The Gun Shop Cafe

Ph: 3844 2241; 53 Mollison St, WEST END 4101 www.thegunshopcafe.com

Modern Australian, $$, * for Food & Ambience
Open Breakfast Tue-Sun from 7am lunch Tue-Fri noon-2.30pm Sat 12.30-2.30pm dinner Tue-Sun 5.30pm-late; Licensed, BYO, Corkage $8 bottle; AE DC MC V EFT
Chef Jason Coolen (27-12-07) Owner Jason Coolen & Karen Crawford (27-12-07)

Mietta's Review
The outside of this one-time gun shop is painted an appropriate dark grey. Inside the white painted spaces are brightly lit so that its West End audience can adequately appreciate each other. The laid back attitude of the front of house conceals a very professional approach to running a cafe. Food is good, service spot on and prices, particularly for wine, are very reasonable. In 06 mains averaged $18.

Other published opinions

Brisbane Times Score: 14/20 "A midweek crowd settles in for a relaxed dinner, melting into the Gunshop's soulful twilight atmosphere of exposed brick, dark timber, cushioned bench seating and warm, dancing light"

Courier Mail food and wine guide Queensland 2008 Score: 14/20 "When it's all good and you're feelin' cruisy, amble along to arguably Brisbane's busiest cafe. The cheerful breakfast queues on weekends progress nicely, and even on weekdays right up to lunchtime there's an occasional conga line and busy-ness all about, the bustle augmented by bright music and clangs and bangs from a kitchen working to capacity"

Brisbane News 24-10-2007 Tony Harper, Score: Food 8, Wine 7, Service 6.5, Ambience 7 "I've opted instead for one or two dinners over the years, and I've enjoyed them immensely. And since it changed hands just a few months ago, I thought it time to revisit and see what changes - if any - had happened to the place. But perhaps two previous visits weren't enough. There may be changes aplenty, but they are too subtle for my questionable memory. To me, it seems like the same mix of laid-back West End chic, purposefully plain surrounds and a thoroughly enticing menu."

Brisbane News Dining Out Guide 2007 "Everybody's talking about the Gunshop's breakfasts, such as potato fetta hash cakes, spinach, grilled tomato and herbed sour cream"

Courier-Mail GoodLife Cafe Alison Cotes 13/12/05 score Food: 16 Service: 16 Ambience: 14 Value for money: 15 "The Gunshop is not the place for quiet reflection, unless the courtyard out the back is available. Inside it's dark, with wooden tables and old-time chairs, and can become crowded."

Courier-Mail Goodlife Restaurant Guide 2006 * "If you want breakfast at the weekends get in early, because they only accept bookings during the week. The Gunshop is a legend in its own lifetime, and it's here you'll find Brisbane's alternative movers and shakers, who are there as much for the great food as for the atmosphere"

Brisbane News Eating Out Guide 2006 "Fans of great breakfasts flock to this funky West End cafe. A no-booking policy means you may have to wait for a table, but it's worth it."

Courier-Mail Goodlife Restaurant Guide 05 "Breakfasts and brunches go off with a bang bere on weekends, and so popular are they the owners don't accept bookings on Saturday and Sunday. It's a case of show up, and wait until someone vacates a table. Nobody seems to mind too much"

Courier-Mail Goodlife Restaurant Guide 05 Best cafes "colourful, contemporary food, basic decor, brisk service and low prices"

Brisbane News Dining Out Guide 2004 "The crumbling, exposed-brick walls and funky wooden furniture add a real sense of style to this cafe, which is known for its amazing breakfasts."

Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Guide Australia 2004,'A.though best known for its breakfasts, The Gunshop is an extremely popular destination for lunch and dinner as well...The staff are dressed...but their attitude and attention leave no room for complaint. The food is very good, capably spanning the Asian and European classics...wine list is small but interesting'

Brisbane News 2002 Eating Out Guide