Brisbane's top 10 global breakfasts 2015

On days when breakfast is the only thing worth getting out of bed for, these Brisbane cafes make it worth resisting the snooze button. From the motherland to the subcontinent, breakfast your way around the world with a cafe crawl to these 10 eateries.

France: French toast at Au Cirque

Au Cirque – or simply "Cirque" to many Brisbane brunchers – is a permanent fixture on the River City's breakfast scene. The New Farm locale is best known for its iconic big brekkie, the Chowdown​, but it's the light and fluffy French toast that has locals shouting "oui". The toppings may vary, but the airy, eggy, pan-fried brioche is unerring. The current incarnation features poached pears, spiced prune chutney, vanilla bean cream and toasted almonds and is well worth queuing for on Brunswick Street.

618 Brunswick Street, New Farm, (07) 3254 0479

India: Harissa-spiced mince at Anouk

Anouk holds a lofty reputation on the Brisbane breakfast scene – and for good reason. The former apothecary tenders a different kind of tonic these days in the form of nourishing Sunday morning feasts to mop up Saturday night's shenanigans. Harissa-spiced mince paired with mango chutney, raita and naan is the perfect winter warmer.

212 Given Terrace, Paddington, (07) 3367 8663, anoukcafe.com

Indonesia: Nasi goreng at Chow House

Hot contender for the national dish of Indonesia, nasi goreng is fried rice, but not as you know it. Chow House has brought this street-food favourite indoors and lost no authenticity in doing so. Soy-drenched rice is fried with chicken and bacon and adorned with two sunny free-range eggs. There's a time for vegemite on toast, but this isn't it.

39 James Street, Fortitude Valley, (07) 3852 5155, chowhouse.com.au

Japan: Breakfast bento box at Mizu

Mizu in Teneriffe proudly serves the only full Japanese breakfast in Brisbane each weekend, featuring an assortment of Japan's favourite bites packed into a special bento box. Think grilled fish, fried chicken karaage​, prawn balls, pickles and miso soup.

2 Macquarie Street, Newstead, (07) 3254 0488, mizurestaurant.com.au

Mexico: Huevos rancheros at Southside Tea Room

Morningside's Southside Tea Room – love child of Brisbane indie act The Grates – is a cosy, no-frills space where there's always something a little quirky on the agenda, including a Tex-Mex feast every morning. Huevos rancheros are as enjoyable to eat as they are to pronounce, with soft corn tortillas piled with refried black beans, fresh salsa, scoops of avocado and eggs served sunny side up.

639 Wynnum Road, Morningside, (07) 3899 5859, southsidetearoom.com

Middle East: Cardamom and honey panna cotta at Shouk

It seems the corner of Collingwood and Hazlewood Streets in Paddington has finally found an enduring tenant in Shouk. The Israeli-inspired eatery has lifted Brisbane's breakfast game from traditional bacon and eggs fare, with its gorgeous cardamom and honey panna cotta with smashed baklava and pistachio Persian fairy floss rightly taking the No. 1 spot on the menu. It's a spun-sugar declaration that dessert for breakfast is always a good idea.

14 Collingwood Street, Paddington, (07) 3172 1655, shoukcafe.com.au

Switzerland: Bircher muesli at Sourced Grocer

Dr Bircher-Benner's superfood legacy lives on at Teneriffe's cafe-cum-gourmet-pantry Sourced Grocer. Pull up a milk crate and dive into a wholesome bowl of soaked house-rolled organic oats with crunchy granny smith batons and a dollop of Barambah yoghurt. Seasonal trimmings may include pomegranate, citrus wedges and a knob of honeycomb.

11 Florence Street, Newstead, (07) 3852 6734, sourcedgrocer.com.au

Thailand: Pork pad kra pao at Pourboy

Caffeine peddlers Pourboy are taking their breakfast cues from the Land of Smiles, adding a cheeky bowl of pork pad kra pao to an already multicultural menu. Spicy pork mince with snake beans, fried egg and cucumber and peanut salad, atop fragrant jasmine rice promises an exotic start to city slickers' mornings.

26 Wharf Street, Brisbane City, (07) 3172 1141, pourboy.com.au

Britain: Bubble and squeak at Hops Scotch and Beans

Leftovers are given a new lease on life in the form of bubble and squeak – an English morning meal traditionally made post-roast dinner, where crushed potatoes and mashed vegies happily squeak and squeal in the pan. Spring Hill roastery Hops Scotch and Beans' take on the fry-up includes a moreish basil hollandaise and perfectly poached eggs oozing over golden hash cakes.

101 Petrie Terrace, Spring Hill, (07) 3172 2416, hopsscotchandbeans.com.au

Vietnam: Meatball and quail egg baguette at Cafe O Mai

Breakfast at Cafe O Mai is a family affair, with mummy Kim in the kitchen and daughter Maggie at the helm; and with fresh interiors and a new lick of paint, this Annerley darling has never looked more inviting. Lovers of savoury mince will want to try the Vietnamese counterpart: a toasty baguette piled with pork meatballs and soft-boiled quail eggs, coated in a rich tomato sauce. Come for the banh mi, stay for the slow-drip Vietnamese coffee poured over condensed milk.

15 Cracknell Road, Annerley, (07) 3255 9778, cafeomai.com.au

Join the Breakfast Club for early morning specials ($20 including a tea, coffee or juice) during Good Food Month, presented by Citi, July 9–August 9. See brisbane.goodfoodmonth.com for participating cafes.