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Three Monkeys West End | South Brisbane

Filed under: Restaurants & Cafes, Reviews — 26 April, 2006 @ 3:51 pm

I wrote a review of Three Monkeys a long time ago in my old blog. I have been going there on and off since then, food has gotten more expensive, the staff have changed and the service, well, it’s actually a lot better now.

THREE MONKEY’S COFFEE & TEA HOUSE

58 Mollison St South Brisbane 4101
(07) 3844 6045

Located in central West End, three monkeys has been a central icon of the west end scene for a good 20 years. Although back then, West End was a different story. From what I hear, the Jazzy cat (next to three monkeys) is owned by the same family of people that own the three monkeys. Makes.. limited sense if you ask me. I mean expansion is good, but not when you’re next to your old shop?

Three Monkeys West End BrisbaneSo what’s so great about the three monkeys? Why are you reading this? Are you meant to be going there tonight? Browsing through reviews trying to find a good place to take a date? Or just curious? For a start, in order to get there, I would recommend driving into west end, public transport in Brisbane is about as useful as a condom vending machine in the Vatican, then again.. okay I won’t go there. So drive in and park at Coles car park which is right behind the Three Monkeys. Three monkeys is right around the corner from the Commonwealth bank and that weird smoke machine thing they have hanging in the air (what is the deal with that anyway?). When you come out of the car park, I would recommend going up the stairs through the little shopping centre, if you can’t and you have to come around the main entrance of the car park, you might face…. the west end homeless. A force to be reckoned with, they will call you brother to begin with and swear at you by the end if you don’t part with your money. Could be a little daunting if you are scared of smelly scary homeless people with an accent worse than vanilla ice. Ignoring them usually works pretty well. Putting $50 notes in your wallet in front of them doesn’t work as well.

As you walk around the corner from the commonwealth bank and take a turn to your right (if your coming from the other side, its across the street from the gunshop cafe) you will notice this little entrance and pretty much no signage what so ever. I am amazed as to how little advertising and marketing this place does, or more so, needs, because it really doesn’t seem to need any advertising. It’s usually pretty busy, you’ll be hard pressed finding a seat on a Friday or Saturday night without having to walk in and out a few times. Bookings are a good idea for weekends if you got more than 3 people and don’t want to risk it. Sitting outside is my recommendation, inside can get a little too stuffy, and the Persian carpets hanging on the wall since the 80s can get just a little too smelly and dusty for my liking. Why you would have them hanging on a wall is a whole new question - people that hang carpets on the wall always fascinate me, it’s a carpet, it goes on the floor, that’s the point! You don’t put paintings on the floor do you? I guess, it’s that whole “Whoa it’s a Persian carpet” idea, but given I come from the land of Persian carpets (Iran), people there would generally laugh at carpets hanging on the wall.

Three Monkeys is not table service. Thank god. There are very few cafes in Brisbane that have good table service, Coffee Club is not one of them and Three Monkeys would definitely not be one of them either. So you have to order when you come in, thankfully the line is usually (I say usually with caution) not that long. It all depends on the staff; it is rather frustrating finally getting to the counter to order only to have to wait for the waitress to make the coffee for the last guy. Sometimes, they can really do with more staff. The food includes a great variety of Cakes, Sandwiches, Pizza and even nachos - the nachos are fantastic. Smoothies, Shakes and all kinds of stuff are available. Coffee and Tea of all sorts are available as well. Chai tea (Chai means Tea in Persian / Indian) is my recommendation, it looks more like a soup when they bring it out, but if you love tea, be sure to try it. Back in the day when Three Monkeys was my home every Friday night, getting a little case of food poisoning wasn’t that uncommon. Yeah you would think I would stop going back there once I had one bad case? Not so, it is such a nice place that even food poisoning doesn’t stop me. I blame it entirely on the resident Cat. I am actually always surprised that a Cat lives at Three Monkeys, most probably belongs to the owners, but I am sure there are some health rules that say “No animals in kitchen”, but it’s the three monkeys, and you tend to overlook things like that.

Three Monkeys West End BrisbaneOne thing I have noticed over the years with three monkeys, is that the quality of the food differs depending on the staff. Sometimes the shakes and coffee as fantastic, and sometimes, they are pretty ordinary. The service has never been the best at three monkeys, much like most cafes, the service runs on the idea that the staff are there because you are there to buy something, as oppose to the staff are there to sell you something that you might not have bought. Orders are taken on a piece of paper and sometimes, they do get mixed up majorly. Nonetheless, it has gotten better, with orders arriving quickly and correctly. The seats are also about as comfortable as watching a porno with your mum in the room. The seats on the inside are more comfortable but you miss out on the fresh air and the rare opportunity of seeing the cat running around outside. One of the greatest things about Three Monkeys is their massive collection of magazines and local papers that you can look through, from Scene to ads for special events, its a great way to find out what’s happening in Brisbane in the next few months. They are located behind the Cake stand.

All in all Three Monkeys is a place I would definitely recommend to anyone. One of Brisbane’s most famous cafes. Would I recommend it for a date? I guess it depends on you and your date. If you are more chilled out and would prefer to sit back in an easy going and eastern style sort of environment give it a go. It’s a great place to go during the week for a coffee to catch up with friends. Chess boards are also available and many patrons sit and play cards while they enjoy their food. Recommended.

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22 Comments »

  1. Yaro:

    I just need to defend the West End public transport - with the new city “BUZ” buses there is a bus in and out of West End into town every 15 minutes so public transport is an option.

    Heh, it’s funny Al, most of what you write really isn’t that positive yet it’s clear you recommend the place still. I think that sums up the power of monkeys pretty well. The food isn’t the best, the service isn’t the best, yet it’s first choice for many people for a coffee or a cake or snack.

    It’s two things - the atmosphere, which comes largely from how the place is decorated - including the hanging carpets! …and the people. People go to monkeys to see people. Lots of beautiful people go to monkeys. The real question is how did monkeys manage to establish itself in the first place way back when it didn’t have any reputation.

  2. alborz:

    I think that might have been due to the fact that its some guys house! He doesn’t have to pay rent, and as you said, it is very unique in the way it looks and feels.

  3. jordan-lee mooney:

    your resturant is so cool i love the food and the services is great.

    from jordan-lee in qld in jimboomba

  4. Nat:

    Hello there

    I would like to clarify a few things, firstly the Three Monkeys is owned by a Greek family who have now had it for 11 years, secondly they do not own the Jazzy Cat!!! Thirdly, guys I also work in hospitality it is impossible for any business to keep staff over a long period of time most are students and travellers! Oh and the carpets on the walls are only 3 years old that room hasn’t been there for that long it was originally a part of the outside before they built it into an actual room.

    Overall I have to say I love the place it rocks I don’t need 5 star service from the counter staff just someone polite so I can sit in a dark corner and enjoy my coffe/Chai/cold drink/tea etc. And I also have to say the most expensive thing is only $12.95, that in the grand scheme of things, along with wage rises and so forth it seems quite reasonable. So my vote is go the Three Monkeys you guys are awesome!!!

  5. jordan-lee Mooney:

    hello i am jordan-lee from brisbane in jimboomba i love your resturant it is really good. i love it.

    from jordan-lee mooney from jimboomba

  6. Maty:

    Three monkeys is awesome. The food is NOT expensive, the quality is very good and the atmosphere??? That’s the best bit. On some saturday nights, I have encountered a band sitting out the back, that plays middle eastern style music. The music was the perfect match for this cafe! I almost always visit monkeys after eating out at a restaurant…. even if the restaurant was on the other side of town! Highly recomended.

  7. el:

    I’d just like to say that chai actually means spiced tea in Indian. Therefore, when someone says “chai tea” they are actually saying “spiced tea tea”, which sounds stupid.
    Sorry, that is one of my pet hates, I’m not actually a particularly anal person.

    Oh, and The Three Monkeys is fabulous; I have been going there for nearly 15 years now and have never once been dissapointed.

  8. smileyjen:

    I love the three monkeys, it’s been a favourite for years. It’s even a place you can go to on your own and not feel out of place, even better if you go with friends.

    I love their smoothies!!!!

    So the service is relaxed, that’s what we go there for - to relax, they don’t hurry us, we shouldn’t hurry them, so chill, enjoy, relax!

    I haven’t been to any other cafe that lets you sit for so long without feeling you’ve worn out your welcome.

    Thank you 3 Monkeys!

  9. Andrew:

    I read your praise of the service at three monkeys with interest as very recently (Sat 26/05/2002), I had a very bad experience there. I go ther for coffe and meet friends and Sat was just one of those. My flat white arrived luke warm and the capucino was a 1/2 mug of froth. The young lass making the coffee asked how I had ordered and I said the normal way. I had expected the coffee to arrive at least about 70 to 90 degrees C. and the capucino at least almost full with a covering of froth. I was informed without apology that I should have ordered hot coffee. I wonder if anyone else experience the same. Please improve or be the laughing stock. unless you wish your coffee boiling you would not think to order hot coffe as I am sure most of us take it for granted that it would be served hot and when you pay for a cup of capucino at today’s prices, you expect a reasonable quantity.

  10. RIss:

    I LOVE THE THREE MONKEYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    IT IS PROBABLY THE BEST CAFE I HAVE EVER BEEN TO>>>>>>

    THEY SHOULD GET AN AWARD FOR BEING SO AWESOME!!!!!

  11. RIss:

    please ANDREW could you please not bag out the three monkeys as it holds alot of memories for most..im not sure but maybe if you were rude to them they would be rude to you too…..

  12. Andrew:

    An apology would have been great. The place is great but the staff should improve their attitude.

    Andrew

  13. aey:

    I just wanted to comment on your comment about carpets on walls being funny: Carpets (hand woven ones) ARE works of art, which is why people (where I come from, anyway) hang them on their walls; they also keep the house warm, especially in cold villages; so, nothing to laugh at, really. Very sensible, in fact. By the way, if paintings were warm and comfortable, they would sometimes go on the floor, too.

  14. Sarah:

    Heya everyone.
    Ill put it simply….
    The 3 Monkeys Rocks and whoever thinks that there carpet wall hangings or pet cat don’t belong …well- you suck!
    Thats the whole reason me and my friends go there! Its quirky ok? If you dont like it you can always have crap coffee at the coffee club! ( which we dont go 2)

  15. Beth:

    Hello,
    I’m not from Brisbane but out of all the Cafe’s I have visisted there, The Three Monkeys really stuck in my mind.
    I was completely enchanted by the atmosphere, the lovely exotic decoration,and the frinedly, cosy mood it had.
    There was even a charming little Gecko in the outside area! (I love Gecko’s)
    In fact, the Cafe gave me an idea for my year 12 major creative writing task. Thank you for a lovely time xoxo

  16. dan:

    What happened to Kylie, rob, kalie, Iain, and glen. It was the best when they worked there. the best service the best people. Sorry Jordan you are a dick head with a big mouth that does not know the truth when he sees it.

  17. strida:

    Is there still a korean waitress working there?

  18. Addie:

    Does anyone know who provides three monkeys with those glorious muffins that sit on the counter?
    The blueberry muffins are devine!

  19. Musso Wiki:

    Hey Dan cuzzy bro, Rob is still there, Glen still drops in regularly for a coffee with Jordan and Ralph, kali was awsome. Peace Idiot.

  20. Ebony Bowie:

    Ello there!
    I went to the Three Monkeys yesterday evening(and discovered this whole new place to me; West End) Lately I’ve been pretty *anti*climatic* after staying in Italy but this place gives me a newfound love of life, even in Brisbane :)
    I ordered the Chai, and oh dear god it’s huge. I tried to act “cool” and give off the “I’ve done this many times” look but I couldn’t figure out (at first) whether I was supposed to use the spoon to drink the tea like soup or pick up the bow and sip it.

    All in all, I love the atmosphere of the place and as I said, new found love :)

    P.s I think the rugs on the wall are nifty but “Why you would have them hanging on a wall is a whole new question - people that hang carpets on the wall always fascinate me, it’s a carpet, it goes on the floor, that’s the point! You don’t put paintings on the floor do you? I guess, it’s that whole “Whoa it’s a Persian carpet” idea, but given I come from the land of Persian carpets (Iran), people there would generally laugh at carpets hanging on the wall.”
    Priceless :P

  21. Emma:

    The Three Monkeys is fantastic. Great atmosphere, great service, great food, magnificant chai, great style, great music, great place for first date, great place to meet with friends, great way to relax, great way to really appreciate the talent and life in the place we live.

    First experience of the three monkeys: when i moved up in April one of my old friends who i hadn’t seen in a few years contacted me and invited me to meet a whole bunch of her friends at the Three Monkeys. It was the most confortable feeling and atmosphere i could of ever dreamed of. Everyone was so relaxed and now have an awesome group of friends because of it - and thats all thanks to the Three Monkeys :D.

    I am a Northside girl and have only been coming over to southside the past few months…..but with out a doubt, every weekend you will now find me at the Three Monkeys.

    I would recommend the Three monkeys to anyone…even the queen (if we ever hung out). I have friends and family who visit alot and i take them there every time…mostly on request by one of them. If you are ever on the awkward first date — take them to the Three Monkeys, it will definitly be a conversation starter.

    What ever your style or venue of choice may be — try the Three Monkeys — I garantee it will be in your top 3.

    Em :)

  22. craig brix:

    I’ve got a date there tomorrow…hope it’s a relaxed atmosphere. She’s hot!

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