How Piazza D’Oro combines art with flavour

A partnership between a coffee roaster, a café, and an artist has created a story for all the senses – and a conversation starter for the customers of Laneway Bagels in Brisbane.

For the people of Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley, Laneway Bagels is more than just a café: it’s a vibrant hub where food, art, and community intersect. Nestled in a bustling shopping precinct, the hole-in-the-wall venue is on a mission to elevate the coffee and bagel experience.

The café has recently been splashed with fun and colour, thanks to a vibrant mural created in collaboration with coffee partner Piazza D’Oro that’s bringing new energy into the space. The transformation has been brought to life by Kiel Tillman, a local artist and Creative Director of Pennybridge Creative, as part of the coffee roaster’s art-focused project to inspire Australians as they pick up their morning coffee.

Now the venue, once known for its classic, New York-style bagels, has become a place where customers can find inspiration while savouring their morning coffee and bagel.

Dylan Counsel, who owned Laneway Bagels at the time the mural was created, says the atmosphere is inviting and infused with creativity and a sense of community. He says the artwork adds to ambience of the street, lined with trees and an array of boutique fashion and food outlets.

“There’s a sense of charm here that draws people in. The aesthetic of the street adds to the café’s appeal,” he says.

Now, Laneway Bagels is under the leadership of Lauren Shoebridge who says the café is a direct reflection of her values with the mural directly influencing her decision to take over the reins.

“Kiel’s mural perfectly reflects my happy, positive personality as it brings brightness and warmth to the café. I hope it makes customers feel uplifted and welcomed,” she says.

The mural is more than just decoration. It symbolises the partnership between Laneway Bagels and Piazza D’Oro, a long-time and trusted partner of the café.

According to Dylan, much of the success of the café can be attributed to the support of Piazza D’Oro. When first choosing a roaster, he says going with the Sydney-based brand was a no-brainer.

To meet the expectations of a discerning clientele, Dylan sought a variety of blends, and Piazza D’Oro delivered.

“First and foremost, we chose Piazza D’Oro for the quality of their coffee,” he says. “We selected their Mezzo and Dolce blends, and the flavour and quality have been remarkable.”

But it wasn’t just the coffee that captured Dylan’s attention – the tailored service provided by Piazza D’Oro was the cherry on top.

“Their representative, Emanuel, came in regularly to check on how we were doing and offered practical ideas for improvement. That kind of genuine service builds trust, which was essential for us,” says Dylan.

In the coffee business, consistency is key, and Dylan found that Piazza D’Oro excelled in this area as well.

“They provided us with top-notch equipment, from coffee machines to grinders. This made a huge difference in ensuring our coffee remains consistent,” he says.

Similarly, Lauren says Piazza D’Oro, has supported her ideas and aspirations for Laneway Bagels.

“Their encouragement has been especially valuable and has given me the confidence to grow the café into something special,” she says.

Perhaps one of the most distinctive aspects of the partnership is the roaster’s collaborative approach to marketing.

“The team didn’t stop at supplying us, they came to the table with a marketing strategy tailored for our café. They didn’t just complete a supply agreement and leave it up to us to figure the rest out. They genuinely wanted to help us grow,” says Dylan.

This collaboration has led to initiatives such as Kiel’s kaleidoscope artwork, which has transformed the café’s atmosphere for the better.

“We worked with Kiel, who brought the creative vision to life. The mural has completely changed the feel of the business and attracted more customers,” says Dylan.

The mural was designed to captivate customers and spark conversations beyond just coffee and food.

“We wanted to engage with local artists and bring some life to the space, something different from the usual café vibe,” says Dylan.

As customers walk in, their attention is immediately drawn to the ceiling, where Kiel’s work creeps down the walls.

“The colours catch their eye and then they look up to see the mural on the ceiling. It creates a talking point,” he says.

Kiel expertly blends inspiration with the brand’s personal story to create art that is refreshing yet true to the business’ core. And for this project, he was careful to combine Laneway Bagel’s character with Piazza D’Oro’s branding.

“I took inspiration from coffee, obviously. We included beans and created a flowy pattern that represents the pouring of coffee or milk. There are elements of latte art, too, and a mountainous effect that connects to Piazza D’Oro’s branding. We wanted it to be bright and attract attention, but not too detailed or busy,” says Kiel. 

As for the message behind the mural, Kiel says he wanted to brighten people’s day and make them thirsty for coffee.

“The idea was to create a beacon for this area, which can feel a bit dark and easily missed,” he says.

Now, Laneway Bagels is not lost on James Street but is a point of significance.

“It’s been a win-win for both sides,” says Dylan. “Piazza D’Oro gets to showcase their products in a prominent location and I get a partnership that genuinely supports my business.”

Dylan adds that in today’s competitive market, perhaps the most important title one can have is “social-media worthy”. He knows that a strong online presence is key for modern business success. Now, his café has become a favourite on social media where it is attracting attention and building a loyal customer base.

This atmosphere has become an integral part of the café’s story – something the staff are eager to share with customers and online followers.

“We want people to assume the coffee and food will be great, but we also want them to leave with a story about the café. The artwork and the staff’s personality are conversation starters,” says Dylan.

Overall, Dylan says Laneway Bagels’ story is an example of what can happen when the power of quality products and meaningful partnerships entwine. And it’s a reminder that the café experience is not just about what’s on the menu but the atmosphere, the story, and the community.

Laneway’s mural is soon to be one of many, as Piazza D’Oro commissions local artists across the country to inspire Australians as they pick up their morning coffee.

For now, Laneway Bagel’s mural and the partnership behind it will remain a cornerstone of the café’s identity, inviting all who pass by to step in, share a story, and enjoy the flavours of Brisbane. 

For more information, visit piazzadoro.com.au