Best Brunch In Brisbane: The Definitive Guide
The Capital of Queensland has turned into quite the food mecca. With a number of trendy neighborhoods full of outstanding shopping, coffee, and restaurants, brunch has turned into the thing to do on weekends. Of course, there are classic eggs benedicts, bottomless mimosas, and decadent french toast. While these dishes are all classics, Brisbane restaurants excel at incorporating non-traditional and international flavors into this meal. If you’re into exploring, you’ll be treated to breakfast banh mi sandwiches, North African flavors, Japanese breakfast bowls, and much more. It’s not easy to decide which of these restaurants to try, as they are all amazing, but here are the best brunch spots in Brisbane:
Felix For Goodness (Brisbane City)
Brisbane CBD ꘡ Everyday 8:00 AM - 1:30 PM
Located in Brisbane CBD (downtown) near the Bounce storage facility at Elizabeth Street and Albert Street, this is one of the must-hit brunch experiences in the capital of Queensland. Their menu is prepared from scratch and its reputation and stellar reviews make it a popular destination on weekends.
It’s a great café for caffeine geeks, but they also serve a variety of natural wines and craft beers from Australia. The food menu is truly the star here. The Kimchi Scramble combines traditional breakfast staple with spicy, funky Korean flavors. Felix for Goodness’s French Toast comes with a huge dose of sweetness. For one, they’re filled with chocolate. Then, they’re topped with a Hazelnut Parfait and fresh berries before being drenched in a coconut butterscotch sauce. It’s about as decadent as it gets.
Expect seasonal specials and a variety of well-executed staples on the rest of the menu. The atmosphere and location make Felix For Goodness an essential Brisbane brunch spot.
Morning After
West End ꘡ Everyday 7:00 AM - 3:30 PM
You might have to work to find this West End brunch restaurant, as it’s tucked away in a side street of this trendy neighborhood. But it’s well worth the effort (and the potential wait for Saturday or Sunday brunch). Morning After is a sleek cafe with a focus on locally-roasted coffee.
For brunch, their iconic breakfast carbonara headlines the menu. You’ll see at least one plate of this indulgent classic on most tables at Morning After and for good reason. There are also trendy takes on the McMuffin and other breakfast classics. Even though the specialty here is coffee, their mimosas and bloody marys are exceptional. Definitely worth a trip to West End.
Cafe O Mai
Annerley ꘡ Saturday - Sunday 7:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Australian foodies looking for an offbeat brunch flock to this trendy restaurant in Annerley. The brunch menu has a nice mix of Vietnamese classics and some familiar brunch options. Their omelet, prepared in Vietnamese fashion, has prawns and pork for rich and savory flavors. Their Bo Kho is a stew of beef brisket, egg noodles, and a tomato base. With mouth-watering aromas wafting through the dining room, it’ll be difficult to decide which of these dishes to dig into.
For sweet treats, their Brioche French Toast with vanilla-rhubarb strawberries and pistachios is one of the most popular menu items. The crown jewel of their brunch is O-Mai’s Phat Breakfast, with eggs your way, lemongrass pork sausages, Asian greens, bacon, sweet potato cake, and a pineapple chili jam that brings unforgettable flavor. Cafe O Mai will make you wish every city had a Vietnamese brunch spot.
Billykart Kitchen
Annerley ꘡ Tuesday - Sunday 7:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Headed by Australia’s favorite TV chef Ben O’Donoghue, this fashionable restaurant boasts a chic dining room and an upscale coffee program. But it’s not all aesthetics here, the great food is mostly made in-house, especially the bread, pickled goods, and pastries.
For a hearty brunch, try the Loaded Brekky Burger with bacon, a fried egg, aioli, and hash browns. The Summer Peach Buttermilk Pancakes are great for a sweet, buttery, and citrusy brunch. Looking for spice? The Jalapeño Crispy Corn Fritters some with a poached egg, chili, tomato relish for scorching flavor. If you want a little bit of everything, their Breakfast Board comes with coconut chia tapioca pudding, eggs benedict, and french toast, although splitting this one is recommended.
Farm House Kedron
Kedron ꘡ Everyday 6:30 AM - 2:30 PM
This quaint eatery pulls out all the stops to achieve rustic charm and an amazing brunch menu of wholesome food. The highlight of the menu is the Breakfast Gnocchi, with chili sauce, thick-cut bacon, and a heavy dose of parmesan. The Breakfast Soufflé with roasted veggies, poached eggs, and garlic sourdough is another farm-to-table classic. The Raspberry Mascarpone with Ricotta Hotcake is an indulgent option for anyone with a sweet tooth. Vegans love the Chargrilled Mango Chia Pudding. Actually, everyone, that’s ever tried it loves the Chargrilled Mango Chia Pudding.
If you’re hitting Farm House for Sunday brunch, make sure to budget some time for the wait, because this is the place to be.
Smoked Paprika
West End ꘡ Everyday 7:00 AM - 2:00 PM
This vibe-driven West End bistro offers a rotating menu of elevated brunch creations. Sure, this place is trendy. Sure, the whole menu seems like it was concocted for Instagram-obsessed foodies. Sure, there’s going to be a wait for Sunday brunch. But it’s worth it. Because this menu brings together some of the best brunch dishes in Brisbane. There is a good reason for Smoked Paprika’s popularity.
Shakshuka is one of the most popular items on the menu, and it shouldn’t be surprising. Most of the best brunch spots around the world have at least tried their hand at this Moroccan delicacy of eggs poached in a spicy tomato sauce. The team at Smoked Paprika hit this one out of the park. If you want something a little more rich, try the Pulled Beef Brisket Benedict with tarragon hollandaise, avocado, and goat cheese on a croissant. The Slow-Cooked Lamb Omelette is a healthy-ish option. The Chicken Paprikash Crepes? Not so healthy-ish, but absolutely delicious. The iconic flavors of Hungary are also found in the Smoked Paprika Breakfast, with beef Goulash on Turkish bread with poached eggs, hollandaise, cherry tomatoes, and grilled halloumi. You’ll want to snap a pic before digging in!
Pawpaw Cafe
Woolloongabba ꘡ Everyday 7:00 AM - 3:00 PM
This stylish restaurant in Woolloongabba has one of the best breakfast and brunch programs in the outer neighborhoods. The Croissant Eggs Benedict comes highly recommended, with a sriracha hollandaise and peppery bacon or salmon piled high on a buttery, flaky homemade pastry.
Their Pawpaw’s Signature Hash combines the unlikely pairing of turmeric hummus, avocado, beetroot relish with poached eggs. It shouldn’t work, but it’s one of the best things on the menu. The Kalamansi Meringue Pancake’s brings a dessert-like decadence with white chocolate, pistachio crumbles, fresh berries, and an elderflower cremeux. This brunch spot is certainly worth the trip to this charming neighborhood.
The Smug Fig
Stones Corner ꘡ All Day, Every Day 7:00 AM - 8 PM
This charming cafe is a standout spot in an underrated East Brisbane dining scene. The relaxed and leafy atmosphere is as much a part of The Smug Fig’s appeal as the stellar all-day breakfast menu. The Buttermilk Fried Chicken and Waffles (aged cheddar waffles, a Brisbane delicacy) with hot maple syrup and a fried egg might be your first choice. Don’t sleep on the Schnitzel with a poached egg; it’s hearty and delicious. It’s definitely worth perusing their extensive menu of French Toast options, with a wide variety of themes and flavors.
The New Black
Fortitude Valley ꘡ Everyday 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Brisbane’s coolest coffee roaster also offers one of the city’s best brunches in their flagship location at Bakery Lane. The exposed brick and leafy decor make this one of the most Instagram-able Brisbane brunch spots, but it’s still a comfortable and approachable space. Their menu is simple but perfectly executed. Their avocado toast on homemade rye bread is the ideal option for a light and healthy brunch. The Smashed Eggs with roasted vegetables and peppery bacon will satisfy even the hungriest customer. Smoked salmon on a bagel brings Manhattan flavors to Queensland. The coffee? It’s some of the best in Australia.
Bakery Lane also features many boutiques, design studios, and a variety of retail businesses. It’s a must-visit building in this neighborhood, especially if you enjoy avocado toasty, world-class coffee, and record stores. After brunch, check out nearby James Street for some of Brisbane’s best shopping.
My Mistress
Albion ꘡ Saturday 7:00 AM - 2:00 PM / Sunday 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Located on the border of Albion and Clayfield, this cafe isn’t exactly in prime real estate, but this cute and quiet neighborhood boasts a number of dining destinations, especially My Mistress. This creative breakfast menu specializes in infusing Japanese ingredients and flavors into brunch classics. Their Oh My Geisha consists of Okonomiyaki, a cabbage pancake, and loads of toppings like bacon, egg, mayo, and pickled ginger and shallots. It’s a satisfying and fascinating savory dish. You can pretend you’re having breakfast and not dessert by ordering the Sweet Thang Brioche French Toast with meringue, hazelnut, and dulce de leche. Go ahead, we won’t judge.
Chapter IV
Paddington ꘡ Everyday 7:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Paddington has turned into one of the cutest neighborhoods in Brisbane, and the restaurant scene has to be the number one reason. Chapter IV is a stylish bistro that churns out reimagined breakfast classics. The Tempura Dragone Soft Shell Crab Benedict with rich and flavorful Unagi Sauce and spicy mayonnaise is a classic go-to here. The Bacon Carbonara Croquettes with veggies and bacon crumble offers a different palette of flavors. The Waffle French Toast is made of banana bread, caramelized bananas, and rocky road ice cream. Reading this menu, there are half a dozen items that will raise eyebrows, and all of them are as delicious as they are interesting. It helps that Chapter IV’s verandah offers some of the most amazing views of any brunch spot, but the delicious food is why this is a must-try destination for brunch in Brisbane.
Little Clive Cafe
Annerley ꘡ Weekends 7:00 AM - 2:00 PM
This adorable cafe in the charming Annerley neighborhood offers both a relaxing atmosphere and a reliably great brunch menu. The unbeatable combination of avocado and toast is king here. They were one of the first brunch spots in Brisbane to embrace this iconic breakfast dish, and they still churn out an incredible “Avo on Toast” every time. They also offer Brisbane’s best proper English Breakfast with all the fixings. If you’re looking for something quick and handheld, their Bacon and Egg Roll is perfectly serviceable. While Saturday brunch can get crowded at most places, Little Clive Cafe offers a quiet alternative to the bustle.
Halo Ground
Fortitude Valley ꘡ Everyday 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM
This restaurant might not be the easiest to find. Fortitude Valley is a neighborhood dense with fashionable shops, boutiques, restaurants, and bars. But tracking down this brunch spot is well worth it, especially if you enjoy fried chicken and waffles. Their Cock Waffle, a twist on the American classic with cheddar waffles and sweet and spicy maple syrup. They also have a very succulent pork belly benedict and decadent french toast mascarpone. The Prawn & Chili Scrambled Eggs are another inventive highlight on an incredible menu. There is always a chance that there will be a wait for weekend brunch, but it’s well worth it.
Botero House (Brisbane City)
Brisbane CBD ꘡ Weekdays 6:30 AM - 2:00 PM
This lavish downtown restaurant is a must-visit brunch destination in the city center. They have a mix of internationally-inspired brunch options like the Egg Katsu Sando and Mochi French Toast, and then some dependable classics like a classic American breakfast. The Curried Scrambled Eggs are one of the more inspired items on the menu. If you’re visiting Brisbane during the week, it’s definitely worth hitting up Botero House before exploring downtown or visiting some of the best museums in the city.
Conclusion
One of the best aspects of brunch in Brisbane is that all of the best restaurants aren’t clustered in one neighborhood. The capital of Queensland is made up of dozens of vibrant neighborhoods, and all of them have respectable and often world-class brunch restaurants. Trying a new brunch restaurant often provides a reason to visit a new neighborhood, and exploring a new area is a great way to work off the pork belly eggs benedict while you find your new favorite bookstore or boutique. So go seek out your new favorite brunch spot in a new neighborhood, and let Bounce take care of the bags.
