Central cafe and bar, haymarket

Dimattina coffee. Shop 2, 18 Lee St, Sydney. With a high ceiling, (split level in places), this licenced place offers live jazz music on Friday nights. In the evenings, it’s a bar, but in the mornings, there’s an elaborate (if pricey) breakfast menu. Service is variable, but largely depends on staff levels and how busy …

St Moritz chocolate lounge, cafe bar darling harbour

Campos coffee. Shop 109/2 Darling Drive, Habourside Shopping Centre. This is an upmarket place – a large decaf latte and some vegemite toast goes for $9.50 – but the quality is certainly there. If you’re looking for a place in Darling Harbour to escape the filter coffee that so often goes with conferences, then this …

Bourke Street Bakery, Alexandria

Aroma coffee. 474 Gardeners Rd, Alexandria. Trendy looking bakery – there’s one in Surry Hills that I’ve been to (but not reviewed, it seems) and it seems a couple of others. Their work is of a really high standard, too. Desserts: – flourless chocolate cake, lemon meringue tart, chocolate mousse and raspberry tart. There’s seating …

Store Espresso, Camperdown

Euroblend coffee. 17 Fowler St, Camperdown. Old general store, converted into a beautiful cafe space. Light timber touches. Fresh flowers on the table. Soft music piped in, and a lovely display of product on the shelves. It’s the little touches that make a difference – the wallpaper has real character. Mains around $10, biscotti around …