The Brisbane cafe where you can come in your PJs and bare feet
Aiming to be a community hub for the people of Brisbane, this newly opened cafe does away with dress codes for the ultimate inclusive experience.
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WHEN Adam Murphy and Nick Turner took over the well-known Neighbourhood Coffee Roasters space at the Rainworth General Store in Brisbane’s Bardon in November last year, they wanted to build on its community vibe.
At the time Murphy said he hoped Goodfolk Cafe would be a place where families could come for a relaxed meal and let the kids run around in the herb-studded backyard, while Millennials would be able to rock up in their pyjamas, nursing a hangover and grab a feed to bring them back to the land of the living.
It’s quite the juxtaposition, but the blokes seem to be pulling it off.
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On a Wednesday morning, there are no 20-somethings obviously recovering from a night of inebriation, but there is a broad range of demographics and a diner who looks to have forgone shoes to enjoy her early morning coffee – so the message about the relaxed dress code certainly seems to be getting through.
The guys have made a few minor changes to the seating arrangements since taking over, but the overall look and feel is essentially the same – a rustic, shabby chic collage of timber furniture and wooden panels split over multiple levels inside, while picnic tables with solid benches occupy the outside courtyards of the old cottage shaded by large umbrellas giving a come-as-you-are vibe.
Neighbourhood Coffee Roasters, who now operate out of their premises across town at Albion, still provide the quality coffee. And those who drink their brews on almond mylk are given an extra artisan touch with Goodfolk making its own nut juice in house.
The cafe also makes its own caramel syrup, chai, hot chocolate blend and spiced chocolate, with my breakfast companion won over by the redolent chai.
In the owners’ ambition to keep things local, single origin teas are supplied by Brisbane’s The Steepery Tea Co, while chilled drinks like cold-pressed juices – perhaps watermelon, rhubarb and lime – iced tea, iced coffee and cold brew are all made in house.
As for the food, it’s a simple, produce-driven affair of just nine options.
Vegans are well taken care of with several choices like Granny’s granola ($14) starring buckwheat, coconut and almond granola, coconut yoghurt, passionfruit, pear and blueberries, while sweet tooths will be hard-pressed to resist the French Folkie ($17) featuring butter-fried sourdough French toast accompanied by lemon curd, creme fraiche, almond fingers and seasonal fruit.
The GoodFolked Eggs ($16) are a light and bright version of eggs on toast with the chicken layings whipped into an impossibly fluffy blanket folded over sourdough with caramelised chunks of thick-cut speck and an acidy salsa of green tomato.
The breakfast curry ($16) is a vegetarian-friendly bowl of chickpea stew made fresh with lime and crowned with a runny-centred poached egg allowing the yolk to cascade into the tomato-ey braise and provide richness.
It is all – along with some cleansing coconut yoghurt – to be scooped up with sails of tanned, lightly oiled flatbread.
With service as warm as the decor, Goodfolk seems well on its way to becoming the community hub it desires to be.
GOODFOLK CAFE
58 Rainworth Rd, Bardon
goodfolkcafe.com.au
Open daily 7am-2pm
Verdict
Food 7.5
Service 7.5
Ambience 7.5
Value 9
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