Wavell Heights has secured its own slice of Brisbane’s specialty coffee scene with the arrival of a new family-focused venue, Alby’s Cafe, that brings high-end cafe culture directly to the suburbs.
Daniel Bowles and his business partner Chih-Wei “Tiger” Hsu spent the last few years looking for the right spot to set up shop outside the inner city. Bowles noticed a shortage of quality coffee options after he moved his own family from New Farm to the suburbs.
He felt that communities like Wavell Heights had a real demand for the kind of specialty service usually found in the city centre. This new venture continues the team’s shift away from busy city hubs, following the success of their other venues in Hawthorne and Gaythorne.
The cafe sits inside a classic Queenslander that previously housed a business called Kalisto. The owners refreshed the space with bright green and off-white paint to give it a welcoming feel. A sunroom fills the indoor dining area with natural light, while a back deck offers a spot surrounded by greenery.
The design focuses heavily on serving the local families. Bowles named the business Alby’s after his middle son, and the layout reflects this family-first approach. Parents can relax with their drinks while children stay entertained in a dedicated play area. It is also a dog-friendly location, making it a convenient stop for locals walking their pets nearby.
The kitchen serves a mix of simple crowd-pleasers and creative new dishes. The team brought over popular items from their Gaythorne location, such as the chicken melt toastie and the sausage and egg muffin. New standout options include a beef rendang toastie packed with slow-cooked beef and sweet mustard. For those with a sweet tooth, the house-made banana bread comes fresh from the oven with a dusting of icing sugar.
Coffee drinkers can order beans from Single O, ranging from classic pours to matcha and cold brew. A signature item is the iced tiramisu drink, which features a chocolate espresso base topped with cold vanilla foam. The staff are happy to guide customers through the menu, whether they want a standard morning fix or something different. Locals can even buy roasted coffee beans and organic chocolate to take home.
Published Date 30-December-2025
