Renowned Brisbane food blogger, Kerry Heaney takes us on a food tour of the iconic Brisbane Arcade showing the Arcade is a perfect destination to dine or eat on the Queen Street Mall or Brisbane’s CBD and escape the hustle and bustle, dine and enjoy two of Brisbane’s best high tea venues or buy or sample gourmet teas and chocolate.
Discover Brisbane Arcade’s Warm Winter Flavours with Brisbane’s most respected food blogger, Kerry Heaney
Escape from winter’s chills and take your taste buds on tour through Brisbane Arcade on Brisbane’s Queen Street Mall. You’ll discover warming soups and healthy teas, menus filled with timeless classics, and chocolate treats to add the finishing touch to any occasion.
Keri Craig Emporium Coffee Lounge
Taking its cues from London’s Ritz, Singapore’s Raffles and The Peninsular in Hong Kong, Keri Craig Emporium offers an elegant dining experience. Hidden away on Brisbane Arcade’s Lower Level, this is where Brisbanites dine when they want to enjoy quiet, private conversations with delicious food in a relaxing atmosphere.
Keri Craig Emporium’s café cocoons you from reality with charming ribbon sandwiches, delicate rosettes of smoked salmon and fresh seasonal garden salads. Add a classic Pimms cocktail to complete the experience.
Of course, it’s Keri Craig’s Signature High Tea that is a perennial favourite, with customers returning, again and again, to indulge in its delights. Filled with baby scones, dainty ribbon sandwiches and warm, savoury tastes, it can be accompanied by a glass of Moet Chandon Champagne.
Room With Roses
Walk up the terrazzo stairs (or there is a lift if you prefer) to Brisbane Arcade’s Balcony Level and the light and spacious Room with Roses. It’s one of the last of Brisbane’s old-style coffee shops and a sanctuary for those who love food with authentic homemade flavour.
The menu is full of heritage classics that have stood the test of time, all made in-house here using only the best ingredients. The results show on every plate. Their daily specials take a nostalgic trip through the 50s, 60s and 70s, reviving much-loved favourites such as chicken curry with all the condiments and a luscious lemon curd roulade or golden syrup pudding.
Famous for its high teas, Room with Roses also has a monthly High Tea trolley experience.
L’s Espresso Café
When it’s chilly outside, there’s plenty to warm you up on Brisbane Arcade’s Street Level at L’s Espresso Café.
It is hard to walk past the gleaming cake cabinet and not notice the decadent New York Cheesecake with a gluten-free base and the bite-size melt in your mouth Caramel Kisses. For traditional tastes, try the chocolate Afghans or a slice of the Golden Fruit Cake, all made on-site to old-fashioned recipes using quality ingredients. A winter favourite, L’s Espresso’s delicious house made soups will bring back fond memories.
From rich Cream of Tomato and Cream of Chicken to Pea and Ham, where you will revel in the warm smoky bacon bone flavour, it’s the sort of soup that leaves you with a comforting inner glow.
The Tea Centre
Whether you are looking for the makings of an excellent cuppa or something soothing to ward away winter chills, stop at The Tea Centre. Located on Brisbane Arcade’s Street Level, they will have the perfect house blend that you won’t find anywhere else.
What better way to ward off winter’s chill than with a steaming hot cup of chai? Marrying classic spices with steamy milk, chai puts exotic flavours at your fingertips. So, brew up a cup of fruity spiced Mumbai Chai or the sweet taste of Dandelion Chai.
The Tea Centre’s wellbeing blends curated by a naturopath could help fight off some dreaded winter lurgies or add a little more spring in your step. Try Lemon Myrtle, Olive Leaf Green Tea, or an Echinacea Blend.
Don’t forget to keep your teapot warm too! The Tea Centre has gorgeous, colourful handmade tea cosies to brighten up cold days.
Chocolate Moments
There’s something extraordinary about walking into Chocolate Moments on Brisbane Arcade’s Street Level.
It’s all about the anticipation, the moment of crunch, and the sweet burst as the flavour floods into your mouth to create a chocolate moment that will brighten any winter day. So, where better to find your favourite flavours than at Chocolate Moments, where the treats are handcrafted in Brisbane?
It’s easy to get lost when looking into their display cabinet. There are so many delicious choices just a fingertip away. Dive into the rich flavours of Salted Caramel, Crème Brûlée, Hazelnut Praline or a Chocolate Crown. Cappuccino lovers will be delighted by a chocolate replica of their favourite drink. The miniature dark chocolate cup is filled with coffee cream liqueur with a white chocolate top dusted with milk chocolate. One bite is bliss!
