Bean

Worst coffee ever ! Had a soy flat white and tasted like cow dung — slow switched off service — never again !

Fantastic coffee, friendly staff, really comfy layout, very reasonably priced, and open after 4:00pm.
This place is absolutely awesome!

First of all, I can’t believe I’ve forgotten to write a review about my favorite coffee place in all of Brisbane. Sadly I haven’t actually been here much at all lately, mostly because I’ve been spending most of my time at work (where I get free coffee) and I’m no longer with the guy I used to regularly visit this place with back in 2013. When I first started visiting Bean, they only served coffee and some sandwiches/​baked goods. I fell in love with the artwork on display, the mismatched furniture, the fact that it was tucked away next to a construction site, and naturally, the cold-​drip coffee. Slowly, with time, the construction stopped, the mini-​gallery replaced by more mismatched furniture, and the food selection expanded. The coffee stays the same, though. I haven’t seen the lady that I used to see every single visit back in 2013, but all of the staff I have encountered so far are super-​friendly and interesting. To mix it up, this one time I ordered their chips with the lot as well as the usual cold drip — and it was heavenly. I haven’t been here for the live music or when it turns into a bar — which I suppose would be much later in the afternoon — but I’m sure it would be lovely. I do like this place for its sense of solitude though, so maybe these events will have to wait. In the meantime, when I’m around the City and inspiration strikes, I may find myself back here with a notepad and/​or a laptop.

Bean is a really cute grungy (in the trendy way) café off George Street. It’s suffering a bit (access-​wise) from the construction of a skyscraper immediately behind it, but you’d never know from the boys’ happy attitude. The prices are really cheap — ~ $ 4.50 for a large coffee. It tastes the way it should and it’s really speedy service, with a smile :)

I think that this place exemplifies the commitment people go to for a great coffee. Dark and wet is the path that leads you to a smooth cold press coffee.

We edged our way nervously through the dodgy alleyway, curious stickers plastered on the wall promising some sort of salvation at the end.
Finding a narrow staircase to our left, we took a breath and descended the rabbit hole… and found ourselves in a cosy underground haven.
This place has a cool creative vibe. The interior is long and decked out with Astroturf. We came across pointillist ink portraits hung up on a wooden lattice, eclectic downlights. and table lamps dribbling golden pools of light, perfect for intimate conversations, bantering chit chat, nefarious scheming or all of the above.
We knew for sure we’d found something special when at the end we discovered an old table piled high with well-​loved board games! Needless to say we stuck around for a while :)
Yet to try the food but lovely digs and good coffee makes Bean a winner for us. We’ll be back next time we’re in Brisbane!

Outstanding little café. Saw the sign and thought we would try it and absolutely loved it. A «bit» hipster-​ish. Staff is outstanding. Coffee was really tasty and the Soy iced coffee is a must! (Full cream if you can handle it)

A hidden piece of hipster glory in the Brisbane CBD, this adorable café is an absolute favourite of mine! Follow the Astro-​turf down an alley and delve into the basement of Bean café, with it’s low lights and chill décor for a sweet and relaxing atmosphere.
Order a coffee for a very reasonable price (considering it is the CBD) from the friendly staff and then chill on the couches or milk crates and enjoy a great cuppa! Feeling peckish? Then grab a lovely piece of the banana bread! I recommend it highly!
I would say this place is great for dates, relaxing conversations with friends or just a nice escape from the city bustle. It’s so amazing my instinct would be to not tell another soul it exists, but I love helping businesses out and if that means word of mouth, so be it.
Do yourself a favour, try Bean café :)

Another little hidden gem in Bris, tucked away off the main street. I always love places that are off the beaten path.
The guy that was working who may or may not have been an owner cuz I overheard him talking about how he orders their specific coffee bean blend and greeting regulars is SO nice and friendly. He’s totally genuine too, it just put me in such a good mood right away.
This place is really chill, good tunes on — I know I heard walk the line ;) Casual seating and some local art on the walls. I had a flat white and it was actually really good, perfect temperature — lately whenever I order a coffee they are barely warm, this one was actually HOT — but just cool enough that it didn’t burn my tongue. Can’t risk burning my tongue cuz let’s face it, then you can’t taste your food and the next day or so are totally ruined: P
They also have their own bottled iced coffees which I’d like to get back to try!

In one sentence: Really quirky, friendly and tasty.
Particularly like their do-​it-​yourself breakfast table with toaster, sanadwitch-​maker waiting for you to take your food experience into your own hand — totally reminds me of Berlin’s cafes. or maybe it’s a bit of a Melbourne’s touch.
They also host exhibitions together with the Bird Gallery so you never quite know what to expect when you walk down the stairs.
They have free WiFi and quite a few students and creatives from around the are use this place for a catch up.

If you need a perk in your morning, Bean has two going. One comes in the form of a well pulled coffee at a generous price and an extremely enthusiastic, friendly and chatty barista/​owner. The coffee is expertly done and at the cheaper end of espresso coffees in the city. Other than coffee, there are cookies, cakes and sandwiches on offer, with a full breakfast menu starting later in the week. If the coffee and barista are anything to go by, the breakfast will be generous and cheery.
Hidden in the heart of the city, a sign on George Street is all the indication that Bean is hiding down a laneway, ’round a corner and down a flight of stairs. The café is surprisingly spacious and the décor is very generous.
Definitely worth a visit.

On a search for some coffee (other than at Alen’s) on a weekday, I walked down George Street, originally heading towards Frisky Goat, which I’ve been meaning to try. Instead, I saw the sign for Bean, and having passed it several times, I thought, hey, why not walk through this shady looking garage and dumpster (looked like one) and see what’s up?
I walked up to a chalked door and a short flight of stairs down into a kitschy, cute, nicely air conditioned café, and was greeted by a really eccentric but friendly barista. I was just looking for a cuppa to-​go, but was rather tempted to plant myself and look around. The café isn’t big, but there is a good amount of table space, either to study at or to play the many board games that this place houses! I was quite pleased at their game selection of Cluedo, Scrabble, Jenga, and more! This is also one of the few cafes in Brisbane that provide free wi-​fi. So much win!
As for the coffee, I’ve only had their skinny latte, which I do enjoy. For Brisbane, it is definitely good — a bit bold, but not overly dark, like I find the places around here. The coffee has a bit of a fruity or nutty aftertaste — I can’t quite tell (must have it again!), but I would definitely have it again.
I wasn’t sure if they had food to offer, as I only saw some cupcakes on display, but it looked like they might serve sandwiches…
Alleyway cafes seem to be very characteristic of Brisbane’s hip cafes, and although my friends know me to always find these places with shady entrances, quite a few of them turn out to be good, if not intriguing! All in all, this is one of my favorite places so far — the ambience, board games, free wi-​fi, and the barista!

Hidden in a secret laneway down George Street in Brisbane CBD, Bean is a nice cozy little get away for the times when you’ve had enough of the hustle and bustle.
Filled with comfy couches and recliners, coupled with the soft warm lighting, you could almost drift off into lala land here.
Bean serves some lovely deli wraps and sandwiches, as well as a beautiful blend of beans. Treat yourself to nice full-​cream cold-​press this summer — the sweet blend coupled with the fullness of the milk will definitely perk you up in the middle of a hot day.
Oh, and did I mention they share the space with Bird?

Maybe it was the pouring rain around me, or the graffiti covered laneway walls that I wandered down to arrive at Bean (decked out in the space formerly known as The Bunker Boutique) but for a moment in time my visit at this unassuming café made me forget that I was, in fact, in Brisbane. For a fleeting second I could have sworn I was in Melbourne’s endless laneways littered with hidden coffee houses. Almost like following Alice down the rabbit hole, after walking the short laneway you take a left turn and see astro turf with a retro kitsch table and chair setting before taking another left turn down the stairs into the ‘underground lair’ that is Bean.
It’s the bare basics down here including milk crate cushioned seats and mismatching tables. There’s an old record player against the wall and decorative books adorning wall shelves. Our friendly and equally quirky barista is manning the floor by herself and the crowd is mixed: a lone ranger working in a corner with her laptop, a couple having a quick coffee (upon second glance it appears maybe they’re just friends who have run into each other here) and three businessmen in the middle of discussing some «serious business».
Bean serve Campos Coffee and on this occasion I buck the trend of ordering a flat white and take a curve to order their cold bottled coffee. Once upon a time Blackstar in West End was the sole place to find this delicious ‘iced coffee’ in a bottle, however, Bean is joining the ranks along with Bunker (Milton) as another place to treat your tastebuds to the cold fresh pressed coffee with daily labels slapped on the side of bottles. The verdict: delicious. Come in daily from 2−3pm to play «Paper, Scissors, Rock» for a free regular coffee.
If you’re peckish I wouldn’t suggest counting on a meal being found at Bean (for the time being). There’s banana bread ($ 4.50) or muffins ($ 3.50) and there’s biscuits.
Something is happening in Brisbane. Places like Bean are visual evidence of this and what awaits Bean as it settles in, ruffles feathers and makes itself known is yet to be seen but I hope big things are on the horizon for them. With enough space it’d be great to see small live music acts become a part of the fabric in this café and to see them expand their food offering or staying open later to be a bit of a lounge bar. Either way stay tuned. I predict it is only a matter of time.