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    Cafe XXII

    3.5 (21 reviews)
    Closed 7:30 am - 11:00 pm

    Cafe XXII Photos

    CAFE XXII ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating
    Good for kids

    Recommended Reviews - Cafe XXII

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    Paul J.

    Nestled in an unassuming sandstone cottage, Café XXII is a marvelous little restaurant in the heart of Pyrmont. I was attracted by the lovely outdoor seating area, which had a very European feel. Rotate your chairs toward the street if people-watching is your thing, here's a good place to do it. But even if you're sitting outside enjoying the weather, check out the inside of the café. Extremely cozy and rustic, this restaurant is the perfect place for a romantic date or an intimate dinner with friends. It was kind of an awkward time--too late for lunch yet too early for dinner--as we couldn't order from the kitchen until later. Nonetheless, our French waiter was very accommodating as we ordered coffees and munched on some sweets. My cappuccino was good, but a bit too milky and weak. The banana bread was scrumptiously moist and so was the orange fig tart. My friends had enjoyed brunch here before and can attest that it was very good. As for dinner, our waiter mentioned that the menu changes every other day and offers Mediterranean fare with an Australian twist. I definitely plan on returning to feast upon their dinner offerings.

    Glynis M.

    Great restaurant, great staff. It doesn't matter if you go for coffee or go for lunch, everybody is treated the same way. The staff have a laugh with you and the guy at the register (who I think is the owner) is very friendly. The best restaurant by far in an area that is swamped with mediocre offerings. The fish dish of the day is always good and the honey and herb roast pumpkin salad is great for vegetarians or you have can have it with chicken if you're not.

    Rachel C.

    This cafe/restaurant in Pyrmont wears a barnhouse look that really works for me. The beautiful little building is made of giant sandstones bricks with jutting (dormant) fireplaces and wooden floorboards, decorated with swinging barn house doors and windows. This charming outfit makes the potentially pretentious joint appear cosy and homely, which is a comfort on rainy days (such as this one). The courtyard out the back would be a beautiful open space on sunny days but closes up nicely when it's miserable outside. The menu and its accompanying prices caters to Pyrmont's corporate crowd, and come lunch time the building is filled with work parties who've come to XXII for their three course break. The building is beautiful and the staff are friendly, and whilst I don't think I'd head there for lunch, I would definitely return for a night time affair. Sharing entrees of goats cheese stuffed zucchini flowers, kingfish carpaccio and Sydney rock oysters, followed by either the truffle risotto or Tasmanian ocean trout and finished with a dark chocolate fondant inside a beautifully lit old barnhouse sounds like the perfect night to me.

    Alice T.

    A sandstone cottage turned cafe perfection? It's time to relearn your roman numerals. XXII might take its name from its address, but I like to think it's a cheeky nod to The Star casino which resides just next door. After all, XXII is so much better than hitting blackjack. Go here for coffee, for brunch, in fact, for every meal they serve. You won't be disappointed. Peopled with delightful staff and delicious menus, it's a Pyrmont spot you'll come back to time and time again. So far I've sampled the breakfast stack (two free range poached eggs on sour dough/oven roasted tomato/haloumi/fresh avocado/rocket/basil pesto & aioli - $16.00), the sweetcorn fritters (with smoked bacon/avocado salsa/sour crème/sweet chilli - $15.50), the chicken breast romesco & rocket sandwich ($12.50) and the grilled haloumi, sweet potato cherry tomato & asparagus salad ($14.50). I've yet to experience anything but luck with XXII, and knowing that it's BYO will surely see me double down for dinner.

    Union Square, Pyrmont
    Qype User (meliss…)

    I think that XXII is one of those gems that you come across almost by accident and then feel like you have as a cheeky little secret because it's just THAT good. Situated in the older, more village-feel area of Pyrmont, the café is on one corner of Union Square. Its only signage is a discreet 'XXII' painted on the wall, although you will see the tables and chairs outside (presuming it is open) so that should give you a fair hint where it is! It's not a huge café but the quality is incredible. I used to visit this place regularly for brunch with friends and it was always just amazing. Everything about it is great the freshly squeezed organic juices, the great coffee, and the incredible food. My friends swore by the eggs benedict, where I tended to favour the Union Square breakfast with scrambled eggs which are always soft and fluffy and perfectly cooked. The staff have always been great and really helpful they do tend to be rushing about but can usually quiet easily be flagged down. I regret that I never had an evening meal at XXII my housemate did and said it was great, and I did always think that the dinner menu looked amazing but I have had a late night coffee and dessert treat and the desserts were so good all our eyes were almost rolling back. I would really have difficulty believing, based on the quality of their other food, that the dinner service wouldn't be just as good. There are plenty of hotels in the area, and if you are staying in one of these, I'd urge you to sincerely give the Darling Harbour cafes a miss for brunch at least once to try out XXII. It may not quite have the view but it is still a lovely little spot and the food is ten times as good.

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    13 years ago

    Excellent food and nice neighborhood restaurant. eggs, bacon, toast delicious....good solid place

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    Review Highlights - Cafe XXII

    Union Square is a main pathway through Pyrmont to Darling Harbour or the city; it's a busy square and has that European feel to it.

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    The Rocks Cafe - Eggs Benedict and a long black.

    The Rocks Cafe

    4.1(206 reviews)
    1.7 kmThe Rocks
    $$

    We stopped by The Rocks Cafe for breakfast and it was a fantastic experience from start to finish…read more The atmosphere was warm and welcoming, the staff were friendly and attentive, and the food arrived quickly despite the café being busy. Everything was fresh, well presented and full of flavour. The coffee was excellent and paired perfectly with breakfast. It's easy to see why this café is so popular with both locals and visitors exploring The Rocks. The location is also hard to beat, making it the perfect place to relax before or after walking around the historic area. Great food, great service and a lovely atmosphere. We'll definitely be back the next time we're in Sydney.

    Really popular place. They have street seating and indoor. The only thing available when we went…read morewithout waiting was inside. Inside wasn't bad, the table was big and the chairs comfortable. We were waited on immediately. Servers fly around like dancers, it's actually pretty impressive. Our food arrived in no time. My wife had fish and chips and I had lamb and rosemary pie. She enjoyed her meal. Mine was different than I've had before. It was still ok but I wouldn't order it again. Others would probably like it, it just wasn't for me. We didn't have any dessert but as you walk in the door they have some wonderful looking pies and cakes. Do yourself a favor and save room for one of those. I messed up and didn't try something. This is actually a really cool restaurant that I would like to try again. I wouldn't let one dish that didn't hit my taste buds keep me away.

    Photos
    The Rocks Cafe - Upstairs

    Upstairs

    The Rocks Cafe - Avocado toast and cappuccino

    Avocado toast and cappuccino

    The Rocks Cafe - Dirty martinis after a long day of travel

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    Dirty martinis after a long day of travel

    Alfie's - ALFIE'S BUBBLE AND SQUEAK SLAW - Brussel sprouts, pumpkin seeds, red and green cabbage, squash, fennel.

    Alfie's

    2.5(2 reviews)
    1.5 kmSydney

    everything happens for a reason…read more bistecca was not meant to be and under their redirection, i get to try out a new steak joint! a much more casual, what you see is what you get kinda place. a patio drinking and waiting before getting seated area, or for those who just want a drink and some simple bar bites? a spacious interior with a bar as centre piece divider offset to the left. a small dj console to the other side on the right but well manned by a hot dj! sat at the bar without reservations, no worries mate! fun and chatty bar/wait staff entertains. simple menu, one cut of beef(sirloin), not my favourite :( special of the day was another cut(spit roast beefetta) but sold out early on :( staff reassured that their sirloin has been aged and that i would enjoy it's tenderness. ordered two half portion sides(because i wanted to try more), an alfie's bubble and squeak slaw and also a roast mushrooms to accompany my lonely 220g sirloin with green mustard(unique), medium rare. but first up, scones and butter! definitely whipped up my appetite. oh yes, the phone camera was happy too, no need to hand it over ala bisteccca. a cute french wait staff brought my chow not too long after. and it was a satisfying one. was also told to save space for dessert, which i did and did not regret. a f**k off gelato-on-a-stick - burnt honey, beef fat, rosemary, a collab with ciccone & sons. definitely can so do this all day! ;) if sirloin is your thing, alfie's a win!

    Photos
    Alfie's - A small console, a hot DJ!

    A small console, a hot DJ!

    Alfie's - ROAST MUSHROOMS - Field, swiss brown, button mushrooms, fried enoki, goddess cream, pickled Shimeji, mushroom salt.

    ROAST MUSHROOMS - Field, swiss brown, button mushrooms, fried enoki, goddess cream, pickled Shimeji, mushroom salt.

    Alfie's - A rather chill place with DJ to boot!

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    A rather chill place with DJ to boot!

    Restaurant Hubert - Crabe et Espelette

    Restaurant Hubert

    4.3(46 reviews)
    1.5 kmSydney
    $$$

    A couple of my friends recently returned from Sydney, and they said if there was only one place…read morethey suggest I go to eat - it was Restaurant Hubert. Specifically the happy hour. So I did! They don't take reservations for their 5-6pm happy hour. You can only line up at 5pm when they open. We got there right before 5pm, and there were probably 10 to 12 people in line. Once the doors opened we were led downstairs to the bar area. It's a very dark, and feels like you've been transported to another time and place. We decided to try one of each of the food items on the happy hour: - Duck Parfait - Good. Classic French item and they do it well. - Brandade d'anguilles fumée - OK. I know it's eel, but wasn't very distinct from any other fish. My least favourite dish. - Saucisson Sec - Good. Simple. - Fleur de Courgette - Very good. Delicate and delicious. I should've ordered two of these. - Normandy Burger - Very good. The one item my friends raved about, and it was clear why. A burger with the best ingredients is hard to matched. I got the extra side of fries which is equally good. Best dish of the meal. Service was relatively good, except at one point they asked if I wanted mayo for my fries (very French) and I said yes, but it never came. Other than that, quite good. This was easily my favourite meal of my trip, holding up to high expectations. I would return on my next trip to Sydney.

    I have dreams of Restaurant Hubert's Chicken Fricassée…read more Note: Happy Hour is walk-in only from 5PM - 6PM. We came on a Thursday evening and there was a line inside prior to opening. I highly recommend getting here early to get a seat during Happy Hour and stay after to enjoy some live jazz after 6PM. The restaurant was easy to locate with a sign upfront. The entrance is just a door in the wall with spiraling stairs leading you to an underground jazz bar and restaurant. It's upscale and romantic, but several other people were dressed casually. We sat on a shared table with three other strangers until we ordered off the full menu and our Chicken Fricassée arrived. The service is top notch and everyone was attentive, polite, and kind. We started off with the happy hour menu and ordered the Duck Parfait. I didn't know what to expect. The croutons were crispy and delicate and the duck liver was easy to spread and airy. The Normandy Burger was juicy and the bread was fluffy. But the star of the night Chicken Fricassée - wow! Incredibly tender, juicy, and garlicy. The sauce had a mashed potato buttery, smooth texture. Absolute must get.

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    Restaurant Hubert
    Restaurant Hubert - Pommes Anna

    Pommes Anna

    Restaurant Hubert

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    Cafe XXII - modern_australian - Updated August 2026

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