Went to See the Gypsy

The inner west's coffee scene just scored an impressive new entrant, with Went to See the Gypsy — the latest venture from Gypsy Espresso's Will Smallbone and Mario Szucs. A specialty coffee bar and cafe, kitted out with state-of-the-art equipment, the sprawling warehouse space is a true caffeine-lover's oasis.

A contemporary fit-out by the Guru Project features an edgy mix of polished concrete, blond rattan and exposed timber, pushing the focus to the cafe's sleek, custom-built, standalone brew bar. With its under-the-counter Mod Bar, where most of the equipment is hidden away, this next-gen beauty allows customers an up-close glimpse of the coffee-making process while interacting with the baristas. They'll be working their magic with the signature Gypsy Espresso blend and a rotation of single origins, the team led by head barista and qualified coffee expert Simon Gautherin.

Settle in with your standard latte, or embrace the specialty side of things, with crafty sips like the iced cascara (cold brewed coffee cherry skin) or The Bob Dylan, which blends espresso, salted pistachios and caramelised nuts.

The food menu, designed by head chef Bryan Loong (Cho Cho San), features plenty of gold itself, with breakfast dishes, lunch plates and a handful of all-day offerings in between. In the first half of the day expect the likes of roast mushroom toasties with braised leek and smoked fior di latte; bircher starring kombucha, chia and pandan; and truffled smashed eggs with Meredith Dairy goat's cheese.

Lunchtime might mean a crisp chicken katsu sandwich, matched with shaved cabbage and mint slaw, or miso glazed salmon with wasabi celeriac cream and a soft egg. Just don't forget to leave room for the Golden Gaytime tiramisu for dessert.