Is this cafe owner the nicest in Brisbane?

Great service can be hard to come by, but this cafe owner in Brisbane’s northside may have just taken the prize.

Some people are just meant to be in hospitality and Pablo Uribe is one of those people.

The owner of the recently opened Flora Social Eatery in Albion, a jacket potato toss from the Breakfast Creek Hotel, set about creating “not only a cafe” but “a community hub – a place to meet, eat and mingle”.

The result is an endearing, light-filled space, bordered by full-length windows where indoor plants and dramatic rattan pendants create enchanting shadows on the walls; where comfy couches surrounded by board games promote conversation and connection, and where long, 10-seater tables bring friends and family together over food.

The outdoor dining space at Flora Social Eatery, Albion.

But it’s Uribe’s welcoming disposition, natural charm and considerate attitude that make this a place you’ll want to return to time and time again – whether you're a local or not.

Well that and the food – although we admit the thoughtful service may be making things taste a little sweeter. The menu is a reasonable size, broken into “quick bites” such as fabulous-looking toasted paninis filled with the likes of grilled veg and cheese, and their signature bruschetta boards with the choice of two or four pieces; plus breakfast items including a Gulf prawn benedict and a big vegan or meat-based brekky; as well as lunch items encompassing soup, salad and burgers.

On weekends a boozy brunch offering is also available for $39, including a meal accompanied by bottomless mimosas for an hour.

The Argentinian-style beef empanadas.

As my burly male companion orders the Argentinian-style empanadas ($15 for two), a concerned Uribe warns they may not be big enough to satisfy his appetite, instead recommending the beef burger or a trio of bao not featured on the menu. We’re set on the empanadas, but heed the advice on the size, ordering a side of fries ($8) for sustenance.

For your average diner, however, I’d say the duo of pastie-like creations are more than enough, with the hand-sized crescents loaded with liberally spiced beef mince and onions inside pastry that is crisp along its crimped edges and soft around the filling. They’re deliciously simple and homely and take me back to my time in Buenos Aires.

Meanwhile, the fish tacos ($18 for three) arrive pinned together with a timber skewer to stop the sensationally crispy, beer-battered barramundi and lashings of mayo and tomato and onion salsa from escaping. Two wedges of lime sit on the plate for extra seasoning, but these bad boys are juicy, acidy and fresh enough.

The beer-battered barramundi tacos at Flora Social Eatery.

Coffee comes from Melbourne’s Roasting Warehouse and is available in two blends, says Uribe, “dark and strong” or “rich and chocolatey”. The latter is mild with a pleasant bitterness when served as a dairy milk flat white, while there’s also alternative milks.

There are also home-made iced teas, a cleansing green smoothie, a handful of big name beers, popular cocktails at 1990s prices, and just over a dozen wines from mostly well-known labels that are far better value by the bottle.

We’re way too full to order the house-made chocolate slice Uribe recommends but he gives it to us anyway in a brown paper bag as we leave. It’s more than just a kind gesture, it’s the definition of hospitality, and it’s what makes this suburban cafe stand out from the pack.

FLORA SOCIAL EATERY

13 Amy St, Albion

3262 4006

florasocialeatery.com.au

Open Mon-Fri 6am-2pm, Sat-Sun 7am-3pm

VERDICT – Scores out of 5

Food 3.5

Ambience 4

Service 5

Value 3.5

Overall 4