Gwangalli brunch café that packs leftovers: Working Holiday Minrak

It had been a while since I hung out with my close 'sisters,' and we headed to a spot in Minrak-dong, Busan that's been all over Gwangalli café recommendation lists and social media lately — Working Holiday Minrak. The wide-open view of Gwangan Bridge was stunning, and the food and drinks were even better than I expected, so it turned into such a satisfying outing. It's a great date spot too, and since the space is spacious, it's also perfect for group gatherings, family meals, or family dinners out. Here's my honest review!

Where is Working Holiday Minrak, and how does parking work?

Working Holiday Minrak is on the 7th floor of the Badamaru building on Minrak-subyeon-ro (Minrak-dong) in Suyeong-gu, Busan. It has a direct view of Gwangan Bridge, offers 1 hour of parking per ₩10,000 spent, and also does takeaway.

The wide-open Gwangan Bridge view and the mood inside

The first thing that made me go 'wow' as soon as I walked into Working Holiday Minrak was, without question, that gorgeous view. The spot lines up perfectly with Gwangan Bridge, so just zoning out and looking at the sea and the bridge through the floor-to-ceiling windows was healing in itself.

The interior has this exotic, warm, Australia-esque vibe overall, which made me think it's a perfect pick for anyone looking for a brunch café with real atmosphere. There were plenty of people enjoying a leisurely solo coffee, and quite a few foreign customers too, so it almost felt like I was traveling abroad.

Wood-fired pizza and clam oil pasta: what the food was like

There was so much that looked delicious that we went ahead and ordered greedily, plenty of everything!

• Wood-fired pizza: the dough was really chewy with a gentle smoky aroma — a work of art. The combo of soft cheese and ham was excellent, and I got it immediately why this place is known as a top pizza spot in Gwangalli.
• Clam oil pasta: clean but with deep clam flavor running through it. Paired with fresh arugula and a squeeze of lemon, it had rich savory notes filling your mouth without any greasiness.
• Sandwiches, fish and chips, and soup: the freshly baked, crispy bread packed with fresh ingredients, the warm rich soup, and the crispy fish and chips — every single one was clean-tasting and delicious.

Round two of dessert without leaving Working Holiday Minrak

We liked the atmosphere at Working Holiday Minrak so much that day that we didn't even move to another café — we handled our meal and dessert all in one place!

• Round one (lunch): we sat at a bright, well-lit table near the counter and had a satisfying meal of pizza and pasta.
• Round two (dessert/tea time): after eating, we told a staff member and moved to a different-feeling table further inside, where we had iced coffee, Sanghamokjang ice cream, and warm tea for dessert time.

Usually it's kind of a hassle to go find another café after a meal, but being able to handle round two just by switching tables in the same space was so, so convenient and relaxing. With the cool latte, rich affogato, and soft ice cream, the dessert menu was flawless too — this place is every bit as much a Gwangalli dessert spot as it is a brunch café.

Honest notes on leftovers to go, parking and the restroom

• Kind takeaway service: we got greedy and ordered too much, so we had leftovers — when I asked a staff member to pack them up, they did it so willingly and kindly. All the staff were so friendly that I felt good the entire meal.
• Generous parking support: you get 1 hour of parking per ₩10,000 spent! Since we ordered everything we wanted, the bill came out pretty high, but thanks to that we were able to comfortably cover parking for both of our cars. Anyone driving here can relax without worrying about parking.
• Restroom: the in-store restroom is a bit on the small side, which was a slight downside. But between the pretty interior, the Gwangan Bridge view, and the great food and service, it was more than satisfying overall.

Final verdict: would I go back to Working Holiday Minrak?

Delicious food, a wide-open view, and friendly service — Working Holiday Minrak in Minrak-dong nailed all three! This time I came with friends and had a great time, but I enjoyed it so much that I already want to come back next time with my husband and kid. If you're looking for a Gwangalli café recommendation where you can heal while looking at a pretty view, or want to try great brunch and pizza, I highly recommend this place!