Overview
Besides being famous for The Gabba cricket ground, the chic underside of the inner-city suburb of Woolloongabba is well known to southsiders. Tucked away off Logan and Ipswich roads, five great breakfast spots could be argued as some of the best in Brisbane. Before you say otherwise, give them a try yourself. You won't be disappointed.
1. The Crosstown Eating House
Paying homage to its antique store origins, The Crosstown Eating House is a contemporary interpretation of a 1920s dining room. Amongst elegant art deco styling with a downtown cool feel, guests at the Crosstown can relive laidback Gatsby vibes with hearty meals such as potato and feta hash cakes with tomato jam, smashed peas, herb sour cream, poached eggs and rocket ($17.50). With decent helpings of simple food that tick all the boxes, try the spicy chorizo bake with kipfler potatoes, winter greens, a fried egg and toast ($17.50), or for something sweet the Canadian-style French toast with bacon and maple syrup or lemongrass poached pear, coconut ricotta and lime goes down a treat (both $16.90). If you can't make breakfast (or are busy dining at Woolloongabba's other fine breakfast establishments) the menu for both lunch and dinner won't disappoint. And the bar is open until late.
23 Logan Road, Woolloongabba
2. Pawpaw Cafe
Let's get this straight. Brunch at Pawpaw is not an eggs, baked beans and bacon affair. Its menu takes more adventurous cues, in part from its Balinese and Thai sister restaurant, Green Papaya. If you're lucky, the black pudding, scramble eggs, apple and jalapeno jam ($12.90) will feature on the ever-changing menu or specials board. Or try the baked eggs in a sofrito with chorizo and dukkah sprinkled on top ($14.95), or their legendary corn cakes with chipotle sour cream, avocado, tomato relish ($11.90).
Corner of Potts Street and Stanley Street, Woolloongabba
3. Brown Dog
Cheap, cheerful and super laidback, Brown Dog has nailed the combination of fantastic coffee, great service and simple yet delicious food. Pocketed away in the industrial sector, Brown Dog is a poorly kept secret with locals, and on most Saturdays cosy indoor seating and sun-soaked outdoor seating are equally popular. The all-day breakfast menu features the signature Dog's Breakfast ($13), including haloumi, grilled tomato, wilted spinach and avocado as well as more adventurous options like the breakfast burrito ($14) complete with house-made beans, wild rocket, avocado and a fried egg. Brown Dog has certainly cemented itself as a favourite among southsiders, with good reason.
54 Logan Rd, Woolloongabba
4. Pearl Cafe
It seems Pearl Cafe was onto a good thing with its 'what's old is new again' stance on cuisine. Owned by former Gunshop Cafe manager Daniel Lewis, Pearl is a throwback to days when food was highly valued and eating out was a glamorous excursion. The food at Pearl Cafe is decadent, filling and by no means suitable for those on a diet. With changing seasonal menus, new to breakfast this winter is the braised beef short ribs, rainbow chard, hash cake, and hen's egg, and the homemade lemon verbena crumpets, goat curd, mandarin and cardamom compote. And we hear their Sunday lunch roast is set to rival Grandma's.
28 Logan Rd, Woolloongabba
5. Foxy Bean
Once you step through the bright red door, Foxy's decor will convince you to take a seat. You'll need one; there is a lot going on. Taking inspiration from the suburbs' many Queenslander-style homes, the walls are an eclectic mishmash of colourful v-joint pine boards and pressed tin, and that's just the entrance. Further in, the Foxy Drop, a bar with painted murals, a wall of fake hanging vines and taxidermy animals will capture your imagination. Keep going through the rabbit warren (or should we say fox den) to discover an AstroTurfed courtyard with plenty of space. Foxy is known for classic breakfasts with a tasty twist; the eggs Benedict with savoury mince ($16.90) or the haloumi breakfast (large slices of haloumi, thyme-sauteed mushrooms, avocado, lemon, herb-roasted tomato and sourdough, $16.90) are popular hits. We've tested both and give them two thumbs up.
896 Stanley St East, Woolloongabba
By the Concrete Playground team.