What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Lower East Cafe
Review
About
Lower East began its journey back in 2010 establishing a reputation for warm and welcoming service, exceptional coffee, and creative dishes. Open seven days, our talented and innovative kitchen crew create our seasonal menus with a focus on locally sourced fresh produce, bountiful flavour, and healthy options. We proudly serve Single O including rotating single origins.
Features
CUISINES
Cafe, Contemporary, Healthy, Australian
Meal types
Breakfast, Lunch, Brunch
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
FEATURES
Accepts Credit Cards
Dog Friendly
Free Wifi
Gift Cards Available
Highchairs Available
Mastercard
Non-smoking restaurants
Outdoor Seating
Seating
Table Service
Takeout
Visa
Is this restaurant good for local cuisine?
Save this restaurant
Hours
Closed now
• Opens at 8:00 AM
Sunday
8:00 am - 12:00 pm
Monday
7:00 am - 2:00 pm
Tuesday
7:00 am - 2:00 pm
Wednesday
7:00 am - 2:00 pm
Thursday
7:00 am - 2:00 pm
Friday
7:00 am - 2:00 pm
Saturday
7:30 am - 2:00 pm
Contribute
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
4.6
162 reviews
Excellent
116
Very good
37
Average
4
Poor
4
Terrible
1
twoshare
Sydney21 contributions
Sept 2024 • couples
If you're in Wollongong and looking for a top-notch spot for breakfast or lunch, Lower East Café should be at the top of your list. We loved it so much we went twice during our weekend break – starting with a Bacon and Egg Roll for an afternoon snack and returning for the epic Lower East Feast Breakfast on Sunday.
The food is fantastic, with high-quality ingredients and generous portions – big enough to share, though that might depend on how hungry you are! The staff are friendly and welcoming, with impressive memories for repeat customers.
Sadly, we ate the food before thinking about taking a photo.
A heads-up: it's a popular spot, so it can get quite busy, and you might have to wait for a table or takeaway. But trust me, it’s worth the wait. If you’re after a café that delivers on great food and atmosphere, this is definitely the place.
We’ll be back for sure!
Written 4 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jacqui H
15 contributions
Dec 2021 • couples
This is a great place that we went to for brunch. Our waitress had a bubbly personality and was very friendly. We were able to get gluten free options and the chilli eggs are the best... highly recomend them.
Loved the atmosphere, definately worth the drive down for brunch!
Written 4 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Travelbuddy010
Sydney132 contributions
Apr 2024 • couples
I can see why this cafe is rated number 1 on Trip Advisor. We visited based on its ranking and the experience didn’t disappoint.
I had the miso butter peas on toast and my husband had the eggs pacific. Both meals were delicious and fresh. Every dish coming out of the kitchen looked impressive. Generous servings with creative presentation.
The service was excellent. Friendly staff who were happy to make changes to the dishes. We didn’t wait long for the food either. My husband said his coffee was one of the best he’s had recently so coffee drinkers are in very safe hands here.
Highly recommend this place for its food, coffee and service. Seems to be a place popular with the locals too. Make sure you put it on your Wollongong itinerary.
Written 18 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Libby N
Grenfell18 contributions
Mar 2023 • family
The most yummy brunch I’ve had in ages. Had the East Feast.
Service a bit slow, we ended up going inside to find staff after about 20 mins after they seated us & said they’d be right back & never returned but it was super busy at the time. Food came out quickly once ordered.
Would definitely recommend.
Written 4 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Duncan W
Adelaide120 contributions
June 2022 • family
Ultra friendly service, attentive but not cloying.
The little things like home-made tomato relish with my scramblers, real butter with my toast and deep crema on my coffee are indications of a pride in what they produce. The prices are very reasonable too. Highly recommended!
Written 13 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AnnaDoug
Summer Hill34 contributions
Aug 2020 • couples
Saw reviews.. decided to try something different with the slow cooked brisket toastie..was absolutely sensational... huge serving but so good smashed it .. funky place nice staff. Hubby had scrambled eggs which was great as well....All COVID19 guidelines easily seen in place
Written 9 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
A Smith
Wollongong18 contributions
Sept 2020 • couples
Service was lovely, there was one girl on the floor by herself and she managed well and was really nice. They have recently changed their menu, and options have been reduced significantly. The Brioche fingers were amazing, unlike anything I had ever tried before but it was very well done. Beautiful tasty coffee
The pork burger was very disappointing. It was meant to have ranch and bbq sauce on it, and had neither, only some dill dressing that was so overpowering it felt like eating a straight mcdonald’s pickle. Chips were okay but the burger was not as described on the menu and very disheartening.
Would come again, but maybe burgers aren’t their forte
Written 29 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rowena Cruz
Sydney129 contributions
May 2020 • family
My family and I had a brunch today at this beautiful small cafe. We're all happy with the food.
We had egg & toast, avo toast, bird roll & egg benny. Their coffees are best too.
We've been to lots of cafes in wollongong area but this cute cafe serves the best menu so far.
You have to try this cafe and find out yourself. the food are superb & customer service os great.
Written 23 May 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tommy A
54 contributions
Jan 2020 • couples
Had breakfast here with my wife. Tables are cramped like one of those Seinfeld episodes where you can hear every word the person next to you is saying. Hell you can't get into your seat without the person next to you having your backside in their face. Food took forever to turn up. Had eggs with hash brown, mushrooms and toast. Had to get up and ask for a better knife as all I got was a butter knife. Couldn't cut my bread even with the steak knife. Turned out both slices were burnt underneath. Hash brown and mushrooms were layered in salt. Paid $22 from memory and left half of it on the plate. Have no idea why this place rated number 6 of all restaurants for breakfast in Wollongong. I hate maccas but they would have done a better job at a better price. Oh and don't expect to be able to have a conversation. This many people packed into such a small room makes for a lot of noise bouncing off the walls. Thought I was in a movie scene based in New York. My tip, go somewhere else. We were majorly disappointed.
Written 9 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jamie Harris
Redcliffe1560 contributions
Mar 2021 • solo
Breakfast at Lower East Cafe in downtown Wollongong. It's a funky little cafe and I chose to sit outside in the breeze as it was already quite warm. It was a bit nostalgic on lower Crown St where we used to do 'laps' as a 19 year old! Breakfast of eggs benedict with proper carved leg ham, gorgeous hollandaise sauce plus a side of mushrooms: Absolutely spectacular! Triple shot large long black coffee perfected breakfast. Highly recommended! Dog friendly outside as youcan see by the well behaved Chihuahuas.
Written 24 March 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jill G
Wollongong2 contributions
Jan 2020 • family
My husband and I try to make weekend visits to Lower East a regular occasion because we always have such a great experience there, and this weekend was no exception! Service is always friendly and warm, and the food is exceptional. We would go somewhere a bit closer to where we live, but it’s worth the drive for us to get here. Highly recommend the eggs Benedict!
Written 11 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nicolas MATERAC
Hurstville54 contributions
Mar 2022 • business
This place is amazing. The food is delicious (try the eggs with the special Middle East hot sauce), the service is fantastic and friendly, and the place looks great and is nicely decorated.
My kids say this:
“I love you babyccino! Banana bread was GOOD!! Scrambled eggs are amazing amazing amazing!!!! :)”
Written 7 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
hannah
1 contribution
Dec 2024 • couples
the best brunch so far in australia! we had flat whites which were really good, i ordered avacado on toast & it was great. my boyfriend ordered the lower east feast which he enjoyed & it was a feast. nice staff too!
Written 26 December 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michelle J
5 contributions
Mar 2023 • couples
We had a lovely breakfast. Everything was delicious and fresh. The coffee was great. My husband had the big breakfast and said everything was cooked to perfection. I had the pikelets and they were to die for. The service was excellent. We will definitely be coming back to this cafe next time we are in Wollongong
Written 25 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Donna H
Queensland30 contributions
June 2022 • couples
This place is a regular for us when we visit from Queensland. Every time without fail the staff have been SO welcoming, professional and really friendly. They go out of their way to accommodate what you need. You’re awesome guys and see you when we’re back.
Written 14 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Showing results 1-15 of 162
Best moderately priced restaurants
See all
Best nearby
We rank these hotels, restaurants, and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Best nearby hotels
See all 
Best nearby restaurants
See all 
Is This Your Listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim Your Free Listing