Chill Cafe, Newtown

Walking to the park this morning was like being on holiday – temperature well on its way to 30 plus, tropical humidity, and the smell of Moreton bay figs and bacon and eggs wafting through the air like an island resort’s breakfast buffet. I wanted nothing more than to be sitting down with an omelet and an OJ. Instead, I […]

Buddha Bowl, Newtown

Vibrant and welcoming, Buddha Bowl really brightens up the shady-looking intersection of Enmore Rd and Station St, where Newtown has pretty much ended but Enmore hasn’t quite kicked into gear yet. The interior decor is rustic but sleek with warm lighting and lots of indoor plants. The plants are tidy and tasteful (you’d be surprised how often I see them […]

Either Or, Newtown

I approached this place with a degree of optimism because it looked and sounded good. I was instantly impressed as I stepped inside and soaked up the minimal industrial decor, all polished concrete, steel and glass. Marring this sleek minimalism was a very prominent and unnecessary sandwich board: “For takeaway, please order from the right hand side of the counter” […]

Ferah, Newtown

While Ferah claims to be both a cafe and restaurant, it’s primarily a Turkish restaurant specialising in sit-down, banquet-style dining with gorgeous ambience and beautiful presentation. I felt a bit awkward walking into a restaurant to order a takeaway coffee, but the girl who served me and made my coffee was absolutely lovely – good service makes such a difference. […]

The Front Room, Newtown

I’m just gonna come right out and say it: Allpress Espresso is the worst. If you use Allpress Espresso beans, for goodness’ sake don’t advertise it! That was Front Room’s first mistake. The barista actually did a really good job, leaving me a bit conflicted over whether or not to consider it an average 0, but no, it still had […]

Flour Drum, Newtown

Flour Drum’s Christmas bakery treats, which I was there purchasing, are absolutely phenomenal. I’d been there once before, at Easter, when they had little baby bunnies in a hutch out the back. You could hold them, so I took the kids for a fun outing. The courtyard and garden is eclectically styled and very cool. Today, the coffee was perfectly […]

Corelli’s, Newtown

I have fond memories of Corelli’s from my uni days. I remember hearty salads full of protein, big trays of house-baked pastries and giant muffins, juicy with berries. Cheap prices, large portions. The food was good, but it was a bit homely, like the kind of fare I’d serve the family on a weekend, and homestyle food that appeals to […]

Bourke Street Bakery, Newtown

Having recently concluded my tour of North King St with Cafe Newtown, today I started the southbound journey – the side of King St with which I am far less familiar. And so, I approached the fork in the road excitedly wondering what the first cafe would be. My face fell: it was a Bourke Street Bakery on the entrance […]

Cafe Newtown

First, I’ve just gotta say that this is hands-down by-far the cheapest coffee and banana bread combo I’ve ever seen: $6. It’s 2023. I couldn’t get coffee and BB this cheap 15 years ago. I don’t know how they do it – not only must they have cheap suppliers, they must have incredibly good deals with cheap suppliers. None of […]

Hoochie Mama, Newtown

I used to come here fairly often when my kiddo was in primary school, but they’d always be closing up if we tried to grab a post-school shake. This morning, the service was the second worst I’d ever received. I was waiting at the counter trying to make eye contact for at least an awkward minute while various staff members […]