Best Cafe and Brunch Spots in Woolloongabba

Brisbane’s inner-south gem, Woolloongabba, has rapidly become a mecca for coffee aficionados and brunch lovers alike. 

If you’re looking for something delicious that is also laid back, you’re in the right place. Just 3km from the CBD, Woolloongabba offers a local neighborhood vibe that brings together sports fans (thanks to the famous Gabba stadium) and foodies. 

If you’re coming off a big night out in Fortitude Valley or simply craving a lazy weekend brekkie, Woolloongabba serves up some of Brisbane’s trendiest and tastiest breakfast spots. 

Grab your mates, put Woolloongabba on your map, and prepare for a gourmet adventure down Logan Road and beyond.

Why Woolloongabba is a Go-To for Brunch Lovers

In the local Indigenous language, Woolloongabba means ‘meeting place’, and it sure has lived up to its name. Woolloongabba is now the place to be if you love food and fun. This inner-city suburb has the unique charm of being both a sports precinct and a foodie playground. 

By morning and weekend, those crowds spill into the streets hunting for the perfect breakfast. By night, it’s anchored by the iconic Gabba stadium (the home of Brisbane cricket and Aussie rules), drawing crowds in for matches and events. 

The precinct is also home to the new South/City/SQ – a hub of shops, bars and eateries – which keeps the energy buzzing well beyond game day. 

The gastro-spring of Woolloongabba began quietly, but now everyone’s talking: from the international students and young professionals who live nearby to tourists scouting an extravagant Woolloongabba breakfast. And it’s not just a few hole-in-the-wall joints – the area boasts a diverse lineup of styles, from cozy cosy coffee nooks to lively all-day bistros. 

This year-round appetite for brunch has transformed the neighbourhood. Local guides even proclaim that “Woolloongabba has become a breeding ground of top-notch cafes”. 

Top Cafes in Woolloongabba

Kick off your day in style at one of Woolloongabba’s best brunch cafes. These hand-picked favourites are perfect for everything from a big brekky feast to a light morning pick-me-up:

Brown Dog Cafe: Whimsy Meets Comfort

Alt: Small dog looks up at the camera perched on its owners side in a Woolloongabba cafe 

Credit: Canva Stock

Brown Dog Cafe is a cute, quirky hole-in-the-wall on bustling Logan Road that is instantly recognisable by its laid-back vibe and fun dog-themed decor. The walls are speckled with artwork straight out of Where the Wild Things Are, putting a smile on diners’ faces. Brown Dog Cafe is the place to unwind and watch the world go by. 

The menu is as playful as the setting – don’t miss the newest menu addition Meatballs on a Bagel, topped with rich rose sauce, creamy stracciatella. We’re drooling like a bulldog just thinking about it. 

Location: 54 Logan Rd, Woolloongabba
Open:
Monday to Friday: 6am - 3pm
Saturday: 6am - 2pm
Sunday: 7am - 1pm

Moose & Gibson: Puts the Pup in Puppuccino

Named after owner Malcolm Watts’s two beloved French mastiffs, Moose & Gibson is a dog-friendly gem. Watts (known locally for co-owning Campos Coffee) partnered with ex-Wallabies star Scott Higginbotham to create this inner-south hideaway. The vibe is warm and unpretentious, just like dining at an old mate’s place.

Coffee nerds will appreciate the Two Seasons beans pulled here, but it’s the all-day breakfast menu that really wows. Expect hearty comfort dishes like baked eggs with black pudding potato cakes, alongside lighter options such as a coconut-soaked quinoa bowl. 

By late morning, the famous Gibson Croque Monsieur (a sloppy, cheesy ham toastie) takes centre stage. Pour yourself a freshly squeezed juice or iced latte – they’ve even got tap beer and cider if you’re feeling cheeky after 10am. 

Location: 77 Jurgens Street, Woolloongabba
Open:
Monday to Friday: 6am - 2.30pm
Saturday to Sunday: 6.30am - 2pm

Pawpaw Cafe: Cult Favourite Breaky

Alt: Woman with an assortment of colourful breakfast dishes on her table in a Woolloongabba cafe

Credit: Canva Stock

For something a little different, head to Paw Paw Cafe – Woolloongabba’s South-East Asian–flavoured breakfast institution. 

The moment you walk in, you’ll notice the contemporary, tropical-chic decor: it’s like morning drinks at a Bali verandah. Pawpaw’s menu is impressively creative and ever-changing, reflecting the multicultural team behind the scenes. 

There’s also a long list of breakfast cocktails (hello, Bloody Mary) and a well-stocked wine selection for when brunch drifts into lunch. 

Here, it’s not uncommon to see Brisbane influencers and famished footy fans mingling at the long communal table. Pawpaw never disappoints – it’s the kind of place you’ll want to revisit again and again.

Location: 898 Stanley Street East, Woolloongabba
Open:
Wednesday to Saturday: 7am - 3pm, 5pm-9pm
Sunday to Tuesday: 7am - 3pm

Woolloongabba’s Best Coffee Shops for Your Morning Fix

Sometimes a simple caffeine hit is all you need to kickstart the day. Woolloongabba’s specialty coffee scene is just as lively as its brunch culture, with locals guaranteeing every cup is brewed to perfection. Here are three top spots for when you’d rather be late than without a latte. 

Shawty’s Espresso: Truly Locals Only

Shawty’s Espresso is the laid-back corner cafe you wish you had on every block. Opening early on weekdays only and serving great coffee well into the afternoon, Shawty’s feels like a friendly neighbourhood diner. 

Don’t be surprised if the crowd here is a mix of professionals on laptops, tradies grabbing a quick bacon-and-egg roll, and friendly regulars. The vibe is unpretentious – just cosy mismatched tables and big jugs of water – but the service is warm, often with a joke thrown in. 

In short, Shawty’s is the kind of coffee shop in Woolloongabba you’ll return to whenever you want a solid brew and a big smile to go with it.

Location: 26 Elliott Street, Woolloongabba
Open: Monday to Friday: 6am-2pm

Coffee Supreme: New Zealand Brewed, Brisbane Loved

Alt: Crema is turned into art at a coffee spot in Woolloongabba

Credit: Canva Stock

Coffee Supreme needs no introduction among Brisbane’s bean aficionados. This New Zealand–based roaster has set up a slick outpost on Gibbon Street, serving up single-origin specialties that rival any inner-city espresso bar. 

The minimalist industrial-café space here is flooded with natural light, perfect for chilling with an almond milk flat white made from their top-shelf house blend. 

Coffee Supreme is a home run when you want exceptional coffee served in style.

Location: 21 Balaclava Street, Woolloongabba
Open: Monday to Friday: 7:30am-3pm

Mr Alpaca Coffee and Whatever: Quirky By Name, Delicious By Nature

Mr Alpaca Coffee and Whatever (sometimes just called “Mr. Alpaca”) lives up to its quirky name with a menu as fun as it is delicious. One of the earliest open cafes in Woolloongabba daily, the staff here greet everyone by name, and even dogs are welcome to join at a sidewalk table. 

On the drinks side, the coffee is consistently good (the house blend is smooth and nutty), and they’re serious about the brew. In fact, Mr Alpaca boasts one of the best coffees in Brisbane according to happy visitors.

Food-wise, Mr Alpaca offers all the classics plus some unexpected twists. For the adventurous, they rotate special items like a fusion kimchi shakshuka or gochujang Benedict that locals rave about. Dietary needs are no problem here either, with several gluten-free and vegan options on offer. 

Location: 130 Logan Road, Woolloongabba
Open:
Monday to Friday: 5:45am-2pm
Saturday to Sunday: 7am-1pm

Grounds for a Great Stay at Rambla

Alt: Rooftop pool at Rambla South City SQ overlooks Woolloongabba’s skyline

After a full day (or three) of brunching and cafe-hopping, you’ll need a comfy place to crash – and Woolloongabba has that covered too. 

Right in the action is Rambla South/City/SQ – a modern short-stay apartment complex that feels like a home away from home.

At Rambla, you’ve got yourself a spacious suite with a full kitchen (for whipping up midnight snacks), high-speed WiFi (for Instagramming your meals), and a rooftop pool to relax sore calves. The building even connects directly into the South/City/SQ precinct – so your morning coffee can literally be an elevator ride away.

Book now and wake up (literally) in the heart of Woolloongabba’s brunch paradise.