Coffee shops are popping up on every corner, gaining a reputation among our large coffee drinkers population. Aside from the great tasting coffee, they are now settings for business meetings and places for catching up with family and friends. We have prepared our list of our favourite coffee shops here in Brisbane, which every local and tourist must try.
1. Coffee Anthology
Coffee Anthology is located at 126 Margaret Street. Presenting the best coffee in Brisbane CBD, this is the perfect place to be. Offering delicious breakfast and vegan food that it is perfect for everyone. Non-coffee drinkers are welcome also, as they have a large selection of teas and chai. Everyone loves the top-notch service crews that are very accommodating and friendly, and this café offers that. Despite the small size, it is swarmed with people waiting for their meals and coffee. Don’t miss out on their Eggs Benedict, which is a genuine best seller, and will make you want to come back every time.
2. John Mills Himself
Though, the place is inside the John Mills Himself building and may be a little hard to find. You may easily reach the place through the driveway at 55 Elizabeth Street. The café takes pride in using Mecca Coffee for their house blend. Quality ingredients make up their chocolates and iced drinks, which every coffee lover would appreciate. Their excellent team knows what you are looking for in your brew.
3. Ltd Espresso Brew Bar
Friendly baristas take pride in producing only the best coffee Brisbane CBD has to offer. The small place is swarming with avid coffee drinkers. Everyone is waiting for their daily dose of caffeine. Their lattes are creamy and thick, precisely the way we want it. The barista makes sure to serve only the best round of coffee for each of their customers. With their reputation going up, they will need a bigger space soon.
4. Shawty’s Espresso
Only nothing but the best, that’s how its regular customers describe Shawty’s Espresso. The service crew is fast, friendly and very accommodating. Their coffee is to die for, with selections from only local and national roasts. It is highly recommended to everyone, from friends to hard-core coffee addicts.
5. Told You So
The coffee is downright amazing. They prefer to use Panela sugar instead of artificial sweeteners. The staff is very accommodating, and they know about the business. They answer every inquiry and question of their guests and regular customers. Told You So is a small shop taking pride on producing only the best quality coffee to their clients.
Every café boasts its house special, and it can be hard to judge which one is the best. The real quest for the best coffee shop is never ending.
You have to be adventurous and open-minded, to try things differently and appreciate their uniqueness and flavour.
You can never go wrong looking for the best coffee Brisbane using the guide above as a reference. These are top-rated and most recommended coffee shops in Brisbane CBD.
FAQ
Q: What are the best coffee spots across Brisbane for specialty coffee lovers?
A: Brisbane has evolved into a serious coffee destination with numerous exceptional spots. Some of the best include Industry Beans in Newstead, Fonzie Abbott in Bulimba and Fortitude Valley, Bellissimo Coffee in Bulimba and Fortitude Valley, and Bear Bones Espresso in Fortitude Valley. The West End area is also home to several excellent cafés like Black Star Coffee and Blackout. For CBD coffee lovers, Edward Street and surrounds offer gems like Coffee Anthology and John Mills Himself, both recognized for their exceptional single-origin offerings and expertly crafted coffee blends.
Q: Which specialty coffee roasters in Brisbane are considered the best?
A: Brisbane boasts several outstanding specialty coffee roasters that have gained national recognition. Fonzie Abbott is a local favorite with their roastery in Albion and cafés in Bulimba and Fortitude Valley. Bellissimo Coffee has won multiple awards for their locally roasted coffee. Other notable roasters include Wolff Coffee Roasters, which focuses on sustainability and direct trade relationships, and Light Coffee, a newer roaster gaining attention for their exceptional single-origin beans. Many of these roasters supply Brisbane’s best coffee shops, creating a thriving local coffee ecosystem.
Q: Where can I find the best coffee beans in Brisbane to brew at home?
A: For exceptional coffee beans in Brisbane, visit the retail sections of local roasteries like Fonzie Abbott in Albion, Bellissimo Coffee, or Industry Beans in Newstead. Most specialty coffee roasters sell their beans directly to consumers, often freshly roasted. Many neighborhood cafés also sell beans from local roasters. For variety, The Single Guys Coffee Co. and Coffee Supreme offer excellent single-origin options and helpful brewing advice. Online options include Sample Coffee and Padre Coffee, which deliver fresh beans throughout Brisbane with detailed tasting notes and origin information.
Q: Has any Brisbane café made it onto the world’s 100 best coffee shops list?
A: Yes, Brisbane has gained international recognition with several cafés appearing on prestigious global coffee rankings. Most notably, Coffee Anthology in the CBD has been featured on the world’s 100 best coffee shops list, bringing attention to Brisbane’s coffee scene. This recognition has helped position Brisbane alongside established coffee capitals like Melbourne in the specialty coffee world. Other Brisbane establishments that have received international attention include John Mills Himself and Bellissimo Coffee, highlighting the quality of coffee being produced across Brisbane’s growing café culture.
Q: What makes Fortitude Valley and Newstead special coffee destinations in Brisbane?
A: Fortitude Valley and Newstead have emerged as Brisbane’s coffee hotspots, hosting a concentration of specialty coffee venues. These neighborhoods feature flagship cafés from top roasters like Industry Beans and Bellissimo Coffee. The area’s industrial heritage provides unique spaces for roasteries and cafés with distinctive character. The proximity of these venues creates a “coffee crawl” opportunity for enthusiasts. Additionally, these neighborhoods attract coffee professionals, fostering innovation and quality. Many venues here focus on sustainability and ethical sourcing while offering educational coffee experiences like cupping sessions and brewing classes.
Q: Which Brisbane coffee roaster is best for those who enjoy single-origin coffee?
A: For single-origin coffee enthusiasts in Brisbane, Light Coffee Roasters stands out for their focus on exceptional, seasonally rotating single-origin beans with transparent sourcing information. Wolff Coffee Roasters offers an impressive selection of single-origin coffees with detailed tasting notes and brewing recommendations. Parallel Roasters specializes in showcasing the distinct characteristics of beans from specific regions and farms. Coffee Supreme regularly features limited-edition single-origin offerings that highlight unique flavor profiles. Many of these roasters supply Brisbane’s best coffee shops and offer direct-to-consumer options through their websites or retail spaces where you can discuss specific flavor preferences with knowledgeable staff.
Q: Where can I find the best specialty coffee in Brisbane’s CBD?
A: Brisbane’s CBD offers several outstanding specialty coffee destinations. Coffee Anthology on Margaret Street is widely considered among Brisbane’s best coffee spots, featuring rotating beans from various specialty coffee roasters. Edward Specialty Coffee provides an exceptional coffee experience with meticulous attention to brewing methods. John Mills Himself, hidden in a laneway off Elizabeth Street, serves carefully selected specialty coffees in a unique underground space. Strauss FD on Elizabeth Street offers both excellent house blends and single-origin options. For those seeking convenience without sacrificing quality, The Single Guys Coffee Co. in the CBD delivers consistently excellent coffee with friendly, knowledgeable service.
Q: What makes Fonzie Abbott one of Brisbane’s most popular coffee roasters?
A: Fonzie Abbott has become one of Brisbane’s beloved coffee institutions thanks to several factors. Their operation spans roasting in Albion and cafés in Bulimba and Fortitude Valley, creating a strong local presence. They’re known for consistently high-quality coffee blends that appeal to both coffee connoisseurs and casual drinkers. The brand has successfully expanded beyond coffee into craft beer and spirits while maintaining coffee quality. Their approachable, community-focused atmosphere has cultivated loyal customers across Brisbane. Additionally, their commitment to sustainability practices and local sourcing resonates with environmentally conscious consumers. Their flagship blend “Highside” has become particularly popular for its balanced flavor profile that works well in various brewing methods.