LAB Specialty Coffee Co.

79 Albert St, Brisbane City QLD 4000, Australia
+61 411 343 146
$$$ Cafe , Coffee shop , Sandwich shop
(275 Reviews)
Price Range $1–20

LAB Specialty Coffee Co. is a staple café tucked into the heart of Brisbane’s CBD at 79 Albert Street, serving up much more than your typical office coffee run. If you find yourself navigating the weekday hustle, this spot strikes a good balance between quick service and quality, making it a reliable stop for brews that hold their own through busy mornings or a casual catch-up over lunch.

The vibe here leans casual and efficient, with a mix of counter service and an app ordering option that locals seem to appreciate for skipping queues during peak hours. The team works smoothly together, maintaining promptness without feeling rushed, which suits the city crowd looking for a fast yet pleasant pit stop.

Coffee aficionados will notice LAB’s commitment to well-crafted drinks—mochas, cappuccinos, and their batch brews consistently show smooth, rich profiles that stand out among the many capsules and chains around the city. Their flat whites especially draw locals who enjoy their coffee with a creamy texture and the right balance of strength.

This café does well to complement its drinks with a diverse food offering, going beyond standard café fare. From breakfast wraps and fresh croissants stuffed with scrambled eggs to more substantial sandwiches like chicken and maple bacon or grilled haloumi with pesto, there’s a satisfying variety that works for anyone looking for a quick bite or a light lunch. The almond croissant and various muffins add a sweet dimension for those mornings when something a little indulgent fits the mood.

While indoor seating is straightforward and functional—geared to keep up with lunchtime rushes—the overall atmosphere encourages a no-fuss visit whether you’re here to grab-and-go or linger briefly with a book or laptop. It’s a spot well used by local workers needing dependable coffee with well-executed snacks and minimal wait.

Early to mid-morning or just after lunch tends to be the best window to avoid the busiest times, especially if you want to snag a seat inside. The staff’s familiarity with regulars helps create a welcoming environment despite the city’s brisk pace.

Highlights
Serves great coffee
Popular for
Popular for breakfast
Popular for lunch
Good for solo dining
Good for working on laptop
What they serve
Serves coffee
Serves healthy options
Quick bite
Best for
Serves breakfast
Serves brunch
Serves lunch
Serves dessert
Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating

Openings Hours

Checking

Monday

6:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Tuesday

6:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Wednesday

6:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Thursday

6:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Friday

6:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Saturday

6:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Sunday

Closed

275 Reviews
K G (Sincerity)

24 Dec 2025

Nice little cafe, service was prompt even when it got busy. Coffee was great and the food was also good. There’s a lot of food options as well as pastries.

Eva Zemanová

14 Dec 2025

I got an orange juice, iced long black and croissant with scrambled eggs. The drinks were served very very quickly, and the croissant was delicious. Service was great, 100% would eat there again

Martyn Fleming

01 Dec 2025

Amazing experience, serving me delicious food and 500+ coffees over the last couple of years. They never miss a beat, taking my order directly at the counter or via their app (skipping the queue). The staff are super friendly, switched on, work really well as a team. Highly recommend these awesome people!

Dlovan Faraj

01 Dec 2025

Lab Specialty Coffee is hands down one of the best spots for coffee. Their brews are consistently smooth, rich, and full of flavor – you can really taste the quality in every cup. The team here goes above and beyond with their service, always welcoming you with a smile and making you feel at home. On top of the amazing coffee, their sandwiches are fresh, delicious, and the perfect match to your drink. Whether you’re grabbing something on the go or sitting in to relax, the whole experience is always excellent. Highly recommend Lab Specialty Coffee – great people, great service, and some of the best coffee around!

Diana Waines

19 Nov 2025

Enjoyed the coffee here. The flavour of my flat white was good & it was creamy & smooth. Ordered a double shot so strength was spot on. Service was pleasant enough & coffee was delivered fast

Tiffanie Ng

17 Nov 2025

Great, delicious coffee every time and Ive been going to LAB for years! I usually get flat white with their Spectrum blend. The best in Brisbane city There are loads of freshly made sandwiches, wraps, bagels, croissants muffins and sweets (brownies, cakes) to grab and strawberry matcha latte as well. The cafe is cosy, airy, bright, and modern-rustic with indoor and outdoor street seating. Staff are always lovely and friendly.

Dev Anggraini

12 Nov 2025

Ordered sandwich and coffee both were good. Good service. I enjoyed the indoor seating area on winter.

Greg Noble

24 Oct 2025

I popped in at 7:45am on a Thursday. They were busy, but had lots of staff serving, so my order was taken super quickly. 2 good signs of a great coffee shop - quite a few people there and police officers also getting coffee. They are discerning consumers. There was a broad spread of different beverage and food options and I had trouble choosing. I settled on a dirty chai latte and a scrambled egg croissant. The coffee arrived quickly and the croissant soon after. The coffee was very credible, but the croissant was a superstar. It was perfectly grilled and the scrambled agh was firm but not rubbery, making eating it a pleasure. There was seating inside and on the footpath. There were tables available. The staff were very friendly to all and knew the names of many customers. The way that they lived behind the counter was poetry in motion, ensuring their busy time didn’t translate to hold ups for customers. This was a fabulous experience.

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