Café
Lune Croissanterie Burnett Lane
The CBD laneway outpost of Kate Reid's Melbourne croissanterie, baking croissants, cruffins and morning buns fresh through the day until they sell out.
Shingle Inn City Hall
Brisbane's 1936 Tudor-style tea room, whose original fit-out was rebuilt inside City Hall in 2013, serving cakes, lemon meringue pie and butterscotch waffles.
At a glance
- Type
- Heritage tea room
- Area
- Brisbane City, Brisbane, Australia
- Price
- $$ · Mid-range
- Official site
- shingleinncityhall.com
Good to know
- Heritage 1936 fit-out
- Cakes and waffles
- Wheelchair accessible
Why we recommend it
The Shingle Inn opened in 1936 on Edward Street, founded by the Brisbane bakery company David Webster and Sons. It occupied part of the ground floor and basement of the 1888 City Building, and took its name from the shingled awning that sheltered the footpath outside. The interior, designed by architects Hall and Phillips, gave it the look of a Tudor inn, with panelled walls, dark beamed ceilings and small many-paned windows. The Bellchambers family has owned the business since 1975, and it is regarded as one of the oldest continuing restaurants in the city.
The cafe became a meeting place for American service personnel in Brisbane during the Second World War, and the butterscotch waffles still on the menu were introduced at that time for homesick US troops. In 2002 the Edward Street building was demolished for the Queens Plaza development and the cafe was dismantled, with its fittings placed in storage. In 2010 the original fit-out was formally gifted to the people of Brisbane, and after City Hall reopened following its restoration in 2013, the fittings and layout were reinstalled inside the building to recreate the 1936 interior. The year 2026 marks the cafe's 90th anniversary.
The menu is built around cakes made in the company's central bakery to traditional recipes, along with lemon meringue pie, the butterscotch waffles served with ice cream or cream and caramel sauce, and tea and coffee. The Shingle Inn name also appears on a franchise of cafes across Australia, but the City Hall branch is the one that preserves the original interior, so it is the one to visit. Look out for sugar bowls engraved with the names of the Shingle Inn and other former Brisbane cafes owned by the Webster and Bellchambers families.
The cafe suits history lovers, families and anyone wanting a traditional morning or afternoon tea. It is wheelchair accessible. Check the cafe's website for current opening hours and for special events, which have included early-morning history talks with tea, coffee and cake.
City Hall faces King George Square in the CBD, so a visit pairs naturally with the free Museum of Brisbane on Level 3 and its clock tower tours. The King George Square busway station is beneath the square.
Shingle Inn City Hall FAQs
When did the Shingle Inn open?
In 1936, on Edward Street, founded by the bakery company David Webster and Sons.
Why is the Shingle Inn in City Hall?
The Edward Street building was demolished in 2002; the original fit-out was stored, gifted to the people of Brisbane and reinstalled in City Hall after its 2013 reopening.
What should I order?
The butterscotch waffles, introduced during the Second World War, or a slice of cake or lemon meringue pie.
Who owns the Shingle Inn?
The Bellchambers family has owned it since 1975.
Is it wheelchair accessible?
Yes.
How did the Shingle Inn get its name?
From the shingled awning over the footpath outside the original Edward Street cafe.
What is nearby?
The Museum of Brisbane and its free clock tower tours are in the same building.
Where are the cakes made?
In the company's central bakery, using traditional recipes.