The Eight Best Healthy Breakfasts in Brisbane

Fact #1: Brisbanites love going out for breakfast. The booming breakfast scene is prompting locals to ditch dinner splurges in favour of their earlier, sunnier counterpart.

Fact #2: Brisbanites love their fitness. You can barely swing a cat in this city without hitting a boutique gym, cross fit centre, HIIT workout station, boot camp group, boxing ring or personal trainer.

So, you might ask how does one navigate the convergence of these two often conflicting lifestyle choices? We love to exercise and also to venture out for brekkie, but might not want to delve into in the pancake vs. waffle debate every time. Luckily local restauranteurs and cafe owners have cottoned on to this trend, so we've handpicked the best healthy breakfast venues in Brisbane (including spots you might not have given thought to before) to satisfy calorie conscious folk.

Mondo Organics

This West End hideaway seeks to educate patrons about the benefits of organic eating with both a café and cooking school on site. Sourcing high quality produce and offering a menu that changes seasonally, you can expect whole egg omelettes with superfood fillings, free range bacon and poached eggs and deliciously juicy garlic mushrooms that provide your daily dose of B vitamins.

166 Hardgrave Rd, West End; (07) 3844 1132; www.mondo-organics.com.au

Sourced Grocer

What was once the dream of childhood friends Jerome Batten and Louis Joseph is now realised as a neighbourhood grocery and café in the heart of Teneriffe. A bustling hub for early risers and weekend breakfasters, Sourced Grocer is all about providing good, nourishing food, sourced locally and delivered fresh to your tastebuds. Choose from options like bircher muesli with berries and zingy Granny Smith apple; or wholesome homemade toast served with piles of fresh avo and lemon, smoked salmon or omega 3-packed sardines.

11 Florence St Teneriffe; (07) 3852 6734; www.sourcedgrocer.com.au

Double Shot Espresso

The duo behind Double Shot Espresso are well versed in the hospitality trade, having been in the game for years (head chef Michael De Laurence also mentored Matt Moran, a small but significant fact fully realised on your first bite). The menu is split into breakfast and 'eggs and things', making it easy to navigate the lighter options. The focus is on simple, delicious food prepared fresh using high quality ingredients and produce; from a fruity bircher, berry granola or greek yoghurt served with stewed rhubarb and ginger compote; to the 'Parisian Breakfast' of boiled egg, toast and preserves, yoghurt, fresh berries, a glass of orange juice and tea or coffee. (Plus we all know that French women don't get fat…)

2/125 Oxlade Drive, New Farm; (07) 3358 6556

Nutrition Station

The perfect pit stop for city suits making the mad dash to work, either straight off the train or post gym sesh. Situated at the Queen Street Mall entrance of the Wintergarden complex and open seven days a week, Nutrition Station's menu is designed by internationally recognized dietary nutritionist and resident 'diet doctor' at Men's Health, Moodi Dennaoui. Expect to find a series of protein and supplement-packed shakes, super smoothies, froyo and nu bowls of acai and pitaya.

Wintergarden 171-209 Queen St, Brisbane; 0401502242; www.nutritionstation.com

Felix Espresso

Tucked away in Burnett Lane this tiny venue serves a select menu of fresh, locally sourced, organic dishes made with love on site. Grab your daily dose of healthy mono and polyunsaturated fats with the fresh avocado on organic sourdough topped with homemade labna and lemon pepper, or dive into a 'Bircher Jar' filled with chia seeds, gluten free Maleny yoghurt, fresh fruit and nuts.

50 Burnett Lane, Brisbane; (07) 3161 7966

Kitchen Sanitarium

A Brisbane CBD icon, Kitchen Sanitarium has been serving up wholesome, healthy breakfasts for over a century. Offering vegan, nut free, gluten free and low GI menu items, dishes here come packed with fibre, antioxidants and superfoods. Enjoy free range eggs, organic sourdough or the kitchen's own muesli with superfood chia granola (a signature blend of sesame seeds, chia seeds, almonds, pepitas, honey and rolled oats), while you people-watch before that 9am meeting.

Riverside Centre 145 Eagle Street, Brisbane; (07) 3221 7988; www.kitchensanitarium.com.au; image credit: Kitchen Sanitarium

Primal Pantry

As far as paleo and gluten free cafés go, Primal is definitely up there, promising diverse, interesting and tasty options for breakfast. There are plenty of 100% grain-free muesli, toast and pancake options (all made with nuts, eggs or coconut as alternatives) and regular specials like almond porridge with mixed berry compote and nut crumb. And if you're still dubious of the paleo diet, the 'Caveman Plate' bursting with meat and protein is sure to sway you…

Cnr Florence & Macquarie Street, Teneriffe; (07) 3252 5960; www.primalpantry.com.au

Kiss the Berry

These guys are seriously #killingit with a huge social media following and hungry hoards lining up at their Eagle Farm Markets stall every Sunday. Their focus is on the power of the acai bowl, with a signature blend of frozen acai berries, strawberries, banana and a dash of apple juice topped with crunchy golden granola. All you have to do is choose a serving size, fresh fruit toppings and add a sprinkling of your chosen superfood. A healthy gem in a sea of carb-loaded market stall temptations, city folk can now get their acai fix at the just-opened Kiss the Berry café on Creek Street.

Eagle Farm Markets and 9 Creek St, Brisbane; www.kisstheberry.wordpress.com

Photography: Mimi Hyll