Town Hall Bakery — Restaurant in Brisbane City

My wife and I occasionally house sit at Brighton for family when they are on Holidays. Several years ago we had lunch at the Town Hall bakery. The food was enjoyable and the service great. The young male proprietor was genuinely very friendly and attentive. He even came out mid way through our lunch to inquire how everything was. We visited again more recently, possibly last year...and again today. There appears to be different owners now, an older male. Last years visit was memorable for the average 'fresh cream' apple turnover and average service. I was hoping with the visit today that things may have improved...wrong. The ubiquitous sandwiches in the blister pack did not taste fresh. Were they a day old? Likewise the fresh cream apple turnover did not taste fresh...were they also a day or more old? Also the fresh cream tastes funny, like a combination of mock cream and fresh cream. Neither sandwiches or turnover were particularly cool...I'm not sure if the glass cabinets are chilled. The service was in sharp contrast to the previous owner. Definitely not friendly or welcoming. We sat outside to eat our lunch, and when he came out with our tea and coffee...he plonked them down on the table and muttered two words, "Tea. Coffee". I had to go back in and ask for napkins. Interestingly, after lunch we crossed the road to Woolworths where I noticed a bakery at the entrance. A quick look there revealed much fresher looking sandwiches (and $2 - $3 cheaper) and fresher looking apple turnovers and jam donuts. Unfortunately they don't sell tea or coffee. Next lunch will involve food from this Bakery, takeaway coffee from nearby cafe and relaxing sit in the Park opposite. Under current ownership I will not be back at the Town...

Went in on Saturday for a snack to feed my child and mother. The staff were rude. We ordered 3 spinich triangles and the order came to 17.80. We had just taken a bite out of them so couldnt return them and when we questioned the price of them since there was no drink and we were flabbergasted.. the woman told us they were 4.80 each. After looking at her like 'Do you even math?!' She waved us away and walked out the back. Makes me sick that places like this are even able to operate this unprofessionally. We then went to sit at the tables provided that were covered in crumbs. Oh and to top off our over priced triangles... there was barely any filling inside them. We paid $5. for dry and obviously old pastries. Revolting all round. Pity there is nothing lower...

Always great coffee and bakes goods. With more and more local bakeries closing down I'm glad this one is still open. I can't complain as the service, food and coffee is always good. My advice is go their around morning tea time (10am-11am) to avoid the daily group of bike riders as they seem to think they have the rights to all the tables. I had one of them as me to move on as I had a take away coffee and they wanted my table and chair. I said I wasn't going anywhere and they would have to wait till I was done. It seems they go to other coffee shops as well and they never return the tables and chairs to where they were put out and they leave a mess behind for the owner to...