(Beware how to make dbl mac in this review. Some what ranty)…read more.. Wandering down a somewhat unkempt street across from the Epping Coles I noticed a stairway going up to a wooden platform that almost hides a cafe behind it. Honestly, I love the effort that has gone into the design of this place. Somehow you get transported to somewhere peaceful and relaxing (I especially loved and quickly grabbed one of the comfy chairs near the door). The coffee they use here is Campos, so they have a few extra brownie points to start with, and while they were able to extract a fairly good crema, it was ruined with too much milk. This is certainly not uncommon, unfortunately, and likely only an issue for people like me who drink macchiatos. After my second milky dbl of the day, I am feeling a little like a broken record I think justification is in order. For me, a dbl mac is one of the harder coffees to make well. Most people fail immediatly by over espressing the coffee to stretch a single into a dbl rather than making two singles. All this does is stress the bean making the consistency more watery and the flavour more bitter. Then coffee crema comes down to alot of things. The pressure in the machine, the temp of the cup and portafilter and how tight the coffee was packed. Also harder if you use to singles as the first shot might burn the second. Finally the milk. I think when people hear double, they think "large" but it is incorrect. The milk (a dot of froth and teaspoon of milk) performs an essential function of stopping the coffee crema from burning. If you can not see a dark espresso colour at the bottom you've added too much. So why order the hardest coffee to make from unsuspecting cafes? Other than being a bastard, when someone gets it right it is fantastic. It is also a great way to measure the skills of who ever is making the coffee. Anyone can make a cap or latte, as most issues are covered up by the milk. The great thing though is that if they can make a dbl mac well, their caps and lattes will be amazing. Cafe Summary ------------------------ Passion for Coffee - 7/10 Coffee beans - Campos Crema (1=burnt, 10=velvet) - 7/10 Special coffees avail? - N/A Special Features ------------------------ Toilets

Grabbed a couple breakfasts this morning, The deck out the front seems never to have enough tables…read morefor the size of the deck which is shame as inside is very noisy. We thought we were reasonably lucky when got a seat on the porch area but to our surprise another couple sat at a table behind us that was really close and only really enough for one person as there wasn't any room for the second person. This was a bit unusual. The food was reasonable except a little greasy from the bacon and hash brown looked like had seen better days (so we didn't eat them). The coffee was well made and still Campos so it had plenty of flavour.

Rosso Espresso wraps itself around the corner of Elizabeth and Devonshire Street and what it lacks…read morein size it makes up for in personality. The courtyard spills that spills out onto Devonshire Street is a great place for people watching (Surry Hills always guarantees an interesting crowd!). The guys that run Rosso Espresso can't be missed in their trademark red and white check shirts and are super friendly. The Morgan's Espresso Coffee is excellent and the Wraps are a fresh, delicious lunch option (try the Chicken and Haloumi $9). In winter they also do homemade soups with flatbread which are really nice but a bit on the small side.

Excellent coffee! You don't need to ask for a double shot as their small coffee is perfect with…read morevery luxurious chocolate sprinkles. The four of us had iced coffee and this was very good too. The BLAT and HCTL were delicious Right next to a play area in a shopping centre so a little noisy but if you have littlies in tow it is perfect too.

I still mourn the day I moved away from The Point Deli…read more It used to be my local. A couple of times a week (ok, often more) I'd trundle down for one of their sumptuous sandwiches. Mostly I couldn't go past ham, avocado and salad on rye, and mostly I couldn't finish more than half. Those were happy times. Now I simply have to make a point of going back to the Point! After some time overseas I was delighted to note the shop's simple makeover (love the stripy cushions outside), but more thrillingly, my eyes went straight to the blackboard declaring Allpress coffee! Squee! I didn't think The Point Deli could get any better. Aside from the happy couple of tables outside, there are a few stools by windows and a large table to pull up a pew. But if you're coming for a lunchtime sandwich, you'll have to fight the hoards of hungry workers who all make similar pilgrimages to the point each day. Instead, I'd recommend taking your sandwich and your coffee and following your nose down the hill to Blues Point Reserve. Your deli feast will taste even better with that multi-million dollar view.

You know, I've always wanted to feel like a grown-up. This deli, more than the sandwiches, more…read morethan the salads, more than the baked goods and house-made banana bread, more than the coffee, more than the view just a short walk down the road, does that. There is a certain adult-like coolness about the space - which is painted white and cut into two parts (one room for eating and the adjoining one for ordering) - and the people - who are both alone and coupled and of much varied age. It is all very civilized and indeed, picturesque (the latter extends to the people who, here and there, look like they came straight out of a portrait picture, at least those regularly found in frames laid out for sale in department stores. This holds true particularly on my last visit, where one grandfather and his young grandson were sitting together for a meal). But you don't go to a deli for the crowd. The food here is sensational. On my last visit on a Sunday morning I had their breakfast egg roll sans the cheese and ham while, as per my request, was given a few extra things to add to the pot. As that suggests, the staff here are always very courteous about following through on your creative creations to the last dot when it comes to sandwiches - even if they're already pre-prepared. You always want to be around people who are willing to get their hands dirty. The chicken schnitzel sandwiches here are wildly popular based on my cursory observations while waiting for and then eating my breakfast roll.

Cafe Shenkin came on my radar when I researched too hot chocolates to try in Sydney according to an…read morearticle on Concrete Playground. Unlike prey Cafe Shenkin isn't a moving target so knowing exactly where it's going to be makes the catching of it a lot easier. So time to catch my target. Most of the cafes around Newtown are thriving and this one is no different. Still packed with people on a Sunday afternoon one hour before close. I didn't want to get distracted by anything else in there but that became difficult because they have got amazing deserts on offer like Pistachio bite, wagon wheels and numerous amazing looking pastry dishes. I decided to stick to my guns this time and go in to complete my mission. I told the barista I was ordering the hot chocolate and instantly he was excited when he found out I was a Shenkin Virgin. He explained it was going to be amazing. I was offered the option of either regular hot chocolate or a Coconut flavoured one. Not generally being a lover of bounty chocolate I decided to play it safe. Unfortunately there was little room available in the cafe so I had to opt for takeaway. It didn't take very long at all to come out. First sip and I was feeling liquid warm chocolate in my mouth. It was simply Devine and brought me straight to chocolate heaven. It was served hot, creamy and rich but not overly heavy. These guys are totally justified being on the list of great hot chocolates in Sydney.

Great little cafe in Newtown, corner location always helps to people watch, as you sip your coffee…read more Coffee was ok, not the best blend in my opinion, but then again I am spoiled with my favourite brand. Service was good, the Almond Croissant was a bit dry (too long in warmer) and very crisp on the bottom. All in all a good place to people watch the eclectic residents of Newtown walk on by.

This place is tucked in the food court in the passage between castlereagh and Pitt streets. It…read moredoesn't look promising at first glance but it is a great place to pick up a quick breakfast to take to work. They use excellent sour dough for toast and the coffee is really good. They also make good sandwiches with generous and fresh fillings. The staff are really friendly too.

Awesome little cafe on Alison road. Read some good reviews and was meeting some friends for lunch,…read moreone of which is Gluten Intolerant and decided to come here as the menu had GF and Veggie Options. We met here on a Saturday afternoon and sat outside. The view isn't great as its just cars passing by but it was still a nice day out. I ordered a chai latte and it was yummy. My friends ordered the salmon benedict breakfast and the gluten free fields mushroom bruschetta - which was mushroom and cheese. I ordered the field mushroom eggs benedict. We all decided on the half portion sizes. The food came out within ten minutes and we were all pretty hungry by then. I cut into my mushroom and noticed that where there was supposed to be egg was cheese. I realized that they gave me the mushroom bruschetta instead so I told the waitress. She apologized and took it back. My friends had already started eating so I just had to wait another 6-7 minutes before getting the right order. When it came out my friends were also done but the egg was nicely poached and the hollandaise was creamy and delicious. The field mushrooms were nice and flavorful and the multigrain bread was also very tasty. Overall a very good, healthy and filling meal. Can't imagine how full we'd be if we had gotten the full portions! Definitely will come back. Good service, good food.

For a cafe this place is excellent. Food was fresh and delicious. My rating is overall. The food is…read more4 stars but the friendliness, coffee, and atmosphere (keeping in mind I have 2 kids 4 and 7) were an absolute hit. Back courtyard with toys was super kid friendly and made our day.

They have gluten free, paleo and vegan cakes…read more Wide variety of milk alternatives, almond, soy, macadamia and coconut. Coffee is well balanced and excellent....they also have vegan hot chocolate Breakfast menu is extensive with great options for protein shakes. The staff are efficient and friendly.

The only reason this café gets more than one star in my review, which by the way is based solely on…read morehaving one coffee, is because they gave me a tiny Teddy with my coffee. That being said the tiny Terry is also one of the reasons that I only give it two stars because much like the rest of the cafe itself, it is incredibly pedestrian. Speaking of pedestrian, the coffee is simply not good. And holy cats, it was so hot. Maybe they should think of using a temperature gauge in your milk jug. Essentially this place is a run-of-the-mill take away shop located in the prime restaurant area, I don't know how they have or will continue to stay open. Especially when it is right across from The Penny Royal and Fourth Village Providore. I mean seriously, the coffee taste like liquid cardboard with distinct hints of cherry and chocolate. But I don't care about cherry and chocolate whenever I'm eating cardboard. This is just bad.