Overview
A heritage-listed former service station situated next door to a 99 Bikes shop might not seem the most obvious destination for a hip new hospitality hub - but then should we really be surprised with all manner of ex-laneway loading docks/industrial carparks/methadone clinics being morphed into colourful culinary nooks all around Brisbane?
I guess not, and that's a good thing. But Battery Station still manages to stand out in its own way. Just a stone's throw from Emporium on Wickham St, this is one new coffee haunt to be swiftly added to, then hastily ticked off, your Brisneyland bucket list.
The venue effortlessly mixes striking designs and sleek steel fittings with the exposed brick of the original building – and the menu is just as eclectic. We stopped by for the one of the cooler (vibe, not climate – though it has been a bit chilly) pre-work mornings there has been in a while: seated in Battery Station's graffiti mural-covered, open-air "backyard" and soundtracked by the big-beat stylings of A.Skillz and Krafty Kuts in the background, I tuck into some delicious crafty cuts of my own, courtesy of its able kitchen.
One might think that the Breakfast Wrap ($11) might not be filling enough, but it was a struggle to finish this delightful parcel of bacon, scrambled egg, tomato, vintage cheddar, onion jam, and rocket, accompanied by an elixir-of-life latte. Other breakfast treats include the "FATT" (feta, avocado and tomato on toast; $9.50), savoury mince with poached egg and toast ($15) and Brookfarm muesli ($8), as well as rotating specials such as sweet-corn fritters and an open Spanish omelet.
The lunch menu includes Battery Station's unique twists on croque monsieurs ($8), BLTs ($10) and Moroccan lamb salads ($17) and they also have a pizza menu containing such enticing flavours as "Wickham Chicken" and "9 Volt Chorizo" (both $13).
Battery Station also opens Friday evenings to nicely double as an alternative after-work watering hole to the more beaten tracks of the Valley and New Farm. With plans for live music and art exhibitions in the offing, be sure to join the community vibe - and sample the delicious fare - of this creative little cafe.