Step inside an unassuming door on busy Abbotsford Rd in Brisbane and you'll find a pleasant…read moresurprise. What looks like the door to a business unit is in fact the entry to a bustling coffee shop. Behind this modest door is the gateway to the realm of Di Bella Coffee. I was amazed just how many people were inside when I walked through the door. They were waiting patiently in amongst the coffee paraphernalia for their coffee, in a surprisingly large venue with plenty of tables and even a kid's space. Like all good coffee shops, there's a range of sweet treats and light meals on offer including the brand new, wackily named 'Kwak Scroll' from renowned Oregano Bakery in Sydney. Di Bella are the exclusive retailer of the lightly frosted cinnamon scrolls, in Queensland. The coffee shop serves as a chance to offer new products and test public reaction. For the many forgotten souls who work in a light industrial suburb that's short on amenities but big on tyre fitting, Di Bella are simply saviours. There's certainly a lot going on behind that secret door...

Welcome to the HQ of Queensland coffee mogul Phillip Di Bella, the man whose locally roasted beans…read moreare used at hundreds of Queensland cafes and exported as far as India and China. Don't worry about that slight burning smell; that's the aroma of A-grade Arabica being roasted at the attached factory, where the process of heating the raw bean brings out its delicious oils, allowing them to be processed into a beautiful crema topped espresso. Sorry if I am waxing lyrical a bit, I really love coffee! And so does Mr Di Bella it would seem (it has after all made him a millionaire), who has set up not just a cafe but also a coffee training school and a drive thru delivering top notch espresso coffee through your car window. I'm yet to try that feature but have enjoyed a well-extracted espresso in the main cafe on a number of occasions. Like other big QLD roaster Merlo, you get a free coffee to enjoy at the cafe when you buy some beans to take home. They do 13 different regular blends, with my favourite two being the 'Felici' (Italian for 'lucky') and 'Arnika Reserve' (named after Phillip's daughter).

I occasionally buy the coffee beans here. They have the decaf kind of things and they can help to…read moregrind for me. I think the service is nice and fast and also there are lots of people in the shop. Nice vibrant environment.

There was quite a line when I arrived at Campos, and hoped to secure a seat indoors to snap some…read moreshots [where the decor was more interesting] - but given the seating arrangements, I sat outside. Oh well, next time! Campos's look was not at all what I expected - but then again - most of Brisbane's cafes seem to be garages or hole-in-a-walls, and maybe that's their charm. For some reason, the ceiling fans reminded me of Jungle Cruise at Disneyland, and I love their beetle green espresso machine! The waiters were attentive and friendly, so I was happy with the wait time, even though I was starving. I had plenty of sleep [the first time in a while], but I felt that I should try their coffee, so I got my usual skinny latte (3.3), though they offer quite a variety of iced coffees, milkshakes, and the sort. Maybe next time! Their latte was very fragrant, and was very smooth, and not at all acidic. Mmm, it was indeed good coffee! Their menu had a wide variety of items, but I ended up going for the Red Braised Pork Belly (with grilled bok choy, mushrooms, and ginger oyster sauce), as recommended by the waiter. I was quite satisfied with the Asian-inspired pork belly dish (17) [even though it's always a bit of work for me to strip away the fat] but the skin was deliciously crispy and the meat was flavorful. I would've liked my mushrooms with more ginger oyster sauce, but overall, the flavors were in balance, the ingredients fresh, and the dish a generous portion. I would definitely like to try their breakfast sometime, and hopefully get to sit indoors!

I discovered this place by happy accident and ever since I've been taking my all my friends there…read more Sometimes I go in several days in a row it's that good. I love the atmosphere. The staff are so friendly and really love their job it shows. Food and coffee is superb!

Solo Expresso is my weekday coffee stop of choice. I have experienced a vast number of nasty coffee…read moreplaces in my time. But this place makes coffee perfection. This weekend when I visited in my "off work" outfits the staff immediately recognised me and asked if I'd like my usual coffee! Morning coffee enthusiasts drop in and check them out from 630am week days!

Coffee heads and caffeine addicts - this is the shop for you. Grinders Coffee in Teneriffe…read moreliterally stocks everything you could ever dream of that is coffee related. I literally thought I had died and gone to heaven when I stumbled across this place. Positioned just off Commercial Road, this sleek, black building entices you in with the selection of cups you can spy through the windows. Oh, and the little cafe tucked away inside. This place stocks a massive array of blends - ranging from the signature Giancarlo blend through to a Rainforest Organic blend. To add that sweet hit to your morning coffee, they also sell an array of decadent syrups (hazelnut, chai and vanilla), aptly named 'Sinfully Delicious'. And of course, a range of Taboo hot chocolate powders. You can find industrial coffee machines, personal French presses, cups, saucers, spoons, grip handles, milk jugs and the list goes on in this wonderful store. But don't worry, if you get thirsty (which you will) the staff are more than happy to make you a coffee, or better yet, give you a crash course in coffee making.

Who knew you could brew coffee in so many different ways? Syphon, cold drip, machine, trifecta,…read moreplunger, stovetops, drip filter! The options are endless! And lucky for you kids in the bean scene, places like Grinders Coffee exist to train, teach and tantalise your taste buds! Their training/retail centre on Florence Street/Commercial Road in Teneriffe is only new but is decked out with anything anyone needs for an at home coffee experience. And for those who, like me, prefer a coffee made by a proper Barista, they also do takeaway coffees. And they're good! Take note that on a hot Brisbane day you can get a coffee frappe for a mere $2.50! Ka-ching!

Fantastic coffee and unbelievable pastries. A little confusing to find but so worth hunting for itread more

Wake up cafe is a lovely place for hot or cold drinks friendly staff and very clean very helpful…read moreand u earn 1% points for $$$ and the cakes are very nice and plus great table services and there also takeaway coffee all size

Blackstar Coffee, where hippies and hipsters meet over a good cappuccino while watching the world…read morego by. I had been hearing about Blackstar Coffee for years now from family members and had been gifted their coffee to make at home so I knew it was time to pay a visit to the place itself. Visiting Blackstar in person was quite an experience in that it was very different from what I had pictured. I had erroneously assumed it would be a fairly trendy looking joint: jazz music playing in the background, succulents decorating the tables, local hipster art on the walls. Imagine my surprise when I found *no* walls, all outdoors, and super casual with funky chairs. The friendly but distracted young man that took our orders reminded me of the Phish heads I used to hang out with in college. Most of the other workers had a hippie-style to them as well. It took a few back and forths to figure out what coffee was available for which particular brewing method. I ordered a cappuccino and a brownie to share. We grabbed a small table to enjoy the people watching while waiting for our coffees. There were a few dudes throwing a football around across the street and a number of hipsters posing and looking cool while staring at their phones. The music (Radiohead) became louder and it looked like the staff was rocking out in the back. Our order arrived after a few minutes, and I was happy that my cappuccino was hot, smooth, and nicely decorated. Perhaps it was a little too smooth for my liking, but nonetheless was good enough. But that brownie, damn -- delicious! Super fudgy and chocolately and just amazing. I wish I tried one of their cold brews but I stupidly didn't read the Yelp reviews before coming here. Solid coffee, excellent dessert, and fun people watching make Blackstar a fun place to visit while in the neighborhood.

If you're looking for a hipster hangout with hotties behind the counter, you've just found your…read morespot in the West End. Could BlackSTAR be the Elphaba of STARbucks? All I know is that my freshly ground espresso beans ($22 for 500g) made just for plunging, were warm and filled my car with a chocolatey coffee scent that made me want to bake myself in the car on a hot day. That's right, this roast is so tasty I'd take a coffee sauna in it. What's that? Beer in the fridge too? No, my friends, this is even better- a cold brewed coffee in a bottle that you can sip on a hot day to keep your mojo going all night long ($5). Black, cream, or soy- they've nailed the recipe with natural sweeteners and all the right stuff. Love the way you turn me on.