Although it’s been there over a year now, I didn’t even know this place existed – I just happened to stumble across it on my way to Double Barrel and I was pleasantly surprised by its homely ‘hole-in-the-wall’ vibe, funky decor and friendly service. Ameru brings a little taste of Kenya to King St, supplying their own brand of authentic, […]
Ameru, Newtown
Beloli, Newtown
Wanting the closest possible coffee that wasn’t from Cordial, I walked the extra 20m to Beloli. Worth it. The friendly barista greeted me with a big smile and friendly chit chat. Who does that anymore? These guys. Given its proximity to RPAH, Beloli is clearly targeting the lunch rush of hospital workers (I’m pretty sure it’s literally the closest proper […]
Fleetwood Macchiato, Erskineville
Ha, love it! I immediately took a selfie with the sign out the front. FIeetwood Mac isn’t exactly on my way to the park, but if you go your own way, you might find the cafe of your dreams. I love little cafes set up in re-purposed heritage-style terraces – the little wooden doorway is up a stone step that […]
Sorrel Cafe & Bar, Broadway
For a cafe without a shopfront in the centre island of a shopping mall, Sorrel has a pretty amazing location. Sorrel floats in the middle of the top floor, with nothing but an arched glass ceiling and blue sky above. It’s also strangely quiet, suitably distanced from the majority of the hustle and bustle rushing about on the lower floors. […]
Shepherd’s Artisan Bakehouse, Broadway
Shepherd’s is surprisingly quaint, given its high-traffic shopping mall location. It’s more like a takeaway bakery with an espresso machine rather than a proper cafe, but Shepherd’s does what it does pretty well. They have a wide range of rustic-style baked stuff, and although pretty much everything must be baked off-site, the food still manages to carry a home-baked kind […]
Merchants of Ultimo, Broadway
Hands down, this is the best place to get your coffee and BB in Broadway. Merchants of Ultimo is a cute little indoor imitation piazza with a few different kids of authentic Italian fare available around a central seating area. The vendor at the front with all the crowd-attracting eye candy is a baker with a windowful of beautifully decorated […]
The Sip Inn, Erskineville
This place is very recognisable – you would’ve driven past it a thousand times and seen its huge, outdoor courtyard right in the middle of the Erko shopping stretch. A beautiful, shady spot to sit and soak in the ambience, for sure, but as I drew closer to the cafe, I noticed that the only people doing so were “elderly”. […]
Double Barrel Coffee & Foodhouse, Newtown
I had a fantastic breakfast experience here a couple of years ago. The menu was excellent and my brunch was so delicious I wanted to come back and try other menu items. But most of all, the guy running the place was really passionate about his coffee. I’m always impressed when a cafe has a dedicated coffee menu, and I […]
Brewtown, Newtown
I have a love/hate relationship with Brewtown Love: The gorgeous vintage-style decor and post-industrial converted warehouse location. The menu and its skilfully executed simple yet stylish fare. Its authenticity as a quality Newtown cafe, neither bought out nor sold out. Hate: The service – slow and careless with a terse air of arrogance. The last two times I dined in, […]
Picnic, Burwood Park
One day, I found myself in Burwood. I actually lived in Burwood for a little while, back in the day, and my go-to back then was the iconic, family-run ‘Cafe Bello’ in its high-exposure Westfield corner on Burwood Rd. It was there last time I checked, but now it’s a Starbucks. C’est la vie. There was no way I was […]