Being totally upfront to those who question my sense of direction. You are dead right! Always has been lousy, though solo travel in Malta helped a bit. So in my quest to share local coffee spots on Toowoomba’s Westside and Northside, my compass points might be a bit wobbly……but the coffee adventures will compensate.

My coeliac condition of some 27 years has seen some pretty tragic attempts by businesses to equate gluten friendly with no gluten, but Greenwattle Cafe @greenwattlecafe was a true blue winner in the gf stakes. Such friendly conversation and understanding and great hot chocolate. Glenvale is very lucky.

Classing Newtown as ‘west’, I discovered the offerings of De Dutch Cafe @dedutchcafe on Anzac Avenue complete with windmill in the outdoor eating garden. I was also very pleased to see the South African flag flying proudly outside The Jerky and Coffee Hut @jerkyandcoffeehut in the Newtown Shopping Centre. Although the Loaves and Fishes food distribution centre is not technically a coffee outlet, it certainly provides locals with the means to create their own coffee creations – community support in action.

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Now for a couple of Northside spots. If you head down Russell Street, the newly opened Flamingle @flamingle has a large footprint. There is plenty of offstreet parking and the fresh look of the place is inviting.

Further down in the CBD end of Russell Street is the favourite haunt of musos at Cafe Guitar@cafeguitar where the very accommodating staff are happy to host upcoming local bands such as KTO. Maybe it is the vibe of the music that stirs the soul as much as the coffee. Cafe Guitar and the other businesses along that stretch of Russell Street have had to contend with the street redevelopment as well as COVID restrictions and they need local support more than most.

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Another coffee shop close by, but around the corner in Ruthven Street is Cafe on Ruthven @cafeonruthven Maybe supporting these coffee spots seems a small gesture, but it means so much – please think LOCAL4LOCAL. Even in such uncertain times, those expanding business or opening new ventures such as The Paddock @thepaddock north along Ruthven St are stepping out of their comfort zones and appreciate the support no end!

Apart from the larger franchises at Northpoint, there are not many other family run coffee spots heading north until you hit Highfields – and that blooming location will command a blog of its own. In the meantime – happy coffee breaks!