by Gillian Ching (
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I'm a freelance writer living in Brisbane who loves exploring quirky places with my dog. Join me on my quest to find, experience, and share fun things to do and interesting places to go.Please subscribe if you enjoy the articles.
It can be hard to find an urban oasis amidst the chaos and demands of our busy city lives. The Soul Pantry, just 4 kms from Brisbane city, offers just that.

Soul Pantry's shipping container espresso bar
Soul Pantry's outdoor espresso bar in Newmarket, with freshly made treats, operates from a shipping container. I chose to have the locally baked banana bread as a great companion to my Two Seasons blend coffee but the lemon slice and the chocolate brownie were also very tempting.
The outdoor area is lined with astro turf, making it a great play surface for the little ones. Was that a real row boat I saw children climbing into? The furniture for the grown ups is mismatched and worn, which adds to its eclectic charm. Each table has its own potted plants and table numbers are fresh flowers in a glass vase to give an extra touch of green to the experience.

Sitting outdoors
After finishing my coffee I ventured inside to find a flower shop, nursery and children's clothing. As I left, I felt relaxed and rejuvenated. This place certainly enriched my soul.

soul pantry flower shop