Is this southside eatery Brisbane’s friendliest cafe

Helping instigate social interactions between diners is what this place is all about, and the food and coffee is pretty good too.

A tiny dachshund puppy sits sweetly at the feet of a young couple, prompting the diners next to them to strike up a conversation. While outside, a cocker spaniel devours a puppuccino from a paper cup as a toddler and his mum watch on, before chatting to the dog’s owner.

For neighbourhood cafe Cups & Wells in Salisbury, in Brisbane’s south, helping instigate social interactions is what they’re all about – the name inspired by the water wells of decades gone by where communities would catch up while sourcing their H2O.

As for the cups part of the moniker, that represents the intensely strong and bitter coffee they serve using Ona beans, in black, white,

The interior dining space at Cups & Wells, Salisbury. Picture: David Kelly

V60 and batch brew varieties using blends and single origins.

If there are points for being on brief, this modern, minimal eatery scores top marks.

A real local hangout, friendly, smiling and charismatic staff make diners feel welcome; while a beautiful, communal timber table anchoring the small, indoor space, which leads out to a deck and footpath dining, speaks to its passion for conversation.

The all-day menu is all about familiarity with a twist. Think grandma’s favourite savoury mince on toast made modern with a croffle (croissant waffle) as its base, or perhaps a simple big brekky elevated with bratwurst instead of regular sausages, and haloumi.

The croffle Benedict with smoked salmon. Picture: David Kelly

That aforementioned croffle also comes with the cafe’s version of eggs Benedict, with the flaky French pastry squashed into a waffle iron and heated through until its edges are rendered crisp, before being topped with two runny yolked poached eggs and your choice of bacon, haloumi or, our pick, smoked salmon. It’s an enjoyable play on the classic, made more so by a sweet onion jam that complements the tangy, vinegar-heavy hollandaise.

Standard corn fritters are delivered as fluffy morsels of kernel-studded batter, fried until their exterior audibly crunches. Swipe them through the accompanying smashed avo and sour cream and you have a dish that works equally well as a bar snack as it does breakfast.

The corn and spinach fritter. Picture: David Kelly

There’s also a cabinet full of grab-and-go options like jaffles, breakfast muffins and sandwiches made in-house, plus cookies from a local supplier, which may be a better option on weekends if you’re in a hurry as food can take a little while to come out of the kitchen.

For locals though, any delays just mean more time to chat and to connect, and after almost two years of Zoom meetings and working from home more than ever, that isn’t a bad thing.

CUPS & WELLS

224 Lillian Ave, Salisbury

3190 9185

cupsandwells.com.au

Open Daily 6.30am-2pm

Verdict - Scores out of 5

Food 3.5

Ambience 3.5

Service 3.5

Value 3.5

Overall 3.5