Cafes
Rise and shine – Monocle Coffee brings specialty brews and super salads to Morningside
Food & Drink

Rise and shine – Monocle Coffee brings specialty brews and super salads to Morningside

Morningside locals woke up to the scent of fresh roasts last Wednesday when hospitality movers and shakers Venzin Group has unveiled its new coffee-oriented concept on Thynne Road. Specialising in gourmet pastries, specialty coffee and a rotating selection of boutique salads, Monocle Coffee is looking to elevate the basics – taking your morning sip to new heights and injecting some more flavour, colour and fun into your healthy grab-and-go lunches. more

Cafes
From the cellar to the rooftop – Le Bon Bar reinvigorates a French icon
Food & Drink

From the cellar to the rooftop – Le Bon Bar reinvigorates a French icon

Since first opening its doors in 2008, C’est Bon has remained one of the most beloved members of Brisbane’s French-food scene. As with any venue that attains longevity, C’est Bon has grown and evolved through several iterations. From original owner Michel Bonnet’s traditional fare to C’est Bon’s current direction under the stewardship of Celine Damour and head chef Peter Roelfes, the venue has remained a Woolloongabba favourite, and some newly completed renovations are looking to maintain the trend. Last week saw the unveiling of Le Bon Bar, C’est Bon’s chic sibling that is bringing with it new menus, a private cellar and dining space, an impressive garden terrace, and rooftop lounge boasting phenomenal views. more

Cafes
Pastries, pancakes and Thai pop-ups – eat from dawn to dusk at Paddington Social
Food & Drink

Pastries, pancakes and Thai pop-ups – eat from dawn to dusk at Paddington Social

It’s rare occurrence when an eatery opens that is capable of catering to the morning, afternoon and evening crowds, but luckily for those living near Given Terrace, Paddington Social is aiming to do just that. Seasoned culinary veterans Gibb Mookachonpan, Tyler Sargent and Lek Senee decided to team up for a venue where they could each showcase their talents without diluting their individual tastes. Their newly realised venture – shabby-chic eatery Paddington Social – is a venue uniquely suited to the diverse needs of the suburb’s populace. From coffee and baked goods in the morning to bone-warming Thai in the evening (and everything in between), Paddington Social has got you covered. more

Cafes
Rocking the suburbs – Everton Plaza's Park Lane celebrates the opening of its first wave of retailers
Food & Drink

Rocking the suburbs – Everton Plaza’s Park Lane celebrates the opening of its first wave of retailers

A considerable stir was caused across Brisbane's northern suburbs when Everton Plaza initially announced plans for a brand-new addition to its dining and shopping hub and now, after a year of waiting, the first retailers of the anticipated Park Lane precinct are opening to the public. Complementing the existing Everton Plaza retail portion (anchored by Coles and many existing long-term tenants), the new retail village features many of the area's original elements. COMUNiTI (formerly known as MARSDEN Collective) has overseen the design, accentuating the area's original architectural facade with contemporary touches. The resulting precinct is shaping up to be an impressive blend of old and new, with Park Lane's first wave of retailers looking to set the standard for what is still to come. more

Cafes
The sweetest thing – The Cupcake Patisserie opens a brand-new treat haven in Albion
Food & Drink

The sweetest thing – The Cupcake Patisserie opens a brand-new treat haven in Albion

It’s hard to improve upon the culinary majesty that is the humble cake, but when it comes to pleasing all comers, we’re much more inclined to suggest that a box of cupcakes is a far better option. The exhilarating feeling we get from opening the lid on a box of freshly made treats is almost unparalleled, which is why we squealed in collective excitement when The Cupcake Patisserie opened a gorgeous cake store in Albion. Boasting a salivation-inducing selection of sugary delights, energising coffee, and a delightful space in which to snack, this pink-fronted nook is well worth a dessert detour. more

Cafes
Escape the bustle at Paddington's hidden oasis Rosa' Bloom Cafe
Food & Drink

Escape the bustle at Paddington’s hidden oasis Rosa’ Bloom Cafe

Tucked away behind Rosalie’s busy Nash Street strip is one of Brisbane’s newest pastel-coloured pamper palaces, one where relaxed vibes and picture-perfect surrounds combine to heighten indulgence to new levels. At the beginning of June, B Indulged Clinic unveiled its chic cafe and event space addition Rosa' Bloom – a leafy nook where customers and newcomers can kick back with a coffee or a colourful concoction, leaving the bustle of the outside world far behind. more

Cafes
The Miss Jones crew unveils Sister – Hawthorne's new pastel-hued charmer
Food & Drink

The Miss Jones crew unveils Sister – Hawthorne’s new pastel-hued charmer

For Daniel and Hannah Bowles, their newly opened cafe Sister is all about family. Not only is the eatery itself a new addition to their growing cafe family (which also boasts New Farm’s Miss Jones), but also at the time of writing the couple are expecting the arrival of their first child. Sister marks a slight change in focus for the duo, delivering a more family friendly atmosphere on top of their already heralded approach to breakfast, lunch and coffee. more


Cafes
The round-up: snack your way through South Bank's cheap eats
Food & Drink

The round-up: snack your way through South Bank’s cheap eats

Look, perhaps eating out has given your wallet a walloping, but who are we to judge? We love the finer things in life! Being frugal doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice the tasty goods available around town, it just means you need to make some smarter choices. South Bank’s major food hub is full of top-notch eateries, and many of them have well-priced options and deals that you’d be a fool to ignore. If you’ve got a little bit of cash left over, have a look at this list of South Bank’s cheap eats and keep your splurge streak going. more

Cafes
Elizabeth Arcade’s dining hub FudoDori shows off its first wave of eateries
Food & Drink

Elizabeth Arcade’s dining hub FudoDori shows off its first wave of eateries

When it comes to Asian eats, it doesn’t matter the cuisine – we’re always keen to chow down. So, imagine the ecstasy and excitement we felt when we heard that the Elizabeth Street Arcade was being transformed into a dedicated hub of Asian dining. Safe to say our appetites were inflamed to immeasurable levels. FudoDori’s announcement caused quite a stir when its initial plans were revealed in February, and now the first wave of eateries will open to the public within days. If you’re intrigued by the sound of tea-based cocktails, matcha soft-serve, Japanese-style hot dogs, modern Chinese and Japanese cuisine and more, read on, pals! more

Cafes
Now pouring – Only. Specialty Coffee perks up Woolloongabba with its new coffee nook
Food & Drink

Now pouring – Only. Specialty Coffee perks up Woolloongabba with its new coffee nook

When Arthur Graczyk and Paul Crossland opened Only. Specialty Coffee on Queen Street last September, they knew they were filling a gap in the local caffeine scene for their end of The City, but little did they know that the reception to their humble specialty coffee and salad joint would be so overwhelmingly positive. Soon after opening, the duo had commercial leasing agents knocking on their door, each fervently trying to convince them to bring their concept to other corners of Brisbane’s market. Arthur and Paul already had their eyes on expansion, and this week marks the arrival of Only.’s second nook – this time in the heart of Woolloongabba. more

Cafes
Soak up riverside vibes and ethical brunch at Teneriffe's conscious cafe Barko & Co
Food & Drink

Soak up riverside vibes and ethical brunch at Teneriffe’s conscious cafe Barko & Co

Although their portfolio includes the likes of coffee import operations, digital coffee bean purchasing platforms and farming by-product recycling, one could say the Murillo family business is social enterprise. Barko & Co. is the family’s newest venture, a Teneriffe cafe that specialises in ethical, sustainable and community-focused hospitality. From nourishing fare to sublime imported coffee, Barko & Co is bringing a socially conscious focus to brunch, setting an example for others to follow. more

Cafes
West End's Jugar is a family-friendly playground fit for young and old
Food & Drink

West End’s Jugar is a family-friendly playground fit for young and old

Parents know how tricky it can be to wrangle their brood for an outing, especially one to a local cafe or restaurant. Child-friendly cafes and restaurants are life savers for families, but all too often they fail to properly cater for both kids and adults. Jugar (pronounced ‘hewy-gahr – Spanish for play) is a brand-new eatery in West End that is committed to providing a place to eat, play and drink for families, and it only takes a quick look inside to see that the venue means business. A built-in playground, sublime specialty coffee and an impressive menu of food and drink means that Jugar has got everything you need, whether you’re four or forty. more

Cafes
From coffee to cocktails – Toowong's Kaldi Cafe + Bar bridges day and night
Food & Drink

From coffee to cocktails – Toowong’s Kaldi Cafe + Bar bridges day and night

The origins of coffee are a topic of intense debate – with different cultures offering up varied myths behind the discovery of the coffee plant. Kaldi is the name of one such legendary pioneer, a ninth-century Ethiopian goatherd who discovered the energising effects of coffee when his goats started acting erratically after eating the beans. Although the veracity of this story is impossible to ascertain, Kaldi’s tale has become inspirational fodder for Brisbane’s newest coffee spot. Kaldi Cafe + Bar is Toowong’s freshest arrival – a joint that takes sippers from day into night with a menu of breakfast bites, specialty coffee, charcuterie and craft beer. more

Cafes
The round-up: make your mum feel extra special with these Mother’s Day ideas
Food & Drink

The round-up: make your mum feel extra special with these Mother’s Day ideas

If we’re being honest, every day deserves to be Mother’s Day. Why? Well, you never really get a day off from being a mum – it’s a 24/7 gig. That being said, Mother’s Day is still a great opportunity to tell your mother how much she means to you. Of course, every mum is different and we can’t tell you what would be the most appropriate gift to give her this year (naturally, you’ve already given her your unending love). We can help make the choice easier, though! This year we’ve put together a nifty gift guide for different kinds of mums – from the mothers that enjoy the finer things in life, to those that rarely slow down. This one goes out to all the mothers, young and old. We wouldn’t be here without you! more

Cafes
Nutri Hitt Kitchen brings wholefoods, sensible sweets and vegan-friendly breakfast to Albion
Food & Drink

Nutri Hitt Kitchen brings wholefoods, sensible sweets and vegan-friendly breakfast to Albion

When Tamara Lord first debuted her range of raw cakes and treats in 2015, little did she know that the gluten- and refined-sugar-free treat movement was on the cusp of a huge boom. Since her first store in Geebung, Nutri Hitt has grown into a leading name in Brisbane’s raw-treat scene, expanding into a wholesale juggernaut capable of moving large amounts of product interstate. The new year has brought some changes for Nutri Hitt, with a recent relocation to Albion giving Tamara the chance to blend her love of wholefoods and dietary-friendly fare across cakes and all-day breakfast. more

Cafes
Grab a hug in a mug from Newstead's Masters St. Coffee
Food & Drink

Grab a hug in a mug from Newstead’s Masters St. Coffee

There’s never been a better time to be a coffee lover in Newstead. The area is booming with a bevy of specialty options, and the newest face on the scene is bringing its own wholesome spin to the mix. Masters St. Coffee is opening today, Friday April 5, and is injecting a leisurely vibe into the caffeinated heart of the bustling suburb. more

Cafes
Grumpy Madam delivers scrumptious mood-boosting brunch to Newstead
Food & Drink

Grumpy Madam delivers scrumptious mood-boosting brunch to Newstead

A top-ten finish on the 2016 season of My Kitchen Rules was all it took to turn Gareth Cochrane from a miner with a passion for home cooking into a bona fide hospitality lifer. The edifying experience ignited the burners of Gareth’s motivation centre, spurring the budding chef to open a cafe of his own. Grumpy Madam is Gareth’s newly open nosh nook – an airy venue that’s all about refined simplicity and familiar comforts. more

Cafes
Go with the flow – Spring Hill welcomes contemporary coffee spot The Flo
Food & Drink

Go with the flow – Spring Hill welcomes contemporary coffee spot The Flo

After undergoing a few months of refurbishment, the Spring Marketplace on the corner of Little Edward and Boundary Streets is showing signs of life. A new coffee nook has bloomed from the development’s fresh foundations, offering top-notch espresso pours, some tasty grab-and-go bites and bouquets of flowers to gift or spruce up your own living space. The Flo is now open, and is already proving to be an eye-catching addition to the local cafe scene. more