Ask TFG: Late afternoon coffees
We get it: sometimes it seems that the city goes quiet between lunch and dinner, but you just need that afternoon coffee to get you through the day. We’ve rounded up some spots to meet clients or colleagues for a late caffeine hit.
Updated 26 October 2021
Written by Phoebe Tully
Photography: Morgan Smith
If you have a burning need for local recommendations, TFG Editor Phoebe Tully is here to help in a new column! Have your own question? Email it to us for a chance to have it included: info@thefieldguidetoowoomba.com
Q. Everything in Toowoomba seems to shut at 2pm and not open until 4-5pm. Where can I have a meeting or a coffee after 2pm?
The much-lamented “death zone” of 2-5pm in town is a frequent discussion in our Instagram DMs. “Nothing is open”, “why is it so hard to get a cup of coffee after 2pm?”, etc etc.
But, let’s just pause for a second because there’s two sides to this story, and unfortunately the side we don’t often hear from – the venue owners – is lamenting “I tried staying open, but no one showed up like they said they would”. So take this as a gentle reminder that if you say you’re going to support a business opening a bit earlier or staying open a little later – you absolutely need to actually go and support them. Not just once or twice, but regularly.
Alright, thank you for coming to my TED Talk. Here’s what’s open between 2-5pm during the week, compiled by our fabulous Editorial Assistant, Nicola Clark:
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Urban Grounds
Located across from scenic Laurel Bank Park, this cafe serves fantastic coffee, milkshakes, and smoothies, as well as a cabinet that’s always stocked with perfect desserts such as New York cheesecake and lemon meringue pie. From Wednesdays to Saturdays, they’re open bright and early at 7.00am right through til dinner time.
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Impressions on Scott
This cafe specialises in breathtaking desserts, perfect for any sweet-tooths (sweet teeth?) out there. Make Impressions your next meetup spot for some light afternoon tea – they’re open til 5.00pm on weekdays.
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Copper Bench
The friendly coffee experts invite you to take a seat and enjoy the pleasure of a decent cup of coffee. They’re one of the only CBD cafés that is open til 4.00pm, 7 days a week.
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Bungalow & Basket
The small but ever-changing menu of treats and the constantly evolving store makes Bungalow & Basket a place to come back to over and over again. A homewares store that doubles as a café? Thank goodness it’s open until 4pm during the week.
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Wendlands Fine FooDS
With dine in and takeaway lunch and dinner options, as well as coffee, pastries and fresh loaves of bread, Wendland’s has you covered until 5pm Monday to Wednesday, and 6pm on Thursday and Friday.
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Fitzy's
Choose from a private function room, dining booths, the bar or the sunny deck and enjoy refreshing drinks and high-quality meals. At Fitzy’s, you can grab a drink – including coffee – from 12.00pm til late.
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Kingfisher's
You’ll fall in love with the beautiful gardens of Kingfisher’s, and even more so with their lunch and cake menu. Get your afternoon coffee fix here any day til 4.30pm.
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Bar Wunder
At Bar Wunder, your furry friend is invited too. Maybe not work appropriate, but we’ll leave that to you. Bring them along and relax in the courtyard with a coffee (or beer) from 3.00pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays, 12.00pm Fridays and Saturdays, and from 2.00pm on Sundays.
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Vapiano
This restaurant located at Grand Central is light and open, making for the perfect catch up spot – simply order a coffee (or citrus spritz) and let a drink turn into an early dinner. Vapiano serves affordable Italian everyday from 11.30am to 9.00pm.
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Proof BBQ & Booze
Proof boasts an on-site smoker that makes for some mouth-watering mains such as beef brisket and pulled pork. There’s also some starters to snack on paired with your beer of choice. The smokehouse is open from midday from Wednesday to Sundays and open til late. How cool is your workplace if you can have meetings here?
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Cafe de Velo
It’s a fusion of the owners’ two great loves: cycling and coffee, so when Marcel and Sarah had the chance to buy the cafe space next to their store Bikeline Toowoomba, it was just too good an opportunity to pass up. Here you can enjoy fresh breakfasts and hearty lunches, as well as coffee til the sun starts to set. And, if you’ve cycled over 25km to get your brew fix, you’ll get 25% off! Cafe de Velo are open til 5.30pm on weekdays, and til 3.00pm on the weekend.
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ParisiAnn Patisserie
This boutique café offers sweet breakfasts and desserts inspired by Paris, with a banoffee tart, eclair and berry friand just the start of their menu. You can pop in for a coffee til 4.00pm from Tuesday to Friday.
Know a local spot that’s perfect for afternoon coffees? Let us know, and we’ll add it to our list!
