Usually you don't find good coffee in shopping arcades. But that's not true in The Strand Arcade, where Marrickville's Coffee Alchemy operates its pocket-sized Gumption coffee bar. Like its roastery-cafe, this one delivers quality coffee, sans the fuss (that is to day, any food). So let the coffee speak for itself and order up — try the signature house blend, Hairy Chest. If you like it, you can even buy a bag to take home.

It's standing room only inside, with tall counters outside in the arcade providing seats, should you loll about for longer — and with hours to match the arcade's shopping times, it's open till 5pm on weekdays and 6pm on Thursdays.