Marhaba Cafe

Marhaba Cafe is a Brisbane CBD cafe with an all-day breakfast, lunch, fresh sandwiches and salads, homemade sweets and barista-made coffee. The menu combines familiar cafe fare with dishes shaped by the team’s different cultures and experiences. Breakfast options include eggs with a choice of sides, while lunch might mean lamb kofta with fattoush, hummus and pomegranate-yoghurt dressing. The cafe also makes its food from scratch on site, including sweets such as baklava, biscuits and almond bread.

Coffee is a central part of the offer, with espresso-based drinks made using a smooth blend described as having nutty caramel notes. Depending on the day, there may also be Arabic coffee with cardamom, Vietnamese iced coffee, Malaysian teh tarik or batch filter brew. For something more substantial, the cafe’s Turkish eggs, BLT on Turkish bread, fresh or toasted sandwiches and changing salad combinations give regulars plenty of reasons to return. A customer review also singles out the Syrian chicken and rice.

The cafe is below street level but described by a customer as a bright, well-lit space beneath Brisbane’s busy city streets. It has air conditioning and free Wi-Fi, with the option to settle in with a puzzle or do some work. Ordering is done at the counter, making Marhaba suitable for a quick city breakfast, a solo coffee and work session, or a casual catch-up. Its catering service also supports meetings, workshops, training sessions and office events, with vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options available.

What sets Marhaba apart is its purpose as a social enterprise. It employs people who face barriers to work, including people living with mental health issues or disabilities and some who have arrived as refugees. The cafe is an initiative of Nundah Community Enterprises Cooperative, developed with support from Australian Red Cross and Brisbane City Council. Visiting for coffee, lunch or catering therefore supports inclusive employment while still giving you a straightforward city cafe experience.