Like all major Australian cities, Brissie takes the art of coffee making very seriously.
With many local roasteries, brew bars and cafes nestled in between stylish boutiques and historic buildings, you’ll never have to look far for your daily dose of caffeine. These are our top venues with the best Brisbane coffee.
Coffee Anthology – Charlotte Street
As one of Brisbane’s horsemen of third-wave coffee, Coffee Anthology has been shaping the city’s coffee scene for almost a decade now. After moving from the old venue on Margaret Street to the cafe precinct Inter/Section on Charlotte Street, Coffee Anthology has upped its game even more. Here, high-quality speciality blends from the best Australian roasters, like Melbourne’s Padre Coffee or Sydney’s The Reformatory Caffeine Lab, are being used to craft exceptional pour-overs, batch brews and espresso drinks. Complementing the outstanding brews, the menu offers a variety of delicious options from sweet pastries to Asian fusion, perfect for a lavish brunch in the heart of Brisbane’s CBD.
Marchetti – Tattersall’s Arcade
For a little slice of Italy, the cradle of modern coffee culture, Marchetti is your go-to spot in Brisbane. The small cafe is located in the historic Tattersall’s Arcade and reminiscent of the elegant venues lining the streets of the Italian coffee capital Trieste. Besides classic espresso drinks and an array of delectable wines, Marchetti also serves authentic Italian food. Try their famous handmade meatballs à la nonna for lunch, and don’t miss out on mouth-watering sweets like the shell-shaped Sfogliatelle with a warm citrus and cinnamon ricotta filling.
Bear Bones Coffee – Fortitude Valley
Brisbane-based roastery Bear Bones Coffee supplies many cafes around Queensland, but at their local brew bar in Fortitude Valley they showcase first-hand how good their blends are. The staff here are proud to present their product and will help you find the perfect roast for your taste. A favourite among Bear Bones’ blends is Cloud Nine with its fruity apricot flavour and notes of milk chocolate and jasmine. The brew bar is a social spot where you can enjoy a great cuppa with some light treats on your next Brisbane coffee crawl.
Marhaba Cafe – Adelaide Street
Marhaba in Arabic means welcome – a word which perfectly summarises this cafe’s philosophy. Here, everyone is welcome. Marhaba Cafe is a non-profit venue that employs refugees, people with disabilities and others facing barriers to employment. They come together to create a safe space – and great food! Arabic delights meet modern Aussie cuisine, from your typical smashed avo to scrumptious Middle Eastern stews like the national Iraqi dish Qeema. Besides the spoiled-for-choice food, the cafe’s brews and other beverages are not to be overlooked. Espresso coffees, speciality blends that change weekly and an array of teas and milkshakes make the menu complete.
Kul-Cher Coffee – Bowen Hills
Brisbane coffee connoisseurs will be very pleased with this inner city cafe. Not only are the boutique blends and single origins roasted on-site, you can also sit down at the bar and sample the different brew batches to decide which one you prefer for the perfect coffee. Kul-Cher Coffee serves some delicious bites too. Have a banana acai bowl with housemade granola for breakfast or the classic Kul-Cher burger topped with a brisket, bacon, bbq sauce and cheese for lunch. The quaint atmosphere of the venue with its wooden panels, a copper service area and the smell of freshly ground beans make the whole coffee experience complete and a trip to Kul-Cher essential when in Bowen Hills.
Bunker – Milton
Yes, as the name suggests, this coffee spot in Milton really is a converted WWII bomb shelter. Overgrown with vines and home to hot brews of all kinds, this place that was formerly associated with fear and uncertainty now serves as a space of comfort, handing out happiness in a takeaway cup. Delicious 5 Senses blends are used here to make exceptional coffee, while other roasts from various brands can be purchased off the shelves. Besides coffee, try the heirloom hot chocolate! It might not be caffeinated, but it will blow your mind regardless.
If you enjoyed this guide on the ultimate Brisbane coffee crawl, you’ll love our story on the top 7 Sydney coffee spots!
