Top Coffee Spots in Brisbane City

Brisbanites take their coffee seriously and The City’s cafes have the pours to satisfy your 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.

Bean Cafe + Bar, George St

Nestled in a quiet laneway off George Street, Bean is a stripped-back coffeehouse 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.

Brew, Burnett Lane

As the name suggests, Brew cafe and wine bar 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 from 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

This heavenly cafe and bar housed in a three-storey, renovated heritage-listed building serves a choice of five blends from Botero House's roastery in Maclean, New South Wales, as well as rotating single origins on weekdays from 6:15am. On Thursday and Friday nights, the cafe turns into a bar and serves up game-changing espressos in martini form.

Chocolate Moments, Albert St

Pairing chocolate and coffee, this sweet emporium is dedicated to our two favourite vices. Located near City Botanic Gardens, stop by the newly opened cafe for freshly ground Montville coffee and select from handmade gourmet chocolates and sweet treats at the specialty chocolate kitchen. Open from 7am on weekdays and from 10am on weekends.

Coffee Anthology, Margaret St

A coffee aficionado’s nirvana on Margaret Street, the cafe is the proud purveyor of different blends and single origin beans from some of Australia's top roasters, including Uncle Joe’s Seven Seeds, Proud Mary, The Maling Room and Axil Coffee Roasters. Sample the best – try the 1+1 special of a 5oz milk-based coffee with an espresso on the side.

Coffee Iconic, George St

Serving a delicious house blend, single origin coffee and batch brews in a hideaway café on George Street, Coffee Iconic’s coffee, breakfast and vibe is the perfect pick-me-up recipe. The secret garden is your inner-city oasis – take some time to enjoy a barista-made coffee in the quiet, leafy courtyard. Open from 7am on weekdays and from 8am on Saturdays.

Contessa, Roma St

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

Edward Specialty Coffee, Edward St

This specialty coffee nook is just what The City’s bean waiting for. The sophisticated, minimalist space at the base of the Anzac Square building specialises in thoughtfully sourced and meticulously brewed coffee. The weekday cafe is open from 7am – check out the pourover menu of White Horse Coffee and four origin varietals on rotation.

Frisky Goat Espresso, George St

Hidden away in a heritage building on George Street, Frisky Goat Espresso serves Beancraft Coffee and featured blends from Reuben Hills, Dukes Coffee and more. The weekday cafe attracts even the most avid coffee connoisseurs by setting itself 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.

Le Bon Choix, Queen St and Edward St 

Whether you’re looking to sit in, takeaway, or pick up a side of a French bagel or croissant, Le Bon Choix is indeed a great choice. You’ll find this French patisserie on Queen St and Edward St in The City, serving coffees and freshly baked goods seven days from 6.30am.

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.

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.

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.

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.