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Overview
The best cafes in The Rocks aren’t the easiest to find. The area gains its mystique from its retention of 19th-century secretiveness, so the tastiest eats and cosiest spots are hidden among twisting cobbled laneways, narrow sandstone alleys and enigmatic heritage buildings. Luckily for you, we've been doing some exploring. Here are five cafes that’ll have you weaving in and out of The Rocks’ tucked-away spaces.
THE FINE FOOD STORE
If there's one cafe in The Rocks that the locals have frequented for over a decade, it's this one. The Fine Food Store serves up Sydney’s legendary Coffee Alchemy from its clandestine location on the corner of Mill and Kendall Lanes. Between caffeine fixes (which come however you want them, be that cold brewed or single origin), sort out your hunger with house-cured salmon bagels, chickpea and lamb stew, Golden Gaytime shakes (yes!) and plenty more. A recent revamp has given The Fine Food Store a clean, NYC West Village-esque feel.
Corner Mill & Kendall Lane, The Rocks Centre
LA RENAISSANCE PATISSERIE AND CAFE
Tell us there’s somewhere else in Sydney where you can indulge in a Mousse Picasso and we’ll eat our paintbrushes. Paris-trained dessert master Pierre Charkos began bringing sweet French excellence to Sydney in the 1970s, when he and his wife set up their humble shopfront in East Roseville. Two decades later, they moved to 47 Argyle Street, The Rocks. Carrying on the tradition, with Jean Michel Raynaud and Pierre’s widow Sally at the helm, La Renaissance is now producing a range of patisserie which will match anything you can find in Paris, from mouth-watering macarons and decadent chocolate desserts (try Zulu) to the traditional favourites like mille-feuille and almond croissants. There’s also a selection of savouries and coffee from The Little Marionette.
47 Argyle Street
MCA CAFE
The MCA Cafe comes with views you’d usually associate with much fancier, more expensive establishments. Pop up there anytime before or after your art fix; it’s open 10am–4pm daily for a coffee, a snack, a meal or a glass of wine and a chance to relax in front of uninterrupted views of the Opera House and Harbour. Choose from faster fare like a Reuben sandwich to substantial dishes like roasted salmon with green beans and roasted kipfler potatoes. Finish on a decadent banoffee pie with banana, cream, dulce de leche and shaved chocolate. MCA Cafe is fully licensed.
Level 4, Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, 140 George Street
LE PAIN QUOTIDIEN
Of the three Le Pain Quotidiens in Sydney, the one that calls The Rocks home is the most atmospheric. It’s housed in a beautifully historic 1880s-built sandstone building that once served as The Rocks' first police station. Original features, like the metal cell doors, the original cells themselves and window grilles, all remain. As with Le Pain Quotidiens everywhere, you can expect simple yet high-quality and nourishing dishes, featuring locally sourced produce and organic ingredients whenever possible. There's daily baked organic breads, freshly baked pastries, organic coffees and teas, and shared platters loaded with prosciutto, ricotta, shaved parmesan, olive spread and basil pesto. The signature communal table, made from recycled wood, makes sharing and socialising easy.
127 George Street
CREPERIE SUZETTE
Like La Renaissance, Creperie Suzette is responsible for diversifying The Rocks' cafe scene with some French influence. Its specialities are crepes and galettes. Sweet and savoury tastes are catered for, from La Trois Fromage (camembert, blue and tasty cheeses) to La Pekinoise (Peking duck, spring onion, mature cheddar and hoisin sauce) and La Grand Marnier (caramelised sugar, orange zest and Grand Marnier). And you're welcome to watch the chef in action.
34 Harrington Street
Top image: Creperie Suzette.