Pawpaw Café in Brisvegas

Pawpaw Café – Where Brunch Goes to Bali and Back

If your ideal Sunday starts with something a little exotic, a lot photogenic, and absolutely bursting with flavour, then get those brunch-loving boots over to Woolloongabba because Pawpaw Café is serving up one of BrisVegas’s most vibrant and downright delicious dining experiences. This isn’t just your average bacon-and-eggs affair — it’s a whirlwind of Asian fusion, tropical flair, and full-blown flavour explosions that’ll have your tastebuds planning a second date before the plates are cleared.

Located on the bustling Stanley Street East strip, Pawpaw is a brunch mecca, a foodie hotspot, and a guaranteed good time all rolled into one avocado-smeared, sriracha-drizzled package. Yes, there’s a queue on weekends — but trust us, it’s absolutely worth the wait.

The Vibe: Tropi-cool Meets Inner-City Chic

Walking into Pawpaw Café feels a bit like stumbling onto the set of a very tasteful jungle-themed photo shoot. Think lush greenery, Balinese rattan chairs, tropical wallpaper and neon signage telling you, quite rightly, to “Eat. Drink. Repeat.” The vibe is laid-back luxe — the kind of place where activewear feels acceptable, but so does your best linen brunch set.

The café’s large, open-plan layout makes it perfect for catch-ups, Insta snaps, and casual celeb-spotting (well, Brisbane celebrities, anyway — you know, someone who was on The Bachelor once).

The Coffee: Strong, Smooth and a Little Bit Sexy

Before you even think about the menu, order yourself a coffee — Pawpaw partners with locally loved Bear Bones Coffee Roasters, and the result is a brew that’s bold, smooth, and strong enough to cure a late-night karaoke session at The Shafston.

They do the classics well — silky flat whites, punchy espressos, and luscious lattes — but if you’re feeling adventurous, try their Iced Coconut Latte or the dirty chai. Oh, and their matcha game is strong too. Matcha lovers: rejoice.

The Menu: Fusion Fantasia

Pawpaw doesn’t just blur the lines between breakfast and lunch — it takes a sledgehammer to them. The menu is a high-energy marriage of South-East Asian spice and Aussie brunch favourites, and it works. Like, really works.

Here are some of the headliners:

Smashed Avo with a Twist

Of course they’ve got smashed avo — but this one comes with beetroot hummus, whipped feta, dukkah, and perfectly poached eggs on sourdough. It’s like your classic avo toast went on a yoga retreat in Ubud and came back enlightened.

Karaage Chicken Waffles

Sweet meets savoury in the most delicious way possible. Juicy Japanese fried chicken sits atop crispy golden waffles, drizzled in maple syrup and crowned with a soft poached egg. It’s wrong in all the right ways — and yes, you will need a nap afterwards.

Thai Green Curry Omelette

You read that right. A green curry inside an omelette. Somehow it works — packed with chicken, Asian greens, and herbs, all tucked into an eggy hug, topped with coconut cream and crispy shallots. This one’s not for the faint of palate, but it’s a knockout for spice lovers.

Pulled Pork Benedict

Why settle for ham when you can have juicy, slow-cooked pulled pork with gochujang hollandaise and crispy shallots? Served on sourdough with perfect eggs, it’s spicy, savoury, and a bit cheeky — just like BrisVegas herself.

Vegan Brekkie Bowl

Healthier than your ex’s rebound relationship, this bowl of goodness is brimming with quinoa, avocado, kale, grilled haloumi, roasted pumpkin and a coconut yoghurt tahini drizzle that’ll make you forget bacon ever existed. Almost.

Dessert-for-Breakfast Lovers, Unite

If you believe life’s too short to skip sweets, Pawpaw’s got you covered. Their Coconut Pancakes are a thing of brunch legend — fluffy, thick, served with grilled banana, coconut ice cream, and a passionfruit syrup that could wake the dead. Not into pancakes? Try the Acai Bowl topped with tropical fruit and house-made granola. Either way, your camera eats first.

The Drinks: Colourful and Crave-Worthy

Beyond the bean, Pawpaw’s drinks menu is a rainbow of refreshment. Their house-made smoothies are packed with superfoods and sass — the “Tropical Thunder” with mango, banana, pineapple and coconut milk is basically a beach holiday in a glass. They’ve also got kombucha, cold-pressed juices, and cheeky mocktails (the “Sunshine Spritz” with citrus and mint is pure joy).

The Service: Snappy, Friendly and Always On Point

Despite the weekend crowds and high-energy vibe, the staff at Pawpaw are absolute pros. You’ll get seated with a smile, served with banter, and leave with your brunch needs thoroughly satisfied. Special dietary requests? No drama. Want to split the bill seven ways? They won’t even blink.

The Final Sip: Pawpaw’s the Real BrisVegas Brunch MVP

Brisbane has no shortage of trendy brunch spots, but Pawpaw Café is in a league of its own. It’s playful, punchy, and has more personality than a New Farm dog park on a Sunday morning. Whether you’re there for the flavour, the fun, or the chance to Insta your way to influencer status, Pawpaw delivers — every single time.

Pawpaw Café

898 Stanley St E, Woolloongabba QLD 4102

Phone: (07) 3891 5100

Website: pawpawcafe.com.au

Open: 7 days, 7am–3pm (and yes, they do dinner on selected nights too — check the site)

BrisVegas Rule #47: Always say yes to chicken and waffles. Especially when Pawpaw makes them.