Look, we’re self aware. We know Brisbane/Meanjin isn’t Melbourne. We don't wear as much black and we definitely don't own as many beanies. But we think we can take them on—at least when it comes to coffee. You may not have noticed, but Brisbane is becoming a powerhouse of specialty coffee.
Single origin, espresso, blends...you name it, we got it. Roasteries aplenty, baristas for days, and vibes unparalleled. If you're as addicted to the bean juice as we are here at Urban List, here’s where to find the best coffee shops in Brisbane.
Fortitude Valley And Newstead
Single O
Newstead
Sydney-founded coffee roasters Single O have come to Newstead, bringing their coffee-on-tap experience to our taste buds. Located in a funky graffiti-laden garage, you can serve your own single origin batch brew or oat milk latte from the self-pour taps on their hole-in-the-wall counter. Prefer a classic cappucino? Don't worry, they do a mean one of those too.
Death Before Decaf
Fortitude Valley
Why do all coffee shops close around 2pm? We need coffee 24/7. That’s where Death Before Decaf comes in. This grungy Brisbane coffee bar slings up those energy filled drinks round the clock. Might be the move after a big night in the Valley.
Bear Bones Coffee
Fortitude Valley
Iconic roastery and wholesaler Bear Bones Coffee has a “Brew Bar” in the Valley where you can sample their caffeinated goods first hand. The open warehouse space is home to local art, an in-house roastery, and plenty of room to sip a cuppa or two. Make it three, and you can try all their blends.
The Woolshed
Teneriffe
The Woolshed’s looming black exterior is hard to miss—but the crowds around it are even harder to miss. A staple after run club, their iced lattes go down easy. Need something even colder? Try their cold brew soft serve. It’s a slay.
Reverends Fine Coffee
Fortitude Valley
Hallelujah! Reverends Fine Coffee are here to keep providing their praise-worthy cuppas. A mix of plum, cherry, and other dark flavours permeate the taste of their house blend, while they also rotate other guest roasts, like Wide Open Road Coffee.
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Salt Coffee Roasters
Newstead
Image credit: Salt Coffee | Grace Elizabeth Smith
Bringing a classy and chill vibe to the morning coffee jitters, Salt Coffee Roasters have the aesthetic that Pinterest dreams of. Deep green walls, marble counters, and plenty of plants—the zen kicks in before the coffee can.
Brisbane CBD
John Mills Himself
Charlotte Street
Nestled within the walls of a heritage listed building, John Mills Himself is the trendy cafe/bar you’ve been looking for. The tiny joint has warm lighting, aged brick walls, and coffee to die for—sounds good to us.
The Maillard Project
Charlotte Street
Coffee isn’t an art at The Maillard Project—it’s a science. Focusing on the reactions between amino acids and sugars at high temperatures, they’ve got blends and roasts that Einstein himself would call genius.
Strauss
Elizabeth Street
Tucked down a laneway in the CBD, Strauss is an oasis from busy city life. The family-owned and operated cafe makes lattes and flat whites with their own house blend, while long blacks and espressos come from various single-origin beans, rotated weekly.
Coffee Anthology
Charlotte Street
Industrial-chic comes to life at Coffee Anthology. Exposed brick, LED archways, and concrete planters intersect with the smooth smell of a good coffee and the clinking of mugs. With a permanent “Guest Coffee Bar”, different roasters are showcased each month—try a new taste each time.
Industry Beans
Adelaide Street
Image credit: Industry Beans | Facebook
Hailing from the streets of Melbourne, Industry Beans have brought their iconic roast to Brisbane's coffee scene. With a location in the CBD—and a larger one in Newstead—you can grab their “Fitzroy iced coffee” anytime you need.
Edward Espresso
Edward Street
Edward Espresso, or the cafe formerly known as Edward Specialty Coffee, takes pride in their shots. Made by highly trained baristas, each cup of bean juice is concocted in state-of-the-art machines. Give us precision or give us death.
North
The Coffee Commune
Bowen Hills
Join with other Brisbane coffee lovers at The Coffee Commune. Not just a cafe, it’s a hub for innovation, networking, and new ways to finetune your coffee creations. The perfect place to bring your barista friend, hit up their monthly event to get some new insight.
Fonzie Abbott
Albion
Also known as Fox Street Factory, the headquarters of Fonzie Abbott are a stone’s throw away from Brisbane. Located in Albion, the warehouse style cafe is also home to the world’s only roastery, distillery AND brewery. Uppers, downers, you pick.
Big Bad Wolff
Hendra
Like something out of a fairytale, Big Bad Wolff will supply you with coffee that’ll leave you floating through the air, following the scent. The cafe outpost of coffee extraordinaire Wolff Coffee Roasters, their blends are to die for.
Collingwood Black
Albion
Image credit: Collingwood Black | Facebook
In a converted warehouse and builders space you’ll find Collingwood Black. The dog friendly cafe has a welcoming and homely feel to it, with brick walls, a timber ceiling, plants for days, and a courtyard you wouldn’t mind having a BBQ in—or at least a coffee.
Elixir HQ Cafe
Stafford
If you’re after the experts on coffee, you’ll find them at Elixir HQ Cafe. The headquarters of the fan-favourite roastery, these baristas know what they’re doing. Don’t forget to try their cold drip coffee—it’s the elixir of the gods.
The Tiller Coffee
Alderley
If you’re lost, just look for the bright orange shipping container—that’s The Tiller Coffee. The small novelty cafe serves up a brew you won’t forget soon. The wooden accents and aqua coffee machine in the revamped container makes it pretty Insta-worthy too.
DIBS
Albion
Brisbane specialty coffee roasters, The Black Lab Coffee Co., have their headquarters in Albion—and we call DIBS on visiting it. The colourful 90s inspired joint serves up brews you’d expect from their roastery, with their beans as the stars of the show.
Told You So
North Lakes
Feel like trying something different? Try an iced coffee soda at Told You So. Yep, that’s right, you can get your espresso with a side of bubbles at this small Northside cafe. If that’s not quite your style, you can grab a regular single origin brew off them too.
Neighbourhood Coffee Roasters
Alderley
Image credit: Neighbourhood Coffee Roasters | Facebook
Roastery, cafe, and store, Neighbourhood Coffee Roasters does it all. The proud Brisbane venue has a manifesto: “People make great coffee, not machines”. And they take it to heart, with their team trained in a range of brewing methods.
South
Blackstar Coffee Roasters
West End
Another Brisbane roastery slaying their coffee game is Blackstar Coffee Roasters. Their store in West End is known for their cold-pressed coffees—no wait necessary. While you’re there, stock up on their house blend beans—may as well, right?
Extraction Artisan Coffee
Slacks Creek
Using high quality green coffee beans from all around the world, Extraction Artisan Coffee extract the goods for that sweet, sweet, bean juice. Their “Gratitude” house blend has us all kinds of thankful, with notes of chocolate hidden in the drink.
Supernumerary
Salisbury
With an in-house roastery, Supernumerary is the place to go for super coffee in Brisbane. The wide open space with emerald green accent walls has a relaxing feel to it—and what better way to relax than with a hot cup of caffeine?
Coffee Head Co.
South Brisbane
If you like your coffee spiced up with a dash of saving the world, check out Coffee Head Co. They serve organic and fair trade specialty coffee, so you don’t have to worry about the ethical implications of your morning cuppa.
Moonshine Coffee
Kangaroo Point
Image credit: Moonshine Coffee | Instagram
Hidden under the shade of an ancient fig tree, situated beneath the Story Bridge, you’ll find Moonshine Coffee. Bringing a taste of Byron Bay to the big smoke, this outpost of Byron Moonshine Coffee serves up the regional vibes Brisbane needs.
Penny Coffee Co.
Dutton Park
A swag addition to your morning caffeine run, try out Penny Coffee Co. Just look for the awesome mural and follow the scent of energy, and you’ll find it. They appreciate coffee as much as a tired mum does, so you can trust they’ve got you sorted.
East
Make My Day
Woolloongabba
Make My Day, AKA Day Made Supreme, AKA Coffee Supreme, may go by a number of names, but they sure know how to do one thing consistently—good coffee. Pair that with their toasties, and you’ve got yourself a winner.
ST. ALi
Morningside
Melbourne born-and-bred coffee brand ST. ALi set up shop in Morningside to bring their brews to us in the Sunshine State. Their warehouse joint includes a cafe, a roastery, and a training room for wannabe baristas.
Coffee Mentality
Woolloongabba And East Brisbane
Change your mindset at Coffee Mentality. This specialty roastery offers a unique tasting experience, where a “brewmaster” showcases a range of artisanal coffees and delicacies. Learning with a touch of caffeine? Yes please.
Belissimo
Bulimba And Coorparooo
Image credit: Belissimo | Instagram
Copying their original—and very successful—roastery/cafe in Fortitude Valley, Belissimo expanded to both Bulimba and Coorparoo. Their mission to source smarter and roast better has led them to produce their iconic blends we now know and love.
West
The Single Guys
Kenmore
Always asking where The Single Guys are? They’re in Kenmore. Sourcing the best single origin coffee that money can buy, these dudes are worth looking for—but if you're not a westie, you can check out their new digs in the CBD instead.
Bunker
Milton
We don’t call Bunker a hole-in-the-wall spot for the sake of it—it’s literally a hole in the wall. The converted bomb shelter, covered in ivy, serves up specialty coffees like you wouldn’t believe. They’re the bomb, pun intended—and so are their bottled cold brews, which come in alternative milks for the dairy challenged.
Blackout
Paddington
Another cafe from The Black Lab Coffee Co., Blackout is a funky little cafe in Paddington. Effortlessly cool, the decor, staff, and even coffee emanates good vibes. It doesn’t hurt that it’s dog-friendly too, or that their coffee is of course, divine.
Looking for more places to find a good coffee in Brisbane? Head here:
Image credit: Single O | Facebook
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