An off-the-charts menu is obviously a must for any cafe or restaurant, but what about those places that offer something a little extra, where you can buy things like home made pasta sauces, freshly baked bread, your favourite health foods and even quirky home wares? Sydney has got some great food and retail hybrids – places where you can fill up on a tasty meal and then shop up a storm.
Armchair Collective (Mona Vale)
Situated just back from the beach in Mona Vale on the northern beaches, this little gem sells restored armchairs, cushions and lampshades – no two are the same!
There are also smaller knick-knacks (and great gifts) like retro teapots, cookbooks and vases, plus flowers you can fill them with – there’s always a colourful selection of blooms available for purchase by the main entry.
The cafe is open for breakfast and lunch, and there’s an all day menu too. They’ve got something for everyone, from those looking for a quick drink (try the old-school milkshakes) or a long, lazy lunch (the soft shell crab burger is amazing, as is the 72-hour massaman open lasagna) followed by a sneaky shop.
9A Darley St E, Mona Vale NSW 2103
(02) 9999 2871
Mercato e Cucina (Gladesville)
Love all things Italian? Then make a beeline for Mercato e Cucina in Gladesville – it’s a restaurant, bakery, butcher, deli and grocer.
The restaurant serves up traditional Italian pizzas (courtesy of their in-house wood-fired pizza oven, of course), handmade pastas and more, and they’re open for brekky on weekends.
If you’re entertaining, after something for a friend’s gathering or just need an excuse to eat cheese, head to the deli, where’s there’s over 200 different types, as well as small goods and antipasto. Check out the butcher too – these guys make their own gourmet sausages.
Over at the bakery there’s fresh bread and lots of Italian and Australian-style pastries and desserts (the cheesecake is out of this world), and the grocer has everything from fresh fruit and veg to gelato and Mercati e Cucina’s own brand of ready-made meals, sauces, pastas and soups.
297 Victoria Rd, Gladesville NSW 2111
(02) 9817 3457
The Stables (Surry Hills)
Warning: a quick coffee could turn dangerously expensive here – this Surry Hills haunt combines great food, coffee by Five Senses and amazing clothes and accessories.
There are wares from top international names like Alexander Wang (the king of simplicity), Dreamer the Label and Copenhagen-based brand Han Kjobenhavn, as well as jewellery by designers such as Toby Jones.
On the food front Venus Whole Foods, otherwise known as the ‘Venue Café’ serves up healthy yet oh so tasty dishes at breakfast like granola and smashed avocado on rye, and there’s an ever-changing salad menu – top picks include zuchinni noodles with pesto, coconut cous cous and a carrot and kale variety. These guys have also developed a bit of a rep for their cold pressed juices and smoothies.
352 Bourke Street, Surry Hills 2010
(02) 9365 3272
Kitchen by Mike (Rosebury)
Mike McEnearney is one of Sydney’s most celebrated chefs, and rightly so. He produces as much of his menu as he can in-house (including bread and pastries, which, by the way, you need to try), and apart from a few key dishes, Kitchen by Mike’s menu changes daily depending on what he finds at the markets.
What’s makes his canteen-style cafe, which is housed in an old warehouse in Rosberry, even cooler, is that it’s attached to Koskela, the go-to place for interiors.
There’s furniture for every room of the house, rugs, cushions, kitchen stuff and more, and they also hold workshops, where you can learn everything from boat building to coil weaving.
1/85 Dunning Ave, Roseberry NSW 2018
(02) 9045 0910
Earth Food Store (Bondi)
The food cabinet at Bondi’s Earth Food Store is always brimming with healthy goodies, including frittatas, tarts, nori rolls and salads, plus sweet things such as muffins, buffins (like muffins but made with buckwheat) cookies and cakes that are made healthy yet somehow taste amazing – take a look at their Instagram feed and you’ll see what I mean – banana walnut bread, rhubarb and quince spelt crumble and raw lime and coconut fudge… need I say more?
Now that you’re feeling good about yourself after choosing a nutrition-packed meal rather than succumbing to the nearby burger joint, take a look next door and continue your ride (it may be temporary, but hey) on the health bandwagon…
You’ll find fresh, organic fruit and vegetables, Sonoma bread, dry goods like gluten free pasta and organic corn chips, and all those ‘super foods’ from brands like Loving Earth – cacao, agave syrup, shredded coconut, goji berries, acai, coconut oil, maca… its all here, people!
81a Gould St, Bondi Beach NSW 2026
(02) 9365 5098
Salt Meats Cheese (Alexandria)
These guys stock all different types of cheeses, deli meats, dips and olives, antipasti, pasta sauces and more, plus they’ve got their own range, which includes spreads and preserves (including jams!), arancini, woodifred pizza bases, pasta sauces and SO many different types of olive oils. They’ve also got an online store so you can buy up big regardless of where you are.
In you’re late 20s and still don’t know how to cook a basic spag bowl? Luckily for you, Salt Meats Cheese deliver Italian-themed cooking classes every weekend. They’ve also got a great little warehouse space that can be booked out for private functions including sit down dinners, cocktail-style events and pasta making classes.
41 Bourke Road, Alexandria 2015, NSW
02 9690 2406
Words by Brea Carter
Chris Singh also recommends Brewtown Newtown (Newtown) located at 6-8 O'Connell St, Newtown, NSW 2042
Images supplied and used with permission