Red Hook on Park, Sydney CBD

Allpress Espresso coffee. 60 Park St, Sydney (opposite Starbucks). It might be considered brave to set up a cafe across the road from the first Starbucks in Sydney, but this place doesn’t seem worried. Modern design with lots of straight lines and a repetitive dance beat, and an interior colour palette that it mostly black …

Art of Coffee, Dulwich Hill

Whole bean coffee (roasted in Petersham). 370 New Canterbury Rd, Dulwich Hill. A new apprarance in a suburb unfamiliar to me, this place has a relaxed interior feel: a range of furniture that would fit in a baby boomer’s first home. Grey interior walls, art for sale. Coffee – the decaf isn’t being delivered until …

Charlotte Cafe, Birchgrove

Campos Coffee. 127 Rowntree St, Birchgrove. Don’t be fooled by the car parked out the front: this is a charming little space inside, and a good spot for people watching. Order and pay at the counter your choice of options from the blackboard menu. On this visit, I try out the breakfast bruschetta: a sourdough …

Bar Piazza Waterside, Rhodes

Espresso di Manfredi Coffee. Shop K6, Rhodes Shopping Centre (1 Rider Boulevarde, Rhodes). You wouldn’t necessarily even spot this place out of the rest of the food court, but here you will find consistently good coffee: the best in the shopping centre at least. Staff are friendly and efficient, and you have the option of …

Lattecino deli express, Concord West

Espresso di Manfredi coffee. 21a Victoria Ave, Concord West. Restaurant-level service is provided – better than you would expect in a cafe. As such, the prices are a little higher than you might hope: while you can get a takeaway wrap for $6, if you eat in, the price goes up to $8. The lunch …