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Brisbane's best coffee 2015

A pair of coffees at PourBoy.
A pair of coffees at PourBoy.Glenn Hunt

Blackstar Coffee

From its modest beginnings at the Davies Park markets, Blackstar's become a force in the Brisbane coffee scene. Now a West End institution, it manages great things within a relatively small space, roasting its own single origins and blends as well as bottling its much-acclaimed cold press coffees. The signature Revolution Espresso, a seasonal, multinational blend with origins from Aceh to Ethiopia, displays an eclectic complexity to match the locale.

44 Thomas Street, West End, 3217 2323, blackstarcoffee.com.au

Coffee at the Dandelion and Driftwood.
Coffee at the Dandelion and Driftwood.Supplied
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Bunker

The flagship from the team behind John Mills Himself finds its digs in an actual World War II bunker. This grim history is softened somewhat by creeping vines covering the concrete, and of course the coffee. Crowds mill about the footpath, awaiting their fix of 'Dark Horse' house blend by 5 Senses, complemented by a rotation of guest single origins and filter specialties as well as cold pressed iced-coffee.

21 Railway Terrace, Milton, 0422 124 767, bunkercoffee.com.au

Coffee Anthology

Coffee Anthology rationalises its ambitious name through its breadth of offerings and meticulous execution. There's a small retail section and an ever-changing bean line-up that offers plenty for espresso lovers and 'filter geeks' alike, with numerous single origins served up pour-over, Aeropress or cold drip style. Further points of difference emerge through the use of Maleny Dairy jersey milk, latte art flourishes and complimentary sparkling water.

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126 Margaret Street, Brisbane, 3210 1881

Dandelion & Driftwood

Owners of this always busy little joint, Peter and Penny Wolff are credited as early adopters of the artisanal coffee craze that now permeates Brisbane and Northsiders can delight in the fact that this osmosis started in their neighbourhood. Further joy is derived from two award-winning house blends and rotating single origins, delivered with passion and classic service, including cupping notes delivered with your brew.

Shop 1, 45 Gerler Road, Hendra, 3868 4559, dandeliondriftwood.com

John Mills Himself

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Housed in a heritage-listed building that was once the eponymous printing house of John Mills, this friendly laneway gem is a coffee-loving hipster's paradise. These guys are serious about their coffee with the dedication evidenced in the cup. Enjoy their constantly changing offering of house blend, featured single origin and filter specialties responsibly sourced from the best local roasters like Uncle Joes, The Single Guys and Marvell Street.

40 Charlotte Street, Brisbane 0434 064 349, johnmillshimself.com.au

Ltd. Espresso + Brew Bar

A cleverly programmed space that positions the espresso machine streetside, meting out takeaways for the flat white crowd, while aficionados are invited further into the fold to partake of one of the rotating options, each chosen for its particular suitable for different brew methods and replaced with something different once the beans are gone. Caveat emptor; some of the filter offerings from supplier Cleanskin Roasters carry double-digit pricetags.

362 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley, 0417 638 070, ltdespresso.com

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Pourboy Espresso

Immensely popular with city workers for its consistency and quality, this café serves up beans by boutique Sydney roaster Mecca Espresso through espresso, filter and aeropress. Regulars are greeted by name and their orders memorised by efficient, friendly staff. Ethiopian and Kenyan options display a delicacy and fruity notes similar to tea when enjoyed filter style, while the house blend, the darkhorse, holds milk well.

26 Wharf Street, Brisbane, 3172 1141, pourboy.com.au

Reverends Fine Coffee

Former pastor turned cafe owner Luke Andrews has consecrated new grounds, creating a caffeinated place of worship whose clergy are scholarly without pretention. As many as five blends and single origins grace the grinders at any given time, extracted via espresso, aeropress or filter methods. The house blend is always smoothly spot on and cold drip, handsomely bottled, tempts on hot days.

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372 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley, 0423 603 495

Strauss

Stylishly concealed within a city laneway, this slick operation enjoys a solid reputation for its rotating single origin and filter offerings prepared with scientific discipline and unwavering attention t o detail. Coffee is always consistently perfectly extracted, drawing many regulars. Hardwood and brick give hints of the old world namesake, but behind the counter, with its array of digital scales, beakers and paraphernalia, is a high-tech affair.

189 Elizabeth Street, Brisbane, 3236 5232, straussfd.com

Woolloongabba Social Club (formerly Cup Coffee Roastery)

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Josh Russell's freshly rebranded South side roastery outpost carries on the tradition of crop to cup excellence first established with Cup Coffee West End. Space is given over to a retail area and cafe where two espresso blends and three filter options are available at any one time. The Five Star seasonal blend still impresses, and new creations have emerged thanks to collaboration with Melbourne roaster Coffee Supreme.

43 Balaclava Street, Woolloongabba

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