When travel across borders is limited (feels), or your savings just aren’t up to it (also feels), tasting the world’s flavours is the next best thing!
To keep things international around the clock, we’ve rounded up the best cafés to hit up that will make you feel like a real globe-trotter all before midday.
Hellenika | Fortitude Valley
If you’re after breakfast in style, then this one’s for you. Start your day off right by walking up the iconic Calile stairway and heading straight towards Hellenika for breakfast by the pool. Settle in for the iconic Eggs with eggs with eggs for boiled eggs, taramasalata, and salmon roe on toast, or opt for the Greek rice pudding with blueberries and cinnamon if you’re feeling wholesome. It may not be Santorini, but the flavours will make it feel pretty damn close.
Kulcha’d | West End
These guys serve up authentic Indian street food around the clock, but if you’re looking to dip a toe in their fragrant plates, breakfast is a great place to begin! Try their Bne kati roll (basically a flatbread wrap) filled with traditional Indian egg roll, tomato, onion, cabbage, Chef’s spicy mayo, lemon and bacon for a breaky flavour explosion.
Lokal + Co | West End
Scandinavian vibes are strong on the forecast lately, and we’re all for it. This neighbourhood eatery is serving up breakfast favourites with a Nordic twist, bringing the best of both worlds into one delicious plate. Whip out those Birkenstocks (without socks, please) and make your way to this cafe for potato waffles with house-cured salmon gravlax, citrus onions and salmon pearls, and perhaps a Danish Mary (like a Bloody Mary, but Scandi)!
Cafe O’Mai | Annerley
Mai oh Mai…the sweet sound to our ears. Cafe O’Mai will pho-rever be on our favourites list, with flavours that keep us coming back for more. They’ve perfected the East-meets-West, transporting you to Vietnam for comfort on a plate (or bowl). Trust us when we say that their pho game is on point, and perfect for Sunday brunchin’ with a Vietnamese twist (it’s breakfast over there, after all!). Oh…and if you haven’t tried Vietnamese iced coffee yet, you’re missing out BIG TIME!
Naim | Paddington
Remember when everyone was going crazy over hummus? Well, those days are still in full-swing…Forget the Acai bowl, and bring on the equally nutritious (at least we think so) hummus bowl from Naim that you can enjoy for breakfast! If you couldn’t already tell, we are very much into the Middle-Eastern approach to breakfast, and this Paddington cafe does it oh so well, with shakshuka, Levantine beans on brioche, tahini and white chocolate waffles and more!
West End Coffee House | West End
Spice up your mornings with this West End gem, where quality coffee meets delicious northern Thai-inspired breakfast plates like fragrant fried rice with pulled pork (or veggies), a crispy wok-fried egg, and spicy prik nam pla or the filling King’s omelette with rice, chicken mince, and a mindblowing herb salad on the side. Hot tip: they also do cheap beers from 10 am!
King Street Bakery | Bowen Hills
Get your Parisian chic on at King Street Bakery, with a coffee and croissant in hand to kick-start your day. If you feel like something more substantial (but equally as wholesome), take a seat and enjoy their french influenced a-la-carte menu. We’re talking about the likes of classic croque monsieur with smoked ham, gruyere cheese and oozy bechamel-bon appetit!
You’ll be feeling so cultured after checking these off your bucket list!
