Kosta's Takeaway

Overview

Kosta's Takeaway is a self-proclaimed no-bullshit café. The local hole-in-the-wall spot is located right next to a smash-repairs workshop in the heart of Sydney's Rockdale, serving up some of the best sandwiches in the city with low fuss.

The ethos is "classic, not basic".  Don't expect an artfully curated space or deconstructed meals with theatrics — instead, get around an ever-revolving menu of big and tasty sandwiches accompanied by great coffee, shakes and pastries.

Freshly baked bread comes from Thoroughbread bakery in Kirrawee and most of the deli meats get carted over by Whole Beast Butchery in Marrickville. Depending on what's good and available from these guys will determine what's made that day.

Meat-heavy options include the likes of the rubenesque beast that comes with heaps of pastrami slices, pickled eschalots, red onions, mustard and dill on rye bread. Then there's the Mediterranean sanga that's stuffed with prosciutto, fresh ricotta, radicchio, figs and truffle honey. Heaven.

The cult favourite, however, is the fish sandwich. It's a must-try Sydney treat loaded with oh so much tartar sauce.

But sandwiches aren't the only lunch option at Kosta's Takeaway. Several Greek bites like spanakopita and rizogalo (dessert-style rice pudding), are also available to diners looking for fewer carbs.

Kosta's hasn't caved to Sydney's health-food craze. Instead, it's all about big meals that are big on flavour. That's what helps make this one of the best cafes in Sydney. Whatever you eat will fill you up and make your mouth water. You can even buy some of the pickles, ferments and cold cuts to take away, so you can try to recreate this magic at home. It won't be the same, but it'll tide you over until you can get over to Kosta's Takeaway again.

And, if you're closer to the city, you can get your sambo fix at Kosta's second outpost at Circular Quay's dining precinct Sydney Place.

Appears in:
The Best Cafes in Sydney