Brisbane’s hospitality scene is booming right now. Not much time passes by without a hot new restaurant, bar or cafe opening up – and it can feel overwhelming knowing which one to try next. That’s why we’ve rounded up some of the best with our pick of our fave new Brisbane cafes and bakeries. Save this list if you need some inspo for your next brunch date.
1. RIVA
Set in a leafy parkland with stunning views of the Brisbane River, RIVA is the perfect spot for your next alfresco brunch.
They’re serving up plenty of delicious eats and coffee to start your day right. Think truffled scrambled eggs, tiramisu overnight oats, corn and zucchini fritters, burgers, and more.
You can find RIVA at 285 MacArthur Avenue, Hamilton.
2. Toby’s Estate
Renowned Australian coffee roasters Toby’s Estate have opened a new flagship cafe in Newstead, from where they serve up their signature blends, with new and unique blends to try every month, as well as cooked brunch bites and sweets on offer.
The industrial-chic space is hard to miss, as is the sleek espresso bar. If you consider yourself a coffee enthusiast, Toby’s Estate is a must-visit.
You can find Toby’s Estate at 1/33 Longland St, Newstead.
3. Buttery Boy
If fluffy buttery pancakes are the way to your heart, seek no further than Fortitude Valley’s new pancake-dedicated cafe, Buttery Boy.
Satisfy your sweet tooth with drool-worthy pancake varieties such as cinnamon bun, s’mores and pavlova, those of which can be customised with house-made sweet or savoury butters like espresso, smoked maple butter, or their popular bacon butter.
Beyond their signature Butterycakes, you can also indulge in other brunch eats, such as eggs benedict, gourmet burgers, and a variety of fresh pizza pockets, pastries and healthy salads bowls.
You can find Buttery Boy at 31 Duncan St, Fortitude Valley.
4. Croix Croissant
From Melbourne to Brisbane comes a new specialty croissant shop and cafe that’s worth checking out. Tucked away on the southside in Hillcrest, Croix Croissant is dedicated to the beloved flaky pastry, with plenty of sweet and savoury varieties to choose from.
The croissant connoisseurs first garnered their popularity down in Melbourne for their experimental croissant creations, and now they’ve expanded up north.
In-store, you can expect to find everything from cruffins, croissant rolls and bagel croissants to cubed croissants and classic French pastries, with unique flavours such as mi goreng brulee, pandan creme brulee, as well as salmon and cream cheese.
You can find Croix Croissant at 85 Coronation Rd, Hillcrest
5. Straits
Spinning records, great coffee, and moreish pastries – these are a few of the things you’ll find at this little retro cafe in Coorparoo.
It’s a choice spot for a bite and caffeine hit on the weekend.
You can find Straits at 82 Leicester Street, Coorparoo.
6. James and Antler
When this James Street toastie spot first opened, they were met with long lines every day of people wanting one of their viral loaded croque toasties and canned-to-order soft serve frappes.
These epic croques are loaded with manchego and egmont cheese as well as a generous lathering of mustard and leek cream. Their most popular is the croque madame which includes ham off the bone with the aforementioned fillings, and you can opt for a fried egg on top. There’s also a cauliflower number for vegetarians, which is equally delicious.
As for the coffee frappes, they are whipped up with the soft serve machine on-site and served in cans. A choice pick-me-up from the mini food coma that is likely to ensue from your croque of choice.
You can find James and Antler at 18/65 James St, Fortitude Valley
7. Illusion by no.5
We’re always on the hunt for interesting venues in Brisbane, and Illusion by no. 5 definitely fits the bill – the newly opened café and bar on Ann Street looks like something straight out of a black-and-white graphic novel.
At this mind-bending spot, you can expect to see a piano, furniture, murals and other small objects which have been drawn on by hand to create the 2D effect.
While the interiors may seem like the main attraction, Illusion by no. 5 also serves up a range of tasty breakfast and brunch eats, plus cocktails and coffee.
A highlight from their all-day breakfast menu is the weekend brunch boards for two, which include a bit of everything – grilled bacon, roasted tomato, mushrooms, hash browns, poached eggs, toasted sourdough, chorizo, halloumi, hollandaise, kale, yogurt and more. There’s even a vegan brunch board for plant-based eaters.
You can find Illusions by no.5 at 713 Ann St, Fortitude Valley
8. Rise Bakery
Live out your Parisian dreams with all the pastries you can think of at Rise Bakery. Located at Portside Wharf, this elegant French bakery serves up everything from creamy ham and cheese croissants to quiches, tuna baguettes, desserts and more.
Rise Bakery even has a French champagne bar onsite in case you wanted to pair a glass of bubbles with your brunch food.
You can find Rise Bakery at Shop 7.01F/39 Hercules St, Hamilton
9. Kevin
Located inside a revamped Queenslander cottage is Kevin, the newest cafe in town. Here, you’ll find delicious brunch eats such as a loaded avocado toast with zucchini, yuzu and goats cheese, crumbed chicken katsu sandos, build-your-own breakfast dishes with all your favourites flavours, as well as fresh juices and smoothies.
You can find Kevin at 726 Brunswick St, New Farm
10. Pressi
Fortitude Valley’s California Lane is full of fantastic spots to eat and drink, and a must-try newbie on the block is Pressi, a juice bar and cafe right on the corner of the laneway.
Pressi has everything from fresh healthy cold press juices and smoothies to gourmet toasties, tiger rolls and other health food treats. It’s perfect for your next grab ‘n’ go lunch or dine-in pick me up on a weekend.
You can find Pressi at California Lane, Fortitude Valley
11. C’est du Gâteau
If you’re looking for authentic French pastries in South Bank, C’est du Gâteau has got you covered. The new bakery on Grey Street is run by Seb and Fred, who are French pastry chefs with over 15 years of experience in high-end patisseries and hotels across Europe.
C’est du Gâteau, which translates to “it’s a piece of cake”, specialises in fresh-baked classics such as tartlets, almond croissants and pain au chocolat, as well as signature savoury numbers such as 12-hour slow-cooked barbecued pulled pork and caramelised onion croissants, and a packed Reuben croissant with layers of pastrami, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, dijon and seeded mustard.
You can find C’est du Gâteau at 182 Grey St, South Brisbane
12. Australian Wildflour Pastry Co
This gluten-free bakery and patisserie in Cleveland is an absolute must-try if you’re wanting to grab a bite to eat on the bayside.
Australian Wildflour Pastry Co is home to a delicious array of artisan bread, croissants, cakes, brownies, sausage rolls and other pastries — all free from gluten.
You can find Australian Wildflour Pastry Co at 10/111 Queen St, Cleveland
13. Sorelle Eatery
One of Brisbane’s most stunning new cafes is Sorelle Eatery, which has recently opened in St Lucia. Grab the gang for an Italian-inspired breakfast or brunch, whether it be a spring onion crepe, Sicilian chilli scrambled eggs or lemon coconut ricotta hot cakes.
The eatery also doubles as a homewares store, so you can stock up on decor and fragrances while you’re there.
You can find Sorelle Eatery at 242 Hawken Dr, St Lucia
14. Kenilworth Bakery
Thanks to its viral coffee doughnuts and 1kg doughnut challenge, Kenilworth Bakery has become a go-to spot on a day trip from Brisbane. And after opening a second store in Mooloolaba in 2022, the bakery has now expanded to Bribie Island.
Kenilworth Bakery’s Bribie Island store serves up a drool-worthy range of doughnuts and pies, including 1KG doughnuts as well as coffee served inside a doughnut. Yep, you read that right: fresh barista coffee poured inside a sugary doughnut, which you can sip on and then eat afterward. You might be thinking: wouldn’t the whole thing get all soggy? No, it doesn’t, because the inside of the doughnut is lined with chocolate spread, keeping the coffee from soaking into the dough. Smart idea, delicious idea.