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    Shady Palms Cafe

    3.8 (30 reviews)
    Open 8:00 am - 11:30 pm

    Shady Palms Cafe Photos

    SHADY PALMS CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Hipster
    Loud
    Outdoor seating
    Good for groups

    Recommended Reviews - Shady Palms Cafe

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    All Day Menu
    Lani P.

    Shady Palms is the little Big Sister to Lady Marmalade. I say Big Sister because although this is the second venue for the owners of Lady M just up the road, Shady Palms packs some serious sass and with her floor space - is bound to be a roaring venue as she settles in to Stones Corner Life. We popped by on a Friday afternoon for a late lunch and having only officially opened 2 days before, there were some understandable glitches. There's a Salted Caramel Milkshake on the menu but their ice-cream and freezer is up and running yet so I was promptly refunded the money. They were so darling about it! The menu is fairly casual and you'll notice a lot of similar flavours if you've dined at Lady Marmalade. I couldn't resist the chicken and coleslaw slider ($6.50) and the Po'Boy slider ($6.50). While both were exceptional on their house made brioche mini buns, the chicken and coleslaw was the winner for me. Shady Palms coleslaw is something else and the perfect partner for a Friday afternoon cider. You know the feeling you have when something is just on the money and with time it is going to only get better? I have this feeling for Shady Palms. I can't wait to go back and each time see it have taken bounds ahead.

    Shrimp and pineapple tacos with polenta chips and blue cheese sauce in the background.
    Shayna J.

    It's finally happened. I'm officially over the Brisbane-American-food-trend. Unless there's something completely mind-blowing and an incredible stand-out must-do experience I don't want to eat it. This is what brought my work colleagues and I back to Shady Palms Cafe and Bar. We have lunched here before and really enjoyed their rustic loose take on Mexican food but the parking situation can make it a tough choice for our precious one hour break. We ventured there this afternoon in a group of four and were happy to find they are keeping up their high standard of fare. I ordered the fried polenta with blue cheese sauce as a starter and the pineapple and shrimp tacos all identified as gf on the menu, HALLELUJAH!!! My colleagues went with the quesadilla and two pork belly burgers respectively. Everyone was super impressed with their food and the delicious sauces that accompanied everything. The polenta was crispy and very tasty with the blue cheese sauce. I would have liked them to be a little less thickly cut so the crunch would be more obvious. The tacos were a stand-out, the home made taco itself was flexible and tasted amazing with the thin swipe of herby pesto. I didn't taste any pineapple, but the cabbage slaw complimented the fried shrimp and slight tang of lime and chilli. These were mild so I didn't feel my mouth turn to fire (good news as I'm a wuss when it comes to spice). The service is what let us down today and prevented Shady Palms from getting 5 stars. When we stood up to order at the order window it was like we were all invisible.. until one staff member came back in from outside and served us. Even she commented that her colleagues had been "ignoring us". We weren't offered any water bottles or glasses and the meals came out very staggered (mine took at least 10 minutes longer than everyone elses). I can let this mostly slide, as the food was imaginative and always consistently well prepared and the ambience was perfectly cosy while still being interesting to the eye. I hope this becomes a regular fixture in our lunch-time outings.

    Pumpkin, sticky date & ricotta hotcakes, with peach fairy floss(!)
    Pete D.

    Having heard good things, the girl and I ventured down to Shady Palms for Breakfast. It's like a café from Byron bay dropped out of the sky and settled into Stones Corner. Dreadlocked Baristas, mismatched chairs and benches, and a really laid back atmosphere. The menu is amazingly varied, and not your expected faire. With breakfast tacos sitting alongside Spiced Pumpkin & ricotta pancakes with peach fairy floss. Good coffees and really lovely wait staff. The space isn't heated, so it can get chilly, but there's granny blankets available, all pretty funky. Your table 'number' is a person from history, or hilariously, a ridiculous internet meme. "Cappuccino for Grumpy Cat" We'll be back, probably to try the sliders at lunch.

    Afternoon watching the sunset with a jug of pimms is surely the best way to enjoy shady palms!
    Tish J.

    Great atmosphere and excellent bar staff! I love their cocktail jugs, a great way to relax on a Sunday afternoon with a group of friends. The outdoor area is beautiful in the afternoons with the usual live music they have going. Super friendly for larger groups too. I'm Yet to try out their food though!

    Filthy fries

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    6 years ago

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    13 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Great atmosphere. Yummy desserts and nice selection of unusual drinks. Will definitely be going back.

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    13 years ago

    Love this place! Super chilled out space with great food. Very easy to spend a few more hours than planned at the Shady Palms.

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    Review Highlights - Shady Palms Cafe

    Food is fantastic and a great place to chill, very relaxing lounge area set up with outdoor area.

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    Juan More Taco

    Juan More Taco

    4.6(5 reviews)
    4.3 kmCBD
    $

    Looking for authentic Mexican food? You need to track these guys down…read more Serving up soft tacos - four different types. Do opt for the queso (cheese, handmade!) Tacos are $6 each, or grab two for $10. Trust me, you can't just have one... they might have other 'especials' so look at what the board says. My husband and I shared two tacos between us (I know, I said you can't have just one... I still mean it), and an agua fresca. He had the Beef Juan/Beef Barbacoa, and I had the Tacos de Calabacitas/Veggie taco. Oh my goodness, the veggie taco was NOM-nom! It takes a lot to impress me with vegetarian Mexican stuff, but these guys were genius having those roasted peptides in the mix -- it gave it the whooop! Out front of the ordering/pick up window is a shelf of bottled hot sauces. Yes they have Tabasco, but please, please, don't pick that up. Try the Cholula, ok? Seriously, give them a go...

    Love it, love it, love it! If you're hesitating, DONT. I'm from California and I am used to the…read moretaco truck-style of tacos (which is amazing by the way). Since moving here I've been searching for a place that makes legit tacos. I am so happy that I found this place, and they have amazing prices (for Australia that is, I'm still getting used to the difference). AND they have Horchata, which is a delicious cinnamon rice water, and Jacaima, which is super refreshing. I ordered the Beef Juan, which originally came with pico de gallo and salsa verde, but substituted that for white onion, cilantro, and salsa roja (my favorite). The best part is that they even include a lime! You really can't have too much lime. After eating one taco I went for another. Can't wait to eat here again! I really really recommend this place. Best tacos around.

    Photos
    Juan More Taco - Delicious Beef Juan with an Horchata.

    Delicious Beef Juan with an Horchata.

    Juan More Taco - The Veggie Taco, with an overdose of the homemade chilli sauce (warning: it's HOT!)

    The Veggie Taco, with an overdose of the homemade chilli sauce (warning: it's HOT!)

    Juan More Taco

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    Cactus Republic - Coronas of course!!

    Cactus Republic

    3.0(29 reviews)
    3.4 kmSouth Brisbane
    $$

    2011 was Mexican year. With the influx of mexican…read morerestaurants that have propped up over the year I was at first skeptical of Cactus republic (Yawn. another place where I have to spend $15 on rice and beans?) BUT wandering over one boozy friday night I was won over by this little casa. It's simple mexican fair but done pretty well, My burrito came promptly and was warm , delicioso and very filling. The veggie burrito and corn chips also received two happy thumbs up. The highlight of the night was discovering the $5 sangrias. After a happy hour here me (and the sangrias) were ready to hit the town. If you're hangry (hungry and angry about it.) at southbank I recommend you try out Cactus Republic, It will have you saying MUCHAS GRACIAS in no time!

    My mantra is "I live to eat", not the other way round, so I am a general fan of food full stop…read more However, I was bitterly disappointed after visiting Cactus Republic post-beachside siesta. After a tough day soaking up the rays, it's easy to burn up a fierce appetite, and knowing that burritos are a sure-fire stomach-filler, this was where we headed. Myself and my two amigos opted for lamb, chicken and chilli chicken burritos, washed down with a typical margarita and Corona. There's a large selection of fillings - including refried bean paste, black beans, meat choice and spice level. Initially a tad put-off with the somewhat impatient staff whilst we were deciding (there were only two other customers in the restaurant at this time), we were pleased to see our meals appear quickly. Chowing into the burritos, we all caught one another's eyes and silently acknowledged what each of us were thinking - the burritos were luke-warm, bordering on cool. Maybe these three amigos are a tad fussy, but generally we expect freshly cooked food to be warm, at least. Even the substantial amount of chilli didn't mask the chill of the burrito. With it's prime location near South Bank beach, it is sure to entice a lot of customers. It could have been a one-off for us, so don't be afraid to check it out. But you have been forewarned.

    Photos
    Cactus Republic - Quesadillas!!

    Quesadillas!!

    Cactus Republic - Outside.

    Outside.

    Cactus Republic - Chicken soft shell taco

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    Chicken soft shell taco

    Los Villanos - Not ideal lighting to show you this tasty lunch. Mushroom, avocado and lettuce burrito. Enough zing to warm your mouth.

    Los Villanos

    2.3(16 reviews)
    5.1 kmCBD
    $$

    For Brisbaneites familiar with The Barracks, you'll notice that Cabiria has had a little facelift…read moreand transformed into a homage to the Mexican passions of tacos and tequila. It's bringing a seductive bar to the area with a menu to match. When I recently took myself on a date to the movies, I detoured to Los Villanos for lunch pre-movie. Outdoor seating has a fiesta vibe to it all with brightly coloured bunting and cactus decorations, but sitting at the bar is the real treat. Dark and brooding like their namesake, the red bulbs light up Day of the Dead knick knacks, tequila and I sat waiting half expecting Nachos Libre to storm into the bar. From the bar you get a direct view into the kitchen and appreciate what they're serving given the small prep area they're working with. The menu while large (taking up an A3 page) is a bar menu. It's not destined to leave you feeling like you've consumed a 10-course degustation. There's snacks, tostadas, tacos, quesadillas, burritos and tortas. For good measure there's dessert and a few sides as well. So sure, you could make a feast of ordering multiples of a few menu items, but at heart it's a few easy bites to pair with a drink. I ordered the mushroom burrito which in retrospect is the perfect size to have you walking away feeling just satisfied and not sick with regret. There's just enough kick to it to leave your mouth a little buzzed. I'm sure there's a bottle of hot sauce not too far away for those who prefer a real spice zing. I do regret not being a middle-of-the-day drinker and trying one of their cocktails or range of tequilas. Another time. This is as traditional Mexican as I've had in Brisbane (compared to similar Californian Mexican feasts) and a fresh offering for the area.

    I'm going to use the "O" word... Ordinary! There I said it. While the fit out is super cool and…read morefun, the food didn't live up to expectations which was pretty disappointing. We shared the Tostada platter and the ancient grain salad with pomegranate. The tostadas were fried and crispy which was great but the toppings unfortunately were bland. Surprisingly the mushroom tostada was the only topping out of the three ordered that had any flavour, both the chicken and the pork were so bland and uninspiring that I cried in the inside. Serving sizes were generous though, but ain't nobody wants a huge pile of bland meat. The salad was ok but nothing the write home about. The big plus of this place was the selection for vegetarians. I'd probably come here for drinks as the bar fitout was really well done, but alas I wouldn't recommend for food.

    Photos
    Los Villanos - Next to French Twist, there's a New Mexican in town

    Next to French Twist, there's a New Mexican in town

    Los Villanos - Menu

    Menu

    Los Villanos - This will give you an idea of the taco size. Still it was yummy.

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    This will give you an idea of the taco size. Still it was yummy.

    Guzman y Gomez

    Guzman y Gomez

    3.7(11 reviews)
    4.0 kmCBD
    $

    Used to be good but has lost its dedication to customer service. Long drive thru waits and poor…read morefood quality. Also refuse to refund ruined orders. Most recently ordered tacos, nachos and chicken bowl (+guac and extra chicken). Got neither paid for extra ingredients, no guac or cheese on the nachos making it inedible, and the tacos had minimal filling as well. Whole meal was awful. Requested a refund and was only given $20 in "Gomex rewards" and was told that "aligned with the guidelines and standards of Guzman y Gomez". Dont eat here.

    I'm an A-grade virgin (if there is such a thing!) when it comes to Mexican food. Thinking about it…read morenow remembering my trip to Guzman Y Gomez, I have to work on rectifying that actually. Before Guzman Y Gomez, the only Mexican that I have ever had (and I am literally kicking myself while writing this!) is Taco Truck, which is actually quite awesome... Anyway, as soon as I walked past Guzman Y Gomez, my mind was made up. I had to have lunch there. I was sort of excited about it actually. So we walked in a queued and all of a sudden it came to me - Hang on.. Mexican Food is spicy, right? Oh oh.. Kevin and Spicy DO NOT mix!.. Turn around and walk away mate.. before it's too late.. Non non.. I want Mexican.. I'm gonna be ok! So I got to the line and was greeted with a warm Hola by the waitress.. Awesome.. I went for the Chicken Guerrero Burrito (You promise it's not spicy yeah?!), which got to me pretty quickly and it was brilliant! - Love it! Love it! Love it! I also had a mandarin Jarrito - I don't know but I just thought it felt Mexican... I had to return and try the Barramundi Burrito before I left Brissie and so I did.. Ay, Caramba!!! Loved it again.. & of course I had another Jarrito because.. well you know why..

    Photos
    Guzman y Gomez
    Guzman y Gomez
    Guzman y Gomez - Spicy Chicken Burrito Bowl with brown rice & guac added

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    Spicy Chicken Burrito Bowl with brown rice & guac added

    Shady Palms Cafe - bars - Updated July 2026

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