Jacqueline Madden and Victoria Parker are no strangers to hospitality in the Brisbane CBD. In 2021 they opened Marco Polo on Creek Street, which quickly established itself as the go-to for specialty coffee and deli-style dishes in the city.

The pair opened Georgio’s – located (fittingly) on George Street, tucked inside an office building at the bottom of the Brisbane Quarter precinct – at the end of June. With a sleek, simple fit-out by Clui Design, Georgio’s is an elegantly appointed European-inspired cafe serving Bear Bones specialty coffee and healthy lunch staples.

Both of Madden and Parker’s CBD venues have distinct identities. “Marco Polo is moody and romantic, but Georgio’s is more playful, full of light and soon to be filled with plants. It’s fun in here,” Madden tells Broadsheet.

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That playful feeling is echoed in the menu, which was developed in collaboration with nutritionist and hospitality consultant Jacqui Toumbas. There are AM favourites like the breakfast toastie with double-smoked ham, fried egg, Swiss cheese and bechamel alongside gloriously nostalgic treats like pork-and-fennel sausage rolls and fluffy crumpets with local honey. House-made pastries, muffins and cakes are supplemented by sweets from Doughcraft and Doughluxe.

Lunch is a serious affair. Sandos like the chicken Waldorf – a light and moreish combination of walnuts, apple, chicken and cos with a perfectly-balanced Dijon mayonnaise – sit alongside piadini (Italian flatbread sandwiches) with prosciutto, pesto and mozzarella. Healthy salads and bowls are full of flavour and colour.

“We want it to be easy and healthy,” Madden says. “[Georgio’s] customers like different things to Marco Polo, so we are adapting and constantly trying to offer new things. It feels different up here – it’s exciting.”

Georgio’s
300 George Street, Brisbane CBD
No phone

Hours:
Mon to Fri 6.30am–3pm

@georgio_cafe