When country girl turned city slicker Tess Rigby moved to Brisbane 18 months ago from Western Australia, the seeds of owning and operating her own cafe were well into its germination phase. With 15 years of hospitality under her belt, the last thing for Tess to tackle was running her own operation – a dream which has come to life with her new West End haunt Duo Bar & Restaurant. Located on Browning Street in the site formerly occupied by Icho, Duo is named for its split personality – composed and clean on one hand and shabby chic on the other. Tess is in the process of converting the space to match her vision, with the venue soon to boast concrete and timber touches as well as greenery and graffiti on the walls. An outdoor patio area at the front will also be spruced up, making it instantly recognisable to passers by.

At this stage Duo Bar & Restaurant is open for coffee, all-day breakfast and lunch, with a liquor license and dinner service to come in the near future. The seasonal menu features farm-fresh produce from local suppliers, with a modern yet rustic feel throughout. Classic breakfast options such as porridge, omelettes and avocado smashes are spruced up with a few twists, and lunch options are extended to burgers and a unique take on a Ploughman’s board, which boasts a cobb loaf to tuck in to. Coffee has been sourced from Bare Bones Espresso, with teas, iced drinks and juices also available. The dinner menu will continue to blend European and Australian cuisines, complemented by a collection of beer, cider, alcoholic ginger beer and wines.

Feeling hungry? We don’t blame you. Head to the Stumble Guide for more information.