Maude

While the inner southside of Brisbane is known for its more hipster vibe when it comes to café culture, Maude serves brunch with a side of sophistication. There is not an ironic milk-crate chair or coffee-sack pillow in sight here, instead you’ll find an Insta-worthy and beautifully fresh space full of soft pastels and floral features that will make you want to redecorate your own living room at home.

You can almost anticipate the menu just by looking at the décor at Maude—think refined brunch fair, simple but extraordinarily tasty, where the divine is in the detail. Their version of avocado smash comes with balsamic tomatoes and Persian feta, while croque madame is served with slow braised ham hock, a poached egg and hollandaise. Even scrambled eggs get a makeover with avocado, labneh, quinoa salad and coriander salsa.

Lunch is a similarly fine affair, where some of the breakfast favourites feature, alongside the likes of charred octopus with cauliflower puree and paprika vinaigrette, a chicken avocado salad with roasted beetroot relish,a  buttermilk chicken burger and a steak sandwich with all the trimmings. The drinks menu also has something for everyone with fresh pressed juices, tea, thickshakes, sparkling sips and coffee by Wolff Coffee Roasters. 

Image credit: Ranyhyn Laine