Best Cafes in Brisbane

by OpenTable Team

Updated 01 March 2023

From a long and relaxed brunch to a quick coffee stop, Brisbane loves their coffee culture. Whether you want something light, hearty, or even sweet, these cafes have it all.

Credit: Stones Throw Espresso

The Green

4.6

4.6 (400)

$40 and under

Middle Eastern

Fortitude Valley

About the restaurant

Modern Middle Eastern Mediterranean Restaurant with exceptional selection of salads and charcoal grilled selection of meats. We offer dine in option as well as take home meals. The Green specializes in A'la Carte restaurant up to 60 seats, take home meal as well as Private Parties, Corporate and Press Events, Weddings and other celebrations for groups from 5 to 150. We feature beautiful private event spaces perfect for any occasion, as well as the option to book the entire restaurant. Menus range from passed hors d'oeuvres and cocktails to our diverse shared menus for seated dinner.

Top review

Lesley

Dined 3 days ago

Our first experience eating at The Green was wonderful. First we were very late but we were assured there would be a table for us. We ordered the set menu for 4 and enjoyed every dish. The eggplant tart tatin was especially delicious.

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Belle Epoque - Emporium Hotel South Bank

4.6

4.6 (475)

$40 and under

French

South Bank

About the restaurant

A doyenne of the Brisbane patisserie scene, Belle Époque pays homage to the beauty of French traditions with its food philosophy, authentic design and exceptional quality. Sweet and savoury and absolutely sublime, every element of the menu - from breakfast to lunch to the famed High Teas in between - is skillfully and freshly crafted every day by our dedicated in-house team.

Top review

Deb

Dined today

Today our visit was for Christmas High Tea & it did not disappoint. The service was outstanding - friendly & so welcoming. The coffee was delicious & the food outstanding

Industry Beans Newstead

4.5

4.5 (137)

$40 and under

Cafe Dining

Newstead

About the restaurant

Housed in a purpose-built warehouse conversion in the back streets of Newstead, the Industry Beans Brisbane flagship brings together coffee roasting with a spacious café with indoor and outdoor dining.

Our All-Day Brunch Menu features a range of innovative mains and share plates, alongside a curated selection of our most loved café staples, with an exciting, coffee-infused dessert menu.

Here, you will enjoy an immersive coffee experience, with a range of blends and single origins roasted on site by our Newstead roasting team.

Industry Beans Newstead is an evolved coffee and brunch experience for everyday brunch goers, coffee and food lovers, trend hunters and tourists alike.

Top review

Hafsah

Dined on 1 Dec 2024

Spectacular brunch spot. Quality service and very delicious food. Highly recommend!

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Experience

Bottomless Brunch Classic: Two-Hour Experience

Experience

Bottomless Brunch Fancy: Two-Hour Experience

dapl

4.2

4.2 (24)

$41 to $100

Australian

Spring Hill

About the restaurant

Dappled in light, we dabble in tastes to intrigue and delight all senses with our native Australian taste infused selections.

We are proudly local - celebrate the richness and diversity of Australian ingredients.
We deliver refreshing creations - native ingredients, local produce.
We offer thoughtful curation - soft, refreshing, warm and thoughtfully considered ambience
We lovingly share - common love for wining and dining with great company.

We are located via the main reception of the Amora Hotel Brisbane.

Top review

Dawn

Dined 3 days ago

Our first night in Brisbane and we had a fabulous night at this lovely restaurant! Thank you!

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Experience

Valentine's Dinner

Experience

Tequila Almuerzo Dinner

Plant Vibes Cafe

4.5

4.5 (48)

$40 and under

Vegan

Bowen Hills

About the restaurant

Plant vibes cafe is one of the most unique dining experiences in Brisbane. Our beautiful space it set a traditional Queenslander styled with a fresh Scandinavian interior. We feature an 100% plant based menu changing seasonally. We pour delicous specialty coffee paired with alternative milks and attentive outstanding customer service.

Top review

GemmaW

Dined on 14 Jan 2024

10/10, always good here. So happy to see the gluten free waffles back :) Would love them to offer lactose free milk, but that's literally the only thing I can fault them on!

Joey's

4.5

4.5 (1094)

$40 and under

Modern Australian

Woolloongabba

About the restaurant

Located atop the Kangaroo Point cliffs, Joey's is Brisbane's newest Cliff Side riverfront Restaurant. Boasting an impressive aspect featuring 180° views, spanning Brisbane's historic Botanic Gardens and City Skyline, Joey's is the perfect destination to sit back, relax and view Brisbane. Whether it's a quick morning coffee, a Sunday brunch, the ultimate long lunch or a romantic date night, Joey's has everyone feeling at home.

Top review

NicolaP

Dined on 1 Jan 2023

Great location, friendly and attentive service, excellent food with the DJ playing some great tunes at a good volume for easy conversation. Will definitely go back

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Popular dish

Oysters

L'Oasis Cafe & Restaurant

4.5

4.5 (85)

$40 and under

Modern Australian

Calamvale

About the restaurant

L' Oasis Cafe Bar and Restaurant was created with a vision to create a venue where all dynamics of people could come to one place and not only enjoy each other's company, but also enjoy the international flavours that our Head Chef Star and her amazing team behind the scenes create.

Our Menu HIGHLIGHTS the flavours of a Pan Asian, Modern Australian and Mediterranean cuisine, with our Top Seller being the Charcoal Plate giving you a taste of fresh meats cooked over charcoals, the bitter but sweet taste in our sauce and the Cocktails to top it off.

Our Venue offers a variety of seating options that can cater for all occasions, whether that be for a Casual Dining Experience, Romantic Night out, Cocktails and Live Music on a Friday, Bottomless Brunch Experience On Saturday's, Birthday Bookings or Functions and Events.

Top review

Kneen

Dined on 23 Nov 2024

So accomodating for our party of 10…5 of which were kids...amazing food….amazing service! Thanks for having us

Fonzie Abbott

4.4

4.4 (30)

$40 and under

Cafe Dining

Albion

About the restaurant

Our humble HQ in Albion is home to the world’s only roastery, brewery and distillery under one roof. It also features our flagship Café and Tap Room.

Top review

Nathan

Dined 5 days ago

Great food, great service and great coffee. Loved the Christmas blend.

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Experience

Cheers to Happy Hour!

Quincy's Bar & Cafe

4.5

4.5 (41)

$41 to $100

Cafe Dining

Grange

About the restaurant

OUR STORY
Quincy's is a secret destination for locals, architecturally designed by owner Shawn Godwin of Base Architecture. The venue draws inspiration from world-renowned Los Angeles architect from the 1930’s, Archibald Quincy Jones.

Like all great businesses with genuine community-driven aspirations, this unique space is filled to the brim with local beer and wine, as well as a cocktail menu that showcases the best spirits that Australian distillers have to offer.

Catering to all ages, Quincy’s is yours to enjoy and we invite you to come and see what it’s all about.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined on 26 Jul 2024

Thank you for accomodating us on Friday night. We all had a wonderful night .. the booth space was fabulous.. delicious gin and the staff were so helpful and friendly. Thank you.

Kusuka Corner - Brisbane

4.8

4.8 (27)

$40 and under

Indonesian

Sunnybank

About the restaurant

Kusuka Corner is an Indonesian Inspired Cafe & Eatery, bringing a modern and playful flair to the casual dining scene. Rooted from the family upbringing and the warm hospitable culture in Indonesia, Kusuka Corner serves uniquely delicious offerings of food, drinks and coffee. Street style Nasi Goreng or the warm bowl of Papa’s Congee are just a few examples of our house favourites. We also serve a range of creative artisan drinks, mocktails and desserts

Top review

Caitlin

Dined on 25 Feb 2024

Great prices great food good job. ate the nasi goreng best ever

Ground Hog Social

4.5

4.5 (24)

$40 and under

Cafe Dining

Manly

About the restaurant

Join us in our beautiful location by the water in Manly!

Ground Hog Social features all day Breakfast and Lunch | Coffee | Craft Beer | Wine | Spirits

Top review

Alan

Dined on 5 Oct 2024

Lovely environment to eat with sunny outdoor tables, and park across the road. Food was well portioned and properly prepared, coffee also well executed. Service was average - one offering of table water only despite sitting in the sun. Told to notify them when bringing pets (fair enough) but no option to do this or add notes via online booking app, only dietary requirements. Overall a good eating and coffee experience and value for money, but service let them down.

Lovewell

4.5

4.5 (622)

$40 and under

Australian

Mt Gravatt

About the restaurant

We are a social enterprise cafe attached to Lovewell Foundation, serving great food & coffee to the community, with spectacular views overlooking Brisbane City. We are open everyday from 8am to 3pm (MON-FRI) & 7am to 3pm (SAT-SUN), with our kitchen closing at 2pm.

For large bookings, please contact our Events Coordinator at events@lovewell.com.au

Top review

Katherine

Dined 3 days ago

Absolutely amazing, food excellent and staff polite and helpful. Six people with different breakfasts, which we all enjoyed.

Nodo - Newstead

4.6

4.6 (19)

$40 and under

Cafe Dining

Newstead

About the restaurant

In 2014 Kate Williams launched nodo (pronounced “no-dough”) to spread happiness through beautiful baked goods that combine artisan methods and naturally gluten free ingredients. At nodo, we are renowned for our gluten free, ‘baked not fried’ donuts. in recent years we have grown into an institution amongst people with the very same healthy obsession for wholesome food. a beautiful like-minded community.

Top review

Theresa

Dined on 20 Sept 2024

Good food and service was excellent. Would definitely recommend to anyone with food allergies or intolerances

Todd and Pup

4.7

4.7 (203)

$40 and under

Modern Australian

Tarragindi

About the restaurant

Todd & Pup is located in the invigorated suburb of Moorooka. We accept bookings of 3+ groups. Anything under 3 please walk in. Dogs are welcome, you MUST book an 'outside' table, tables labelled 'regular' are indoor tables and we cannot have the pups inside sadly. We have lots of space and if you do need to wait for a table it is never very long.

Our chefs run a seasonal menu, nighttime specialty burger menu daily sweet and savoury house-made bakery goods and weekly specials.

Todd & Pup has extensive outdoor seating and can cater to large groups. We’re also child and dog friendly, so come down and meet the SUPER friendly staff.

Top review

Sue

Dined on 14 Dec 2024

Great atmosphere (we sat inside). Good and coffee great. We didn’t get pushed out or feel as if we had to eat and go. Will return

Malt Pier

$40 and under

Cafe Dining

Newstead

About the restaurant

A small sanctuary exists in the form of a riverside cafe in Newstead.
Malt Pier welcome, lovers of food, exercisers looking for a caffein fix and four legged furry friends.
So stroll through the park to the river art Pier waterfront and escape the hustle and bustle of this ever growing suburb.

Top review

SamG

Dined on 5 Apr 2023

Thank you for accommodating the time change for our group - great wine recommendation to accompany food choices. Only comment was calamari was salty but delicious! Excellent service and broad menu choices including flexibility in meal selection. Will be back

My Mistress

4.1

4.1 (115)

$40 and under

Breakfast

Albion

About the restaurant

By day one of Brisbane's longest running and iconic cafes for breakfast and lunch!

Top review

ReneeT

Dined on 2 Feb 2024

I booked for a birthday lunch with friends. Our waitress was friendly and helpful and the food and drinks were delish (I had the Rueben and a breakfast gin). Great table- comfortable for long chats on a warm summer day.

Stones Throw Espresso

$40 and under

Australian

Coorparoo

About the restaurant

Established since 2017, Stones Throw Cafe offers up high quality, locally roasted Cats Pyjamas Coffee, delicious take away options and a beautifully simple yet mouthwatering breakfast and lunch menu.

Top review

PippaB

Dined on 24 Jun 2023

Great little local cafe. Good coffee, great food, good service. Gluten Free options :)

Milano

$40 and under

Cafe Dining

Brisbane CBD

About the restaurant

Milano is widely regarded as one of the leading inner-city Brisbane restaurants. Milano’s is an elegant outdoor cafe in the European tradition with an emphasis on excellent, modern Italian cuisine and an extensive wine and beverage list including 12 boutique and imported beers on tap. If you are looking for one of the most popular Brisbane restaurants in the heart of the Queen Street Mall, you won’t be disappointed! Our eclectic mix of global flavours and cuisine, with an Italian focus, is complemented by Asian inspired dishes and traditional English staples. Having been a constant presence as a Queen Street Mall restaurant since 1982, Milano has proud traditions as one of the longest standing and most highly regarded restaurant and bar destinations in Brisbane’s CBD. To our treasured regular patrons, friends, tourists and visitors of Milano, Queen Street Mall, we thank you for your continued support over the years and many more years to come.

Top review

Johnno

Dined on 2 Jun 2023

Very nice evening. The food was excellent. My only complaint would be the lack of proper wait service. The young waiters were pleasant enough but you can only order at the bar or by phone icon and you have to pay for each course as you order making it hard to get another drink 🍷 at the table during the meal. I would prefer them to take a full order at the start and provide bill for the whole evening at the conclusion. Anyway, very good over all and would not hesitate to recommend.

Nodo - Hawthorne

4.5

4.5 (10)

$40 and under

Cafe Dining

Hawthorne

About the restaurant

In 2014 Kate Williams launched nodo (pronounced “no-dough”) to spread happiness through beautiful baked goods that combine artisan methods and naturally gluten free ingredients.

At nodo, we are renowned for our gluten free, ‘baked not fried’ donuts. In recent years we have grown into an institution amongst people with the very same healthy obsession for wholesome food. A beautiful like-minded community.

Top review

SeanM

Dined on 23 Feb 2024

Excellent service and appreciate pure GF dining. The menu is fresh and full of options and the atmosphere is relaxed while service is attentive.

Birrunga Gallery & Dining

4.7

4.7 (68)

$40 and under

Dining Bar

Brisbane CBD

About the restaurant

Birrunga Gallery & Dining
Indigenous Gallery - Cafe - Bar - Restaurant - Catering - Functions & Events

Breakfast 7am to 11am Monday to Friday
Lunch 11am to 2pm Monday to Friday
Dinner 3pm to 8pm Tuesday to Friday

Situated at basement level off Adelaide Street, in the heart of the Brisbane CBD, we serve as a sanctuary away from the hustle of the city where you can sit amongst a vast collection of First Nations Art and Culture, whilst enjoying delicious food, coffee, specialised non-alcoholic beers as well as a selection of boutique reds, whites, sparkles, ciders, and ales.

Our café is nestled in the heart of gallery boasting menus that are influenced by bush tucker and indigenous ingredients. We utilise fresh and native ingredients to deliver modern twists on cultural classics, packed full of unique flavours.

Top review

LisaT

Dined on 16 Apr 2024

It was a great eating experience for our group. I would not choose BG for a quick lunch option with work colleagues with a limited lunchbreak. We had a great time nonetheless.