Gun Shop Cafe

PROFILED BY DE GROOTS MEDIA
A gun shop in its previous life, the Gun Shop now serves shots of espresso to a loyal following of “peace-loving, urban hippies.” A rustic shop-house, painted rather appropriately in gunmetal grey, it still has an old Wild West End feel with crumbling brick walls and raw timber planks. But there’s no jaded country and western pianist crooning to beer-swilling crowds here, rather, the sound system pumps with world music beats and staff dance smartly between the narrow bar and kitchen to the dining area and streetside tables.

Well-loved for its brunches, dishes like the potato fetta hash cakes with spinach, grilled tomato and herbed sour cream, and French toast with blackberries, raspberries, mascarpone and granola make this one of the top breakfast menus in town. Get in early or be prepared to queue for a table; Gun Shop don’t take bookings before 1pm. Later in the day casual but generous meals take the stage. Crispy-skinned fish with speck, roasted kipflers, broccolini, asparagus and olive butter, and the lamb burger with haloumi, babaganoush, tomato, fresh greens, tzatziki and hand cut chips, look great and are full of fresh flavours. There’s also an extensive and eclectic tapas menu with snacks including pizzas, oysters and Asian-style salads.