Clipper Cafe - CLOSED

Overview

It's hard not to fall a little bit in love with Clipper Cafe. Occupying the lower floor of an adorable whitewashed terrace house, fitted out with bright green doors, hanging flower baskets and a bunch of paraphernalia that adorns the walls, Clipper is a breath of fresh air on the Glebe Point strip. The space is frequently abuzz with caffeine-crazed uni students, well versed in the art of procrastination.

Clipper's pulling power can be explained by its incredibly reasonable prices and drool-worthy menu. The food is rich, the servings ample and the presentation is simple and elegant. The chefs use high quality, locally sourced ingredients and aren't stingy when it comes to the good stuff — even the humble slice of banana bread ($8) is served with ricotta, berries and honey. Must-try breakfast options include the Arabian-style Bircher muesli ($8), with pistachios, poached fruit and yoghurt, and their baked eggs ($11), served with spinach, feta, chorizo and herb toast. Lunch-wise, one of your best bets is the Spanish salami panini ($8). For a few extra bucks, the warm haloumi and eggplant salad won't disappoint. Clipper's moreish sunrise smoothie ($5) also comes highly recommended, as does a strong cup of their own bean blend, courtesy of local roasters Alchemy.

Another one of Clipper's strong points is the table service. Water and cutlery are brought out immediately, and the coffee and food are whisked out at lightning speed. The only downside is that for some of the staff, speed and efficiency seem to come at the expense of a smile.

Finally, weekend-goers should bear in mind that while Clipper can pack many around its communal tables and high-top benches, Saturday's Glebe markets sees it full to the brim. If that's the case, grab a Clipper coffee and a pastry from the adjoining French bakery, then you're free to peruse the stalls or head to the grassy surrounds of Victoria Park.