Copper Bench
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In July 2024, I found that I just wanted a café to sit and charge my phone after a twenty-hour bus trip from Queensland's north west, and was able to do this and much more at Toowoomba's
Copper Bench on Ruthven Street. Definitely, the staff and owners encourage a distinct lack of anxiety about their work and that translates to the entire customer experience. During my quick visit to their delightful café, I ordered a flat white in a mug (a wider coffee cup in fact) ($5.50), a peach and mango smoothie ($8.50) and a breakfast pocket ($12.50). While not always easy in these more unexpected reviews, the images I took of their café are surprisingly stellar, and part of that is a credit to the café staff who affected positively. They'd see nothing in their work and showed skill and a hospitable attitude to their work. The cafe is as stated, on Ruthven Street in Toowoomba City Centre - so they have competition galore, and their useful work is a strong sign that the competition helps make lots of nice cafés in this area, and to visit Toowoomba just to try a new café every day is more than justification for a longer stay - aside from the many tourist attractions of Queensland's 'Garden City'.
Flat white in a mug - poured super thin on top yet look at that pattern!
Note while the smoothie was not photographed, it was a strong mango colour and deliciously refreshing, which hit the spot after my tiring journey. As polite feedback to management, I agree no garnish is acceptable but it would look so lovely with a little garnish such as a peach or mango slice - doubtless, this feedback is constructive and would be amazed to see them try the garnish. With the breakfast pocket - nice idea - the saffron garnish was the pleasant surprise of the day - because it seems unsuited to the dish in theory but is so appetising when put on the customer's plate. I don't doubt the pattern on my flat white is difficult to pour due to the increased width of the cup, but was (like all their work), such a pleasant surprise, yet as you can imagine, at the best possible time, when a pleasant and thoughtful or less anxious experience was needed most.
Breakfast pocket of beef, egg, cheese & BBQ sauce specifically signed on tables
The saffron garnish was well received.
The café sells 'Pao Bao burgers' as seen at Copper Bench's website found at
paobao.com.au - based on my customer experience the Pao Bao burger looks intriguing and the variety of burgers looks useful for larger orders. According to copperbench.com.au (interestingly this part of their online offering doesn't secure with https protocols, hence unlinked to this review), they have an online menu, which having looked at the on-site menu looks updated. Their smashed avocado on toast goes the extra mile but they offer so much more (including French toast, Haloumi croissant and specialty milk with coffees at $0.9 extra).
I think the staff at Copper Bench knew just to stay relaxed at work and it was affecting customers in a really lovely way. However, being unfamiliar with Toowoomba's café scene I think it's about right in terms of the quality food and service I got because the competition is high, but I can't let that detract from what they did, which was immensely useful in terms of the bigger picture and to me on that morning of my visit.
Copper Bench on
Facebook (with opening times from 6:30 till 14:00, but do check their Facebook site to be certain) is located at 428 Ruthven Street Toowoomba City - near Bar Wonder. Also offered by management are links to
Instagram , and the café is listed on
The Field Guide - a local yet unbiased guide to Toowoomba. Also, see
Weekend Notes Toowoomba 's food and drink section for comparable reviews. Note, as a tourist residing in Brisbane, it's not possible until trying further local cafés in Toowoomba to truly recommend this café, however, if I had to give an impression I would say a really good café regardless of the other factors. Even the fact Copper Bench gets high Facebook and Tripadvisor ratings from scores of ratings is quite a positive sign in terms of recommending to visit. Thus, I should state at least try this café once if not more times whilst in Toowoomba and Toowoomba City Centre.
Note images in this review courtesy of author in 2024.
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#family_friendly 290882 - 2024-07-25 09:50:18