I’ve been wanting to do this post for awhile, especially since I’ve visited over forty cafes in Brisbane and Gold Coast within five months before graduating in 2015. Cafehopping only became a full-time hobby when I was left with such a short span of time in Brisbane; I thought it would be a wonderful way to explore the nooks and crannies of the deceivingly small city before leaving the place that I have lived for the past four years.
Thanks to my trusty car, I was able to travel alone to the outskirts of downtown and the process of finding the cafe further became a challenge and adventure. It also made me become even more independent, unafraid of spending quality time alone outside (I previously did not dare to eat alone in the uni canteen!), and improve on my food photography skills!
After visiting so many places, I thought that it would be productive to shortlist those that have left a deep impression on me when I’ve finally found time to pen all my experiences down in prose. I hope this guide would be useful for anyone travelling or studying in Queensland.
Additionally, I want to prove people wrong that Brisbane IS NOT AS BORING AS IT SEEMS.
Watch out Melbournians!
Brisbane’s coffee/cafe culture has started to flourish and I’m extremely proud of that! I remembered that when I first arrived Brisbane in 2011, it was a tad… dull, to be honest. I would either stay at home to cook or eat out the same places. There weren’t many cafes to hang out at besides Pancake Manor and a few other establishments.
Conversely, Brisbane has become such a dynamic and vibrant city that I do not mind residing in. And also, a cuppa of freshly brewed Chai latte every morning would be a dream come true!
So without much further ado, I bring you… Brisbane’s and GC’s Top 10 Cafes in 2015!
#1 Shouk Cafe
If I would to ever visit Brisbane again, the first cafe I would head to in a heartbeat would be Shouk!
Shouk is nestled in the depths of the Paddington – a hipster suburb full of cafes! It’s a great place to do some window shopping after your meal, especially along Latrobe Terrace, where there is an Antique Centre full of vintage goodies.
It is generally the most ideal situation to drive here, or else it’d be an arduous journey from the nearest train station, Milton; Paddington is well-known for its topsy turvy steep roller coaster hills that I, sometimes, have difficulty driving during my first few trips.
Best seats are by the back of the cafe. It has a great view of Paddington’s lush greenery. I hadn’t got the chance to sit by the window because they were always taken!
As you can see, they are outstanding for their fun Middle Eastern flavours and never fail to to pull me back several times to discover their new offerings when transitioning into the next season.
The first dish that blew me away was their Challah French Toast [$17]. It was undoubtedly the most exotic and sophisticated French Toast I’ve ever seen and tasted!
Challah is a type of Jewish bread, and they have interestingly soaked it in a spiced egg mixture to form the French toast, and topped it with candied walnuts, balsamic macerated berries and vanilla bean semifreddo, which is a sliceable semi-frozen ice cream.
This dish alone produced the first spark for my intrigue with Middle Eastern cuisine.
Little did I know, the second dish that I ordered, Honey Panna Cotta with Smashed Baklava, Spiced Syrup & Pistachio Floss [$15] was even better; it became an all-time favourite dish of mine from Shouk. What was so unique about it would be the smashed baklava coated with freshly grounded pistachios. They complemented the Jewish pastry really well due to the added crunch sprinkled on top of the finely ground ones embedded within.
I loved it so much that I had this dish all to myself during a repeated visit. #Fatdieme.
Determined to try the rest of their menu, I have visited Shouk at least five times, and tried almost every dish. The waiters have also begun to recognise me!
Their Challah French Toast was then updated with a twist; it was accompanied by Pistachio Halva, Ricotta ice cream, Turkish Apricots poached in vanilla syrup, and Almond & Pistachio Praline Crumble [$19].
Another popular dish – Belgian waffles with Chocolate Brownie Ice Cream and Chocolate Halva [$18].
If these sweet treats aren’t your jam for breakkie, Shouk’s classic Latke Stack – a permanent item on the menu – is always a crowd-pleaser! Similar to rosti, Latkes are potato pancakes that Ashkenazi Jews have prepared as part of the Hanukkah festival. It’s a dish that the boys would adore; their eggs are always perfectly poached!
Dining at Shouk has always been an educational and enjoyable affair; my knowledge of food has expanded thus far, and that is what eating is about. I am also very proud of them to be crowned as with the Best Breakfast in Brisbane for the Golden Fork Awards in 2015! Likeminded foodies like me have voted for them because they truly deserve it.
Delicious food comes at a price; everyone whom I have brought here had to Shouk-it-off after such a sinful meal. Perhaps a walk back home from the steep hills of Paddington would do?
Address: 14 Collingwood St, Paddington QLD 4064, Australia
Opening Hours: 7.30am–3pm daily
#2 Grocer and Grind
Gold Coasters, I’m so envious of you guys. This cafe is the epitome of the beach lifestyle; it’s a place where I would totally hang out at after a great tanning and surfing sesh!
Grocer and Grind provides all-day breakfast food that is hearty, wholesome and beautifully executed. Thankfully, the cafe is located only 10 minutes from Surfers Paradise – the touristy belt, which is accessible to both travellers and locals alike.
The layout of tables reminds me of Artistry Cafe in Singapore.
The baristas in action.
I’m always spoilt for choice whenever I’m here. They offer an extremely broad menu – from All-day-breakfast, salads, to savoury hot lunch sandwiches.
Breakfast for champions! Their Protein Pancakes with Coconut yogurt [$14] is a definite must-try.
I also ordered an Acai Bowl with Quinoa Cookie Crumble [$15] that was too pretty to be eaten! Fruits were so fresh that they tasted like they’ve been picked from the orchards seconds ago. This is the best acai bowl I’ve had in terms of flavour and presentation. Trust me, I’ve had quite a few and even attempted to make my own, but it wasn’t as spectacular.
Enjoying my usual cuppa Chai latte :’)
This is another occasion, where I ordered the French Tower [$17], which was again fantastic! Despite trying many variations of French toasts in Australia and Singapore, this was my first try with banana bread being adopted. I liked how it’s topped with walnuts (a compulsory addition to banana bread), coconut yogurt, goji berries and small figs.
Pictured in the background are the Lamb & Beetroot Burger [$18] and Truffle Scrambled Eggs [$17]. Besides the scrambled eggs being a bit bland, we finished our plates spanking clean! I would definitely be back to try their Veggie Stack, which has gained quite the reputation on Instagram.
Address: 1/1 Sunshine Blvd, Gold Coast QLD 4218, Australia
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 6am–4pm
#3 John Mills Himself
If you have some time to spare in the Brisbane city during the morning or early afternoon for a cuppa, I would encourage you to visit JMH. Not only do they serve the best coffee and hot chocolate in the CBD, the process of searching the cafe is an exciting one as well.
There are two ways to access the cafe; first being from Charlotte Street (just before the Pancake Manor), and another from Elizabeth Street. The easier option would be from the former, where you have to go past an antique book store sign, and a Wildlife store.
 |
| John sure hides himself well! |
Tada! Here he is!!! I was instantly amazed how the cafe was filled by working adults when I was here for the first time – despite its seemingly secluded location. Had a *Proud hipster moment*.
The prices for their drinks are considered really reasonable – since the cafe is situated within the CBD. Although they do coffees, I would recommend their flavoured Hot Chocolate for something novel.
Be sure to ask for the Hot Chocolate menu that lists all the different flavours that they have. They include Ginger, Rose, Lavender, Sea Salt, Chili, Rosemary, Lemongrass etcetera. Very extensive.
BEST PART of JMH: You get to customise your Hot chocolate with Dark Chocolate, Dairy Milk or White Chocolate.
How cool is that?!
I’ve never come across anything like this!
As I wanted to be adventurous and play it safe to avoid disappointment on my first try, I selected a floral flavour – Lavender with White Chocolate [$4].
And thank goodness… My virgin White Chocolate Experience was the best decision ever made!
There were small bits of white chocolate floating on top too!
Where I sat.
Red brick – CHECK, Marble – CHECK, Pretty and tasty drink – CHECK!
Their decor is fullproof for any Instagram newbies – I never fail to take rustic-looking shots with their wonderful ambience.
Address: Access via 55 Elizabeth Street, 40 Charlotte St, Brisbane QLD 4000, Australia
Cafe Opening Hours: 6.30am–3.30pm (Mon to Fri)
#4 Sourced Grocer
Sourced Grocer has got to be those one of the cafes that Australian farmers would boast about. It literally has a grocer within the cafe, and employ the freshest local produce for their dishes – meaning pesticide-free, and perky fruits and veggies.
So health food freaks, this is the place for ya! *Guilty as charged* hehehe..
When I arrived, my eyes were directed straight towards the lovely potted plants hanging on the wall!
Perfect excuse to window shop.
Creativity juices flowing with crates acting as makeshift tables!
Cabbage Pancakes with Goats Cheese Dressing, Crispy Brussel Sprout Leaves and Chives [$16] looking all photogenic under the natural light.
Although the exterior seemed dry, the pancakes were incredibly moist! And sous vide eggs burst out at the light pierce of my fork.
Another stunner was The Bircher: House rolled Organic Oats, Barambah yogurt, Seasonal Fruit, Lemon Myrtle and Fresh Honeycomb [$13].
Hundred points to Gryffindor! This is the first time I’ve seen bircher muesli plated extremely well! I usually see it being poorly served as a sloppy mess, or filled in jars to conceal its unappealing appearance.
The matcha powder sprinkled on top of the yogurt added another dimension to the otherwise already sweet dish, predominantly from the natural sweeteners derived from the fresh fruits. There were also passion fruit, sultanas and seeds hidden within the creamy oats, so I was very pleasantly surprised! I did not mind a second helping of this dish.
If you are intending on coming here for a meal, I would recommend their breakfast food; lunch menu portions were rather meagre.
Address: 11 Florence Street, Newstead QLD 4006, Australia
Opening Hours:
7am–8pm (Monday to Thursday)
7am–7pm (Friday)
7am–5pm (Saturday)
8am–4pm (Sunday)
#5 Little Loco
Just a 3-minute drive away from Sourced Grocer is Little Loco that is a nondescript house converted into a cafe. I actually visited the cafe when it first opened – before their signboard even was up.
Like their minimalist clean decor, the food that Little Loco serves are chic and Instagram-friendly.
I came specially for their Lemon Ricotta Hotcakes [$16.90], which was trending on within Brisbane foodie scene in April 2015! The dish had finally arrived after suffering so much food envy from the Melbourne cafes that first invented them. They truly warrant all the social media attention.
While the pancakes had been taken off the menu in mid-2015, Little Loco is always reinventing their seasonal menu and producing quality health food dishes that customers would adore. I had their Quinoa Salad [$18.90] that contained a wonderful amalgamation of seasonings and textures – comprising of organic quinoa tabouli, pumpkin puree, roasted and pickled beetroot, goats cheese, tzatziki, and dukkah.
Oh, and did I mention that their presentation is always on point?
Little Loco
Address: 121 Merthyr Rd, New Farm QLD 4005, Australia
Opening Hours:
6.30am–3pm (Monday to Friday),
7am–2.30pm (Saturday and Sunday)
www.littleloco.com
#6 I Heart Brownies
I’m not a sucker for anything too chocolatey, as I have a sensitive throat. I get a sore throat if I take a bite of anything fried and full of rich, dark chocolate. While this is so, I daresay that I Heart Brownies has THE BEST brownies hands down. It’s almost impossible to believe that they are GLUTEN FREE.
This also means that they are healthy. Right… right?
According to their website, every brownie is 100% gluten free, and contains: Belgian black cocoa, couverture chocolate, free-range eggs, QLD cane sugar, Australian butter and gluten-free flour.
Stole a chance for a picture because the store is always filled with customers!
I Heart Brownies serves a wide range of brownie flavours, such as the Original [$4], Double Chocolate [$4], Turkish Delight [$4.50], Salted Caramel [$4.50], Raspberry [$4.50], Peanut Butter & Jelly [$4.50], and many many more!
I’m really jealous right now because I think Salted Caramel wasn’t invented until recently!
Don’t go breaking my heart~
Well, I’m glad I did. Because this was the most delicious thing I’ve ever had!
I’ve tried the Turkish Delight [$4] and Peanut Butter & Jelly [$4.50], as seen above, and I felt that the latter triumphed the former.
This is due to the dense ooey-gooey PB&J fillings against the moist and firm chocolatey interior! It was even better when paired with coffee – because bittersweet works. Thus, I suggest you to head to a nearby coffee shop to enjoy these babies like Campos Coffee or Bellissimo Coffee in Fortitude Valley.
I do have to warn though, as popular flavours like this run out fast. Be sure to drop by before noon because early birds grab dem brownies!
Address: 7/694 Ann St, Fortitude Valley QLD 4005, Australia
Opening Hours: 7am–6pm (Monday to Friday), 8am–5pm (Saturday), 8am–4pm (Sunday)
#7 Dip Cafe
One of the mandatory things to do when you come to Queensland is to visit Byron Bay. Although it’s not situated IN Queensland, it’s merely a 1.5 hour and 45-minute drive from Brisbane and Gold Coast respectively to see the golden fire ball rise over the faraway ocean horizon at 6am!
And there is nothing better than a hot scrumptious breakfast with your friends and family after all that sea breeze that has frozen you over, particularly during winter.
While there are plenty of cafes around the Byron Bay town, my go-to is Dip that opens early at 7am – just nice after you’ve taken hundreds of photos of the sunrise.
Dip exudes a relaxing and cosy ambience, and it is a cafe that the locals residing at Byron Bay would frequent.
Full menu can be found here.
I was really fond of their Mushroom Stack [$18], where the poached eggs beautifully rested on a bed of spinach, goats cheese and crispy fried potatoes. Now trying to recall back… I’m pretty sure it was because of those juicy mushrooms marinated with truffle oil that made the dish so tasty.
This was popular in the reviews – Bacon and Egg Roll [$10.90]. If you like bae, this could be your thing. My company felt that their chili that was incorporated with the garlic mayo masked the natural taste of the proteins in the panini.
The most memorable dish out of all was their Pecan Ricotta Honey on Sourdough Toast [$8.90]. I never knew that sweet cheese would match the bread so well! Loved it so much that I started making my own as soon as I returned to Brisbane.
For a taste of an Aussie mum’s cooking, Dip would be the perfect choice.
If you have some time to spare after breakfast, do consider spending the rest of your morning taking a stroll around the coastal town of Byron Bay. It is filled with craft, souvenir, surfing and book stores, which would take less than two hours to cover.
Address: Shop 1/21-25 Fletcher St, Byron Bay NSW 2481, Australia
Opening Hours: 7am–3pm daily
#8 Samson and Sophie
Not many tourists would know about Samson and Sophie, since it is a cafe situated within an apartment building at the Newstead suburb. It’d be a place where you would have to drive to as its location could be a bit far off from the centre of Fortitude Valley.
Opened in 2014, the cafe focuses on fine, fresh, local food done well. I’ve heard that their coffees are amazing too. Interior is humble and rustic-looking that reminds me of a garden and old provision store.
While scrolling through Instagram, I was immediately drawn to their Gluten free Apple & Coconut Hot cakes with Whipped Ricotta and Sour Cherry Reduction [$16.90]! You may perceive “gluten free” as something dry, less appealing and tasty, but I was proven so very wrong.
The first spoon was absolute pure heaven! It contained apple, shredded coconut, and spammed with a lot of cinnamon – all of my favourite foods. I have even found six large slices of apples on the hot cakes. So awesome that I went back again for this exact plate of messy goodness.
Not a fan of coconut or cinnamon? Other popular dishes like their customisable Avocado and Co [$12.90] with add-ons of your choice (Poached eggs, Smoked Salmon, Haloumi), as well as Roast Pumpkin Fritters with Honey Carrot, Wilted Spinach & Pepitas [$16.90] would be sure to tantalise your tastebuds.
Address: 2 Macquarie Street, QLD 4005, Australia
Opening Hours:
6am–3pm (Monday to Friday),
6am–2pm (Saturday and Sunday)
#9 Goodness Gracious Cafe
Goodness gracious… The name of this cafe is already interesting, and it’s a 10-minute drive from my University – so why not try it?! This is my first time encountering a cafe with its own carpark in Brisbane. Hurray! If the carpark is full, don’t worry because the road opposite is usually clear.
What I adore about this cafe is the sunlight peering into the cafe in the morning. There are also outdoor seating if you do not mind the heat.
While glancing at the menu, I was instantly attracted to the Pistachio Granola, Cornmeal Waffles, Spiced Chickpeas and Dukkah Spiced Eggs. Gosh, if only I had four stomachs… As I couldn’t make up my mind and my stomach was rumbling, I heeded the waitress for some advice, and told her that I was in the mood for something refreshing in the summer.
She then promptly recommended the Dukkah Spiced Eggs [$19] with Marinated Mushrooms, Sun dried Tomatoes, Labna, Asparagus, Chutney, Boiled Eggs and Buckwheat Lavosa. With foreign ingredients like Labna and Lavosa, I was keen on trying something new!
When the dish was brought out, my jaw dropped.
Check out this wonderful piece of architecture made with purely food! #BalancingSkillsOnPoint
While eating them halfway, I further squealed in delight upon discovering that the boiled eggs hidden underneath the structure were PINK and HALF BOILED! It was not stated in their menu.
I felt that Goodness Gracious could be the next Shouk cafe. I would rate this dish full marks in terms of its execution and flavour combinations. All were spot-on.
Just wished that I had more time in Brisbane to try the rest of their dishes for an in-depth review of the cafe. Nonetheless, if you are feeling adventurous on trying some creative fusion food and live in the West of Brisbane, Goodness Gracious would be your answer to the next brunch date.
Additionally, the drive to the cafe would be scenic, as you would cross the Brisbane river along the Walter Taylor suspension bridge!
Address: 250 Oxley Rd, Graceville QLD 4075, Australia
Opening Hours:
6am–4pm (Monday to Friday),
7am–4pm (Saturday and Sunday)
#10 Passion Tree
Passion Tree is one of those cafes that I frequent so often that I felt that it may be pointless to introduce – because it is very popular amongst students. However, I felt compelled to add it in here because the Asian in me is still very attached to the ambience, service and food that they offer.
They do not serve your usual Australian breakfast fare like avocados on toast, but rather sweet Korean desserts like thick toasts and bingsu – a shaved ice dessert topped with fruits and sauces, as well as an array of iced coffees and blended drinks.
Since Brisbane’s CBD is so small, Passion tree tends to be the one-stop hub for all the sweet-toothed to satisfy their late night dessert cravings after dinner. It opens till 12 midnight on weekends, and is only a 5-minute walk from the Brisbane Central station, and 2-minute from Queen Street Mall.
Their waffles on display.
Whenever I visit the city for dinner or some shopping , I would make a point to stop by here for their Green tea bingsu [$14.90], which remains the best green tea bingsu I’ve tried.
I’ve had several versions, but I still dream about Passion tree’s. They provide the most generous servings of red bean, almonds, macadamias, and not forgetting the most important ingredient… Fresh and crispy CORN FLAKES. Very few green tea bingsus in Singapore include cornflakes! Even if there are, they were stale and not as crispy as Passion tree’s.
I like how the corn flakes turn semi-crispy and soggy when incorporated into the chunky icy mountain. Their green tea ice cream also does not taste artificial and leans towards the sweeter side.
Another bingsu that had me at first bite, and respect the owners of Passion Tree even more was this beauty!
I’ve seen honeydew/melon bingsus… But PINEAPPLE? HELL NO!
I have been so curious on how they managed to scoop out the pineapple flesh into perfectly round spheress! Sadly, it is only served for a period of time in summer and by the time I went back for a second try – they have pulled it out of the menu. My friend and I were devastated. That hefty pricetag of $20 was well worth the one-of-a-lifetime dining experience.
Unsurprisingly, the place I chose bid farewell with my friends before leaving Brisbane for good was here. With great food, free Wifi and comfy cushioned seats, I have called Passion Tree my second home in Brisbane. My friends would also agree on that one with me.
Address: 103 Elizabeth Street, Brisbane QLD 4000, Australia
Opening Hours:
10am–11pm (Monday to Thursday, Sunday),
10am–12am (Friday and Saturday)
www.passiontree.com.au
Final Words
I have filtered down those that have left a lasting impression on me – in terms of all my aspects like taste, presentation, ambience and service. If these cafes have changed their menus and dishes in 2016 (which I expect them to do), I’m so sorry about that! However, I would still recommend them to anyone out there because I have full confidence in their potential on generating even more palatable dishes!
On a side note, the forty over cafes that I’ve been to have at least 75% ratings on Urbanspoon and located within half an hour from my place. For the case of Gold Coast, I refuse to post the overrated ones like Black Coffee Lyrics and Elk Espresso because their food and service were so bad that I do not want to add on to their unwarranted hype.
While cafehopping has burnt a large hole in my pocket, my journey in Queensland had an outcome that’s priceless – the exposure to so many cultures and cuisines have further fueled my passion for this hobby and interest in cooking. I have attempted to recreate some of the dishes I’ve eaten, like Dukkah with poached eggs and Lemon Ricotta Hotcakes, and even cooked them for my friends! I also pair my homemade pistachio Dukkah with bread and sweet potatoes on a daily basis.
Hopefully, Singapore like Brisbane, would soon be open to more diverse sensations and create more fusion dishes with our well-known local foods to make a name in Australia as well.
For those who are tight on their budget, cafehopping in Australia can be quite an affordable affair like Bangkok – with added advantages:
Cheaper coffees, most dishes being below $18 at nett prices without additional GST or service charge, and warm welcoming waiters with genuine smiles on their faces. Lastly, no language barrier!
Again, I hope that this guide would come in handy for those travelling or studying at Queensland. LUCKY YOU!
For more pictures of my cafehopping and food adventures, follow me on @bunnymunchies on Instagram here.
Hopping out…
ANDREA THE #FOREVERHUNGRY BUNNY
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BUNNY MUNCHIES 
