Sole espresso, Newtown

Single origin coffee. 13/330 King St, Newtown (near the train station). A range of different furniture options: gives a comfortable feel, like a lounge room away from home. Very pleasant, well made decaf latte: the milk looks thin coming out of the jug, but the texture is fine. And they have a decaf grinder! Well …

Earlwood Luncheonette, Earlwood

Stazione espresso coffee. 2/1 Clarke St, Earlwood. Not a suburb I know well, but a quick scout around reveals this place selling a brand I’m unfamiliar with, and that clinches it for me. Undistracte by the man filling an ashtray while reading his paper, and the group of middle-aged ladies enjoying their breakfast, I head …

Caffetini, Ultimo

Grinders Giancarlo coffee. 73-75 MacArthur St, Ultimo. Searching for cafes near the Powerhouse museum, I’ve noticed this place a number of times – its most striking aesthetic point, visible even from the street, is its gold feature wall. It gives what is otherwise a normal fit-out a sense of occasion and style. Between the indoor …

Workshop espresso, Sydney CBD

Workshop coffee / Toby’s Estate decaf. Shop RG01A, the Galeries Victoria, 500 George St, Sydney. Not much bigger than a hole in the wall, opposite the town hall side entrance to the QVB, there are two espresso machines and three grinders, and a kitchen out the back. Somehow they have crammed in a bench and …

Le Pain Quotidien, Bondi Junction

Neoma organic coffee. Level 4, Oxford St bridge Bondi junction Westfield. Despite the somewhat painful antics of the well-to-do patrons ahead of me in the queue, the wait is bearable. Seating for around 40, including communal tables on either side, is provided overlooking Oxford St, and there are wine and cheese tastings every thursday at …

Luxe Bakery, Newtown

Single Origin coffee. 191 Missenden Rd, Newtown. Some skylights have been cut in the non-street-facing roof of this place. With the high ceilings, there’s a great sense of space. A big chalkboard in one corner tells the story of the high-ish prices – they’re clearly not after the student market. If anything, there’s a sense …