breakfast and an expertly brewed coffee, stroll down the hill and spend the morning shopping along Hastings Street in the various boutiques, or hire a kayak or surfboard and conquer the waves.

After lunch, head north for the three-hour drive to historic Bundaberg . If you feel like feeding a kangaroo or wallaby, visit the Fraser Coast Wildlife Sanctuary . Once in Bundy, head to Spitter’s Farm just outside of town. This 160-acre property offers a unique experience in their deluxe glamping safari tents, where you can listen to the cows mooing as the sun sets.

baby kangaroo at australian wildlife Sanctuary — Say hello to the adorable creatures of Fraser Coast Wildlife Sanctuary. (Image: Jewels Lynch)

Day 3: Bundaberg to Rockhampton

Before getting back on the road, take time to visit the many museums, and, of course, the famous Bundaberg Rum Distillery for a tour. Then head to the Beef Capital of Australia, Rockhampton.

Although, ‘Rocky’ is surrounded by beef cattle farms, your first stop should be to the impressive Rockhampton Museum of Art , which features an art collection valued at over $16 million. Rest your head at the centrally-located Mercure Rockhampton overlooking the mighty Fitzroy River. Grab a quick swim in their outdoor pool before enjoying a steak at their in-house restaurant.

Day 4: Rockhampton to Mackay

Grab a strong coffee at your hotel and drive the short distance to the nearby Capricorn Caves for a morning tour of these natural limestone beauties. Then hit the road for the four-hour drive to Mackay.

Reward yourself with a swim in the large, resort-style pool at the Mantra Mackay . Overlooking the marina, it’s the perfect location from which to explore the city, before enjoying a sundowner and dinner at the popular Latitude 21 on the hotel terrace.

woman exploring the Capricorn Caves in queensland — Explore the Capricorn Caves. (Image: TEQ)

Day 6: Mackay to Townsville

Grab your breakfast to go, then head just out of town to Finch Hatton Gorge. Here, spend the morning ziplining 25 metres above the rainforest floor with Forest Flying . Head to Airlie Beach for lunch and a swim in the famous Airlie Beach Lagoon , before heading north to Townsville.

Hop on a 20-minute ferry – they leave regularly – and check into the stunning Peppers Blue on Blue Resort . Spend the evening swimming in their two pools with views across the private marina to Mount Cook National Park, before feasting on fresh seafood at their on-site restaurant, Boardwalk Restaurant and Bar.

aerial view of beach at Airlie Beach queensland — Dive into the crystal clear waters around Airlie Beach. (Image: TEQ)

Day 7: Townsville to Cairns

After a morning swim on one of Magnetic Island’s beautiful beaches, hop back on the ferry and travel north to the sleepy Mission Beach for lunch. You’ll be sandwiched by rainforest on one side, and the beach on the other.

Continue on to Cairns and check in at the centrally-located Novotel Cairns Oasis, where the lagoon-style pool and swim-up bar alone is worth the visit. Or continue north for 25 minutes to the coastal village of Palm Cove.

Once there it’s a tough choice between the luxurious, five-star Pullman Palm Cove Sea Temple, or the beautifully designed Peppers Beach Club and Spa Palm Cove , where the pool has its very own beach.

two people in deck chairs by Novotel Cairns Oasis' lagoon-style pool — Relax by Novotel Cairns Oasis’ lagoon-style pool.

Day 8: To Port Douglas

No matter where you spent the night, your journey to Port Douglas will be one of the most scenic road trips you’ll ever experience. Following the coastline, travel past champagne-coloured beaches, offshore islands and submerged reefs, before rolling into town at Port Douglas.

Although you’ll be spoilt for choice with hotels, two of the best are Peppers Beach Club Port Douglas, which is closer to town (think stunning pool and walking distance to Macrossan Street) and the famous, five-star Pullman Port Douglas Sea Temple Resort & Spa , located a little further down the beach. If the 3000-metre-squared lagoon-style pool isn’t enough at this hotel, you’ll also find the exclusive Vie Spa and popular restaurant, Aluco Restaurant & Bar , widely known as being one of the finest restaurants in Port Douglas.

aerial view of pool at Pullman Port Douglas Sea Temple — Revive from road-tripping in one of the best pools in Port Douglas.

Start planning your Queensland adventure at all.com.

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