The 10-year-old cafe diners can’t get enough of

You’ll want to get in early to this southside Brisbane cafe, with queues every weekend and dishes selling out before lunch.

Like the 1974 song of the same name originally performed by Patti LaBelle, Lady Marmalade cafe in Brisbane’s inner south has never been afraid to stand out.

Opening in 2010 in Stones Corner, the cafe has become a go-to for those chasing breakfast, brunch and lunch fare that does away with the ordinary, rolling out kooky morning meals such as their now signature confit duck Maryland on a chilli corn bread waffle, or their standout French toast using the French milk bread pain au lait.

The rustic, inviting interior at Lady Marmalade cafe in Stones Corner. Picture: David Kelly

Behind much of the cafe’s creativity is chef Matthew West, who has returned after temporarily leaving following the eatery being sold in January last year by long-term owners Sonja and Howard Searle.

Now under the leadership of new owners Anup and Malina Sharma, West has once again put his invention hat on, with a daytime menu that moves from honey and rosemary-glazed pork belly benedict to a Middle Eastern tasting plate and vanilla panna cotta, alongside classic fare such as burgers, toasties, fritters and pancakes (the latter selling out almost daily).

Lady Marmalade’s vanilla panna cotta. Picture: David Kelly

The aforementioned confit duck dish ($32) continues to be a stalwart of the menu and it remains just as good as the day it first appeared. The game meat is cooked with textbook finesse until its skin crackles and flesh just clings to the bone, while the corn waffle is strong enough naked to forgo covering up in the accompanying spiced maple syrup.

The confit duck waffle on corn bread. Picture: David Kelly

Dietaries are also well considered here, with plenty of gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian options, like the balsamic-glazed cauliflower ($24). Florets of the brassica have been cooked until nursing home-softness, with a slightly sweet potato skordalia attempting to balance out some of the overpowering vinegar sharpness.

Perhaps some creamy cashews could also be added to the dish to help with this as well as provide an element of crunch more robust than the crisp fried kale.

Service is efficient more than attentive as the cafe juggles large numbers on weekends throughout its brick-lined, rustic interiors and footpath dining, with meals a little slow out of the kitchen when the venue is at capacity.

The cauliflower florets with sweet potato skordalia. Picture: David Kelly

But it is also just more time to enjoy the cafe’s absurdly smooth coffees, without even the slightest hint of bitterness; or one of their freshly made juices, such as a slurpable strawberry, watermelon, apple and mint number.

There are classic milkshakes too, including one using house-made caramel; plus teas, specialty lattes, and an alcohol section with affordable, mostly local wines and a few overseas bubbles, plus beer and cider.

Lady Marmalade continues to be a cafe determined to stand out.

And after more than a decade in business, it seems to be just as busy as ever.

Lady Marmalade

269 Logan Rd, Stones Corner

3324 2480

ladymcafe.com.au

Open

7am-2pm daily

Verdict – Scores out of 5

Food 3.5

Service 3

Ambience 3.5

Value 3

Overall 3.5