The Library Cafe - South Brisbane

On January 2nd, while everything else in South Bank was closed for the public holiday, The Library Cafe was a welcome refuge. It offered wifi near the interior door, refreshing iced lattes, and a variety of baked sweet and savory snacks. I honestly can't think of any downsides to this lovely, accessible, and affordable cafe! As a visitor, it has quickly become my favorite spot to relax and stay connected. The only improvement I could suggest would be the addition of freshly brewed iced tea alongside their freshly made coffees. However, they do have a plus: natuvia, a natural, super low-calorie sweetener. You order at the counter, and if you're dining in, they'll give you a number and bring your food to your table. A helpful tip: at the bottom of the soda cooler, you’ll find large open bottles of cold still water. Feel free to pour yourself a glass from one of the nearby counters. The tap water here tastes much less chlorinated than regular tap water, so I recommend skipping the plastic bottle and doing your part for the environment.

The prices are a bit steep; I paid $10 for a small iced coffee. However, the macaroons were quite good. The staff were decent, and while there is Wi-Fi available, there are no power outlets, which forced me to buy my coffee and head to the library to work. Overall, it wasn't outstanding, but it wasn't too bad either.

As for the food, the menu features hot meals like burgers, toasted sandwiches, and chicken salads, alongside a display case filled with salads, wraps, cakes, and cookies. The salad case often has nearly empty bowls with just bits of leftover salad, which suggests that the salads are popular, but it doesn’t usually inspire me to order one. I’m more inclined to choose a slice of cake instead, as there’s a good variety available and they are attractively presented. When The Library Cafe gets busy, the experience can be quite hectic. The line to order becomes long and chaotic, often spilling into the dining area, while the outdoor space turns into a maze of strollers and children. Yet, when it’s quiet, it’s a lovely place to sit back with a drink or snack while enjoying a book purchased from the Library Shop or making use of SLQ's free Wi-Fi.

They open early! During the week and on weekends, so if you need that early morning coffee fix, they're about the only place in the precinct that's open. (Wait, I think there's a coffee stand over at QPAC) Of course, you also can hook into the State Library's free wifi, so you can find a nice comfy seat to relax in. I'm not big on the food here. Crazy expensive, and little that I ever feel like eating, with one exception. Scones. Gosh. I love scones. And they'll even serve them takeaway, hot, with lashings of cream and jam. Goes down well with a nice cup of tea. Highly recommended! I don't drink coffee, but the numerous coffee junkies I know tell me this is the place to get coffee in the precinct. Anyhow, It's a nice little cafe, but not being big into the food or into coffee, I find there's little here for me.

Busiest in the morning for its well priced Breakfast Fare and great Merlot coffee this cool little bookshop/cafe is connected to the modern Queensland State Library in Southbank. I love sitting here with a long black even on a rainy day looking out as the beautiful green surrounds fold into the sharp background of the big city. With free wi-fi and a well stocked bookshop at your disposal its easy to spend an hour or two just chilling, watching the passers by as they travel between the Gallery of Modern Art and the Old Museum. Sometimes I feel as if I have come on a parents day as the place is often full of mothers and children, taking advantage of the ample parking and numerous child centered activities provided by the Library. The breakfast options are definitely the best value for money with lunch being a little on the expensive side, that being said, whenever you choose to go you will always find something satisfying.