Regiment

Overview

Regiment is a busy glass-walled cafe smack-bang on the busiest part of George Street. You won't be able to escape the hustle and bustle here, but it's one of the best places in the CBD to enjoy a cup of coffee. Stepping in, you'll be greeted by two sleek white Synesso Hydras, warm lighting, blond wood, and a wall stacked with all the things you'll need to make a great coffee (here, courtesy of Five Senses). There's also turmeric lattes, kombucha on-tap and cold-pressed juices.

Given its location, the venue is filled with office workers on coffee breaks and suit-and-tie types taking meetings — but that doesn't mean this is any old CBD cafe. There are some great picks on the small-health focused menu.

If you're in a pre-meeting rush, grab a coffee to go and pick a sweet treat from the glass case next to the counter — on any given day there might be anything from flourless chocolate brownies to hunks of caramel slice. Time to spare? Take your pick from a selection of bowls, salads, sandwiches and dishes. The slow beef stew ($15) is a highlight — a rich hunk of just-falling-apart beef in a deep yellow (courtesy of the turmeric and butternut) sauce full of ginger and other aromatics. It's accompanied by some brown rice, a refreshing dollop of yogurt and black pepper. This hearty bowl is the very definition of a winter warmer.

Those looking for something lighter can opt for a soba noodle bowl ($14) with generous portions of rewardingly spicy house-made kimchi and pumpkin roasted in its skin with a smattering of crushed peanuts and shallots on the side. Lime miso brings it all together and, if you're craving protein, you've got options like seared tuna or pork shoulder which can be added to your bowl for an extra $5.

Fair warning: you may have to move around the small tables carefully lest you knock something over. Quick staff who somehow manage to skilfully weave through a throng of customers round out the experience. There are a lot of lunch options in the CBD, but if you're looking for a casual sit-down meal, Regiment should be at the top of your list.

Images: Kimberley Low.