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Townsville Hoi Polloi Coffee and Cake

Hoi Polloi Townsville with a side of Townsville Street Art

May 29, 2020 By Jan Robinson 20 Comments

This post may contain compensated links. We may earn a small percentage if you book through a compensated link, but it won’t cost you any more by doing so. You can read our full disclaimer here.


I am a sucker for ambience. Well who isn’t?  But it has to be the right kind of ambience and I like the brand that the Hoi Polloi Townsville Cafe dishes up.

What You Will Find in This Post

Where is Hoi Polloi Townsville?

You will find this hidden gem of a coffee shop in Denham Lane Townsville at the back entrance of Agora House (1910).

Agora House fronts Flinders Street East and backs on to Denham Lane.

Townsville Hoi Polloi Coffee and Cake

If you took our table and the ex-storage room it sits in at face value, you would say the ambience here was industrial.  But then your eye might be drawn to the back corner of this not large space, where it becomes more like your (eccentric) uncle’s library, with a collection of books of microscopes…

Townsville Hoi Polloi Library Corner

 

They were a bit under the pump when we arrived about 10.30 a.m. on Saturday and while I waited for our order to be taken my eyes wandered around the space.

Townsville Hoi Polloi Counter

 

Our industrial finished table was wobbly, but our goodies arrived just as we were about to jump ship, so we stayed put.

The next table looked interesting too.

Townsville Hoi Polloi Tables

 

After eating I took a hike upstairs and along the hallway, past the hairdressers and a gift shop, to check out the seating area on Flinders Street East.

Townsville Hoi Polloi Flinders Street East Seating area

 

As we drove by the Denham Lane entrance, Hoi Polloi was spilling over with a young Uni crowd, but by the time we were seated a mix of customers had accumulated. The vibe led by the staff was very friendly and relaxed.

Townsville Hoi Polloi Denham Lane End

 

Hoi Polloi Townsville Street Art

The urban wall murals outside are a mix of Melbourne’s HAHA and local Kennie Deaner, all of whom were commissioned by the TCC to add life to Denham Lane. Read this post all about Townsville Street Art, artists and works.

Townsville Street Art by HAHA

About Townsville Hoi Polloi Ha Ha Wall

Townsville Street Art by Kennie Deaner.

Townsville Kennie Deaner at Hoi Polloi

Meanwhile if you find a huge rat skulking on your vehicle – don’t freak – it is just a sugar glider painting by Belgian street artist ROA – also responsible for the Big Croc and Goanna.

Townsville Street Art by ROA

Townsville ROA Rat Painting

I love this addition to the Townsville Coffee Scene.  Check the Hoi Polloi Facebook page for opening times, especially during Covid 19 Restrictions.

Hoi Polloi Townsville Food

The cake range has recently been expanded and although I forgot to ask I didn’t see any sign of Gluten Free options.

In 2020 Hoi Polloi have added a great range of Vegan delights which is very appreciated after the closing of Eden Cafe, a stalwart of the Townsville Vegan scene.

Check the Hoi Polloi facebook page for daily food offerings. Their Scones look superb.

What is your favourite Townsville Coffee Shop? Is it surrounded by street art?

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Filed Under: DOG FRIENDLY CAFES, Street Art, Townsville

About Jan Robinson

Jan Robinson writes about travel on her Budget Travel Talk blog. A solo traveller in her teens, for the last 40 years Jan has travelled through Australia, Asia, Europe, Turkey and New Zealand with her husband. They specialise in road trips, caravanning and Independent travel without spending a fortune. Her favourite destination is Turkey and she is currently dreaming of Myanmar and Mexico.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kathy Marris

    October 12, 2015 at 11:36 am

    I love these types of quirky and trendy coffee shops that are popping up all over the place here on the Gold Coast too. They normally serve great organic coffees and healthy fare. My fave is Commune at Burleigh Heads just around the corner from where I live.

    Reply
    • Jan

      October 12, 2015 at 6:33 pm

      Commune is my favourite too remember (I claimed it in the post I did) fantastic.

      Reply
  2. Linda ~ Journey Jottings

    October 12, 2015 at 12:07 pm

    This is definitely right up my alley! Like you I love the combination of art and ambience, so add in all those quirky accoutrements to catch the eye while sipping on one’s drink of choice – perfection 🙂

    Reply
    • Jan

      October 12, 2015 at 6:33 pm

      I agree Linda. I can’t wait to go back!

      Reply
  3. Fairlie

    October 12, 2015 at 12:13 pm

    What a fabulous cafe and area! I would definitely have the American cheesecake…i’m a sucker for American cheesecake!

    Reply
    • Jan

      October 12, 2015 at 6:34 pm

      I don’t think I’ve ever had American Cheesecake before Alison!

      Reply
  4. Life Images by Jill

    October 12, 2015 at 12:27 pm

    I love the look of this place – with all the collection of bits and pieces. Looks like it suits all generations. Have a great week.

    Reply
    • Jan

      October 12, 2015 at 6:34 pm

      I was so happy when we weren’t the only Elders there lol.

      Reply
  5. Toni | 2 Aussie Travellers

    October 12, 2015 at 5:05 pm

    Looks great, I love somewhere that’s a little different. We’ll give it a try when we make it up that far. Oh and that is the cutest rat I’ve ever seen!

    Reply
    • Jan

      October 12, 2015 at 6:35 pm

      Make sure you let me know when you are coming Toni – I hope I will be here.

      Reply
  6. Pinky Poinker

    October 13, 2015 at 9:29 pm

    OMG! We drove past this little coffee shop last year before it opened and thought we were in a different dimension. It’s soooo Melbourne! We stopped and asked the guys there about it. We MUST get there asap!

    Reply
    • Jan

      October 13, 2015 at 10:05 pm

      Definitely – such a great space. I only found out about it a couple of months ago and procrastinated!

      Reply
  7. jo

    October 13, 2015 at 11:58 pm

    I also love quirky cafes, or retro joints with great ambience. Hoi Polloi would definitely be a go too cafe for us in Townsville.

    Reply
    • Jan

      October 14, 2015 at 9:23 am

      I’m on the trail hunting out good coffee in Townsville 🙂

      Reply
  8. Wanda

    October 16, 2015 at 11:49 pm

    I so enjoyed this post. The images that illustrate the post are absolutely ginormous and one can see so much detail. The street art is just fabulous. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
    • Jan

      October 17, 2015 at 9:46 am

      I’m glad you could see all the details Wanda – they were so captivating.

      Reply
  9. Kooky Chic

    October 22, 2015 at 12:36 pm

    Wow, would love to drink coffee there. We have great coffee down here but that place is one of a kind.

    Reply
    • Jan

      October 22, 2015 at 1:44 pm

      Where are you located Kooky Chic? I love a good coffee shop. 🙂

      Reply
  10. Muza-chan

    October 22, 2015 at 5:00 pm

    Delicious…

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Destination Townsville - 30 Experiences to Suit your Budget | Budget Travel Talk says:
    August 4, 2017 at 9:44 pm

    […] Hoi Polloi – Lot 2 Flinders Street, Townsville City – Hidden Cafe (Flinders Lane) – Street Art – Quirky – Friendly […]

    Reply

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