Six to Try: Cafes in Brisbane Shaking Things Up

Brisbane's cafe scene has moved past usual smashed avo and flat whites. The city has long been in the shadow of bigger cafe destinations like Melbourne, but operators are proving you don't need to leave town to get a taste of something different. Trust us Brissies, there are some brag-worthy spots in your own backyard — you just need to know where to look.

Enter the new era of brunch: a boozy Bangladeshi-inspired brunch, a farmhouse-inspired cafe with a Thai alter ego, an unabashedly geeky board game den, and more. Here's your guide on where to go for something unexpected in the morning.

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PADDINGTON SOCIAL, PADDINGTON 

Just a few steps from Lang Park, Paddington Social is a new community hub in a crooked old Queenslander home, steeped in years of easy Brisbane living. Whether you're sitting at one of the communal tables or basking on the verandah, the triple threat of culinary offerings from each of the three chef-owners is sure to impress. Tyler Sargent heads up the breakfast and lunch menu with reimagined comfort dishes like a spicy chorizo scotch egg and smoky mushroom mac and cheese served over a thick wedge of sourdough. Sweets and coffee come via English-trained pastry chef Gibb 'Gibbi' Mookachonpan, with pandan croissants so fragrant that you'll want to bring one home as a candle. On Tuesday to Saturday evenings, Alex Senee runs Lek's Thai Popup Kitchen, a tribute to Thai noodles, curries and fried starters.

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NODO, SOUTHBANK

First finding life in Brisbane's markets, Nodo's doughnuts rapidly rose to become the landmark sweets of the River City. Their doughnuts are all gluten-free (no dough, get it?), a detail that occasionally surprises someone who already enjoyed one despite the name spelling it out clearly. Plus, everything is oven-baked, not fried — a surprisingly restrained move for a shop touting lamington doughnuts rolled in shaved coconut and topped with pink cream and freeze-dried berry dust. "Make people happy" is the shop's mission statement, and it's bleedingly obvious once you've peeped the menu at the South Bank cafe. Burgers and toasties are an easy pick, but don't sleep on their Bang Bang Bene. With Sichuan pork hock on house-made brioche, the dish is such an original take on eggs benny that it should be listed as a notable example on the Wikipedia page.

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IDLE, NEW FARM

Named for the slow and steady pace they want to create, Idle serves pastry favourites and pantry staples from the now-closed Agnes Bakery in New Farm. The breezy 36-seater dining area usually bursts with a patient crowd, minds occupied by the difficult choice between a pie, a sausage roll or any other buttery creations on the large rectangular counter. Behind the counter, rugged loaves of sourdough and shatteringly crisp baguettes stand proud like trophies, seedy bagels and buns dotted between them. Put simply, if it goes into the oven as dough and comes out delicious, they bake it here. More good news: Idle has moved beyond viennoiseries and pastries with a fresh dine-in menu. Bold and hearty, the Baghdad Eggs with labne, cumin-infused burnt butter and a flaky flatbread for dipping stand out. Lighter options include house granola, green poached chicken salad and oxheart tomato toast.

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SEMI-SEMI, WEST END

Most lunchtimes, Semi-Semi is hard to miss thanks to the line of West End workers ordering gourmet sandwiches and tea. Those with more time on their hands can be spotted seated with a smile and a spoon, digging into a bright stack bingsu, served here in a wide range of flavours. There's a matcha-based bingsu with pearls and red beans served on the side. Coconut, cocoa and earl grey also feature in their own creations, with add-ons including rainbow jelly, lychee popping balls and even granola. The never-boring sandwich menu starts at $14 with options for every appetite, from lighter meat-free stacks to heartier toasties with fillings like spicy pulled beef and cheesy truffle mushroom. Practice caution with the monthly specials — don't get too attached to limited-time items like a chicken katsu curry, only to find it gone the next month. That's a pain only two bowls of bingsu can cure.

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CAFE DISCO, WEST END

Cafe Disco is a tempting beacon of late mornings done right. The cheery yellow exterior of the 40-seater mingles with bottle-green finishings, striking red houndstooth booths and a vinyl soundtrack. The brunch menu is imbued with the flavours of owner Tasfeen Hassan's Bangladeshi heritage, inspired by Hassan's memories of his grandma's cooking. The diner is vegetarian-friendly — the gloriously messy veggie brekkie roll comes with fiery kecap manis (Indonesian soy sauce) and a refreshing raita, while the chilli scramble is topped with a gremolata of Thai green chillies. Omnivores can indulge in dishes like a lamb meatball congee and fresh kofta in house-baked pita. Plus, sweets like pandan and coconut cream puffs are an ideal sidecar for Northgate's Passport Coffee brews. While Cafe Disco only opens until 2pm, the short and sweet list of Aussie wines — plus four cocktails — makes the diner a top-shelf stop on an afternoon bar crawl in the West End.

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MEEPLE AND MUG, WEST END

Although Meeple and Mug feels like a library with its mismatched lounging and modern white-and-dark-green walls, it would be hard to get any work done in such a temptingly fun atmosphere. Nothing says 'hang here all day' quite like a near-encyclopedic collection of nearly 300 board games, featuring classic game night picks, new releases, and staff picks from independent Australian makers. The games start at the doors of this unabashedly geeky cafe, where customers can roll a dice to determine their price. Roll a two for $2 board games all day – just beware the dreaded 12. Enjoy a snack-fuelled marathon with a cuppa, comfort bites (think chicken nuggets, loaded fries, saucy meatballs and even a veggie curry) and sweet treats such as doughnuts and ice cream. If you're sharp enough to keep your head in the game, get boozy with a list of playful board-game-themed cocktails and a solid beer and spirit selection. Plus, regular LGBTQIA+ events and how-to-play evenings creates a space where anyone can feel right at home.