Brisbane’s 2023 Cafe Openings That Rocked Our World

Brisbane has stepped up its game, with the rising influx of Australians settling in the Sunshine State, and the looming excitement of the 2032 Olympic Games. To keep up with the demand for top-notch coffee, tasty brekkie eats and incredible cafes, there were a fair few new venues that caught our eye over 2023.

From some of the most highly-regarded breakfast haunts to cosy little suburban coffee shops, we’ve wrapped up Brisbane’s best places for a morning pick-me-up.

Pressi

The juice shop of your dreams has opened up in California Lane! In August this year, Pressi owner Tessa took her love affair with cold-pressed juice from her home, into the heart of Fortitude Valley.

What began as a fun project making juice for her friends, has become a full-scale juice dealing operation, offering local office workers and weekend warriors a fresh, fruity way to start their day. Making juices fresh in-house along with tasty tiger rolls and toasties, this cosy nook of a café is the perfect place to stop in and soak up some sunshine and nutrients on your lunch break.

22 McLachlan Street, Shop/1 California Lane, Fortitude Valley

James and Antler

James and Antler’s new kiosk is James Street’s hottest new addition, dishing up their top-performing menu items in a casual grab-and-go format that makes getting a delicious brunch even easier. What is this best-selling brunch masterpiece, we hear you ask?

This new venue’s claim to fame is a staple from their flagship cafe Mitch and Antler: the Croque Madame. It's a sourdough toastie layered with smoked ham, two types of cheese and mustard leek cream, topped with the sunniest free-range fried egg you’ve ever seen. We’re also very taken with their canned coffee frappés, which are whipped and canned on the spot for your convenience!

18/65 James Street, Fortitude Valley

Joe’s Deli

Bringing an attitude of old-fashioned service with modern sensibilities, Joe’s Deli is the best new cafe to hit for a proper sandwich, tasty deli goods, fresh cold cuts and excellent service. After their first successful year on the Gold Coast, the Joe’s Deli crew brought their deli-style eats to Albert Street in 2023.

We love the NYC-inspired eats, ranging from meatball subs, wagyu pastrami hoagies and sloppy joes. There are even vegan options on the menu (meatball subs included!) which are well worth your while if you’re hunting down plant-based eats.

123 Albert Street, Brisbane City

Illusion By No. 5

Step into an optical illusion on your next cafe adventure at Illusion by No. 5, a brand-new Brisbane cafe that is taking Instagram by storm. The entire cafe has a 2D aesthetic that will make you feel like you’ve stepped into someone’s notepad and they’re serving up dishes and drinks that are larger than life. Or, at least that's how they'll look in this 2D effect dining destination. Dine on the all-day brunch menu or just pop by for a coffee, smoothie or a glass of wine at this fun new cafe - open seven days a week!

713 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley

Rise Bakery

Brisbane’s Portside has a brand-new, dreamy destination to visit for your morning pastry and caffeine hit every weekend. After seeing wild success at their Sanctuary Cove location, Rise has finally arrived in Brisbane!

Pouring a selection of teas and an arabica speciality coffee bean, with subtle aromas of cocoa, hazelnut and caramelised orange, your morning cuppa is more than catered for. Feeling like something a little more… sparkly? Pair your croissant with a glass of champagne! With windows full of French-inspired pastries of sweet and savoury varieties, you’re bound to be in heaven when you step across the threshold of this glowing new café in Brisbane.

Shop 7.01F/39 Hercules Street, Hamilton

Single O

A long-time favourite of Sydney-siders has landed in the river city! One of the best new cafes to open in Brisbane this year is Single O, a group of coffee connoisseurs whose passion for sourcing, sampling, cupping, roasting, measuring (and the list goes on) resulted in a handful of wildly popular cafes in Sydney and Tokyo.

Now the eco-conscious caffeine addicts have spread their beans to Brisbane and we’re oh-so-happy they’re here! They’ve brought their iconic batch brew taps, banana bread with espresso butter and their chicken toastie. Head towards the building with the grinder swirl mural across its facade for an incredible coffee and a delicious breakfast.

16 Austin Street, Newstead

Sorelle Eatery

The latest venture from the Tognini’s team to become your new local is Sorelle Eatery, a café and homewares shop in lovely St Lucia! This gorgeous new café in Brisbane features an all-day, Italian-inspired breakfast menu, so you can get your brekkie fix no matter how late you sleep in.

Continuing the legacy of their parents before them, sisters Madeleine and Nastassia have curated a beautiful space to enjoy their favourite foods, produce and brands. Sip custom-blended coffee or a local wine before getting any gift-shopping well and truly sorted from their homewares, decor and fragrance range.

This new café is a fun, unique and exciting addition to the St Lucia dining scene and is already a hit with the locals! Don’t forget to tag us on social when you visit and let us know what you think.

242 Hawken Drive, St Lucia, Brisbane

Nodo Donuts

A Brisbane breakfast spot so popular that the locations keep multiplying... Nodo Donuts has been keeping Brisbane tummies and tastebuds in very good spirits since 2014 when owner Kate Williams decided to share the joy of gluten-free baked donuts with us all. Every dish served at Nodo is gluten-free, many are (or can be made) dairy-free or even vegan.

No matter whether you opt for a sweet or savoury plate, it’s never frowned upon to dine on a donut for breakfast at Nodo. The team have opened several new cafés around Brisbane lately, so no matter where you go, you can get your Nodo fix!

Multiple locations

Sunshine

Hellenika has a new, vegetable-obsessed little sister! Sunshine has opened up on James Street, serving an abundance of vegetarian options for you to choose from.

Operating similarly to a deli, simply make your selections from the counters and pay by the weight of your bowl. Each dish is priced the same per 100g, and there are plenty of gluten-free, vegan or dairy-free options.

The Mediterranean eats also make for the perfect addition to your next New Farm Park picnic, potluck or dinner party. Sunshine is one of the best new cafés in Brisbane to stop in at on your lunch break, and we just know you’ll be coming back again for more.

39 James Street, Fortitude Valley

Clarence Corner Deli

After a very successful start to their tenancy in Woolloongabba, the team behind Clarence Restaurant has expanded their offering to include a deli and sandwich shop. You won’t just find the standard ham and cheese here, but instead, find yourself walking away with a fistful of venison Reuben, blood pudding and fried egg rolls, or a cheesy roast pumpkin with stracciatella and pesto.

These creative twists on the humble lunchtime meal have easily scored Clarence Corner Deli high on our list of the best new cafés in Brisbane.

617 Stanley Street, Woolloongabba

Joey’s

Breakfast with a view of Brisbane? Sounds like the perfect weekend morning! Calling Kangaroo Point home, Joey’s sits atop the cliffs with a spectacular view of the Brisbane River and city skyline. It’s pooch-friendly and the European-inspired food is simply delightful for breakfast, lunch or anything in between. With an elevated yet comfortable ambience, Joey’s is one of the best new cafes in Brisbane to catch up with your besties.

29 River Terrace, Kangaroo Point

Bear Boy Windsor

With a peachy-pink marble interior and whitewashed leafy exterior, Bear Boy delivers an Instagrammable aesthetic just as well as it delivers Brisbane’s best breakfast. Not simply a pretty face, this cute café dishes up some of the best flavour combinations and pours an expert coffee, every time. It’s a cosy nook in Colwill Place that often has a little line spilling over the pavement, so be prepared to perhaps have to wait for ten minutes or so at rush hour. It’s also dog-friendly, so your pup doesn’t have to stay home alone!

Shop 8, 180 Albion Road, Windsor

Plant Vibes

Plant Vibes is one of Brisbane’s newest vegan breakfast and lunch spots, in a beautiful and bright location with the most gorgeous decor. Natural fibres, pink hues and the coolest prints are at every turn in this freshly renovated space and the food is just as gorgeous. We came for the creme brulee pancakes and stayed for the rose and citrus spritzers.

52 Brookes Street, Bowen Hills

Yolk

Taking the humble bacon and egg roll and making it utterly perfect, Yolk stands out as one of the top new cafes in Brisbane, serving up brekkie rolls, hearty sides, delicious 5 Senses coffee and freshly squeezed orange juice. A sister cafe to popular West End breakfast spot Morning After, Yolk defines tasty grab-and-go brekkie that fits into your weekday grind or your weekend errands with its convenient Gasworks location. Our pick is the chicken burger with a serving of truffle hash browns on the side.

Gasworks Plaza, 76 Skyring Terrace, Newstead

Looking for more cafes to check off your list? Explore this year’s newest cafes that are perfectly positioned for a day of exploring the city on foot.

Don’t forget to tag @sitchu.brisbane in your delicious foodie pics so we can stay in touch with your #sositchu moments on social.