Beyond The Brew Fitzgibbon

Beyond The Brew Fitzgibbon is a family-owned café in Fitzgibbon, Queensland, that does a bit more than most. Breakfast, brunch and lunch are on daily, there's a dinner service later in the week, and the bar side of things means you can pair a coffee or a cold beer with whatever you're eating. It works as dine-in, takeaway, delivery or catering, and there are vegetarian and vegan options on the menu.

The food is where people tend to start talking. Locals rave about the poached eggs, which come up in more than one story, whether it's the eggs benedict on Turkish bread or the bratwurst on sourdough. The breakfast burger gets plenty of love too, with its crispy bacon, hash brown, relish and egg. One person who wasn't sure about the look of the breakfast bruschetta ended up calling it delicious, and the kids finished the bowl. The coffee is a regular talking point as well, with a double-shot latte singled out for being well made and the house blend described as smooth and aromatic. If you've got a sweet tooth, the cabinet is worth a look: the caramel cheesecake topped with a slice of caramel tart has its fans, along with the brownies and cookies.

The staff are a big part of why people return. One regular recalls the team baking a fresh almond croissant on the spot after the first batch had sold out, and another simply called the service great. Seating is mostly outdoors, which is lovely on a mild day, though one local noted it can get windy. Parking is plentiful, and the little spot sits between the other shops, so keep an eye out.

One visit left someone unimpressed by the bruschetta and the cleanliness of their table, and another found the home-made cake only so-so. But most of the talk is warm, and the sourdough and friendly counter staff are the highlights.

It's worth checking the hours before you go, as the café opens early and runs later on some evenings.