Five of the best bakery cafes in Brisbane

There is not a lot that the Little Tree Bake and Brewhouse doesn’t offer: excellent baked goods, great food, beer, cocktails, live music and long hours. Wow, a one stop entertainment and dining experience in beautiful Samford – just outside Brissie.

If you’re going on the weekend, get there early – doors open from 6:30am. Sample fab coffee with in-house baked goodies including beef and shiraz pies, cauliflower, leek and gorgonzola pasties and savoury tartlets. Everything is made without preservatives with locally sourced produce.

If you’re hankering for something heartier then maybe the whipped avocado with finger limes on sweet potato sourdough is for you?

On the way out, pick up some treats for home – don’t forget a special sourdough loaf, the rosemary and olive is delicious – and browse the gift shop for locally produced preserves to go with it.

The Little Tree Bake and Brewhouse gets seriously busy so bookings are essential for anytime on the weekend.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Ploughman’s platter ($39)

Hundred Acre Bar, Bakery and Restaurant offers a unique eating experience. Covering several floors of historic Hillstone House, Hundred Acre overlooks Indooroopilly golf course and has a variety of dining options: coffee and pastries; small and large plates for casual dining; and a more ‘traditional’ menu for dinner.

The in-house bakery supplies bread for restaurant and casual dining menus. The pastries vary depending upon the day – the rolls and scrolls are delicious and super fresh. Definitely a great option for mid-morning get-togethers as the location, overlooking the golf course, means peace and quiet for a relaxing catch up.

If you’re a bit hungrier, at the restaurant start with Parker House rolls flavoured with sundried tomato, parmesan, rosemary and caramelised balsamic.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Beef brisket roll ($25)

The Baker’s Arms is one of the best known and respected cafe bakeries in Brisbane.

First choice of the day is coffee and one of the in-house pastries; blueberry danishes or pistachio with white chocolate croissants anyone?

But some people are not into sweet baked goods, I know – can you believe it? Don’t worry there’s plenty of uber deliciousness for those poor souls. We highly recommend the bacon and egg buttie, and the housemade cornbread and chorizo served with capsicum salsa and a fried egg.

If it’s lunch time, allow yourself to be tempted with in-house gnocchi. For the more adventurous, try the momo – steamed traditional Nepalese pork dumplings with soy bean, tomato, sesame seed and mixed spice sauce.

The Baker’s Arms has outside seating and is close to The Gabba if you’re headed to the cricket.

Book ahead to grab a table.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Truffled mushrooms on toast ($16)

Icing Hill is definitely for those who like to eat dessert before… anything else on earth! There’s a comprehensive menu of cakes from Basque burnt cheesecake to Asian-inspired taro cake, perfect to buy for you next occasion.

If you’re eating in though, Icing Hill opens early where you’ll have your pick of fresh pastries, croissants and other baked goodies to pair with a morning coffee, tea, frappe, juice, milkshake or smoothie.

If you’ve slept in and are looking for brunch fare, then there’s brekkie faves such as avo on toast, eggs bennie, acacia bowls and brekkie wraps.

Dish Cult’s top pick: High tea for two ($80)

Cafe Le Mer is not strictly a bakery but it bakes all its cakes, biscuits and savoury pastries which is pretty much our definition of ‘bakery’.

This is a must visit for the fabulous location, as it overlooks the East Coast Marina and is lovely and breezy during the hot Brissie summer. So escape the heat and enjoy breakfast or lunch under the huge trees. When booking, ask for outside seating.

We highly recommend the breakfast sand crab omelette but the corn and coriander fritters also received general approval.

For lunch the crumbed fresh prawns were spicy and tasty, as was the fish ‘n chips as to be expected from a sea-side cafe.

We hesitate to recommend a particular dessert because they change daily, but to give you an idea we sampled the Portuguese tart and the cheesecake, and both are worth your time.

When you book ask about parking because on the weekends, the car park is ‘closed’ to the general public but not to La Mer guests.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Antioxidant power salad ($22)