In one of Sydney’s most industrial suburbs sits a greenhouse of epic proportions, ushering in warm light and earthy goodness through floor-to-ceiling windows. It’s Barista & Cook, an exposed-brick and linen-pillowed textural wonderland on the corner of two of the most happening streets in Waterloo.

With plants hanging from the ceiling and forming the art on the walls, Barista & Cook transcends its suburban surroundings with black and white subway tiling, pine and tile-topped tables, countertop succulents and massive swing-out windows to craft a seamless outside-inside aesthetic.

The kitchen marks another source of visual delight, but what it cranks out perhaps moreso. The menu reads less obviously breakfast-brunch-lunch, as is so common (and, often, successful) in Sydney’s café scene, and more perfect-for-anytime; owner Alan Thompson’s standout kedgeree ”“ a medley of smoked trout, boiled eggs, three varieties of rice, peas and their spouts ”“ is a warm, heavily textured bowl of protein and carbs dressed in yogurt, while the heirloom tomato salad or mac-and-cheese toastie offer interesting alternatives to avocado toast, bircher museli or corn fritters. Coffee is a focal point, with espresso coffee, Chemex and cold drip available at the hands of trained baristas.

Barista & Cook Sydney is off the beaten path, or perhaps creating its own, with hearty, bang-for-your-buck brekkie and a charisma all its own.

http://baristaandcook.com.au/

Barista & Cook Sydney
834 Bourke Street
Waterloo NSW 2017
+61 2 8399 1234

Riley Wilson is a native Sydney-sider who grew up between Australia and the USA, with extensive travels throughout Europe along the way. She is a freelance writer and editor, contributing to Broadsheet Sydney, The Sydney Morning Herald, and a variety of publications in Australia and overseas. She’s deeply passionate about olives, oysters, postage stamps, and punctuation.

(All photos courtesy of Barista & Cook Sydney)

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