First, I just want to bag out all the pretentious Newtonians who say that Black Star Pastry has sold out, is too commercial now and doesn’t belong in Newtown. Shut up. Only great things ever get the chance to sell out. What they do, they do amazingly, and have done it consistently in their many locations (which is more than […]
Black Star Pastry, Newtown
Beantown, Newtown
Back during the coffee boom, this gorgeous little corner location was fitted out with intimate little booths and served boutique coffee and baked goods under the name Vargabar. I knew it had gone, but I was hopeful that perhaps something of the past had been preserved. The cute little booths are still there, so it’s a nice place to sit, […]
Barmuda, Newtown
I’ve had the wrong impression about this place for years. Sleek, black and always kinda closed-looking, Barmuda looked to me like an overpriced posh brunch place, and not necessarily the kind of place you’d stop by with a pram for a takeaway coffee and BB. Nope! Once you cross that ‘closed off’ threshold, it opens up into a warm, rustic-style […]
Workshop, Sydney
There was a time when Workshop was the place to get your morning brew, and not just because of its “in the dead centre of the CBD” location. They were known for their premium coffee, with award-winning baristas serving up some of the best coffees in Sydney. Those days are long gone. How long it’s been exactly, I don’t know, […]
212 Blu (Cafe Loggerhead), Newtown ⭐
Waiting outside the familiar cafe at 212 Australia St, my eyes absent-mindedly wandered over the white-lettered logo in the window: 212 Blu presents Cafe Loggerhead… what? How long has it been Cafe Loggerhead without me noticing? 212 Blu has been one of my local faves for years and since they’ve always stocked Loggerhead beans, I’m guessing this is just a […]
Ameru, Newtown
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, […]
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 […]