Shenkin Kitchen

Overview

The original Shenkin has been an icon of Erskineville's main drag since it opened its doors in 2007. So iconic, in fact, that it has sincespawned quite a few spin-offs — first an espresso bar in Newtown, followed by eateries in Enmore, Randwick and Surry Hills. That is a lot of Sunday morning shakshukas.

Each outpost has its own feel and, being the original, Enmore's Shenkin Kitchen is no exception. The familiar characteristics that make it a Shenkin venue are all there — the timber finishes, flawless coffee and spice-fragranced air — but there are some unique elements as well. The space benefits from a lighter, airier feel than its siblings courtesy of the courtyard out the back.

Menu wise, expect all the Israeli-Australian ventures that you first fell in love with at the Erko eatery. The unbeatable signature shakshuka — poached eggs cooked in a fragrant spicy tomato sauce — has the power to cure an array of ailments, while the Israeli breakfast of eggs, labne, smoked salmon and pita is a few flavour notches above your standard big breakfast. For a sweet treat, sink your teeth into pancakes, waffles or burekasim (pastries) to takeaway. From Thursday to Sunday, it also has a dinner service to carry those Israeli flavours from day to night. And a sizeable portion of the dinner menu is vegetarian.

Image: Brendon D'Souza, Ravi Shah.