Calling all coffee enthusiasts! When it comes to Marrickville cafes, there’s plenty to be excited about. This charmingly eclectic inner-western suburb of Sydney is a hub for coffee connoisseurs and foodies alike. With unique and distinctly individual cafes each offering their own spin on the perfect cup of coffee, it’s high time you took a trip to Marrickville. So prepare your taste buds for a journey of flavour unparalleled. Inner west local Keren Lavelle shares her takes on Marrickville’s finest café hotspots you simply must explore. So, shall we?

The inner west suburb of Marrickville is serious about its coffee. Most Marrickville cafes are open on a Monday – there’s no rest for fanatical ‘caffiends’, or the chefs and baristas who serve them.

Another clue is the number of commercial coffee roasters, some of which have cafes on site, plus beans and blends to take home. Even tiny, hole-in-the-wall cafes here are likely to pour a quality coffee. The food factor is important too, and the locals like to check out new cafes to see how they measure up. 

True coffee temples include the pioneering roastery Coffee Alchemy, which used to only showcase its blends, but now serves pastries at its new-ish home, and the sleek showroom of De Luca Coffee, with its uncompromising slogan of ‘coffee or coffee’. Nothing else to sample here but great coffee, either as espressos, cold drips or cold brews.

Seven 2 Three – 723 Specialty Coffee

Friendly service/fun chat from the staff is a big feature of Seven 2 Three – 723 Specialty Coffee (the coffee, which comes from De Luca, is excellent too). The kimchi toastie and the Vietnamese pork roll are menu standouts. A double-shot Vietnamese coffee frappe is their ‘signature bevvy’, if you need a blast of caffeine and sugar.

Where: 128 Addison Rd, Marrickville

Agnes Cafe

New kid Agnes Cafe is not the first rodeo for couple John and Kathryn Stavropoulos, who launched Enmore’s very popular West Juliett cafe.

Their dedicated professionalism is reflected in the fitout of airy premises, and in the focus on food – mostly the work of their creative chef whose fresh focaccias and pastries are outstanding.

Where: 69 Meeks Rd, Marrickville

Ruby Lonesome

Ruby Lonesome sounds like the name of a country music lament, but probably cowboys would be surprised at the vegetarian menu (cow’s milk is available for milk coffees, however).

Everyone seems very happy here, tucking in to exceptional cakes and other inventive dishes all made in-house, as is the selection of pickles and jams to take home.

If it all sounds too healthy, latch on to a cocktail to have with your brunch.

Where: 253 Addison Rd, Marrickville

Roastville Coffee Roasters

Roastville Coffee Roasters is a hybrid – a roaster with a great cafe culture as well. Favourite dishes here include ‘dirty bird’ Benedict and kimchi waffles; there’s usually a seasonal special as well.

Budding coffee cultists can sign up to workshops such as a coffee cupping tasting experience or introductory latte art.

Where: 157 Victoria Rd, Marrickville

Paesanella Cheese

At Paesanella Cheese you can take a trip, if not to Italy, at least to an old-style Sydney trattoria. To accompany your espresso, order treats made with cheeses such as ricotta and mozzarella, fresh from Paesanella’s nearby factory, founded in 1962 by the father of the current owners.

Lunch specials include classic dishes such as veal parmigiana, home-made ravioli or salad caprese. Check out the deli upstairs for more goodies to take home.

Where: 150-152 Marrickville Rd, Marrickville

Two Chaps

The legend of Chapel Street, Two Chaps keeps on turning out high-quality baked goodies, devising inventive vegetarian dishes inspired by the seasons, pouring fine coffees or their own brand of sticky chais, and mustering the crowds which turn up every day.

Two Chaps also opens for dinner Friday and Saturday nights, serving dishes based on pasta and local cheeses.

Where: 122 Chapel St, Marrickville

Bourke Street Bakery

A long-standing bakery cafe, Bourke Street Bakery is especially popular in winter for its suntrap outdoor tables.

The pastries are delectable (especially the creme brulee tart), and the sandwiches could not be made with fresher bread.

Where: 2 Mitchell St, Marrickville

Kurumac

Kurumac is too tiny for its popularity; however, it’s well worth trying to get a table here to enjoy the seasonal, fresh-tasting Japanese dishes, carefully prepared and presented. Naturally, the coffee is good too.

Where: 107 Addison Rd, Marrickville

Petty Cash Cafe

Much-loved retro-deco Petty Cash Cafe, which has soothing views of Enmore Park, pavement tables under cover, and a dog-friendly, artsy and inclusive vibe.

Home-made pastries and cakes are on display, plus the menu has an extensive range of vegan (and otherwise) brekkie and lunch dishes.

Where: 68 Victoria Rd, Marrickville

Double Tap

Double Tap roastery-cafe grew so popular, owner Daniel Karaconji moved its roasting operations elsewhere to create more space.

Karaconji also has a magic ingredient working on the food side of things – his mother is an ace cake-maker. Relatively inexpensive sandwiches, plus the good coffee, keep the locals coming back.

Where: 54/56 Smith St, Marrickville

Basiq

At one of the newest cafes in Marrickville, Basiq, an expert barista, Souren, serves coffee from local roastery Double Roasters. The menu has a Middle Eastern flavour, thanks to its Armenian chef Hrak.

For breakfast, chilli labne eggs is a popular choice, as are the shakshukas – vegetarian or sujuk.

Where: 106 Addison Rd, Marrickville

ONA Sydney

A true shrine to coffee, ONA Sydney shifted into its new, purpose-built cafe/warehouse in late 2023. Originating in Canberra, ONA Coffee has a reputation for expertise in growing, roasting and blending coffee, and its baristas have scored many awards.

The cafe design has separate stations staffed by baristas, where you order from a lengthy list of different coffees and a new, chef-devised food menu. 

Where: 58 Smith St, Marrickville

Marrickville is easily accessible by public transport with two train stations and several bus lines servicing the area. 

After you have had your coffee fix, why not continue on to one of these Marrickville breweries?

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