Overview
Usually, when people open a cafe, they do so after earning their hospitality stripes in coffee shops and restaurants. But the people behind Little Black Pug haven't done anything the typical way.
Proprietors Louise and Joshua Daly met at The University of Queensland in 2016 while studying bioinformatics and pursuing careers in the sciences. Yes, they were interested in food — Lou, in particular — but more the chemistry behind it. Think Maillard reactions rather than mochas. As their burgeoning relationship grew, Lou opened Josh's eyes to gastronomy, and within a year, Josh's untested palate had tackled frogs' legs, snails, and black fungus.
As their relationship — with food and each other — developed, their love for science dwindled. They toyed with the idea of opening a macaron stall but instead found a suitable space in Mount Gravatt, Brisbane, to open a cafe. Inspired by their pug Bowie, the newly married couple took a risk, and Little Black Pug was born.
Today, Little Black Pug is a community favourite and won the Toby's Estate Local Legends Award for Queensland in 2023. It's expanded from a tiny cafe with a shoebox kitchen to an eatery with three separate dining areas, an event space next door and a food prep area. The latter is, apparently, "coffin-sized," which is presumably an improvement. Lou and Josh's family has grown, too, with a second pug, Mate, having joined the clan recently. Bowie and Mate are, unsurprisingly, the cafe's mascots and arguably their main draw, with LBP's social media accounts announcing the dogs' cafe visits ahead of time to satisfy their adoring public.
This attention to detail and careful curation of a community vibe means relationships with customers bloom. Josh and Lou talk of these experiences: "You meet people and watch them get married; you see tiny babies become toddlers that one day are bouncing to Party Rock Anthem in the safe space that is your cafe. You even begin questioning the sanity of your regular customers that come almost every weekend and have eaten everything on the menu more than five times but still come back because they love the food so freaking much."
Like practically everyone in the hospitality industry, the pandemic hit hard, and Josh and Lou had to get creative to survive. A new takeaway menu was devised, featuring gluten-free doughnuts, gluten-free hot cross buns, sausage rolls, lasagna, and mac and cheese waffles. These days, Little Black Pug is abuzz again, and that ingenuity, plus the support of loyal patrons, has made it the place it is today. And there is something for everyone. As the duo put it, the menu is suitable "whether you're a dog or a human, a carnivore or a vegan, a celiac or a gluten-fiend."
From using food and coffee as a shared interest, a way of procrastinating instead of studying and an excuse to spend more time together to the cornerstones of their livelihood and the bedrock for an inclusive community space, it's been quite the journey for Lou and Josh. We spoke to Louise about what makes them tick and asked for recommendations on other local legends in the area.
What's your coffee order?
I keep it pretty simple: small flat white with an extra shot.
Do you have a secret trick for making the perfect cup?
I think the secret to a good, consistent coffee is straightforward. Good beans, a clean machine and the right person making the coffee.
From your food menu, what's the perfect pairing with a morning coffee?
From our current menu, I reckon the Donut Think Twice. A house-made cinnamon doughnut waffle that would go perfectly with a morning coffee.
What made you choose to open in the area you're in today?
It's hard when opening a cafe. You need to look at many different factors. We wanted a place that wasn't too big, had good visibility, had dog-friendly seating and was in an area with growth. It just so happened there was a cafe for sale in Mount Gravatt that met many of those requirements, and we jumped at the chance.
Where's your favourite local spot to grab a feed?
Not necessarily a feed, but if it's a coffee we're after, we'll always drop by to see Simon and the gang at Supernumerary Coffee in Salisbury.
Where's your favourite local spot to grab a drink after work?
We're not big drinkers to be honest, but if it's in the evening, we like to drop by Sonder Dessert for a sneaky hojicha latte and matcha parfait.
What's the most underrated spot for dinner in your area?
I wouldn't say it's underrated, but we can't go past Market Square in Sunnybank.
Where do you like to go to escape in nature nearby?
We love taking the pugs for a hike up Mount Coot-tha. Amazing views of Brisbane.
Little Black Pug is the Toby's Estate Local Legends winner for QLD in 2023. For more information on it or other cafes that serve Toby's Estate, visit the website.