Jamie’s Espresso Bar

I love Jamies for being the first at what he’s did in Brisbane a long time ago. The Hole in the wall espresso. Even though now he’s expanded it’s not really a hole in the wall anymore. Coffee is okay. Service can be downright confronting at times. I often feel the look I get is one of suspicion. …though I’ve never understood why? If you get the staff not Jamie it feels a lot less grumpy. I want to rate this iconic place higher but I have to go on what I get each time I go there.

Sit up just off the street and watch your barista who is finicky but not faffy. Yes it is a weird set up where you are not sure where or how to order, but a smile to the barista will show that you come in as friendlie and not one of those people who are looking to «join a table for 5 and would like to order 3 „kids“ milkshakes».
The coffee was delicious. And there was no problem putting $ 8 on a card.
The clientele seems extremely regular. The barista knew everyone’s name. She was clearly the coolest hipster ever, but spoke to the middle aged men in their range rovers like they were best friends. I loved her. I want to be her best friend.
(I’ve been a few times for coffee and never disappointed).

I really want to like Jamie’s. It’s in a great location, the prices are mostly decent, and the café itself it really cute. The coffee is even really good. So what’s wrong you ask? The service is just awful. I’ve gone back several times, thinking maybe it was just an off day but each time I’m proven wrong. I feel like I’m always bothering the staff by being there for a coffee order. I’ve tried ordering in several different places in the café, but it always seems to be the wrong place. I just can’t seem to feel comfortable there.
And don’t try to order anything other than coffee. No tea, no chai, no hot chocolate. The staff must be sick of answering this question, because when I tried I was just met with an exasperated sigh.
Honestly, There are too many other up and coming coffee places in the valley to be bothered dealing with this. Yes, their coffee is good, but I’d much rather go elsewhere.

Jamie’s Espresso Bar is one that I feel I’m yet to fully experience as I only stopped for a coffee and a quick bite to eat. But it was enough of a taste that I’m ready to come back and spend more time amongst the street-​art that adorns the laneway adjoining Jamie’s. The simplest thing that impressed me while I was here? The fact that I asked for a cold coffee and got it in a normal latte glass at a normal latte price. None of this Iced-​Coffee with cream and icecream for $ 7 business here, kids. $ 3.80 for a simple cold coffee with ice.

I love this coffee shop. Jamie and they crew make great coffee, the place has a great relaxed vibe even though it’s Valley hipster central. The pita sandwiches are recommended for lunch. Beer and win in the evening but it’s the coffee and the great staff that keeps me coming back every day.

My review is simple — Jamie’s makes the BEST COFFEE IN BRISBANE! First time I had a coffee at Jamie’s it transported me straight to Flinders Lane in Melbourne. I live in Kangaroo Point but often make the trip over the Story Bridge just to get one of these amazing brews.

good if your in the neighbourhood and like a blackstair been, i like to take away

Down near the über trendy James Street, Jamie’s Espresso is one of the most trendy places to grab a skinny soy latte. The café is nicely decorated and the minimalistic style avoids overcrowding the small space. There is seating inside and outside, and Jamie’s also turns into a bar on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights, serving boutique beers and bar snacks.
The coffee is good, but don’t expect service with a smile — I was served briskly and indifferently. If that sort of thing doesn’t bother you, the product is good and the space is a nice place to spend time. I’m looking forward to visiting the bar incarnation on the weekend.

Jamie’s definitely takes its name seriously. It is an espresso bar and that’s what they’re good at. In fact, they’re so passionate about good coffee that that’s about all they do. I like coffee, but often drink tea and often when my friends get coffees I’ll order a cup of tea.
Once I went to Jamie’s with a friend and was in the mood for tea so after she ordered her coffee I ordered a tea. I know coffee shops and cafes are coffee shops, but have you ever been to one that doesn’t do tea as well? But Jamie’s are so serious about their coffee that they don’t do tea! I know, I couldn’t believe it either. ‘You don’t have tea?’ I clarified.
‘Nope’.
‘None at all?’.
‘Nope. Do you want a coffee instead?
Like, seriously, no tea?
We do great iced coffees. Do you want to try one of those?‘
You get the gist. But I wasn’t annoyed. I thought it was funny and kind of cute because it is sort of Jamie’s in a nutshell. They are so focussed on making awesome coffee that the idea of tea just doesn’t occur to them. And that goes for most things too. They don’t have much in the way or food or other drinks, but they do a damn fine coffee. By the time the tea-​related exchange was over I was so amused that I’d somehow gotten out of my tea mood and agreed to try the iced coffee. It was fantastic.

Jamie’s has a reputation that precedes it as a popular coffee shop hang out which has been impressing the Valley for a long time. Recently it’s had a bit of a refurbishment allowing for more seating room as well as a bar that serves the other golden liquid– beer! A liquor licence approval has seen Jamie’s go from funky café by day to a casual bar by night, with people spilling out of the doors, particularly on a Friday.
My most recent visit was a day time one so I had a coffee (which everyone raves about, but every coffee I’ve had at Jamie’s has been just OK) and one of their delicious pita breads filled with fetta, tomato, pesto and salami which definitely hit the spot. One criticism I have is it’s quite expensive for the portion you get.
I was a bit confused with the new set up as to where and when to order. Is it table service now or is it not? Do I order here or at the new bar? Do I pay now or later? A little clarification on those things would have been nice, and would have made it a more relaxing experience.
Jamie’s is a bit of a sneaky hideaway where it’s great to either have some time to yourself or meet a friend over lunch. The renovations have definitely added space, but the old Jamie’s without all the space had a great intimate feel about it. But hey, growth is always good for a small business. I’m excited to head down one Friday night soon and see what it’s like by night.