From its all-star cafe portfolio and collection of neighbourhood Asian eateries, Venzin Group undoubtedly has a solid grasp of what Brisbane eaters crave. The group’s latest concept – the newly open pitstop Monocle Coffee in Morningside – was conceived as a way to bring together various essentials into one welcoming hub, filling a need for a neighbourhood bereft of convenient gourmet options. Giorgina Venzin and Chris Hollingsworth happened across Monocle’s eventual location by chance, noticing the space up for lease in between trips to Pawpaw Asian Kitchen, located over the hill in Balmoral. Formerly a hair salon, the tenancy proved perfect for Giorgina and Chris’ vision for an all-in-one specialty coffee, salad and pastry nosh house. After clearing the space of any remnants of the salon, the team got to work implementing a modern Scandinavian-inspired aesthetic anchored by a tonal palette of timbers and concrete. Monocle Coffee’s streamlined interior features striking Tasmanian oak shelving, a collection of gleaming coffee apparatus and a salad cabinet, and though designed as a handy grab-and-go dispensary, seating is available for roughly 20 patrons to sip and snack on site.

While Monocle Coffee is uniquely suited to cater for commuters on the move and time-poor folks seeking a satisfying lunch or dinner option, Giorgina and Chris also envision the cafe as being a place of education. Monocle’s specialty coffee offering encompasses everything from classic espresso-based takeaways to alternative brew methods (V60, batch brew and the like). Monocle’s own house blend has been concocted in conjunction with a Melbourne-based roaster – offering an effortlessly drinkable brew with notes of almond, honeycomb and chocolate – while guest roasts will be rotating through to give drinkers a greater depth of choice and the chance to broaden their coffee knowledge. If you aren’t much of a coffee drinker, tea, organic chai, hot chocolate from Mörk, matcha and turmeric superfood lattes, and freshly squeezed orange juice is also up for grabs. When it comes to eats, Monocle offers a range of fresh pastries, toast with preserves, avocado smash and a rotating choice of sandwiches, soups and salads. Venzin Group’s own commercial kitchen makes Monocle’s salad selection daily, with a range of 15 options expected to cycle through the cabinet. Be on the lookout for salads loaded with ingredients including green pea and couscous, roasted maple pumpkin and quinoa, brown rice and sweet potato, roasted cauliflower and tahini, and potato with grilled corn.

Monocle Coffee is now open! For opening hours and more information, head to the Stumble Guide.