Sydney's most coveted suburbs to live in are generally characterised by their proximity to beaches, the ocean, schools, city or public transport. But now there is another characteristic for the new residential dream, and that is, living near a bakery coffee shop where you can get your daily whiff and taste of freshly baked bread together with good coffee.
Whose stomach doesn't grumble from the smell and taste of fresh bread? The best way to experience Sydney is to do what the locals do – have breakfast, brunch, lunch or coffee at the smallest bakery café you can find on a Sunday. That's what I did (after a bike ride). Brickfields, a bakery and café that rivals the famous Bourke Street Bakery, is another hidden Sydney gem in the inner west suburb of Chippendale. It's great to see the once upon time rag trade Sydney suburbs are further gentrified by metropolitan urban sprawl. Chippendale could perhaps be the next 'hipsturbia' with this retro-chic, farm to table bakery café.
Location and Ambience
Brickfields Bakery is located on the corner of Cleveland Street and a no-through road called Balfour Street in Chippendale.
Busy Brickfields bakery & cafe on a Sunday
The freshly baked bread in the windows was like candy for the eyes and the aroma of hot fresh bread once you walk in was tantalising. A home for comfort food. If you weren't that hungry before, the smell will ensure your stomach grumbles once you step foot into this small, warm and rustic establishment.
Inside Brickfields bakery and cafe
Interiors decorated with loaves of fresh bread
If you planned to just only order coffee when you walked in, I guarantee you will end up getting more than just coffee.
Using my usual benchmark to measure 'good coffee', not bitter, right temperature and smoothness in taste, Brickfields passes the test (they use Mecca Expresso),
The highlight though was their toasted sourdough. Brickfields don't serve the usual ham and cheese on toast. The delicious combination of ingredients in the toasted sourdough has some Middle Eastern influence, with soft boil egg, hommus, tomato and chorizo.
toasted sourdough has some Middle Eastern influence, with soft boil egg, hommus, tomato and chorizo
Although it was a little on the pricey end ($16), the servings are large enough so that you can share lunch. And it is worth a try for something different and tasty.
Service
You can order your food and coffee at the counter and despite there being a queue, the line does move quickly. My coffee took longer to serve than my toasted sandwich, but the wait staff did not hesitate to follow it up and I did receive my coffee before I finished my sandwich.
Overall
So if you are in the area of Chippendale or nearby and not in any particular rush, drop by Brickfields for lunch (or breakfast). This is just another hidden café gem in Sydney that's worth mentioning.
