It seems Pearl Café was onto a good thing with its 'what's old is new again' stance on cuisine. As a notable draw card for Woollongabba's antique precinct, the European styled bistro is a hit with locals and the word is quickly spreading.

Owned by former Gunshop Café manager Daniel Lewis, Pearl Café is bursting at the seams with genuine old world charm. From the Cherry Sarsaparilla with home made cherry syrup to the vintage mirrors and antique light fittings, Pearl is a throwback to days when food was highly valued and eating out was a glamorous excursion.

As much as it is a flawless exercise in retro design, there are distinguished modern additions that have helped the café become a trendy eatery. Placed on the art-deco styled counter top you'll find opulent freshly made cakes resting on vintage cake stands next to an enviable coffee machine which scents the room perfectly.

The food at Pearl Café is decadent, hearty and by no means suitable for those on a diet. On the agenda for breakfast you can find duck eggs and bacon, and at lunch the Ploughman's Board with leg ham, salami, aged cheddar, home made pickles and fresh mustard is pretty hard to resist. Menus do change regularly though. The service can be a little hit and miss – particularly during the busy weekend breakfast sittings – and parking can also be a nightmare. On the plus side however is the restaurant's BYO option.

Pearl's strengths lie within the details. From the old fashioned paper straw served with the ice-cream filled butterscotch milkshake to the canister of oil, vintage silver teapot of milk and wooden salt and paper shakers (which match the bentwood chairs and polished floors) found on the tables, Pearl Café is a class act.