Sydney's Newest Cafe Will Be Nestled in a Church Crypt

Sydney's seen new cafes open in the strangest of places, from an old rollerskating rink to a century-old pharmacy. But this newcomer has to be one of the most unique — it's opening in the historic crypt of St James Church.

Sitting on Macquarie Street in the CBD, Jardin St James will be snuggled within the crypt of the Anglican parish church, starting out as a coffee cart next month, then opening as a permanent space and garden in time for Christmas. The newest project from restaurateur Bill Drakopoulos (Ripples, Aqua Dining and LuMi), the Parisian-style cafe will work within the existing Georgian architecture — created by convict architect Francis Greenway and consecrated in 1824.

Here's the church back in about 1890 on Macquarie Street:

"It's the oldest working church in the country," Drakopoulos told Good Food. "If I can get in good with God, a piece of fish and a loaf of bread will go a long way."

Very much like the Heavenly Rest Stop hidden away in a side chapel of New York City's Episcopal Church, the cafe will be open to the public as well as churchgoers.

Via Good Food.

Jardin St James will open at St James Church, corner of St James Road and Macquarie Street, Sydney. The cafe will open as a coffee cart in September, then open its permanent space before December.

Images: St James Church, Powerhouse Museum Collection.