Overview
Arriving in the Blue Mountains village of Leura, the town's soundtrack normally consists of lorikeets and perhaps the distant trickle of cool-climate cascades. But with the opening of Little Sista, this historic commune and its picture-perfect shopping strip has scored a different kind of groove.
Opened by Andrew and Dora Tsaroumis, this focaccia-first cafe is bringing plenty of flavour to the scene, with the family's Greek heritage informing its considered menu. Yet it goes deeper, too, drawing on the Hellenic philosophy of filoxenia — meaning "friend to strangers" — where every guest is embraced as part of the family.
Besides this welcoming ideal, what gives Little Sista its edge is its love of vinyl tunes. Just a 90-minute drive from Sydney, daily-made focaccia takes centre stage, while the cafe setup you'd normally expect feels a little more like a 60s lounge room. Linger with your sanga, bopping your head to the rhythm of the day.
Don't assume the vinyl setup plays second fiddle. Built into custom cabinetry, a curated record collection is proudly displayed, while a Rega Planar 6 record player, Wharfedale Linton speakers and a Marantz Model 40n amplifier deliver the warm and uncompromising sounds of wax.
As for the food menu, the Med-leaning options satisfy from the first bite. Take the crowd favourite — the 'Everything She Wants' — featuring prosciutto, mortadella, sopressa and more, served with mozzarella, pesto and sundried tomatoes. Meanwhile, Little Sista builds on everyday cafe staples, serving up iced lattes and matcha alongside fresh juices, traditional tiramisu and playful stone-fruit cheesecake served in cans, ready for a windy cruise through the Blue Mountains.
"Everything centres around the focaccia, made fresh and served the way we love to eat it — simple, generous and made to be shared," says Andrew Tsaroumis, a Leura hospitality veteran for over 20 years. "It's fresh, it's fun and it still feels like home."
Little Sista is open daily from 8am–4pm at 4/130-138 Megalong St, Leura. Head to the website for more information.
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