I am pleased to see that the ball is rolling on what is likely the most seminal question this generation of trendy Brisbanites has to face – "
where do we get our best cup of coffee?"
However, I have been disappointed that, thus far, one coffee shop's hat has yet to enter the ring.
Cup Coffee, 85 Russell St, West End sits just behind Archive Beer Boutique and serves, in the eyes of this coffee-aficionado, the best brew in Brisbane.
Behind a brief street-side patio, a rolling garage door opens into an edgy, angular yet stylish room, left partially open to the sun. The focus of the room seems to be directed, first, towards the stream of 20-somethings that cycle in and out of the shop, and secondly, to the coffee.
The simply named shop gives you a smooth, elegant and often potent brew, with beans roasted right there in the shop. The owners - a handful of young local gentlemen who clearly love their coffee - change the beans regularly, but their focus seems to be on a consistently graceful, lip-smacking way to start the day.
As an aside, soy-drinkers will be especially pleased with Cup's technique – great consistency and perfect levelling.
Yet undiscovered by many locals, I am somewhat sad to share my favourite coffee shop with the world but the owners seriously deserve to win awards, and seriously need to start up a chain (with a shop closer to my home).
Just to put the cherry on the cake, Cup Coffee also boasts a pretty spectacular breakfast menu. What seems basic, or even bizarre at first, comes to your table looking, smelling and tasting fantastic. Just like with their coffee, the emphasis is on elegant delivery and these guys are killing it.
I might add to finish, just up the road from Cup is Wrapture (find the review for it on weekend notes) that makes some of the most interesting and delightful wraps in the city centre. Check out the article and, please, be careful combining the two – it's hard to break the habit.
