Concrete Playground

There’s no denying Kangaroo Point’s topographical features are perfect for the fitness buffs of inner city Brisbane - the picturesque outdoor recreational area is home to bike tracks, grassy spaces and some pretty cliffs if you’re into climbing stuff for fun. Now, I’m no athlete myself, but I’m sure if I was I’d probably want to retire to a relaxing place post work out – city view in sight, snack and beverage in hand. Given the crowd that frequent the Kangaroo Point parklands though, it seems kind of ironic that for so many years the closest place to grab a bite to eat was McDonalds or KFC, right?

Then, an aptly named café called The Cliffs came along. Perched atop the iconic Kangaroo Point cliffs, the café is entirely al fresco to make the most of the stunning river and city backdrop. Being winter though, I found it a tad chilly above the cliffs and while there’s nowhere to retreat from the breeze on cooler days, these guys have winter sorted with heaters and a bucket of blankets. Yeah, blankets!

In most instances rooms with a view are pretty pricey, but when everything on the menu is under 18 bucks, The Cliffs is a rare exception. Surprisingly, the cuisine is by no means upmarket despite the fact that The Cliffs sits on easily one of the most captivating pieces of real estate in Brisbane. The breakfast options are limited to a more traditional list of spreads like eggs benedict, French toast and porridge. But if you’d like something a little different, hang around for lunch and try the lamb Penang curry with pumpkin and bok choy or a roasted veggie and goat’s curd lasagne. And if you stick around for lunch, you might as well stay for dessert. The gluten free orange cake is to die for!