Brisbane's Hot Coffee Spots

A fix from Jamie's Espresso Bar

In anticipation of my brother's arrival from Melbourne last week, I decided to update my knowledge of Brisbane's coffee scene. Let's just say in the 15 years he's lived in Australia's coffee capital he never misses an opportunity to declare he's yet to find a half-decent Long Macchiato in "your town" to stir his little sis.

This time I was prepared to prove to him once and for all that Brisbane knows coffee. Plus, any excuse I have to get back on my old stomping ground of inner-city cafes and I'm there with more than bells on.

I started off slowly and took him to the usual, trustworthy coffee spots (intelligent) locals have come to know and love.  We buzzed from Campos Coffee (Fortitude Valley), to Flamingo Cafe (Fortitude Valley), then down the laneway to Brew (Brisbane City).

The down-to-earth aesthetic of each venue had him feeling at home, but it was the obvious respect the staff had for their jobs, the coffee and the brewing process that won him over. Now can you see what I was working with?

Unfortunately we didn't get a chance to try out the new PUK Espresso (Kangaroo Point), but we did make time to drop by The Rabbit Hole Ideation Cafe (West End) before he jumped on his flight home.

Love, love, love it! It's cosy, quaint, groovy and down right funk-tastic! If I still worked in the area Rabbit Hole would definitley be my daily go-to place for my early morning, mid-morning and afternoon caffeine fix.

Got family and friends visiting for Christmas or just sick of your local cafe serving sewage water as coffee? Here are a few more must-visit hot coffee spots I highly recommend:

Jamie's Espresso Bar (Robertson Street, Fortitude Valley): One of Brisbane's original hole-in-the-wall coffee spots. Pick up a great cuppa to enjoy as you walk around the James Street fashion precinct.

The Birds Nest Coffee and Collectables (Montague Street, South Brisbane): Stop here either before or after your day at the Gallery of Modern Art. Talking and walking? If you hit The Joynt you've gone to far.

D&D: Delectable

Dandelion & Driftwood (Gerler Road, Hendra): An adorable cafe for both tea and coffee lovers. It's one to keep up your sleeve for afternoon tea with your ladies.

Clarence Corner Bookshop & Cafe (Stanely Street, Woolloongabba): This is another personal fave. Who could possibly go past coffee and books? Plus you can text them your order, your ETA and it'll be ready for your arrival. If only it was my corner shop.

I recommend you bunker down with a brew here

Bunker (Railway Terrace, Milton): Named after the World War II bunker it now calls home, this cafe is home to the best brew on the West Side.

Do you agree? Please let me know if I've missed the one you love.

Bubs in Brissie: Max Brenner

The smell of decadent chocolate enveloped me as soon as I walked in. E and I had arrived at Max Brenner for our weekly Mother's Group catch up and I knew instantly it would be beyond delicious. The sight of chocolate lining the walls and the smell of belgian waffles made me relax before I could even say Hello to our group.  

It's chocolate heaven at Max Brenner

The divine Max Brenner opened in South Bank last year introducing Brisbane to 'the bald man's' chocolate culture, inviting us to smell, taste, feel and share his love affair with all things coco. Um...OK! You don't have to ask me twice.

Several Mummas had arrived before me and arranged tables at the end of the counter for our get together. Eight of us fit comfortably in the space with our prams nearby and bouncing bubs on our laps. I'm guessing our mid-morning meeting time was a big part of allowing this to happen because I've heard stories of chocolate devotees queuing for hours to worship at the alter of Brenner. I don't blame them.

Without hesitation I lined up too. A Hug Mug (named after its stylish design which allows you to hug it close to you) of dark chocolate was my bevvie of choice. It was simply sensational. I'll admit, I was nervous that drinking a MUG of chocolate would make me sick, but quiet the opposite. I wanted more. Right away, if not sooner!

Tasty Hot Chocolate in a heart warming Hug Mug

During the course of the morning, my friends were feasting on Banana Bread served with melted hot chocolate, Banana Praline Crepes served with melted hot chocolate and an Exploding Chocolate Shot, among other things (click here for the menu). They all oo'd and aah'd in the right places boasting that their plate was the best of the bunch. It's definitley not somewhere you want to go if you're keen to regain your post-baby figure but it's well worth a visit for a reward once you've achieved it! 

Child-Friendly Environment - 3 rattles
Again, the mid-morning mid-week venture to MB was more than likely the reason it felt spacious and bub friendly. Now, don't mistake me, I'm sure kids are welcome all the time, but it can get very busy at night so if your tot likes to run around and make noise, the university students who fill the tables and chairs might not approve. Overall, Max Brenner is very relaxed, casual and suitable for families. It offers Babycinos on the menu as proof.

Nursing (Breastfeeding) - 3 rattles
Several of my companions all nursed at the table and no-one battered an eyelid. The cafe's spaciousness allows your party to feel like it has its own space without encroaching on others, so if you choose to nurse here, it shouldn't be a problem.

Parent Room - 2.5 rattles
The parent room is a well hidden secret. Luckily a Mum in our group had been before and informed us it was located in the bottom of the building opposite. Look for a grey door opposite the side entrance of Max Brenner near several ATMs. You will need to get buzzed in (unsure if this is only available during business hours) but the room is very well maintained, clean, and would fit approx 3 to 4 Mums at a time. If you each have a pram then 3 will be a snug fit. Run out of nappies? For $2 you can purchase one from the vending machine. A microwave and Avent bottle steriliser is also available. An adult and toddler toilet is included.

Parking - 2 rattles
There is plenty of underground parking at South Bank or 2 hour paid parking on nearby side streets. If you visit MB during peak times (weekends, public holidays) be prepared to walk. Note, this is more a reflection of carparking at South Bank not Max Brenner. Elevators are available for prams but again, if it's busy, only a few people can comfortably fit in the lift with a pram. The South Bank car parks offer a hand ful of 'Parents with Prams' car parks but get in very early or very late to grab one.

Playground Equipment - Not applicable

Overall Rating - 3 rattles (out of 5).

Max Brenner
Shop 1.1 & 1.2 Stanley Street Plaza South Bank
07 3255 0411
www.maxbrenner.com.au 
Opening Hours:
Mon - Thurs - 8:00am - 11:00pm
Fri - Sat - 8:00am - 12:00 Midnight
Sun - 8:00am - 11:00pm

Reviews for Brisbane Mummas

As many of you know I joined a Brisbane mothers' group a while back. It's for professional women on maternity leave in 2011 and I'm LOVING it - and not just because I know many of them read this blog!

E and I really look forward to our weekly catch-ups, getting to know other new Mums and their gorgeous tots, sharing our experiences plus having a few old fashion belly laughs for good measure.

Each week we plan to meet in a new cafe, park, movie theatre or sometimes even a member's home in order to get out and about across our lovely city. The coversation almost always turns into one of 'will it be practical for a large group of Mums with Bubs?' 'Can we all fit?' 'Where do we park?' And so on....

This common conundrum got me thinking - why isn't there something online that helps Mums out? There are hundreds (if not thousands) of groups meeting each week somewhere across Brissy and I'm sure they all have the same question, 'Where is the most convenient and baby friendly place to meet?' Even if you're not part of a group, I'm sure you'd like to know more about a cafe, park or shopping centre before carting the baby/kids along only to find you can't fit the pram in, you have to walk miles from your car and it's not child friendly at all!

So I've decided to put my former Tourism PR hat back on and help Brisbane Mums out. Each week I will take it upon myself to visit a new cafe, park, library, movie theatre, gallery, shopping centre etc..., etc... across Brisbane and give it an honest motherly review.

Bubs in Brissie will rate the location's parking options, child-friendly environments, nappy changing facilities/general amenities, playground equipment (if applicable) and most importantly the coffee and cake! I'm sure it'll be bloody hard work but I'm willing to take one for the team in an effort to preserve your sanity.

Now, where should I go first? Where is your favourite spot for an outing?

Check back here on Friday (29 July) for the first "Mummas & The City" review.