4am drive brunch in Gwangalli: poached egg avocado toast, Famous Benny

My husband and I headed off on a weekend trip to Busan and arrived in Gwangalli early in the morning. We'd gotten up at 4am to make the drive, so we were pretty hungry — and since we'd arrived at our destination so early anyway, I wanted to start the trip properly with a good brunch in a nice atmosphere rather than just grabbing something quick.

So the whole drive down, I searched hard for breakfast spots near Gwangalli, and I found 'Famous Benny Gwangalli Branch' — it opens early, and both the menu reviews and the atmosphere looked great!

Where to eat brunch in Gwangalli from 8am

Famous Benny Gwangalli Branch is a brunch café that opens daily at 8am. When you travel to Busan, it's common to start the day early like we did, but most Gwangalli cafés and brunch spots don't open until 10:30–11am, leaving not much to choose from. Famous Benny, on the other hand, is a place where you can properly kick off your trip from early morning — it opens as early as 8am every single day!

• 🕰️ Hours: Daily 08:00–18:00 (last order around 17:00)

Because it opens at 8am, it's ideal for travelers arriving in Busan early in the morning or anyone with an early-bird schedule.

Parking at Famous Benny Gwangalli Branch

One thing though!! There's no dedicated parking lot. Since the shop has no lot of its own, you'll need to use a nearby parking area.

• 🅿️ No on-site parking ❌
• Nearest public lot: Minnak C-Land Market public parking (2–3 min walk, relatively cheap parking fees)
• If full: nearby paid lots such as Taeyang Officetel private parking

Visiting during opening hours meant we got in before the weekend crowds really picked up, so we were seated without any wait! After eating in a quiet, peaceful atmosphere, the flow right into a stroll along Gwangalli Beach was excellent too.

What is the café like inside? A big second floor and easy layout

Famous Benny Gwangalli Branch is a standalone building, using both the 1st and 2nd floors generously!

Floor layout and how the food reaches your table

📍 You order at the 1st-floor counter, then head up to the 2nd floor to find a seat — staff bring your finished order straight to your 2nd-floor table. No need to carefully carry heavy trays and coffee up the stairs yourself, which was really convenient.

The wide, airy second floor

📍 Once you're up on the 2nd floor, the space feels much bigger than expected, with great ceiling height and openness. Tables are spaced generously apart, so you're not bothered by surrounding noise and can focus on conversation.

Natural light and a cozy mood

📍 Warm morning sunlight pours deep into the room through the large windows, and calm wood-toned furniture paired with tasteful plant styling makes for that particular mix of excitement and ease you get on a trip.

The outdoor terrace

📍 There's also an outdoor terrace. It has the feel of a little yard, which looked nice for people with kids too. On a nice day, the terrace is the best spot for brunch.

How good is the brunch? Egg in Hell, avocado toast, grilled mushroom toast

To fuel up properly for the trip, my husband and I ordered three of Famous Benny Gwangalli Branch's signature and popular dishes!

• 🥐 Ordered: Egg-in-hell, avocado toast (+poached egg), grilled mushroom toast 🥐

Egg in Hell (shakshuka)

✨ Without any artificial sharpness, the stew has a deep tomato tartness and umami, with savory cheese and soft-boiled egg melting smoothly into it. Piling the warm sauce and moist egg onto crisply toasted bread warmed up our bodies and stomachs, which had gotten a bit chilled from the early travel. Truly a dish anyone would enjoy. Sweet-salty-sour, everything comes together beautifully.

Avocado toast with an extra poached egg

✨ This is a place where 'food that looks good is also good to eat' really applies. Well-ripened, creamy, soft avocado is generously spread over crisp sourdough — a plate that fully lives up to the name avocado toast. Adding the poached egg is an absolute must!! It's already delicious plain, but the runny yolk seeping between the bread and avocado added incredible softness and richness. Thanks to the right seasoning and crushed pepper, it stayed light and refreshing to the last bite.

Grilled mushroom toast

✨ The mushrooms, seared over high heat to lock in their juices, have an appealing chewy texture and deep aroma. Above all, the truffle sauce flavor was so rich that I ate it up happily. The subtle notes of butter and herbs grew stronger with each bite, tying the whole flavor balance together beautifully.

Would we go back to Famous Benny Gwangalli Branch?

My return-visit intention for Famous Benny Gwangalli Branch is 100%. Honestly, if I lived in Busan, I think I'd go once a month!!!

• When you arrive in Busan early in the morning during a trip and want to properly start the day with a solid first meal
• On a weekend Saturday morning, when you want to enjoy brunch at ease without crowds or waiting
• When you want attentive service and well-crafted brunch dishes in a spacious, atmospheric 1st- and 2nd-floor space

With its reliable 8am opening time, thoughtful service, excellent food quality, and sun-drenched atmosphere all in one place, I'd recommend this without hesitation if you're considering an early-morning brunch in Gwangalli.