Anouk Cafe

Located on Paddington's Given Terrace is a lovely little cafe bubbling with charm. Anouk is one of the stand-out brunch spots along this busy strip and for very good reason.

On the weekend this hotspot is brimming with diners eager to start their Saturday or Sunday in culinary style. There is a seating area outside, yet this was fully occupied during our visit and the inside was nearing capacity as well. The interior provided a lovely backdrop to a lazy weekend brunch, as it is decked out with lots of healthy plants and stylish pendant lights. One side of the cafe is lined with large mirrors, opening up the space, while the other is lined with blackboards filled with delicious meal options. While the space feels right at home in trendy Paddington, it also manages to feel cosy and approachable with its wooden floors and furniture.

After perusing the menu for quite some time, we settled on the breakfast arancini made from quinoa, goat's cheese and herbs with tzatziki drizzle and lemon ($16.50). While this is a great choice for a vego, the addition of a side of bacon ($4.50) would get any omnivore drooling. The arancini balls were a tasty and light option, and their outside casing was sufficiently crunchy while the inside quinoa-based filling was smooth and tasty. They were served with a fresh and simple salad.

For drinks, try one of the fruit shakes, the perfect pick-me-up when you're not feeling all that perky. The mango, strawberry and pineapple shake ($7) was super refreshing, as was the lychee, lime and mint ($7). For those wanting a heartier brekkie option, we recommend the One Pan Fry with chorizo, potato, spinach, a fried egg, chutney and toast ($17).

Along with a knockout breakfast, the trip to Anouk was made extra special by the staff. All interactions were positive and involved plenty of smiles and even a couple of jokes. The heavy work load they were experiencing did not decrease their customer service at all. But that is no surprise, as it takes more than just a good breakfast to entice flocks of people from their bed on a Sunday morning.