District Eatery
Returning to where it all started, this brother-sister duo's new cafe elevates Aussie-inspired breakfast and lunch cuisine with the help of a former AALIA chef.
Overview
They say home is where the heart is — that might explain the location of Ben and Emily Calabro's latest venture. The brother-sister duo grew up in Gladesville on the Lower North Shore, giving their new neighbourhood cafe, District Eatery, a sentimental edge. Serving elevated takes on Aussie-inspired favourites from breakfast to lunch, enticing dishes and warm details tie this spot to the local community.
Now 14 years into their journey, the duo first established their reputation with the quality breakfast game at Pyrmont's Quick Brown Fox. Most recently, the Calabros turned their attention to Rosa, a nonna-approved pasta bar inspired by the Amalfi coastline. Now, the pair is ready to rival the city's top brunch spots with District Eatery.
"There's something very special about returning back to Gladesville and bringing a concept that we wished we had growing up. Every detail of District Eatery has been carefully considered to create a comfortable space for locals to enjoy and spend time together," says co-owner Ben Calabro.
Working closely with JSLJ Architecture, District Eatery's interiors balance the natural and industrial. Think floor-to-ceiling windows that invite loads of light, custom timber joinery and neutral ceramics set against a handmade concrete bar, along with terrazzo-speckled floors and high-gloss burgundy tiles. Bold but welcoming, quick takeaways or extended catch-ups are equally suited to the space.
As for the menu, there's a steady hand in charge. Head Chef Daniel Grey brings years of experience from working in renowned kitchens like AALIA and The Apollo, offering fresh takes on brekkie and brunch staples. The ultimate bacon and egg roll is served as a pressed croissant, with fontina and Kasundi ketchup. Meanwhile, the hotcakes are stacked with roasted rhubarb and strawberry almond crumble, finished with strawberry syrup and house-made vanilla bean ice cream.
Recalling the local community, the Calabros' connection to Gladesville isn't a tenuous one. The pair attended nearby schools and played soccer at Monash Park, just a short stroll from District Eatery's corner location. Plus, the duo's hospitality journey began a few streets away at their first coffee shop in Top Ryde City Shopping Centre. Says Ben: "To open this venue in our home suburb, for the community we grew up in, means the world to us."
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