Brighter Coffee

Overview

Stanmore's Brighter Coffee may lay claim to the best toastie in Sydney. The menu at this quaint but beloved corner cafe is kept simple with just a few items that change between months and seasons — but one item always stays consistent, and that's the Kimcheezey toastie.

The sandwich has built quite a cult following in the Inner West, pressing a healthy serving of kimchi with tomato passata and a blend of gruyere and gouda cheese between two slices of sourdough before it's toasted until perfectly golden and crunchy. It's a true delight.

Depending on when you head in, you might also find a truffle and mushroom toastie, slow-roasted pumpkin or cold soba noodles joining the Kimcheezey on the menu. Plus, there will always be a selection of pretzels and pastries out the front for anyone looking for something a little lighter.

The cafe was opened by the team behind the coffee roaster Made of Many, so all the beans are made in-house. No matter the variety that the baristas are working with that day, you can expect rich, drinkable coffee in the form of your classic cappuccino or latte, as well as batch and cold brew options.

If you're after takeaway, you can nab a sunny patch of concrete on the corner of Northumberland Avenue and Salisbury Road to wait for your order surrounded by many of the neighbourhood dogs. Or, if you're eating in, you'll find a casual dining room filled with couches and houseplants that feels more akin to a welcoming friend's living room than your usual cafe seating area.

Appears in:
The Best Cafes in Sydney