Top Coffee Spots in Brisbane City

Brisbanites take their coffee seriously, and The City’s vendors have the pours to satisfy the craving. Whether you like a short black on the sidewalk or a specialty latte to go, you’ll find what you’re looking for at one of The City’s top coffee spots. Uncover the CBD's hidden coffee nooks, find our favourite local roasters, and cold drip, pour-over or French-press your heart out with the best coffee in Brisbane City.

Brew, Burnett Lane

As the name suggests, Brew does a mean brew of both the caffeinated and alcoholic kind. Wander down Burnett Lane and stop in at the underground bunker bar, pouring weekdays from 7am until late, and 8am on weekends. For something a bit different, try a turmeric, beetroot velvet, chai or matcha latte. 

Botero, Adelaide St

Image credit: Savannah Van Der Niet

If you’re walking along Adelaide St your nose will most likely be drawn to the heavenly aromas of Botero. Open the doors to discover a three-storey, renovated heritage-listed building with exposed brick walls, copper fittings and bare concrete which beautifully complements the building’s architectural heritage. The coffee on pour is a choice of five blends from Botero's roastery in Maclean, New South Wales, as well as rotating single origins. Plus, on Thursday and Friday nights the cafe turns into a bar and serves up game-changing espresso's in Martini form.

Coffee Anthology, Margaret St

Photo Credit: @basketballfreak6 via Instagram 

Coffee Anthology is a coffee aficionado’s nirvana on Margaret St. The little treasure chest is an ultimate ode to the bean. The cafe caters to the varying tastes of its customers by showing you several different coffee collections from all different brewing companies and roasteries. You’ll regularly find blends and single origins from some of Australia's top roasters including Uncle Joe’s Seven Seeds, Proud Mary, The Maling Room and Axil Coffee Roasters. Accompany your cup with Maleny Dairies Jersey milk, Zymil, Bonsoy, or have the best of both worlds with the 1+1 special of a five-ounce milk-based coffee with an espresso on the side.

Edward Specialty Coffee, Edward St

This specialty coffee nook is what the city’s bean waiting for. Tart, smooth, blackberry notes … you might think we’re talking wine, but Edward Specialty Coffee is brewing complex and unique espresso. Find White Horse Coffee and four origin varietals on rotation in a sophisticated, minimalist space. 

Hidden away in a heritage building on George St lies Frisky Goat Espresso. The cafe attracts even the most avid coffee connoisseurs by setting themselves apart with organic Guatemalan single origin beans as well as the famous house blend Sweet Cocoa.

John Mills Himself, Charlotte St

The location might be secret but John Mills Himself cafe and bar is a local favourite. Housed in the heritage-listed John Mills Building you can access this hidden gem via the laneway on Elizabeth St. Supporting all-local and where possible organic produce, the cafe rotates between The Single Guys, Cup Coffee Roasters and Uncle Joe's Coffee House blends across the three grinders. Choose your own bean or let the baristas recommend the blend suited to your tastebuds.

Marchetti, Tattersalls Arcade

Created by Michael Makras, owner of the renowned Optiko optometrist also housed in Tattersall’s Arcade, Marchetti is inspired by the décor of traditional cafes in Italy and France, featuring marble horse friezes and terrazzo tiled floors. Take a seat at one of the tables or pull up a stool at the window bench with an Allpress coffee and soak up the European ambience.

Nodo, Elizabeth St

As well as serving up a selection of gluten and dairy free treats, Nodo is also known for its delicious hot beverages. Try the single origin batch brew or add an extra like the wattle seed caramel syrup. Speciality varieties include Nodo’s matcha latte, organic spiced chai latte and organic turmeric coconut latte. Iced coffee variations are also available.

The Coop Espresso Bar, Eagle Lane

Situated between Queen St and Eagle St on Eagle Lane, The Coop Espresso Bar is a go-to coffee spot for the city’s riverside office workers. Take advantage of the afternoon coffee deals for a post-lunch pick-me-up.

Coffee Iconic, George St

Serving a delicious house blend in a hideaway cafe, Coffee Iconic’s coffee, breakfast and vibe is the perfect brew. The secret garden is your inner-city oasis – take some time to enjoy a hot coffee in the quiet, leafy courtyard. 

Santa Monica Express, Ann St

Combine a warm, buzzing vibe with a breezy beach fit-out and you get Santa Monica Pizza and Burger Bar. You know the coffee must be good when there’s a large crowd gathering there every morning. Arrive at Santa Monica Express for your morning coffee and stay until the evening for the burgers and beer towers.

Strauss, Elizabeth St

Hidden down a laneway on Elizabeth St, coffee haven Strauss is a combination of the talents from the guys behind Cup and Merriweather. The coffee offerings change regularly, however among the many options is a single origin from Colombia or a filter blend from El Salvador, sourced from Cup Coffee Roasters.

Bean, George St

Nestled in a quiet laneway off George St, Bean is a stripped-back coffee house using Single Origins by Bellissimo Coffee brewed by trained baristas. The cafe has a record player and books, creating the perfect atmosphere to enjoy if you want to escape from the hustle of the City. Bean, like its name, is keeping it simple, and that's the way we like it.

Coffee Booth, Roma St

This kitschy, grab-and-go coffee den sits just outside Roma Street Station. The perfect spot for commuters to get their caffeine hit.

Contessa, Roma St

BlackStar Coffee's second venture, Contessa on Roma St, specialises in high-quality boutique espresso and cold-pressed coffee varieties. The cafe offers coffee from its weekly rotation of roasted single-origin blends that exude their own unique flavour and aroma. If you're a fan of iced coffee, the well-known BlackStar cold-pressed black, full cream and soy varieties are available.

The Maillard Project, Charlotte St

Specialty cafe and coffee roaster The Maillard Project is bringing breakfast up a notch in Brisbane’s CBD. And it’s no wonder, being a project by the locally loved Margaret Street cafe Coffee Anthology. Stop by for unique blends and beautiful breakfasts and pick up a pastry while you’re at it.