I’ve searched high and low to bring you the best breakfast in Brisbane spots you need to try. As a born and bred Brisbane local, expect to find some of the most popular cafes in Brisbane as well as a few hidden gems in this guide.
I’ve got everything covered, from tim tam pancakes to scrambled eggs to sweet treats, and everything in between. And, of course, some damn good coffee to go along with it!
It doesn’t matter where you live in Brisbane, there are loads of brunch destinations all over the city to go to. If you’re thinking of moving here, you might like to read this handy guide for the various suburbs to live in Brisbane.
And if you’re enjoying a sleep in and miss breakfast time, then check out my guide to the best secret restaurants in Brisbane you can enjoy at any time of day.
Best breakfasts in Brisbane’s inner city
Some of my favourite breakfast spots in Brisbane are clustered around the inner city. Suburbs like New Farm, Teneriffe, Woolloongabba and West End have amazing brunch spots with quality coffee that will tickle your taste buds.
1. Morning After
One of the most popular spots in Brisbane’s West End, Morning After has something for everyone on their all day breakfast menu. Go for the breakfast bowl if you’re feeling healthy, or the buttermilk fried chicken benedict if you’re not!
I love that Morning After also source local produce like honey, bread, pasta and more. This is definitely one of the best brunch destinations in Brisbane for foodies.
2. Picnic Cafe
One of my favourite brunch cafes, Picnic Cafe has a fantastic seasonal menu. I just love their creative takes, such as the korokke benedict, or the apple and rhubarb french toast with vanilla ice cream.
Picnic Cafe is in West End located in the West Village complex, which offers free parking for two hours so it’s a super easy meeting place for a Brisbane breakfast.
3. Lobby Bar
On the ground floor of one of the world’s top 50 best hotels, the Calile Hotel in the James Street precinct, the Lobby Bar is the perfect bougie brekky and coffee spot to start your morning.
There’s everything from tiramisu french toast to duck cassoulet to poached eggs, but what I especially love is their ‘create your own’ breakfast. Put together your favourite sides to make your ideal breakfast with zero waste.
4. The New Black
In a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it alleyway in Fortitude Valley, you’ll find The New Black. I recommend the espresso waffle or the zucchini and corn fritters. What impresses me about The New Black cafe is their creative takes on classic dishes. Adding ingredients like peppermint oil and fried garlic really levels up the breakfast options on their fabulous menu.
5. Pawpaw Cafe
A southside institution, Paw Paw Cafe puts on amazing Asian-inspired brunch and lunch fare. From their breakfast menu, pick the croffle benedict (basically a waffle croissant eggs benedict) or the signature potato hash.
Their all day seasonal menu offers something for everyone. With a second venue with the same focus now open in Hawthorne, you’ve got even more options to check out Paw Paw.
6. Shawty’s Espresso
Hidden away in the suburban streets of Woolloongabba, Shawty’s Espresso is run by a fabulous and friendly team. Though they’re only open on weekdays, it’s worth a visit for their home made falafel, grilled halloumi toasted sandwiches and French donuts (my favourite). Stay for a delicious coffee on the breezy balcony and take in the city views.
7. Kin & Co
Located in Teneriffe, Kin & Co is a beautiful industrial style cafe with great brunch dishes. It’s a spacious and relaxing spot to dine in and enjoy a long brunch.
You can’t go wrong with their smashed avo, eggs benny and in house smoothies. I also love their Filipino breakfast burger with fried egg. Be an early bird to beat the crowds.
8. Samson and Sophie
Another Teneriffe gem, Samson and Sophie is a dog friendly spot with amazing food. My favourite picks are the Turkish eggs, the pancake special or the acai bowls.
This is one of those local spots that you’ll remember for ages and can’t wait to return to. The staff are so lovely and their fresh juices are amazing too.
9. Joedy’s Café
This New Farm cafe is opposite Brisbane’s New Farm Park so it’s perfect for take-away and strolling through the rose gardens and along the river. There’s also plenty of tables (dog friendly too!) if you prefer to sit down at Joedy’s.
Their delicious seasonal menu’s got everything from sauteed field mushrooms to bacon breakfast tacos to french toast with caramelised banana. Or ask for their omelette special – you won’t regret it.
Best breakfast cafes on Brisbane’s southside
10. Sister Café
If you’re a fan of a bacon breakfast carbonara then you’re in for a treat at Hawthorne hotspot, Sister Cafe. Don’t be surprised if you have to wait for a table on weekends but I promise it’s worth it. If you’re looking for something a bit healthier than carbs, the green breakfast bowl is just as good. It’s also next door to Hawthorne Garage, a fantastic corner store with boutique provisions and flowers.
11. Ashton and Old
Aptly named for its corner location of Old Cleveland Road and Ashton Street, this lovely cafe is a great place to meet friends. It’s spacious, so there’s plenty of room for prams.
Ashton and Old also boasts a great brunch and lunch menu, with a licensed drinks menu and amazing smoothies. The okonomiyaki (Japanese pancakes) is my top pick, plus there’s an impressive list of sides to customise your meal.
12. The Kelsey Cafe
Set in a beautiful old Queenslander house, The Kelsey Cafe is a popular spot in Camp Hill for breakfast and lunch. Expect Asian fusion menu items like their bulgogi burger, Korean fried chicken, and potato cake benedict.
If you’ve got a sweet tooth, then go for the french toast with house made cream cheese and berries. Make sure you also take home some baked goods from their cabinet too.
13. Little Black Pug
Little Black Pug is a dog friendly gem in Mount Gravatt. Your pooch will absolutely love their breakfast options of meatballs and puppacinos. And the humans will love the pun-tastic names just as much as the delicious food.
Order the Simply the zest, or the Pugtato hash. Their strawberry thickshake (made from real strawberries) is amazing. This is one spot that you’ll keep coming back to because the owners are so friendly too.
14. Lady Marmalade
Perfect for a group event or a quick take away before venturing to the nearby park, Lady Marmalade in Stones Corner does an all day menu with quality coffee.
Their Middle Eastern tasting plate is packed with flavour, and their ricotta blueberry pancakes are perfect for a sweet treat. Make sure you grab one of their special fresh squeezed juice, or treat yourself to a morning champagne.
16. Andonis Café
Andonis Cafe and Bar has spacious outdoor and indoor seating areas to suit everyone at their three handy Brisbane locations in Yeronga, Mount Gravatt and Cornubia.
On the menu you’ll find breakfast dishes such as poached egg pork belly benedict, acai bowls, and tim tam pancakes. You’ll also find a doggy menu with puppacinos, doggy donuts and puppalato (don’t ask – just go), so bring your furry friend to make a day of it.
17. Rabbit & Co
Head to suburban Camp Hill for Rabbit & Co, a quaint corner cafe that wafts with the captivating smell of coffee. I really like their range of breakfast options including their green breakfast bowl, brekkie bao buns, or “build your own” to taste it all. You can also bring your dog as there’s lots of covered outdoor tables with water bowls.
18. Smug Fig
A lovely spot in Stones Corner, The Smug Fig‘s new location is dog friendly (even inside too!) and great for all food-related catch ups with friends. They do a bottomless brunch on weekends.
I love their fried egg huevos rancheros or the chicken waffle. They also have a wide selection of gluten free, vegetarian and vegan options.
Best breakfast cafes in Brisbane north
19. Farmhouse
Farmhouse in Kedron serves up an amazing breakfast gnocchi with sourdough toast. But if you’re not into that, then the potato cake with poached eggs, bacon and hollandaise sauce is my close second favourite.
On top of consistently excellent meals, Farmhouse also serve towering frozen mango frappes and mint slice thick shakes. Make sure you book (or join the early birds) because this local Brisbane cafe is often quite busy.
20. Birds and Bees
A great family-friendly option in Everton Hills, Birds and Bees offers great value for money for your brunch. I love that they have a Latin American twist on their classic menu items, such as buddha bowls and corn fritters. It’s also set in a beautiful balcony with a leafy outlook so it’s a really relaxing spot to meet up with friends.
21. Blockhouse Coffee and Small Bar
A northside staple for almost 10 years now, Blockhouse in Nundah is known for their bottomless mimosas over brunch. But what I might love more than that is their great food.
Start your morning off right with their famous popcorn chicken avo on toast or brekky yiros, or stay for lunch to devour a delicious lobster roll.
22. Paddington Social
Set in a cute converted Queenslander, Paddington Social offers fantastic brunch and house made pastries and cakes to go with your coffee.
My favourite savoury brunch dishes are the chorizo scotch egg or the brekky paella. Sweet tooths should go for the tres leches pancake with macarons, or the waffle with maple syrup.
23. Anouk
Leafy, industrial and cosy: that’s how I’d describe Anouk. You’ll find delicious Middle Eastern and Asian fusion inspired dishes with big flavours, like shakshuka and a Thai omelette. I particularly love their refreshing house made lemon and mint tea. If you love plants you’ll be in heaven – you’ll be surrounded by greenery which is a lovely oasis in the busy streets of Paddington.
24. Naim
With a name that means ‘pleasant’ or ‘happiness’, it’s obvious you’ll know what you’re going to get when you visit Naim in Paddington. Expect Mediterranean and Middle Eastern meals, such as their nashif beef garlic flatbread, brekky pita board, and shawarma tagine.
They also provide a separate plant based menu for the vegans in your life. Make sure you book in advance or go early, and don’t forget to order one of their Persian love cakes before they sell out.
25. White Horse Ranch
Tucked away in suburban Albany Creek, White Horse Ranch is worth the drive out of Brisbane city. This farm-to-plate cafe and gift shop offers incredible coffee and locally made cakes.
I recommend the giant sticky date hotcake or the potato rosti with smokey bacon. But, really, everything on their menu is spectacular so make sure you arrive hungry to fit it all in.
More Brisbane guides to check out
Looking for more things to do in Brisbane? Check out our Queensland Guides page for all of our guides, as well as these popular articles below.
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