Here Are The Best Cafés in South Bank for a Memorable Meal

South Bank has been a multicultural food and arts hub for decades and the range of cafés and events gets better each and every year.

We’ve wrapped up our long-term favourites as well as some of the newer additions to the South Bank café scene to keep your mornings long, lingering, and full of tasty brunch options. So ready your bellies, here are the best cafes in South Bank for your next memorable meal. 

Cups on Melbourne

If your cafe selection is guided by the quality of the coffee, you’ll be thrilled to discover this South Brisbane gem. Specialising in slow coffee, you’re invited to sit down and really soak in the ambience as you watch your pour over be prepared. Cups on Melbourne also have their own canning tech so expect one of the greatest selections of takeaway beverages in Brisbane, from speciality matcha to refreshing iced teas.

3/187 Melbourne Street, South Brisbane

Christina’s Vibe Café

This South Bank cafe has an energy all of its own. Christina’s Vibe Café is a quirky, colourful hole-in-the-wall brightening days and serving up delicious coffee with a smile. Serving up breakfast burgers, toasties, coffee, dirty chais and hot chocolates, the comfort food on the menu matches the energy of this café perfectly.

72 Ernest Street, South Brisbane

Lisboa Caffé

Lisboa Caffe is a small-batch artisanal Portuguese bakery that specialises in legendary custard tarts. One bite of these buttery, flaky, heavenly creations and you’ll soon understand! 

If you’re in a savoury mood, there’s plenty on the menu to hit the spot, as well as miniature-sized morsels if you’re only feeling peckish. Pair your tart with a robust Padre coffee for the perfect way to start your morning.

58 Hope Street, South Brisbane

Poppies

Poppies are the dopamine dressers of the brunch world. Serving up colourful and bright brunch plates garnished to perfection is their specialty. Taking you from your morning coffee and eggs to lunchtime spritz and bowls of Snow Crab linguine, it’s the kind of spot you’ll feel compelled to linger.

Shop/B11 Little Stanley Street, South Brisbane

Denim Co.

Denim Co. has been serving up delicious coffee, chai, punch and plentiful tea options since 2001. Not to mention a tasty menu overflowing with brekkie and brunch favourites such as jaffles, acai bowls, fresh juices and Italian hot chocolate.

Sitchu Tip: If you’re feeling indulgent, why not sweeten your day by ordering the peanut butter Italian hot chocolate or famous Italian Peach sponge cake soaked in vanilla Galliano with a custard centre? Our mouth is watering just thinking about it!

9A, Little Stanley Street, South Brisbane

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Five Sisters Café & Bar

Owned and run by Panorea Nina and her five creative daughters, this buzzing café and bar serves up an all day brunch menu with dishes to please even the fussiest eater. Tucked into South Bank’s quirky and creative Fish Lane, Five Sisters is the ideal spot to mix up your regular social outings.

76 Fish Lane, South Brisbane

Hope Street Cafe

For a meal with a bit of heart, head down to Hope Street Café. This socially responsible, not-for-profit business offers opportunities for those facing barriers to gaining employment, allowing them to gain valuable, hands-on experience in the hospitality industry. Their seasonal menu is created using local produce, often working with co-ops and local suppliers.

 Shop 1, 15 Hope Street, South Brisbane

Nodo

With a hugely popular café already well established in Newstead as well as multiple other locations around Brisbane, Nodo has brought their famous baked doughnuts and entirely gluten-free menu to the streets of South Bank. Enjoy carefully curated meals, or just go right ahead and indulge in donuts for breakfast, we’re not judging. 

ABC Building, Shop 65 / 114 Grey Street, South Bank

Now you’ve café hopped around town enjoying the best South Bank cafes, why not keep the feasting going? We’ve wrapped up Brisbane’s best desserts for the sweet tooth in your life. Or if you’re after something a touch stronger,  try one of our cocktail recipes!