Thankfully, finding a breakfast at South Bank to fuel your day of adventures isn’t hard. 

Whether you’re after something more traditional (we will never tire of smashed avo!) or something with a bit of a twist, South Bank has an abundance of morning meals to satisfy even the pickiest of tiny humans.

Riverside Cafe & Bar

Hiding just behind Riverside Green’s popular playground, you’ll find Riverside Cafe and Bar alfresco brekkie spot to while away the morning. Grab a table in the shade under one of the umbrellas and pick from the generous a la carte menu or choose something quick from the cabinet. Whether you’re a breakfast sweet tooth or fall on the savoury side every time, you’ll find something to sate your breakfast taste buds here until 1pm every day.

Nodo

With the motto “eat donuts for breakfast”, this Brisbane fave has reached near-icon status in Brisbane thanks to its mouth-watering donuts. The South Bank location is ever-popular, slinging some of the best coeliac-friendly breakfasts this side of the river. Cooked using artisan methods and naturally gluten-free ingredients, Nodo’s delicious ‘baked not fried’ donuts are moreish any time of day but the Breakfast Donut – a delicious symphony of banana, maple cream cheese and toasted pecans – is the right way to start every day. The bustling store also serves up a creative all-day menu of substantial meals and their very own ‘Nodo blend’ of coffee from 7am–4pm every day. Choose from acai bowls, breakfast burgers, bennys and a twisted take on the almighty avo, smashed onto their sell-out, fresh-baked seeded sourdough.

Denim Co.

Why limit breakfast to the morning only? South Bank breakfast stalwart Denim Co.’s menu is available until 3pm, for those that like to catch the worm a little later. Try faves like the big breaky or chilli scramble – chilli scrambled eggs, whipped feta and pickled onions on Turkish toast. Or for a comforting classic, order one of Denim’s much-loved jaffles with fillings like ham and gooey cheese or savoury mince.

Guzman Y Gomez

Known and loved for their filling and flavoursome burritos, Guzman Y Gomez at South Bank also boasts a breakfast menu with savoury and sweet options so you can say vamos to the day. Take your taste buds on an overseas jaunt with your choice of a breakfast burrito, quesadillas, brekkie tacos and scrambled eggs – plus a whole bunch of sides include the requisite hash brown. There’s even an Aus/Mexican riff on avo toast: the guac on toast! The best bit? It’s quick and easy to order, so it's perfectly suited to the mad morning rush.

Coco Bliss

Wholefoods is the name of the game at Grey Street’s Coco Bliss, where you’ll find a menu bursting with refined sugar-free options like acai bowls, protein shakes and fruity smoothies. There’s also plenty for vegans to enjoy – choose from plant-based milks for your drinks, most of the savoury bowls are vegan friendly, as are most of the toast toppers and raw treats. Vegans can even indulge in a rare treat – a vegan-cheese toastie!

Oakberry Acai

Want a quick acai bowl to takeaway? Hit up Oakberry Acai in Riverside Terrace, where the loaded bowls are served up fast and fresh. Pick your toppings and take your frozen berry delight for a breakfast picnic on one of the lovely lawns at Riverside Green or under the lush shade pavilion.

Lost Bean

Popular with South Bank workers eager for a caffeine fix, Lost Bean is a bustling hole-in-the-wall spot serving up fresh and quick sweet and savoury bites. Not only is their coffee some of the most coveted on Grey Street, the menu (including a well-stocked cabinet) also features an assortment of breaky faves like a haloumi stack, zucchini and corn fritters plus a chia pudding and muesli and yoghurt. The well-stocked cabinet is home to pastries, muffins and other light meal options too.

Espresso Garage

A mecca for cyclists, Espresso Garage rolls up their door every morning to reveal a bustling cafe pumping out much-loved breakfast favourites. Situated in a breezeway on Little Stanley Street, the South Bank breakfast institution specialises in the cheap and cheerful – whether you’re after bagels, toasts, smoothies or just a really good coffee. 

Barbossa

If you’ve been craving the flavours of the islands, then make your way to Barbossa for weekend breakfast at South Bank’s very own Caribbean-inspired bar and eatery. Serving up familiar fare like bacon and eggs as well as a Barbossa benny, things take a detour in dishes like huevos rancheros, spicy mince on cornbread and akoori style eggs. For all the plant-based people, check out the vegan breakfast!

Brewer’s Pantry – The Charming Squire

Although they’re famous for their brewing skills and the fire-roasted offering at Embers, the crew behind The Charming Squire also delivers in the grab-and-go breakfast department. Opposite the entry to the South Brisbane train station, Brewer’s Pantry is a tiny hole-in-the-wall cafe serving up all the usual suspects when it comes to morning bevvies, plus a tidy menu of muffins and pastries. Open from 6.30am until around 11am, it’s the perfect spot for a pick-me-up after your morning commute or quick morning tea break on the way to Parklands adventures.

Olio

Tucked into the Grey Street foyer at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, Olio is a buzzy South Bank breakfast gem with outdoor seating and picturesque views of the Wheel of Brisbane. Dishing out everything from delectable sweet dishes to savoury delights, the cafe is an excellent spot to sit and watch the world go by before you tackle the day. Chow down on something fresh and filling as you figure out your next step in the precinct.

Vici

It may be unexpected, but Vici just does not stop pumping out the delish bites, no matter the time of day. Serving up their standard brand of wholesome Italian fare from 7am, Vici’s menu is a savoury smorgasbord (with the exception of the waffles) bursting with fresh produce. Try the ‘stella di capri’ – basically a breakfast bruschetta – and the ‘eggs in purgatory’ for a flavour bomb to remember.

Poppies

Slinging some of South Bank’s best cocktails and dinner fare, Poppies is just as popular with hungry morning crowds as it is with after-sunset legions. The all-day menu is filled with tasty options for all ages and ranges from the light (fruit salad, we’re looking at you) to the hearty (hello, big breakfast). It’s all whipped up and served in the lively alfresco surrounds of Little Stanley Street so you can soak up a side of Parklands ambience with your meal.

The Jetty South Bank

One of the original eateries to open at fine-dining destination River Quay, The Jetty South Bank is winning in the picturesque spots stakes for breakfast at South Bank. Serving an assortment of scrumptious morning meals, the menu is a cornucopia of classic breakfast options for any appetite. Choose from the potato gem-stuffed riff on eggs benny, French toast, smashed avo, a breaky burger and even a vegan breakfast!

Hope Street Cafe

The brainchild of Brisbane NGO Micah Projects, Hope Street Cafe is a not-for-profit social enterprise that serves up more than just great breakfast. Like the name says, the eatery – found a block back from Grey Street, around the corner from QAGOMA – was created to provide access to hands-on experience for those with significant barriers to employment. Aside from serving up simple and nourishing fare for everyone in the community from an all-day menu, the cafe also sells fresh fruit and veg at affordable prices and offers a “free-tail pantry” for those in need.

Kiki

Making its home in a secret little courtyard, lush with monstera and towering taro plants, under the rail line across Melbourne Street, Kiki is the stylish little kiosk sis’ to Southside Restaurant. Serving up coffee and banh mi from 7am–2pm, you can grab and go or choose to sit and chill for some time away from the busy fray.

River Quay Fish

The name is something of a misnomer come weekend breakfast time, because River Quay Fish dishes up the breakfast goods on the water – minus the fish. The mostly savoury menu is available from 7am on Saturday and Sunday, so book a table and eat up that eggs benny with a side of city views and people watching.