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

Morning Coffee Crawl: Brisbane City Edition

Start your day the right way with a guided walking tour through the heart of Brisbane’s CBD. As part of our Brisbane morning coffee tours, you’ll discover the best specialty cafes, meet passionate baristas, and learn about the city’s third-wave coffee movement. This tour is perfect for early risers who want to explore the city’s laneways and hidden espresso bars.

• From AUD $120.00
• Duration: 3 hours

Roastery Tour & Brew Masterclass

Go behind the scenes of Brisbane’s top artisan roastery with one of our Brisbane coffee roastery tours and learn the secrets of great coffee from crop to cup. This immersive experience is ideal for those who want to take their coffee game to the next level.

• From AUD $120.00
• Duration: 2.5 hours