Overview
The past 18 months really emphasised just how important our local cafes are. As many of us worked from home, the neighbourhood coffee shop and its familiar faces became focal points for our communities — after all, the majority of the IRL interactions we had over winter were with the baristas and waitstaff who show up every day to bring a little joy to the monotony.
To that end, Concrete Playground teamed up with Milklab to shine a spotlight on a few beloved Sydney cafes that have been keeping our writers and editors fuelled with caffeine and wholesome community vibes.
Arvin Prem Kumar
ADA'S AFFAIR, DARLINGHURST
WHAT IT IS: This charming cafe has all the hallmarks of a neighbourhood favourite — solid food options, excellent coffee, and friendly, warm service. Tucked away on an unassuming Darlinghurst corner behind St Vincent's Hospital, Ada's Affair might just be the neighbourhood's best-kept secret.
WHY WE LOVE IT: Expertly brewed coffee by Sample always makes a cup here a cut above. It's an ideal foil for the tight menu of thoughtfully elevated brunch classics and fresh pastries.
WHAT TO ORDER: Start your day right with a cup of the batch brew and a BAE, Ada's perfectly constructed brekkie burger featuring house-made bacon jam, spinach frittata, cheese and smoky tomato relish on a brioche bun.
WEST JULIETT, MARRICKVILLE
WHAT IT IS: A bucket-list inner west cafe, West Juliett has been delivering the goods for nearly a decade. Set in a large, light-flooded corner space with whitewashed brick walls, polished concrete floors and a decent amount of comfortable outdoor seating, this Llewellyn Street spot is a favourite for both two- and four-legged patrons.
WHY WE LOVE IT: There's a big focus on keeping things homemade here, with everything from the pastries to the sodas made in-house. There's also a range of house-made preserves — and an excellent hazelnut dukkah — available to take home to help you level up your DIY breakfast game.
WHAT TO ORDER: The picture-perfect Buckwheat Benny — featuring buckwheat pancakes, beetroot hummus, broccolini, spring peas, poached eggs and hollandaise — is as good as it looks. Save room for one of the enormous homemade cookies and pair it with a Milklab Oat cap for an unimpeachable treat.
TWO DOORS DOWN, GLADESVILLE
WHAT IT IS: This bright and airy cafe on Gladesville's main thoroughfare offers a relaxing getaway from busy Victoria Road. Grab a seat in the cosy courtyard to soak up the rays as you tuck into Middle Eastern-inspired brunch fare.
WHY WE LOVE IT: Excellent service and a wide-ranging brunch menu make Two Doors Down one of the suburb's most popular spots. The coffee here, by Campos, is as consistent as you'll find, too, and is complemented by the full suite of Milklab milks.
WHAT TO ORDER: Try the sambousek — a classic Lebanese snack of a fried pastry parcel bursting with aromatic minced meat, pine nuts and spices, and served with a fresh green salad and homemade hummus. For dessert, opt for a velvety hot chocolate with coconut milk — Two Doors Down owner Elie Youssef swears that it tastes like a liquid Bounty bar.
SHOWBOX COFFEE, MANLY
WHAT IT IS: Showbox is a Manly go-to for excellent coffee and baked goods in a warm setup on buzzy Whistler Street with a pared-back interior of exposed brick and pale wood.
WHY WE LOVE IT: A constantly evolving food and coffee menu showcasing local producers and roasters means that you can have something different on just about every visit. There's also a solid selection of homemade cakes and pastries, with a rotating selection that became a must-try for north shore dwellers during lockdown.
WHAT TO ORDER: While much of the menu changes regularly (recent dishes have included a hot dog with LP's chorizo, shaved garlic brussels sprouts, bourbon onion jam and dijon mustard, and potato rosti with a herbed yoghurt base, roasted radicchio, broccolini and dill), it's hard to go past the epic ham and cheese toastie. It's a two-handed affair with shaved doubled smoked ham, swiss, cheddar and garlic salt sandwiched in perfectly toasted sourdough and topped with lashings of parmesan. Add a Milklab flattie to the mix for a luxurious mid-morning combo.
Arvin Prem Kumar
PLUNGE NO. 46, SUMMER HILL
WHAT IT IS: Set in the heart of Summer Hill village, Plunge has been a go-to for Hillians on both sides of the train tracks for nearly 20 years. The space itself features minimalist decor and plenty of outside seating — including kerbside, for all your weekend people-watching needs.
WHY WE LOVE IT: Coffee by Alchemy, a Mediterranean-accented menu and a friendly atmosphere make Plunge one of Summer Hill's most popular spots. If you can't snag a table, grab your order to go and find a spot in one of the many nearby parks just outside the village.
WHAT TO ORDER: The Summer Cous Cous Porridge is a true delight. It's a colourful plate, topped with tropical fruit, pistachio and mascarpone. If you're after something more straightforward, there's a great range of wraps and toasties — the three cheese and truffled mushroom option makes for a truly luxurious cafe experience.
MADAME & YVES, CLOVELLY
WHAT IT IS: Yves Scherrer might just be one of the most credentialed pastry chefs working in Australia. The classically trained pâtissier began training at age 16 in his native France before working in venues around Europe, the US and Canada. He moved to Australia just over a decade ago, where he worked at restaurants including Est and Kisumé before opening his eponymous Clovelly venue.
WHY WE LOVE IT: World-class pastries with views of one of Sydney's most picturesque beaches has seen Madame & Yves build a loyal following since opening in 2019. The cosy spot is bathed in white and features clever pastel accents, making it a perfect accompaniment to Clovelly's chilled beachside vibes.
WHAT TO ORDER: Madame & Yves' homemade baked goods take temptation and inject it with high voltage. A classic croissant is always a good place to start but if you want to branch out there's a range of tricked up croissants, beautiful eclairs and a tight selection of homemade gelato to tempt you further. Whichever you choose, be sure to pair it with a bowl of coffee, French style.
We challenged one of our writers to switch to oat milk for a week. Find out what they discovered here.
Ask your barista for Milklab oat or head to the website for more information.
Top image: West Juliett