Samson & Sophie Cafe & Deli

Samson and Sophie is Teneriffe’s neighbourhood gem – a fabulous rustic café that does a cracking all day breakfast, delicious treats, top notch coffee and offers an eclectic assortment of wares for sale.

Inside resembles an old general store, with red gum timber clad walls, a counter full of freshly baked sweet and savoury comfort foods, a cookie jar by the register and shelves of everything from bath salts, candles, vintage style tins of cologne, artisan jewellery and handmade leather goods to jars of jam, oils, lamps, cheese kits and leather ties.

Outside a mish mash of colourful tables made from recycled doors, tubs of plants and patio chairs adds to the mellow communal vibe of this child and dog friendly café. While the atmosphere may be laidback anything goes, the food and service is nothing short of first class, as Samson and Sophie quietly dishes up some of the best café fare to be found in inner city Brisbane. As a bonus, dietary requirements are well catered for, with many dishes with raw, gluten-free or spelt bases as well as the flexibility for diners to create their own based on diet needs and what is available.

From the extensive breakfast menu, which changes seasonally, some recommended options include The Hobby Mix House Muesli – an exquisite bowl of vanilla, honey comb, Greek yoghurt and seasonal fruit; gluten-free Apple and Coconut Hot Cakes with whipped lemon ricotta and sour cherry reduction; and the Romesco Eggs, which alone are worth travelling for – poached eggs, crispy bacon and roast capsicum tapenade on spelt and walnut loaf with roquette and parmesan salad.

In addition there’s Avo and Co with house made dukkha on organic sourdough, which comes with optional poached eggs or salmon and haloumi, Wrapped Up – a Greek pitta wrap with eggs, bacon, thyme roasted mushrooms and greens, the popular Roast Pumpkin Fritters or the Our House Cook Up, involving the works: bacon, poached eggs, halloumi, sausage, roast tomato, relish and organic sourdough.

For lunch, diners can choose from a daily Sophie’s Baking Dish – think Vegetable Lasagne, Frittata or Cottage Pie, as well as seasonal Salad Bowls as meals or accompaniments, a Soft Greek Pitta Wrap filled with chicken or falafel and hummus, roast tomato, avo, greens and yoghurt dressing or Hot to Trot Sourdough Toasties with fillings like chicken, avocado, cheddar, tomato and aioli.

On the sweets front, again dietary requirements are well catered for, and include delicious stuff such as the Flourless 5 Spice Chocolate Cake, Raw or Pecan Caramel Slice, Dark Choc Macadamia Brownie and melt-in-the-mouth Mint Oreo Cheesecake.

Drinks-wise, coffee at Samson and Sophie is Veneziano and as excellent as the food and tea drinkers are just as well looked after with English Breakfast, Lavendar Grey, Supreme Earl Grey, Honeydew Green, Malabar Chai and Cleopatra’s Champagne amongst the loose leaf choices served in pots. Cold drinks on offer are Iced Tea, Coffee and Latte, Old School Milkshakes (and kiddyshakes for the little ones), Daily Juices and Smoothies and Organic Bottled Juices.

Good to know – Out front is a special hitching station with water bowl for dogs.

Need to know – The full breakfast menu is served daily until close. 

The menu may have changed since our visit.