Bay Ten Espresso

Overview

Not many cafes can claim their barista station once played a starring role in a record-breaking drug bust. At Bay Ten Espresso, a recycled shipping container with a dubious past takes centre stage inside a soaring, century-old warehouse that once engineered steel for the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Add ten-metre-high ceilings, textured walls and the hum of trains above, and it might just be one of the city's most atmospheric spots to grab a coffee.

But since opening in 2014, Bay Ten has become a North Shore staple for more than just its colourful history — there's some serious coffee on offer, with the team pouring White Horse Coffee's flagship White Knight blend. Originally envisioned as an espresso cart for the rapidly growing North Sydney area, Bay Ten has always put coffee front and centre.

The food menu is straightforward, with breakfast classics in the morning giving way to protein bowls at lunch. The focus is on simple plates done well, designed to suit everyone from cyclists rolling in for a pitstop to locals enjoying a leisurely brunch in an airy, sun-washed setting. There's also a tight little booze list if your visit calls for something stronger than coffee.

With its layered history, raw warehouse cool and consistently excellent brews, Bay Ten Espresso has carved out a loyal following, merging Sydney history with modern hospitality in a way that's hard to forget.