14 best breakfast and brunch spots in Fortitude Valley
Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley precinct might be better known for its nightlife, bars, pubs and live music venues, but in the not-so-wee hours of the morning a new culture of coffee and breakfast is creeping in. Discover our picks of the neighbourhood for your next brunch adventure.
A breakfast institution, Harvey’s is a breezy spot along James St perfect to fuel your day shopping the strip. Breakfast is served seven days, with everything from a confit potato, ricotta and spinach omelette to ricotta-buttermilk pancakes with caramelised banana and honeycomb butter.
When eggs on toast are less than $10, you know you've found a winner. 321 Water Street is half hidden behind brick and greenery but once found, you won't want to leave. Dine in on brekky delights including salmon french toast, corn and zucchini fritters with smashed avo and truffle omelette – with nothing over $16, the bank won't be broken.
Chow House rides the line between Asian-fusion and a classic morning menu. Tuck into the Chow House nasi goreng and Thai chicken omelette, or go more traditional with thyme-roasted mushrooms or a breakfast burger.
The best spots are hidden away, and this one is on a side street off James St. The dual-level cafe is open seven days serving fun dishes that push boundaries as evidenced by the fried borlotti beans and chilli scramble.
At Reverends, the coffee is great and so is the food – talk about a match made in heaven. Enter the raw brick-walled space, order your favourite brew and make the tough decision between the likes of spaghetti and meatballs on toast, bagels and more.
Glamour is an understatement when it comes to describing the interior of this gorgeous street side cafe, but when it's owned and furnished by Coco Republic, it's to be expected. Imagine yourself on the Italian Riviera while you enjoy a light breakfast of avocado and prosciutto toast, smoked salmon, ricotta and avocado or their selection of egg dishes.
As the new Brisbane flagship for Gold Coast roasters Black Lab this chic little cafe near Bakery Lane obviously cups a great latte – but shouldn’t be underestimated for its excellent food. Mushrooms and a potato rosti with a parmesan veloute or chilli scrambled eggs with kimchi and salmon will have you returning. Keep an eye out for the specials.
Need a health kick to start your day – tiny container cafe Pineapple Express offers acai bowls, cocowhip and healthy wraps. Drop by for an express feed on the footpath by James St.
With a storefront in Fortitude Valley's buzzing Winn Lane, No 5. Cafe certainly came bearing gifts – caffeine and all day brunch. Tuck into crowd favourites of oven baked beans, smashed avo and the potato rosti stack with salmon.
Treat yourself to brunch at a burger bar. Highly regarded for their regular burgers, Bens Burgers also have breakfast options. Choose from a bacon and egg, sausage and egg or go really left wing for the Elvis burger with bacon, peanut butter, banana and maple syrup.
Locals know it, love it and live it and now we're bringing it to you – a hole-in-the-wall coffee shop run by two Irish expats serving Bellissimo coffee and a full breakfast menu. Yes, you could stick with your usual eggs on toast or you could leave it to the chef and try something a little different. We recommend the barramundi croquettes, Turkish eggs or the breakfast roll (Irish-style) with clonakilty sausage, B&W pudding, bacon and fried eggs.
This is coffee roasters Campos headquarters – so we can guarantee the coffee is good. Fortunately, the food is also awesome and a changing menu means regular changes and seasonal eats.
With a paddock to plate motto, you can expect fresh and local ingredients when you pop into this historical venue for a spot of breakfast. The fully restored Queenslander serves classic options with a side of Instagram-worthy aesthetics including a sweet and salty waffle with maple bacon, red wine poached pear and hazelnut gelato.
Lying just outside the Forititude Valley border, Miss Jones Cafe is serving delectable breakfast in a pretty and pink setting so we couldn't resist adding it to this list. Picturesque to a pastel tee and with quality food and coffee to follow, Miss Jones has certainly brought an edge of competition to the already bustling New Farm cafe scene. With menu options including blueberry and vanilla waffles, roast pumpkin bruschetta, and corn and chorizo tacos, this cafe is bound to become your new local.
