Chocolate Soldier

I used to work at 275 George St, so sometimes Chocolate Soldier was just convenient to go to. Plus I had a mega-​crush on one of the baristas and they always had good music playing. Win-​win, yes?
Well, no. Unfortunately I had consistently bad coffee experiences here. I returned and returned, but it never got any better. When the milk wasn’t burnt, the coffee was bitter. The hot chocolate or mocha power just tasted bland. Nobody has time for bad coffee.
However the tiny chocolates in the display cabinet were delicious (you’d hope so, given the name of the café!), but just not enough to make up for the bad coffee.

Terrible service, mediocre coffee, AWFUL hot chocolate.
I have been to Chocolate Soldier several times and every time the staff look like they are inconvenienced at having to provide service. One particular tall, bearded hipster always looks bored or offended at having to acknowledge anyone’s presence. They never greet the customer, and always look like they’d rather be somewhere else.
Add to that, the coffee is decidedly mediocre, and the hot chocolate really bad (they used some kind of cheap chocolate syrup).
The do have one nice staff member, a young woman with long dark hair and glasses — she’s very sweet and friendly and helpful.
Plenty of other coffee alternatives in the CBD, don’t waste your time or money here.

Hi, my name is Vincent, and I’m a coffee addict (and kinda proud of it). They say the first step to recovery from an addition is realisation, but with coffee places like Chocolate Soldier at 275 George St, who would wanna recover from coffee addiction?
Besides the fact that it’s very conveniently located on my daily morning walking route (well I think this place is just conveniently located to most things in city), I actually do enjoy coming here for my morning caffeine intake, the only way I truly can start my day.
All of the staff are amazingly nice, friendly and energetic, which is a good thing since who loves starting their days facing grumpy, rude, depressing people? They have an uncannily good memory in that they can remember their regulars’ name, drink of choice and exactly how they like it, and only after perhaps a week or two of regular visiting.
I am nowhere near having tried everything on the menu, but on the basis of what i typically get (I only ever drink lattes and the occasional chai latte…), coffees here are great (the coffee beans they use are pretty good) and usually pretty quick. And with awesome people serving, this is another great café worth visiting.

This was a first coffee shop I’ve been introduced to when I moved to Brisbane.
I have to admit it is extremely convenient, as it is located in my office building.
I think it took about two days for the staff to learn my name, AND it’s correct spelling — just look at my name — you should pronounce it more as Gousha, at least that’s how most of the coffee bars staff spells it.
I think after maybe a week, I didn’t even have to say what I want. They see my face, and they KNOW. Large latte, one sugar please.
That’s it. That easy.
You have to understand, this is very crucial, especially considering I get to the office with no caffeine in my blood… I’m usually half asleep and not one hundred percent what my name is. I can always count on Chocolate Soldier crew to remind me!
So if you haven’t realised yet — the Chocolate Soldier staff is super awesome. Big kudos for them. They even try to make conversation with me, which I’m not good at at 8.30am. You know. No coffee, no talkie.
The coffee itself is really good. They make it as strong as I like it, and that’s not easy to get the perfect strength.
As for the layout, there is plenty of tables around if you wish to have a sit and chat with your co-​workers (or strangers, whatever you prefer).
If you order coffee to go, they will call your name, or, in the other case, they will bring your drink to your table. They are quick and efficient, which is really useful, especially if you’re in a hurry for another meeting.
Definitely a yes from me!

Located in the Telstra tower smack dab in the middle of the CBD, the Chocolate Soldier is really is as good as it gets.
Let’s first start off with the setting and the staff. It starts off with a very typical coffee bar layout with freshly baked cookies and pastries in a window. There are a couple of small tables in the front of the shop but the majority of the seating is situated across the hallway at some tall tables and stools. The staff are all young and *gasp* unpretentious people who will double check with you that they got your order right! Come back a couple times and they’ll stop asking for your name. This hasn’t happened to me yet but the staff have become so familiar with my co-​workers and friends that they have memorized the slew of drink options that they have ordered in the past. And we’re not talking simple things like «flat white, no sugar.»
Now I’m not the biggest coffee drinker so I tend to go with the chai latte whenever I’m here. I’m also not the biggest fan of real milk because I believe I lack the enzyme to digest lactose (I also lack the enzyme to digest alcohol but that’s for another day and review) so I always get it with soy milk instead. I have to say that I have not yet found another place in Brisbane that makes this drink better than Chocolate Soldier. They have somehow achieved the right balance of milk, chai powder and cinnamon/​chocolate flakes to make the chai latte very enjoyable.
If you’re on George St for whatever reason, brave the daunting task of entering a building with the Telstra logo plastered across it and enjoy a nice cup of Joe here.

I often walk past Chocolate Solider and peer into its warm, inviting space, telling myself that one day I will bring a good book to read while sipping on hot chocolate. I’ve been quite taken by the place upon my first impression. Who wouldn’t like a place called Chocolate Soldier? I know I would more than love to serve in the chocolate army!
Well, that day hasn’t come yet, where I can finally sit and relax to read a book at a café (hasn’t happened in a while), but I did stop to grab something while working on my paper. It was noon and bustling with lunchers when I went, but the staff was very friendly, and seemed to recognize a lot of returning customers.
I tried the mocha with my pistachio lemon coffee cake, as I thought a hot chocolate would be too sweet, as well as the chicken, ham and cheese sandwich. The mocha was thick and rich, and the coffee cake was moist and a nice combination of pistachio and lemon. I’m a big fan of pistachio, so I think it was a good choice for me. It wasn’t the best coffee cake ever, but it was delicious. I’m sad to say I don’t feel the same about the sandwich, as it was dry and didn’t taste fresh, and I ended up taking the chicken out. I didn’t actually have any of their chocolate, but maybe they’re worth a try. Overall it was a mixed experience, and I don’t know if I would recommend this place, even if it is conveniently located right in the center of the city. Not a good value for it’s price…

Don’t let the name confuse you — this café is primarily a coffee shop, and a pretty damn good one at that. But never fear — there’s a large selection of chocolate treats as well — cakes, muffins and truffles.
On a busy weekday morning, the staff pump out coffees faster than you can say «soy decaf half strength latte, with two sugars». And they provide fantastic service, something that’s rare in such a high-​speed café. The staff are always smiling and surprisingly patient. Most people grab coffees to go, but there’s also a number of plush leather sofas and wooden stools to perch on. Alternatively, take a seat on one of the benches in the laneway outside the shop and warm up in the early morning rays with a cup of strong Di Bella coffee.

Coffee is ok, food to but its right next to the Green Grocer which has awesome food, coffee and staff!