Brisbane’s Best Sweet Bites
Money might not be able to buy happiness, but it buys the next closest thing – desserts. Brisbane’s sweet scene is bursting with decadent delicious treats, with enough sugar to satisfy even the most demanding of sweet tooths. Whether you prefer a death by chocolate or a fruity fantasy, we’ve got you covered. Here’s our take on the must-dos desserts, worth unbuckling your belt for.
Agnes Bakery – Fortitude Valley
When lockdowns hit Brisbane, the owners of the infamous restaurant Agnes hosted a bakery pop up. It quickly became a huge success, and people would queue laps around the block for the European-inspired pastries. Agnes became a lockdown-must-have and kept all of us sweet fanatics sane during the lockdowns. Luckily for us, Agnes Bakery found a permanent location at a quaint, Queenslander on the corner of James Street. If this isn’t on your Brissy bakery to-do list, then you need to rewrite it. You’ll find crowd favourites such as their divine kouign amanns, a decadent range of danishes, and their infamous basque cheesecake. Open seven days a week, 7am to 2pm.
Colourful, yummy and did we mention vegan treats await you at VeganYumm Bakehouse. Being Brisbane’s first and only completely vegan bakehouse, they’ve been providing an alternative to the often dairy and egg dominated industry since 2016. Whatever your favourite dessert is, we can (almost) guarantee there is a vegan option available. With classics like carrot cake, chocolate brownies, cupcakes, cookies and even Nutella desserts, it’s a must try, no matter what your dietary requirements are. Open seven days a week, Monday – Saturday 8am to 10pm, Sunday 8am to 8pm.
Nodo – Camp Hill + Newstead + Brisbane City
Nodo’s philosophy is that doughnuts are for breakfast, and we agree completely. The gluten free café offers a healthy twist to the infamous doughnut with their baked not fried approach. Nodo have established quite the name for themselves in Brisbane, they’ve even opened little kiosks in Westfield Shopping centres, so you enjoy their treats whilst you shop. With a huge range of flavours as well as Vegan options, it’s a little treat you don’t have to feel too guilty about. Open seven days a week, 7am to 3pm.
Flour and Chocolate - Morningside + Northgate + Redcliffe
Is there any better feeling than your first bite of a flaky, buttery, chocolate-ly pastry? If you agree, you need to get your fix from award winning bakery Flour and Chocolate. Feeding Brisbanians countless pastries for nearly a decade, Flour and Chocolate have earned their cult-like status. The biggest clue of their range of quality pastries is in their name itself, with these ingredients making their delicious mark on the pâtisserie. It’s a puff pastry palace, with a fresh range of tarts, cakes and of course – croissants. The only problem is just choosing one (but who’s counting?). Open five days a week, 6.30am to 2pm.
A name deprived from the traditional Hungarian pastry Kürtőskalács or “Chimney Cake”, enjoy a caramelised, crispy, flaky pastry. Kürtősh was NSW-born and opened their first Queensland venue in early 2022, and pastry lovers have flocked since. You’ll find a huge collection of Central-European inspired cakes, desserts and pastries for you If you’re worried your eyes being bigger than your belly - Kürtősh sells cakes by weight, allowing you to sample smaller portions if you prefer. Paired with their speciality coffee, it’s a must-go-to next time you’re in West End. Open seven days, 7am to 10pm.
Sprout Artisan Bakery – Fortitude Valley
If you visited James Street, you would of noticed the line-up out the door for Sprout – and it’s totally worth the wait. The artisan bakery offers hand crafted baked goods, and their pastry cabinet is filled with goodies galore. There’s a reason why it’s considered a one stop shop for Brisbanians with a sweet tooth. After just one bite of their signature croissants, tarts, scrolls or pastries, you’ll understand the hype. Open six days a week, 7am to 2pm (closes at 1pm on Sundays)
We could sell you this in one sentence: flaky, buttery, croissants. La Bouche is a French-inspired patisserie situated only minutes from the bays of Cleveland, you can grab one of their signature croissants and enjoy the seaside. Classics such as pain au chocolats, choux pastries and brownies, are just waiting to be devoured. Open five days a week, 6.30am to 12pm.
Brisbane baking icon, Jocelyn Hancock ,creator of Jocelyn’s Provision, opened her exciting new venue of Cake and Bake in Newstead a few years ago. If you haven’t tried this cult classic, you desperately need to. It’s a haven of baked goods, and you can find a beautiful menu of fantastic, decadent cakes in their gorgeous pink shop. Open six days a week, Tuesday – Friday 7.30am to 5.00pm, Saturday 7am to 2pm.
Written by Megan Turner