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 […]

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, […]

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 […]

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 […]

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, […]

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 […]

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 […]

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, […]

Cordial is the closest cafe to my house, and I never go there. There’s a reason for this. The friendly, family-style service is great, that’s not it. And it’s not the decent range of humble breakfast products on the menu – I like being able to get a toastie on thick, pillowy white bread rather than a sprouted rye every […]

First up, my local, my go-to, my good ol’ reliable, right-in-the-middle-of-everything purveyor of consistent coffee and BB *drumroll*… Shenkin Espresso Bar. Not to be confused with the original Shenkin on Erskineville Rd, and certainly not to be confused with the puzzling string of Shenkin Kitchens all over the place (of which Enmore, I think, is the only one left), Shenkin […]