The best brunches in Brisbane

What is it? An early bird Vietnamese joint that makes everything in-house.

Why we love it: This quirky Vietnamese café in Annerley is probably one of Brisbane’s few spots where you can enjoy a steaming bowl of pho or a freshly baked banh mi at 7am. Café O’Mai’s menu is all about uncomplicated, home-style Vietnamese cooking, with some subtle Western influences. Everything is made in-house, from the rich 48-hour beef stock to the lemongrass pork sausages and vegetarian spring rolls, and served with the vibrant energy of a bustling hawker-style eatery. Don't leave without trying the Vietnamese affogato. Espresso is slow-dripped Vietnamese-style before being poured over vanilla ice cream and a nest of coconut tapioca pearls – it's Ô-Mai's signature happy ending. Go the extra mile with an AM cocktail that might sound a little something like the Tickle Me Pink of gin, lime, mint, ginger syrup, cold pressed watermelon and a dash of soda water.

Time Out tip: You’re going to want to tell your plant-eating friends about Café O’Mai. Vegan goodies are strewn across the menu – from a deluxe pho with all the mock meat trimmings to a lemongrass-tofu banh mi and even that Vietnamese affogato we mentioned earlier. 

Address: 15 Cracknell Road, Annerley
Opening hours: Tues-Fri 6.30am-3pm; Sat 7am-2pm; Sun 7.30am-2pm
Expect to pay: More than $10 for a proper meal

What is it? A creative breakfast spot that churns out classics and curries alike.

Why we love it: A 20-minute drive south-west of Brisbane City will land you in leafy Kenmore, home to Method To The Madness – an equally verdant café serving breakfast classics with touches of Indian spices, plus a quirky Shakespearean twist. Complete with a mural dedicated to ‘things we say today, which we owe to Shakespeare’, you can tuck into your morning eggs and toast while appreciating the phrases ‘laughing stock’, ‘full circle’, ‘come what may’ and ‘wild goose chase’. And although you won’t find any goose on the menu, you will find aptly named dishes, like the Et Tu Fritters of spiced chickpea-potato with coconut-coriander chutney, mint yoghurt, a poached egg and pickles, as well as the Madness Went Fishing, highlighting market fish in a Goan-style tamarind-coconut curry. The Mumbai-style omelette is an ideal eggy level-up too, but Method To The Madness tones it down a bit for those not feeling too adventurous – think bircher, bacon benny and a big breakfast that’s sure to fill the gap. 

Time Out tip: Suburban Kenmore is located right by Brisbane’s famed Mount Coot-Tha, which calls for a fuel-up at Method To The Madness, followed by a trip to the peak for one of the best views of the city.

Address: 3/9 Marshall Lane, Kenmore
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 6.30am-2pm; Sat-Sun 7am-2pm
Expect to pay: More than $20 for a proper meal

What is it? A very creative café serving up viral eats, never missing a trend.

Why we love it: Adonis Café and Bar is all about going big – big portions, served with big flavours and big heart. Their Yeerongpilly café holds the title of the most-reviewed café on Google in the whole of Australia, and with an average 4.7-star rating, you can trust it’s good. Their creative chefs whip up all-day Aussie brunch favourites made from the ’gram, including Andonis’ legendary loaded croissant with crispy maple bacon, grilled chorizo, poached eggs, hash browns and truffle mayo. Prefer something sweet? Their decadent dessert croissant filled with strawberry pistachio cheesecake is a viral sensation, and you can sip your way into a serious sugar coma with Nutella shakes, Biscoff iced lattes and strawberry matcha. And just when you think it couldn’t get any better, Andonis’ Yeerongpilly outpost is up bright and early to serve you the goods from a very crisp 5.30 in the morn. 

Time Out tip: Not to worry if Yeerongpilly is a bit out of your way – Andonis Café and Bar are spread across the city with seven locations awaiting your chomp.

Address: 4/281 Station Road, Yeerongpilly
Opening hours: Mon-Sun 5.30am-3.30pm
Expect to pay: More than $20 for a proper meal

What is it? A Valley nook that knows a thing or two about viral eats.

Why we love it: The inner-city suburb of Fortitude Valley is crammed with some of the best restaurants, bars and coffee shops that Brisbane has to offer. And while it’s notorious for its nightlife and sublime rooftop bar scene, its hotcake and hot chocolate scene is pretty up there, thanks to Buttery Boy. The sweet spot officially opened their first brick-and-mortar in early 2024 and recently shifted to a bigger, dare we say, better location on East Street. The contemporary, timber-clad hide-out is the ultimate spot for warming up during winter with a cookies ‘n’ cream hot choccie, accompanied by a toasted meringue rim that took the internet by storm. You don’t want it, you need it. You know what else you need? Buttery Boy’s delectable fluffy hotcakes, or ‘buttercakes’ as they’ve been dubbed. The pillowy treats make for sublime vessels which carry flavours like burnt fig jam with crispy prosciutto, mini burrata, hot honey and a bruleed fig. Or perhaps you’d be partial to the Cinnamon Bun with Biscoff, vanilla mascarpone, doughnut glaze and a non-negotiable side of bacon.

Time Out tip: Make sure to snap a photo – Buttery Boy is up there with one of the most Instagrammable cafés in Brisbane.

Address: 1 East Street, Fortitude Valley
Opening hours: Wed-Sun 8am-2pm
Expect to pay: More than $18 for a proper meal

What is it? A quaint but buzzing hub that’s big on local and seasonal rustic plates.

Why we love it: If it’s wholesome that you’re after, it’s wholesome you shall get if you venture 15 minutes north of the city to Farmhouse Kedron. On arrival, you’ll be greeted with a huge barn-like structure of faded wood panelling and olive-green gutters, surrounded by lush shrubbery and inviting edible plants and spots of flowers alike. In their own words, “Farmhouse is a tribute to family farms and fresh food producers,” with a goal to “take food from the farm to your plate, with the least amount of fuss in between.” This ethos is reflected in the café’s seasonal but humble menu that enlists nourishing, robust fare with the likes of bangers ‘n’ mash, which includes the weekly local sausage special and roasted leek potatoes with cherry tomato jam and crispy sage. Another absolute banger is Farmhouse’s Middle Eastern oatmeal with poached quince, apricot, date, pistachio and almond crumble with a good dousing of rosewater syrup. It’ll soothe the soul without a doubt.

Time Out tip: Farmhouse Kedron are serious about their drinks menu too, and you can get your hands on anything from a soy milk Mont Blanc and iced strawberry matcha to extremely fresh fruit juices and old-school thickshakes.

Address: 9 Somerset Road, Kedron
Opening hours: Mon-Sun 6.30am-2.30pm
Expect to pay: More than $20 for a proper meal

What is it? An AM and PM eatery that’s big on Southeast Asian flavours.

Why we love it: Woolloongabba's Pawpaw Café seamlessly blends the nuances of Southeast Asian cuisine with a contemporary twist on breakfast classics. The usual suspects – from omelettes to benedicts – take on an Asian variation with ingredients, such as ketchup soy sauce and spicy chilli jam dressing. If a slow start is on the cards, the lunch menu – available from 11am onwards – includes a Massaman beef cheek curry or chilli popcorn tofu tacos with Thai laab spices. Wash it all down with a Cold Brew Martini of Kahlua, vodka and house-made cold brew – what a way to start the day. The venue itself is light, bright and modern with ample space for groups or cosy corners for two. You can’t miss the white weatherboard cottage located conveniently on Stanley Street, just a few kilometres southeast of the CBD.

Time Out tip: From Wednesday to Saturday, Pawpaw runs dinner services, meaning that you can get your fragrant fix pre-concert or the big game and whatnot.

Address: 898 Stanley Street East, Woolloongabba
Opening hours: Sun-Tues 7am-3pm; Wed-Sat 7am-3pm, 5pm-9pm
Expect to pay: More than $16 for a proper meal

What is it? A cosy laneway hang-out with elevated brunch classics and hints of Italian and Japanese flavours.

Why we love it: It’s a battle to see whether the lines down Brisbane’s hipster Burnett Lane are longer at Lune Croissanterie or Felix For Goodness. Many out-of-towners find themselves returning to this CBD brunch hotspot multiple times during their stay in Brissy because the food is just that good. For something clean and green, try the seasonal Felix Bowl with your choice of avocado, halloumi, falafel or sausage as an add-on. But if comfort food is calling your name, answer those cravings with a pesto cous cous salad, open croissant burger and cold udon, or a decadent oolong tea doughnut with fruit sorbet. Given the cool laneway locale, you can expect Felix For Goodness to match to cool with their mid-century-ish fit-out. Exposed brick and plenty of timber amp up the old-school vibes, while baskets of eggs and quiches atop wooden boards give a homely feeling. Just right for a rainy day.

Time Out tip: Felix For Goodness has a full-on retail wall on display, which holds an array of jarred goods with the likes of pickles, jams, sauces and honey. Time to stock up.

Address: 50 Burnett Lane, Brisbane
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 7.30am-1.30pm; Sat-Sun 8am-2pm
Expect to pay: More than $22 for a proper meal

What is it? A bright ‘n’ airy West End café that’s dishing out inventive yet comforting breakfast and brunch.

Why we love it: Here’s an idea: breakfast carbonara. A wobbly 63-degree egg is dying to burst and coat fat lumps of gnocchetti in rivers of yolk. High fives to Morning After’s champ chefs for that variation on the Roman classic. The menu at this West End café, run by a mother-and-son duo, is cleverly divided between – you guessed it - ‘morning’ and ‘after’. Early risers can find comfort in ricotta hotcakes with salted caramel chantilly cream, maple, caramelised banana and white chocolate soil, or an equally as indulgent Polish potato pancake with parsley-pecorino sausage, dill, sour cream, rapini, sauerkraut and two perfectly poached eggs. For the sleep-in crew, there's chicken sando, khao soi noodle soup and a zesty prawn pasta available from 11am to 3pm. If you had a rather rusty one last night, then a Ginger Ninja elixir or wild berry smoothie will fix you up in no time.

Time Out tip: While you’re in West End, make a day of it – visit the cute coffee shops, have a wander through the op shops and peruse the West End Markets on Saturdays.

Address: Cambridge Street, West End
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 7am-3.30pm
Expect to pay: More than $20 for a proper meal

What is it? A 200-seater eatery serving cleverly crafted eats from across the globe.

Why we love it: Down in the unassuming suburb of Underwood lies a rather sizable café that’s both big on floor space and flavour. Sleek concrete floors and 15-metre-high ceilings make for a modern-industrial space where you won’t be touching elbows with the table next door or the other 199 café enthusiasts. You’re in safe hands at Never Been too, with the original owners of Deedot Coffee House, Groundhog Social, Banter Coffee House and Three Brews running the show. All that brain power and industry experience equates to all-day breakfast and brunch with a punch. Seasonality is at the forefront of Never Been’s menu, and your plate might sound a little something like baklava French toast, Korean beef bulgogi bowl, Turkish eggs or Italian-ish breakfast gnocchi with poached egg, goat curd, miso pumpkin and candied walnuts. So whether you’re craving something spicy or just nicely, Never Been has got all the stops covered.

Time Out tip: Never Been encourages cocktail, beer and bubble sipping. How about a chilli ginger beer or yuzu and elderflower Spritz to get the engine going?

Address: 2908 Logan Road, Underwood
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 7am-2pm; Sat-Sun 7.30am-2pm
Expect to pay: More than $19 for a proper meal