Tucked up at the end of Darley Street East, just steps away from Mona Vale Beach is this store-cum-cafe (or perhaps vice versa). Opened in April last year, the
Armchair Collective is the collaboration of interior designer Pip Robb and Andrew Goldsmith, owner of Boathouse in Palm Beach.
At the Armchair Collective you can enjoy a freshly made meal or coffee and cake amongst fresh flowers, homewares and of course, armchairs.
Fresh flowers for sale
The lack of traditional rhyme and reason adds to the charm of this popular Northern Beaches establishment. Tables and chairs line the left and right walls and large communal tables sit towards the middle. Coffee is made at the front, orders are taken at the back. And in between all this, you'll find an eclectic mix of gifts and homewares and furniture. You'll find everything from coffee table books to teapots to cushions and throw rugs. The rustic furniture range includes tables, stools and armchairs.
The Armchair Collective is open for both lunch and breakfast. The food is tasty and the servings are generous.I thoroughly enjoyed the Miche Toast - thick miche toast with labna, grilled ham, cherry tomatoes, rocket and poached eggs ($17). I'm yet to try their lunch but I hear good things, particularly about their handcut, skin-on chips which are served in a bucket.
Miche Toast
Big Breakfast
I equally enjoyed my coffee and was pleased to see that the tea comes served in a teapot, rather than a cup with a teabag.
The Armchair Collective is open from 7.30am to 3pm seven days. They don't take bookings so be prepared to wait on busy days. Having said that, I've been lucky securing a table straight away each time I've visited for breakfast on the weekend.
