Melbourne Cafe Reviews

Berkelouw Cafe
Ground Floor
70 Norton St
Leichardt NSW

I compose myself in a chair on the wide pavement, one coffee-sipper amongst many. The coffee is fine, and there is a wide variety of cakes and meals available. Upstairs in Berkelouw Books there is a wine bar, a grand piano and 40,000 second-hand books. Downstairs, the regular bookshop. I peruse my copy of Cormac McCarthy’s Blood Meridian. He’s as hard as flint, as direct as a straight hit for 6. There is also seating available inside the bookshop, but some of it those damn banquettes which I always find distancing and uncomfortable. Get rid of them.

The Old Fish Shop
Crn Church and King Sts
Newtown NSW

This wedge of a corner cafe is a beauty. No bar or counter to separate owners, workers and patrons. The coffee is good and there’s a selection of cakes, toasts, etc. The place is open to both streets and only a few tables grace its space. You sit back with your book, paper, laptop or sketchbook, and listen to the roar of buses and traffic along King St. It’s all inner-Sydney cool. The cafe scene along King St shows considerable variation and a gem like this rewards the discerning eye. Worth many a return.

The Kitchen
133 Darby St
Newcastle NSW

As well as coffee, this cute little operation purveys icecreams and wines. Black, white and grey decor; terrazo floor; black bentwood chairs. These people clearly think their food is good and want patrons to see it so. Interesting cakes — Italian — cannoli etc. My l.b. comes hot and is of fine flavour. On street seating. $14 for tea, coffee and two small cakes. Recommended.