Taste of Europe, Surry Hills

Taste of Europe coffee. Shop 3, 441-449 Elizabeth St, Surry Hills. Concrete and glass are the main interior design elements, with wooden chairs and metal tables. To order food, step up to the counter at the back of the cafe – the front is for coffee orders only. A tempting range of pastries and European …

Cafe Nookie, Surry Hills

Caffe di Gabriel coffee, 268B Cleveland St, Surry Hills. A truly small space: just big enough for the machine, grinder, some shelves, and a sink for washing up. It’s noisy here: there’s almost constant traffic, but the available seating (two milkcrates with cushions) suggests that takeaway coffees are the more popular option. Coffee is good: …

Sideways Deli Cafe, Dulwich Hill

Di Lorenzo coffee. 37 Constitution Rd, Dulwich Hill. Located literally on a roundabout, this place has a busy "neighbourhood hub" feel to it. There are families, prams and babies, most age ranges are represented. The menu, though certainly not the cheapest in Sydney is great food, really generously portioned: it’s worth a visit just for …

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 …