Yes it's true that some jewels are hard to finding...and well worth the effort. When in Brisbane seek out Jamie's Espresso Bar...Cnr James St & Robertson St, Fortitude Valley. Here you will sit on a wooden bench just outside the otherwise kiosk-sized shop floor, be served toasted gourmet bread laid on grease-proof paper, with home-made preserves (Read: Jam & Marmalade made of FRUIT and not fruit juice and rubbish!), listen to great tunes and sip great coffee.

I think someone may have recommended The Three Monkeys at West End to you before? Otherwise for a bit further out, I have just been introduced to "The Spot" at Taringa. A great, unsuspecting little coffee bar with excellent barrista (the male one - who is also the manager/owner? - is fantastic). Take away coffee is $4... but $4 VERY well spent!

The illy shop is great on Eagle st in the city.

I went to Uni in Brisbane, it's perfect weather in September so you might be lucky and get some for the last weekend of August. As for coffee... Bridgeman Downs is not really in the city but it is well worth heading for West End and the Three Monkeys Cafe - open to late on the wekend. They do a fab 'Edith Piaf' which is their version of a 'Betty Blue' - cafe au lait in a bowl. Not so sure about what's good in the centre of town but The Valley and New Farm is always cool for eating and drinking. Park Road in Milton is quite yuppie but where you'll get some all night coffee shops like the eiffel tower one and there's one along there that does Italian hot chocolate (kinda like hot chocolate yogo but better than that sounds), not quite as good as the real thing at La Dolce Vita in Roma but who's complaining. Hope that gives you some ideas and thanks for making me homesick - haha

Best coffee in town: definetely the mix at the Three Monkeys Cafe, right in the heart of West End in the bohemian end of the city and a short walk to Southbank.

When on the Gold Coast: 3 Beans in Broadbeach near Oasis shopping centre. Great people watching spot too!

BRIS VEGAS: For ambience and a good Betty Blue, Aromas is tucked aways in the old Hoyts Regent Theatre in the City Mall is a treat. I used to work in the Cinema and the coffee smell tempted me every shift.

I also second the promotion of Three Monkeys! I used to make the special trip there once a week and settle into their eclectic booths and cushions of middle eastern influence, for a chai latte. These puppies are so thick, the honey sits on the top for the whole duration of the beverage experience and because it takes 15 mins to brew gives you time to chill and soak up the vibe. Now I know chai's not really coffee but the lattés are also HOT!

In the Valley - we now have Campos - just behind the James Street Markets (you have to walk up the alley way next to the fish markets) - UNBELIEVABLE coffee!

Caffeine Espresso on Commercial Rd in New Farm/Newstead/Teneriffe....well, that area. Another fantastic boutique roastery and no frills breakfast-ery - they seem to be popping up everywhere. The couple that run it are part of our church, which is literally 100m down the road from Merlo HQ....and just down the corner from Di Bella coffee HQ.....and a 2 minute drive from Campos.

If you happen to find yourself unlucky enough to be on the Gold Coast, head down the Gold Coast Highway to Mermaid Beach. Not long after the 'Exotic Asian Supermarket' you'll find Albert St off to the left. Just down on the left is a funky cafe called Vintage Espresso. They serve Merlo coffee and great food - mostly homemade.

It's very un-Gold Coast....more like somewhere you'd find in James St in the Valley. But it's very popular. Great staff too......which makes ALL the difference.