The Best Cafes in Launceston for Brunch & Beyond
Whether you're craving coffee and cake or a brunch with bite, these are the best cafes in Launceston.
Launceston has a buzz about it and it’s not just all the great coffee that locals and visitors are sipping on (although, that helps). ‘Launny’ is leveraging its proximity to some of the nation’s best produce regions and celebrating that through its cafe culture. Recently the city was recognised as a UNESCO City of Gastronomy for its vibrant food culture, so you know the café scene has got to be good. Ready to sample it for yourself? Read on for the best cafés in Launceston for brunch and beyond...
LeKoh
Opening in late September 2024, LeKoh has quickly become a must-visit spot for Launceston locals who appreciate two things: great coffee and unforgettable eats. Whether you’re grabbing a quick pick-me-up or settling in to enjoy the relaxed vibe, LeKoh is the ultimate hangout. Known for its strong coffee and matcha brews and signature charcoal-smoked sandwiches, this cafe is perfect for brightening your day. Pop in, take a seat, and savour the welcoming atmosphere and standout flavours that have quickly made LeKoh one of the best cafes in Launceston.
Sitchu Tip: Keep an eye out for any Sunday specials - earlier this month they had this to-die-for steak sandwich filled with scotch fillet, mushroom puree, charred cos lettuce with citrus dressing and cheese on white bread, topped with black truffle chips.
55 George Street, Launceston
Apricus
Tucked away from Launceston's hustle and bustle, Apricus offers more than just a dining experience—it's a slice of paradise. With sweeping 180-degree lake vistas and a tapestry of local flora and fauna, it provides the perfect escape for when the hunger pangs hit.
The diverse menu is a culinary love letter to Tasmania, showcasing the freshest local produce. Families will adore the pram-friendly atmosphere, dedicated kids' menu, and cuddly farm animals, while the open lawn invites little ones to play and scenic walking trails beckon exploration.
Apricus also delights with its bottomless brunch sessions for $79pp, ideal for large bookings and special events. The all-day menu features standout dishes like Biscoff French toast, loaded buttermilk hotcakes, pulled pork benedict, local fish and chips, and tasty burgers.
The café caters to every craving with cocktails, iced coffees, smoothies, and juices, and even offers a special 'Pups Menu' for your four-legged friends.
55 Sandown Road, Norwood
Frankie's Coffee House
Step into a world of vintage Italian charm at Frankie's Coffee House in Launceston. Rustic wooden furnishings and checkered tablecloths evoke a bygone era, transporting you back in time. Indulge in intricate latte art and unforgettable flavours of pastries and pizzas (and delicious pikelets), each bite a journey through Tasmanian present with echoes of Italy's past.
With its Instagram-worthy aesthetics and friendly feel, Frankie's is a cosy gem made for starting your day off extra bright or for unwinding with friends. One of our favourite new cafes in Launceston.
42 George Street, Launceston
Parla
Parla (Swedish for 'pearl') is another cosy cafe in Launceston we can't get enough of. A warm ambience embraces you as you step inside: for toe-curlingly cosy cups of coffee and tea, simple but winningly executed brunch dishes, even for their Friday night pizza nights!
We're partial to their avo smash with haloumi, sweetcorn fritters and Turkish eggs.
187 Wellington Street, Launceston
Off Center
Come say hello to the best baristas in town! Serving up a slice of good vibes and great coffee, Off Center is the Launceston cafe that needs to be on your radar in 2024.
The team here know their coffee in and out. They also know it's best paired with expert coffee art, vintage fashion and the flakiest of pastries. It's a cool space too - need we go on?
2A Kingsway, Launceston
Valley Coffee
Valley Coffee boasts one of the city's most unique dining experiences. Despite its small size, the café exudes warmth with its abundant sunlight and cosy seating, accompanied by the soothing sounds of baristas at work. Indulge in locally sourced pastries and house-made breakfast delights while savouring the aroma of Valley's Paperboy blend beans, roasted in-house and available for purchase.
Don't miss the Reuben sandwich—a must-try! Their bagels and pastries are also perfect quick-fix hunger cures.
With its Melbourne laneway vibes and early opening hours, Valley Coffee is the perfect pit stop for cyclists, dog walkers, and anyone seeking a delightful morning treat.
Sitchu Tip: If the sun is out, enjoy its morning rays and a creamy coffee outside on one of the milk crate seats.
old stables, 39 Paterson Street, Launceston
Amelia Coffee Co.
For the better part of a decade, Amelia Coffee Co. have been delivering some of the best coffee on the island - a statement we don’t make lightly. Swinging open their doors from 6.30am Monday to Friday (7.30am on Saturdays), Amelia Coffee Co. is dedicated to the bean, offering cold drip, cold brew, pour-over and more.
A canteen-style window makes it perfect for a quick takeaway, but it’s worth staying and nabbing a seat. The slick interiors, delicious food and curated retail offering round out the experience. We find it hard to say no to their toasted sandwiches made on Sandy’s Sourdough bread, or their ever-changing array of pastries - excellent for a pick-me-up.
56 George Street, Launceston
Bread + Butter
The short version of this write-up is that the pastries and food at Bread + Butter are dangerously good.
The longer version is that with a menu that’s broken into kitchen (think Sardines on Toast, Eggs Benedict, Quiche, Pizza and French Toast), to a section focusing on cookies, cakes and pastries (we’re a sucker for the Chewy Cherry Bomb Biscuit and their warming cinnamon and cardamom filled morning bun), to their succinct and delicious sandwich and toasties list, you really can’t go wrong.
There are two locations to choose from - the original Elizabeth Street location has the full works, with a gold bar adorned with sweet treats welcoming you as you step in behind the unassuming federation building, while their Bakeshop on Cimitiere Street is for the sweet tooths among us.
Lines out the door are a testament to how well-loved this place is, and the fact they move quickly are a testament to the professional and friendly staff. Grab a coffee (they serve Single O), take some sourdough home or peek in their fridge for delicious local butter and cheeses. Then plan your return trip to Bread + Butter immediately.
70 Elizabeth Street, Launceston
Mad Apple
A quaint green brick shop front doesn’t reveal much, but walk down the alleyway and you’ll be delighted you stumbled upon Mad Apple, a cafe specialising in vegetarian and vegan meals, house-made sweets, and excellent drinks. We love their exposed brick walls, steel beams, and simple interiors, but it’s their food and coffee that keeps us going back. For breakfast, try the house-made Leek and Potato Rosti with truffle herb oil, charred asparagus and poached eggs. If you can get your hands on their fluffy cinnamon scrolls you won’t regret it - they fly out the door for good reason.
Open until 6pm Wednesday to Friday, it’s worth venturing in a little later in the day for their curated wine list or famous Mad Apple spiked iced tea. Their English breakfast and orange iced tea with gin is both delicious and practically medicinal.
122 St John Street, Launceston
Earthy Eats
At Earthy Eats, the fare is as wholesome as the name. Their commitment to seasonal and sustainable produce, made with love and creativity, is evident. While they focus on vegetarian and vegan meals, they cater for everyone - including the omnivores, and the gluten-free among us.
The menu changes with the seasons but the miso mushrooms with chimichurri on Sandy’s Sourdough will be on the menu if you're in luck. For something lighter, the house-made hazelnut granola bowl with Tasmanian wattle seed yoghurt is a standout. The all-day menu also includes burgers, tofu bowls and a soup of the day.
Their food is consistently exciting and delicious, but we also love this place for their extensive drinks list - including kombucha on tap, a creamy turmeric latte, and their signature bright juices. Earthy Eats also has a retail section where you can take home granola, milk by the (glass) bottle, reusable coffee cups and more.
19 Kingsway, Launceston
Sweetbrew Espresso
If coffee is your everything, head straight to Sweetbrew. The black and yellow interiors feature a communal table, as well as little nooks for cosy and intimate catch-ups or solo dining. Sweetbrew’s all-day brunch menu is well worth an explore, while Manu Bread’s pastries are hard to pass up.
There are outdoor seating options too (dog friendly), and you can order coffees online if you wish to expedite the experience. Tick, tick, tick!
95 George Street, Launceston
Tatler Lane by Sweetbrew
While Sweetbrew’s focus is coffee, their sister venue Tatler Lane by Sweetbrew is part cafe, part bar, and part roasting house. And they’re pulling it all off with aplomb.
Down a quaint central lane, their interiors are light and bright - think brick walls, mural artworks, polished concrete floors and timber ‘ribs’ that act as both a point of visual interest and room divider.
While they retain the cafe culture we love Sweetbrew for, Tatler Lane has really upped the game on the food front, with sensational dishes like the Acai and Tassie Bircher and the Baked Chili Eggs. The vegetarian menu is both creative and enticing.
Their ‘brunch by day, bar by night’ allows you to enjoy an expertly crafted cocktail or glass of wine, and they’re open late on Thursday through to Saturday, where a menu of small dishes and bar snacks really hits the spot.
5/74-82 St John Street, Launceston
Loved this round-up of the best cafés in Launceston and still feeling peckish? Be sure to devour our best restaurants in Launceston and best bars in Launceston edits, too.