Old Gold Is Sample Coffee's New Cafe in a Former Chippendale Chocolate Factory

Specialty roasters Sample Coffee have opened a sweet new cafe in Chippendale called Old Gold. While you'll want to visit to try its coffee and croissants, you'll also want to check out its digs. It's located inside a converted MacRobertson's confectionery factory — the OG makers of Cherry Ripe, Freddo Frogs and, yes, Old Gold.

All the coffee beans come from Sample's St Peters roastery, and are put to the test using the cafe's gold-wrapped La Marzocco KB90 espresso machine that sits smack bang in the middle of the industrial-style space. It's brewing a selection of single origin black brews and a house-blend dubbed 'Sweet Tooth' for all your flat whites.

Keeping within the history of the building, the cafe has been filled with brass trimmings, dark timber and curved lines, matching with the pre-existing exposed brick walls and concrete floors. Fittings come from many of Sample's St Peters neighbours, like a ten-seat custom table from Jonathan West, plant pots from Inartisan, and dry flowers from florists The Wilds and Sweet Pea & Honey Bee.

Local suppliers are keeping the kitchen well stocked, too, with fresh produce coming from The Vege Box, Leichhardt patisserie Penny Fours whipping up the croissants and bakers ThoroughBread supplying sourdough baguettes and bagels. The former owner of Camperdown's Little Lord cafe, Graeme Alexander, is responsible for the menu, which is heavy on plant-based dishes for breakfast and lunch.

There are two types of bruschetta on the short list: one with shaved zucchini, lemon ricotta and fresh dill; and the other starring a spiced beetroot purée with caper ricotta and shaved, cured egg yolk. Other tempting treats include a a three-cheese toastie, sour cherry bagel, mortadella and bocconcini sandwich, broccolini salad and a gluten-free fig, orange and almond toast slathered with lemon-honey butter.

For a drink without the caffeine, there are a few herbal teas from Lidcombe specialists Tea Craft, some specialty sodas (triple orange, ginger or passionfruit) and single origin hot chocolates from Aussie chocolate producers.

Old Gold is now open 7am–3.30pm Monday–Friday at 1 Dangar Street, Chippendale.

Images: Old Gold/Sample Coffee