It’s one of Brisbane’s best kept secrets: the Mount Gravatt lookout and cafe.
I had a spare hour to kill while in the neighbourhood during a very difficult week, so decided toย drive up the actual mountain at Mt Gravatt to stop in at the new cafe at the lookout. When I checked in and shared on Facebook, I was astonished by how many people commented that they didn’t even realise the lookout – let alone the cafe – existed!
The Love Well Project – Cafe with a Difference
When you first walk into the Love Well Project, the blackboard out the front promises #coffeefoodandkindness and that’s exactly what they serve.
My stress levels were practically through the roof – yet the friendly customer service, a coffee and cake treat, and a gorgeous view all helped to soothe my ruffled feathers.
It’s early days for The Love Well. As such, the menu is still fairly limited (but expanding all the time), and the cafe is not yet open on Sundays. I’m sure it would do a roaring trade all weekend if open, so hopefully Sunday trading is in the not too distant future.
So what makes the Love Well a cafe with a difference?
This is a social enterprise, rather than a business.
For about 10 years I have been following and supporting the work of the Hope Foundation, a charity forย women wanting to quit drug addictions and/or leave the sex industry. The new cafe at the Mt Gravatt lookout not only raises funds, but also provides valuable work experience to those it seeks to help.
It is an amazing location, and I love the way the team have styled the cafe – light, bright and airy, with a relaxed, homey vibe.
You can’t help but relax as you walk through the doors. There’s a public playground out the back – if you have young children you could grab a takeaway coffee and supervise the kids.
And the views! You can see the city, the suburbs, and the bay.
So next time you have visitors staying, or are in the neighbourhood, make sure you stop in!
Did you know about this gorgeous lookout over Brisbane?
Address: The lookout and cafe are located at 185 Shire Road, Mt Gravatt. If heading into the city on Logan Road, turn left into Shire Rd just before Red Rooster at Mount Gravatt and head up the mountain.
NB This is not a sponsored post – just wanted to share the love.
Joining up with:
Lyndall @ Seize The Day Project says
What a fabulous place and a heart-warming concept. Thanks for sharing the love Janet ๐
Janet Camilleri says
Next time you’re in Bris-Vegas, check it out!
Julia says
How lovely! Love how they’ve styled it, and such a good cause this makes me happy ๐
Janet Camilleri says
You are your mother’s daughter and she is lucky to have you x
Leanne @ Deep Fried Fruit says
Wow. That view!
Wow. Those fun colourful chairs!
WOW. THAT CUP CAKE!!!
Now I am hungry …
Leanne @ Deep Fried Fruit says
PS Thanks for joining the Lovin’ Life Linky!
Janet Camilleri says
It was YUMMY x
Min@WriteoftheMiddle says
I never knew that cafe existed either! I will have to pay it a visit next time I’m over that way. What a fabulous view and such a generous and lovely concept! ๐
Janet Camilleri says
Definitely worth a visit Min x
Kathy Marris says
I never knew this existed. I must check this out on my next trip to Brisbane. I love a coffee with a view! ๐
Janet Camilleri says
You’re not the only one Kathy! I did go to the old cafe once about 4 years ago, but am really loving this new incarnation.
Jo ~ Lifestyle Fifty says
What a funky cafe and all in a good cause ๐ Love the views too. Just the place to ease away stress for sure. I’m also loving those chairs – can see me getting my painting groove on to recreate something similar when we move to our cottage in the country one day!
Janet Camilleri says
Aren’t the chairs gorgeous? I just love them too!
Patrick Weseman says
What a lovely view.
inthegoodbooksblog says
I’ve never been to Brisbane, but this looks great!
Janet Camilleri says
The funny thing is a lot of locals don’t know it exists! It really is a secret!
barwick says
Sorry but that not true we all did know about it but their was no cafe just a playground.It great to have a cafe in a spot i had so much fun .When i was younger it has a great view at night time.
Melissa @ All Around Oz says
What a fab looking spot and also such a great cause too. Might have to go for a little drive one day!
Janet Camilleri says
Tis lovely but not accessible by buses/trucks/caravans as the road is a bit windy. Maybe that’s why not many know about it.
Sydney Shop Girl says
What a winning combination – a great place for coffee and a great cause benefitting from it!
SSG xxx
Janet Camilleri says
I love good news stories like this and sharing the love x
Jodie says
My husband Con grew up in Mt Gravatt but don’ think I’ve ever been up the mountain with him – we’ll have to check it out next time we’re in town :).
Janet Camilleri says
How funny that we both married southside boys! Growing up on the northside I knew about (and visited) Mt Cootha and I think it’s called Bartley’s Hill lookout at Ascot/Albion – only found out that Mt Gravatt was actually a mountain (not just a suburb) and with a lookout, til about 3 years ago!
Deborah says
The cafe looks gorgeous Janet and I must check it out when I’m next in Brisbane (god knows when that will be as I try to avoid the place as much as possible).
When I was at Uni we used to drive up to Mount Cootha with bladders of wine and sit on the hill and drink. I didn’t drink in those days so was usually the driver.
I’ve actually been to a couple of weddings at the other restaurant there and it’s always lovely!
Janet Camilleri says
It’s a different place to Mt Cootha Deb – only a couple of kilometres from Garden City at Mt Gravatt ๐ I had no idea it existed either til about 3 years ago and I’ve lived in Brisbane all my life!
Nicole @ The Builder's Wife says
These are awesome. I did not know either existed until now. I love the idea of a cafe supporting others, what a great point of difference. I only recently traveled up Mt Cootha again and remembered how much I love it up there. Next time I’ll stop for a coffee. x
Janet Camilleri says
I must confess – I only found it about 3 years ago when a client suggested meeting there ๐
Liz says
Love it . Love that it’s doing good. Sorry to hear you were having a hard week : (
Janet Camilleri says
That was the week of my computer meltdown Liz. And yes, you definitely have to check it out once you move here!
Liz says
Ps It’ll go on my “things to check out next year” list. It’s about 7 weeks til our big move !!
Vanessa says
It looks pretty. But I’m scared of driving up any kind of mountain ๐
Janet Camilleri says
It’s only a little mountain smack bang in the middle of suburbia!
Cat@life through the haze says
How gorgeous is this cafe! I wish I was in Brisbane. Will check it out when I am next there!