Rafter & Rose

🌿 Rafter & Rose – The Botanical Laneway Café of Ipswich

Tucked away through elegant French cast-iron gates at 1/17 Ellenborough Street, Rafter & Rose is a highly celebrated boutique café in Ipswich’s Top of Town precinct. Since opening in January 2015, this family-run gem has doubled in size, expanding from a single laneway to three beautifully styled dining areas to welcome growing crowds drawn to its rustic botanical ambiance and heritage charm.

✨ Atmosphere & Design

Step into a green oasis: wrought-iron laneway seating shaded by vines, cobbled brick walls, wooden pallet tables, and flourishing herb box gardens invite guests into a peaceful urban retreat . Inside, vintage décor, plush greenery, and soft natural light create a welcoming, cottage-core interior full of character and warmth. It’s the kind of place you want to linger in, perhaps with a book and a cup of coffee.

🍽️ Food, Drinks & Pantry Offerings

Breakfast & Lunch Menu: Crafted with conscientious sourcing and sometimes organic produce, the menu features standout dishes such as:

• House Brekkie: bacon jam, avocado, rocket, two eggs
• Eggs Benedict: served with salmon, bacon, or ham
• House Toastie, quiches, French Toast brioche with fruit, maple syrup & ice-cream
• All freshly made in-house and many under A$15

Sweet Cabinet: The pastry selection is generous—croissants, muffins (including GF/DF/Vegan banana‑maple & cinnamon), scones, brownies, cheesecakes (including Caramilk baked cheesecake), and more are baked onsite.

Beverages: Coffee lovers praise the use of Uncle Joe’s house blend (a light and award-winning roast) alongside Tour de Tea loose leaf teas. Their Hemp Super Smoothie (with açai, coconut yoghurt, fresh fruit, coconut water) is also a standout.

Pantry Products: You can buy artisan jars—bacon jam featuring bacon, maple & coffee, heirloom produce, homemade chutneys, and honey—many based on vintage French family recipes.

🗣️ Local Reputation & Highlights

• Features a 4.5★ rating on TripAdvisor, often ranked #1 among local cafés for atmosphere and food quality 
• Praised in local Reddit threads as “‘my favourite café’ … staff, setting & coffee top notch” and frequently recommended by coffee connoisseurs despite occasional inconsistency in quality
• Consistently lauded for its garden-laneway atmosphere, local charm, friendly service, and strong brunch menu 

🕰️ Opening Hours & Visit Details

• Tuesday–Friday: 6:30 AM – 2 PM
• Saturday: 7:00 AM – 12:00 PM
• Closed Sundays & Mondays (walk-in only; no bookings)

Accessibility is generally good, with seating in the outdoor laneway and compact indoor space—though limited in poor weather conditions. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

💡 Why You’ll Love Rafter & Rose

• A botanical retreat in the city centre, perfect for café lovers who value air, light, plants, and sensory detail.
• A menu focused on freshness, creativity, and local sourcing, including gluten-free and vegan options.
• A uniquely Instagrammable setting—artistic, lush, and cozy.
• Pet-friendly with water bowls in the laneway—dog owners are warmly welcomed .

✅ Summary Snapshot