Brisbane's Best Breakfasts

by Damsel Martin (subscribe)

Nutritionists say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day and a bunch of studies suggest that skipping it can lead to weight gain. So who am I to argue with the experts? Here are ten of the best places in Brisbane to fuel your day. They're located all over town - though I acknowledge something of a western suburbs bias. (That's where I live, after all.) Some are large, others are small. Some have been around for ages, others are brand new. Some are hidden neighbourhood gems, others draw diners from all parts of Brisbane. Anyway, enough of the talk. Here they are, in no particular order. Let's eat.

1. Wild Canary Bistro

If the lush kitchen gardens and jungle-like surrounds don't seduce you, then the Wild Canary breakfasts certainly will. Serving breakfast daily, this botanical bistro offers classic morning meals (centred on bacon, eggs, and all the trimmings) alongside some refreshing twists - like nasi goreng and charcoal zucchini waffles. Wild Canary usually has two daily specials - one savoury and one sweet - just to tax your decision-making abilities to the hilt.


2. Quincys

Three words: Quincys Big Breakfast. Imagine bacon and eggs on sourdough toast, with mushrooms, onion, halloumi, blistered cherry tomatoes, chorizo and tomato relish. Oh, so you're vegetarian? There's an option for you, which removes the meat but adds avocado, rocket, and dukkah. The coffee here is fabulous and if you really want to make a day of it, you can slide on into lunch and even pre-dinner drinks.

3. The Single Guys Coffee Co.

I have a personal rule: no more than one coffee a day. But I broke it within half an hour of stepping into The Single Guys Coffee Co. - the coffee is that good. Healthy breakfast options include avocado on toast and bircher muesli, but why not go for the French toast with blueberry compote, passionfruit, chocolate anglaise, fresh fruit and white chocolate? The original cafe at Kenmore was such a raging success that The Single Guys Coffee Co. has since opened a CBD venue.


4. Sassafras of Paddington

What's not to love about a dog-friendly venue that offers daily all-day breakfasts in a restored workers cottage and leafy courtyard garden? Since I last reviewed Sassafras of Paddington this charming little chill-out spot has gone from strength to strength. There are also options for those eating on the run - such as the yoghurt parfait to go.

5. Method to the Madness

There's nothing quite like starting off the day with an inspirational quote or two. At Kenmore's new Method to the Madness cafe, many of the dishes are named after famous Shakespearean lines. 'What's done cannot be undone' refers to the Asian fermented chilli crab omelette, pickled wild mushrooms & gado gado, while 'Be not afraid of greatness' is the Wagyu spag bowl brioche sandwich. This cracking cafe serves breakfast all day long, so there's plenty of time to soak up all the brilliant bon mots the Bard has to offer.



6. Willow and Spoon

It's so refreshing to find a venue which refuses to hop on the latest trends but instead carves out their own - just because they can. Willow and Spoon is such a place. You won't find what you're expecting - there's no smashed avocado on sourdough, for starters. But that will free you up to experience a whole new world of taste sensations. Like, cured pork belly with truffle scrambled eggs, malted barley toast, buttered leek, and piquillo mayo. Or perhaps Madam would prefer the grilled sardines with lemon and parsley potatoes, soft boiled egg, roast garlic, dill mayo and baby bocconcini?

7. Sol Natural Foods, West End

If Sol Natural Foods at West End was your neighbour, you'd be living next door to a dreadlocked, chamomile-imbibing, vegan, permaculturing, animal rescuing, hippie, who always offers you agave nectar when you go round to borrow a cup of sugar. But in all seriousness, Sol Natural Foods is a gem of a destination where you can enjoy a coffee, snack or meal, knowing that it's all guilt- and cruelty-free. Make time to visit All the Green Things while you're there, for an extra hit of chlorophyll.



8. Snag & Brown

Snag & Brown is a little gem I discovered when it first opened two years ago, but with al fresco or indoor dining options, it still hits the bullseye. Breakfast runs from 7am to 2pm daily, with fare ranging from fig and macadamia toast or warm coconut rice pudding to pancakes or spicy Sicilian sausage with poached eggs, cheese and basil. There's a fabulous vegan option which includes a sausage made from polenta, sweet potato, tomato and spinach. (Don't skip the house-made tomato and onion relish.) Stick around till lunch-time (11am to 2pm) for some additional options such as steak sandwiches and fish and chips.

9. My Mistress

There's something illicit about the name of this Clayfield Cafe, but don't let a guilty conscience put you off My Mistress. Menu items are divided into 'cheeky flings' and 'main affairs'. The Amazonian acai bowl with fresh fruit is a good example of the former and the Eggs Marilyn (free range poached eggs on rye with spinach, hollandaise and your choice of ham, bacon, salmon or mushrooms) a good example of the latter. It's also pretty hard to beat the 'Sweet Thang' which is comprised of waffles with lemon curd, berry coulis and mascarpone.



10. Huskk Cafe

A lot of years and a sprinkling of Michelin stars have gone into making Huskk Cafe in The Grange. Husband and wife team Tracey and Alastair Macpherson have both spent many years working abroad in prestigious establishments. Upon relocating to Brisbane, they tossed around a few ideas, fine dining being their first love. However, given Brisbane's rocking cafe scene, they decided to head down this road instead. And boy, am I ever glad they did. Huskk's Eggs Benny is a delicious revelation. Run, don't walk.

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