So this week I thought the blog was long overdue for another edition of Ella Explores. As much as I’ve been loving writing my Ella’s Wine Time each week, this week I decided to give it a little break. I know it is the silly season and no this does not mean I’m drinking any less wine (believe me, that is not the reason), I just thought it would be nice to write about something other than wine for one week! I haven’t done an Ella Explores post in so long so I feel like it is long overdue!

So we’ve been living in West End for a few months now, and exploring the amazing cafes around South Brisbane and West End that the area has to offer. There is so much awesome choice in our area, so it makes it really hard to pick somewhere to go on a weekend. We really are spoilt for choice, and throughout the past few months I’ve been trying what is on offer to see what my favourite spots are. Now that I’ve done the field research, I thought it would be great to give you my top 5 spots, so you don’t have to! I mean, by all means feel free, but these are definitely my top picks.

I’ve been loving living close to so many great cafes, restaurants and bars. It reminds me of living in Melbourne where I could walk down the street and find myself with more choice than I knew what to do with. It’s also nice being able to walk to dinner too, and has meant less arguments about who is driving between my partner and I! But I have to tell you, the breakfast game is strong in South Brisbane and West End. I know I have barely scratched the surface on the awesome breakfasts on offer, but this list is my 5 favourites so far. I’d love to hear what you think as well – am I missing out on a hidden gem in the neighborhood that I have to try? I totally will, for research of course.

Plenty West End

Plenty is fast becoming my favourite Sunday morning breakfast spot. It is on Montague Road right near Vulture street, and although it looks small on the outside, has a pretty big area on the inside that just keeps going. The fit out is great with a lot of natural light and wood throughout, and I love that there are no individual menus. Instead, they write up the constantly changing menu on a big blackboard for everyone to see. You order at the counter which makes it a perfect place for groups if you need to split the bill as well! I actually love this place so much that when my parents asked me for a recommendation for breakfast around Brisbane, I suggested Plenty, as I knew it would be a great meal!

Every time I go there I feel like there are new items on the menu to try, and each time I feel like there are at least 5 options that I want to try. It actually makes it really hard to decide, because I feel like eating it all! There really isn’t much on the menu that doesn’t sound absolutely amazing. What I love about their food as well is that they are centred around fresh ingredients. Whether it is fresh fruit or greens and freshly chopped herbs, it really brings an extra element to breakfast that you really don’t get everywhere. I think this is what makes the food at Plenty unique, not to mention it is always absolutely delicious!

Probably my favourite dish that I’ve had there was the carrot and haloumi fritters. The dish came with poached eggs, a fresh salad with herbs and avocado, and a beautiful turmeric sauce! It was so perfectly balanced and absolutely delicious! I loved the fresh herbs with the fritters to really bring out the flavours. My partner also had mango and coconut waffles and man were they good! He only gave me a bite but it definitely rivaled the taste of some desserts. These were both from their current menu, so get in quick if you want to try those specific dishes. They seem to keep it seasonal which is great as you get different options every time!

Although the dishes here are a little pricier than some other breakfast options, you definitely get value for money as the dishes are really well portioned. And the quality is so good that it is worth every cent to get such an awesome breakfast! I am so happy that this great cafe is in walking distance for me now, and I am going to have trouble not going back again and again (which is not really a bad problem to have)!

West End Markets

I could hardly write a post about breakfast in West End without mentioning where I get my breakfast pretty much every Saturday. I love nothing more than starting my Saturday with a morning run ending at the West End Markets in Davies Park. The produce is such good value and there are some great vendors there with amazing food, meat, clothes and fruit and veggies of course! You can even get some great popcorn there (this is our latest obsession, we seem to be getting it every week because it’s so good)! I love the atmosphere at the markets, with everyone getting their groceries and sitting out in the sun on the grass and hanging out before starting their day. It’s so nice being able to walk down there with our new trolley, filling it up and then rewarding ourselves with some delicious food for breakfast!

Along with awesome coffee, there are so many options for food at the West End market that I guarantee you will have trouble deciding. This is why we can keep going back, because every time you can try something different. And I mean really different: from tibetan dumplings to crepes, langos to bagels, okonomiyaki to falafel…you really will be spoilt for choice.

One of my favourite things to have for breakfast is a Roesti. There is a great place that makes awesome Roesti with just about every topping you could ever imagine. Although my partner argues that they are too expensive, I love them so much! My favourite one to get is the Holy Guacamole: roesti, poached eggs and sweet guacamole. Instead of the sour cream I get them to add their awesome gypsy sauce. I don’t know what is in it, but it is so good! Such a good breakfast option to start off the day, and it really hits the spot.

My other go to is getting a bagel from the NYC Bagel Deli. They do have a store in West End now too, but I love going to the markets on a Saturday and getting their avocado and haloumi special which doesn’t seem like a special anymore as it is always there. I get it on an everything bagel, and it comes with rocket, haloumi, avocado, sundried tomatoes and pesto (I’m probably missing things but man it is good so just take my word for it). For $11 it is packed full of flavour and sweet sweet haloumi, and fills you up for your shopping.

Whether you are after something substantial or something to snack on, I love the choice available at the West End markets for breakfast. It’s so nice heading down to meet friends as everyone can order what they feel like and you can sit on the grass and enjoy the live music and cute dog watching (I didn’t mention the cute dogs, you’re sold now right?)

Smashing Berries

Another one of my favourite places in West End is Smashing Berries. They make absolutely awesome acai bowls, arguably my favourite in Brisbane, and so we are often here on a Sunday morning when we get a craving for one. They have a great menu with plenty of options regardless of what you feel like. It is right in the heart of West End, and has a nice outdoor area as well as counter space that looks out over the footpath, and presents a perfect spot for people watching while you enjoy your breakfast!

They have such great bowls, I often find it hard to decide! They have a lot of different flavours and types of toppings that I haven’t seen anywhere else as well, like their banana split bowl which comes out looking like it is an ice cream completely with coconut yogurt! I also think they are really good value, I mean you can pay upwards of $16 for an acai bowl nowdays, but the bowls here are around $13, and they are really well sized! I also like that they give them to you in an actual bowl rather than plastic, as it makes you feel a bit more special. The owners here are super friendly and always up for a bit of a chat while they make the coffees.

My favourite bowl to get is the Nutty Delight with added peanut butter. It is covered in fruit, coconut yoghurt, nuts and buckinis. I add the peanut butter because I am absolutely obsessed with it, and I think it takes it to the next level. The great thing about this place is that the extras are really well priced, so if you want to add something to your meal it doesn’t cost you an arm and a leg!

Gunshop Cafe

A West End classic, I could hardly write a post about West End breakfast without having the Gunshop Cafe in there. It is a bit of an institution for breakfast, and it is easy to see why. They have a great outside area with lots of natural light, as well as a cosy inside area for colder days. Sometimes you do have to wait for a table, but it is totally worth it for this amazing cafe.

I absolutely love the menu here. I have a lot of trouble every time I go deciding what I want as basically everything sounds absolutely amazing. They do change it frequently, but they always keep their classics, like their potato and feta hash cakes which are basically my favourite thing to get. I also love their sauteed seasonal greens for a healthier option. But seriously, everything is good so you really can’t go wrong. The prices are a little on the expensive side, but it is totally worth it for the amazing food and great options. You seriously won’t be disappointed by anything that you order, I know I never have been.

They also have great drink options. This is probably my favourite place for getting a smoothie or milkshake as they have great choice and they are absolutely delicious. If you want to indulge a little, look no further!

Morning After

Morning After is on Vulture street and offers a great menu of unique breakfast food. Whenever I go there I am always impressed by the choice available of different types of breakfasts, whether it is an omlette with savoury mince and a mexican theme to a bowl of delicious sauteed greens and poached eggs. Everything is a little different here, and it works so well! I love that each time I go here I can order something new and try completely different flavours. You won’t get your standard bacon and eggs here, but that is what is so great about it!

I love the fit out of this cafe too. They use this awesome green throughout and it sort of has a modern minimalist feel to it. The tables and chairs are all quite modern, yet the plants hanging from the ceiling really make it feel cosy and homely. It is also quite bright and light thanks to all the windows around the cafe, so it is beautiful on a nice summer morning.

Although you’ll have to wait for a table, it is definitely worth it for this great little cafe. The atmosphere is bustling and it always seems to be packed, which is a good sign. You can’t really go wrong with the menu, I know we’ve always had tasty food! They also have great coffee, and an amazing banana and peanut butter smoothie on the menu which definitely stole my heart! This is a relatively new cafe in West End but is definitely a contender to some of those that have been there for a while!

So there you have it, my top 5 so far! I can’t wait to keep exploring and trying new breakfast places, so let me know if you have somewhere else you think I should try! I have been loving the choice in my new area, but I know there are so many I haven’t been to yet that I need to get to. The atmosphere of the West End/South Brisbane area is great, and nothing beats starting your morning at one of these great cafes on a weekend, enjoying the sunshine with delicious food!

Until next time, happy eating!

Ella xx