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    Gnome Cafe

    4.0 (30 reviews)
    Closed 7:00 am - 9:30 pm

    Gnome Cafe Photos

    GNOME CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Trendy
    Quiet
    Good for kids
    Outdoor seating

    Recommended Reviews - Gnome Cafe

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    Victor L.

    I didn't use to be that fussy about my coffee because ristrettos don't exist in Oz so the rest didn't matter. Well now it does: my coffee was as disappointed and the food was nice and refreshingly original!! I ordered - with a smile - a large strong latte, and I got a warm-verging-on-getting-cold regular flat white. I didn't return it because I don't waste food, it's like my only life rule. Not even fussed over the wrong order. But I was disappointed the coffee wasn't nice. They lost one star because of that! But then they brought me this little treasure of a brioche bun with hummus, kale, slow cooked pork and a fried egg: a slice of Australia meets Lebanon and they go to bed together in France and geez Louise is that encounter a success. Go for that! The venue was nice and the girl who served wasn't overly happy about the socio economic condition of her existence that morning but hey, we all have shit days and she did her job with a very dignifying absence of hate. A shame for that coffee, I recommend it nonetheless as I could have been unlucky!! (If they fry that egg in duck fat, imagine the gastrogasmic result!!)

    Parisienne vibes corner cafe
    Andjelka J.

    Coffee, cozy window seat and nowhere to be - is there anything better on a Sunday? Gnome feels like you've popped into your friend's Parisienne apartment - a happy discovery while exploring Surry Hills on a perfect autumn morning. I arrived before the line-up started, as the sidewalks start to fill up around 10am on the popular Crown Street cafe strip. I had a almond milk cappuccino with local honey and caught up with the print news world. They do a varied and interesting cafe menu featuring eggs, museli, dairy free smoothies and impressive looking pastries. Seating is ideal for a solo or couple date, any bigger and you'll be struggling to comfortably fit. Service is friendly and prompt, I appreciated that I felt no pressure to chug my coffee and rush my reading. A quaint neighbourhood gem that made me smile.

    Meatballs
    Howard C.

    Gnome...more like Nom, amiright? I'll show myself out... (coffee is alright, food is fresh and good. Try the meatballs.)

    Rachel C.

    Gnomes are tiny, ugly little things placed in gardens to make people happy. Gnome on Crown St is quite like this: a tiny little thing placed on the side of the road to make people happy. The main difference being that there is nothing ugly about this little Gnome. Open for breakfast and lunch, and for dinner/drinks from Thursday to Saturday (soon to be Tues - Sun), Gnome is a cute little bar that sits nicely within the Surry Hills landscape. The coffee is a pleasant surprise (although I should say I've come to expect good coffee from cafes rocking the rustic look) and the menu is equally as pleasant - short and simple with an injection of imagination, everything comes under $15 and each is almost as annoyingly tempting. The bircher muesli looked delicious, topped with poached pear, strawberries, yoghurt and pistachio. I tried the poached eggs on grilled polenta with asparagus and truffle salt ($14) - not only tasty, but a great gluten free alternative. The staff here were really friendly, and outside the shop was a great place to sit and watch Surry Hills folk ride past on their fixie bikes. Be careful if you're coming in a big group, as it's highly likely that you will logistically not fit either in or outside Gnome. It's also probably not the best place to take kids - regardless of the rude little gnome in the corner giving you the bird, there's not a lot of pram room and unless your little gnomes are the still and silent type, there's not much room for them either. To be honest, I hate garden gnomes, but I'd be delighted to find this little Gnome in my backyard any day.

    James F.

    Coffee: Toby's Estate Passion: 7/10 Crema: 6/10 It is really strange visiting this cafe after so long. It had held up quite well in terms of fond memories of cafes in Surry Hills from the time that I was a scout for Yelp, but... I can not say I was excited with what I had today. I started off with a $5 aeropress of Costa Rica Granitas de Altura that, being $5 a cup, I was quite hopeful for a great experience. Well.... it tasted like someone had watered down an espresso they had pulled a with no crema, and no exceptional taste. The only positive was that due to the lack of taste I am unable to say it tasted bad, but is was certainly very average. To make sure the next coffee had a bit of a kick, I went for a Casablanca House Blend espresso, which had a kick, but certainly didn't rate close to the coffees I have been luck enough to be drinking. It did seem to be a cafe filled with latte drinkers and as such, they are probably really happy with the coffee available, but... it didn't do it for me today. So I feel a little ripped off, in the same way I feel watching one of my favourite childhood shows Monkey Magic now and seeing how bad the "effects" were. I know the people here can make awesome coffee, they have the right equipment, so I guess I can only blame the Toby's Estate beans. With the appearance of so many awesome cafe options in Sydney, if you end up here you will be fine (and the food looks great), but if it is awesome coffee you want, perhaps you might want to look elsewhere.... **sigh** N.B. There is #powerwhoring available at multiple tables inside but you will need to keep "paying rent" as space/tables are quite limited There is no public WiFi available

    Gerard B.

    As a coffee shop, when you're on a street where coffee shops and cafes are a dime a dozen you need to have an x factor to survive. gnome does have something special. For a start, it is pint sized. This place must be less than 20 square metres. This immediately creates an ambience of intimacy and warmth. The serving counter dominates the room. Behind this counter are 3 very friendly assistants - a barista, a food preparer and a 'front of house' person. They work well as a team and add to the welcoming vibe. I love the decor. There are some large old maps of the continents. There's something about maps. They immediately transport you another place and as I was drawn into these I was no longer on Crown street, Surry Hills. If I can spend a few hours reading a book or browsing the papers, or even playing a few rounds of backgammon in a cafe, then it is the type of place I will go back to. Gnome is that kind of place. I really enjoyed the music too. nice chilled beats at a good volume. It wasn't really about the food or the coffee, which were fine too.

    Leah C.

    I popped into Gnome on a weekday for lunch and was seated at one of the few outdoor tables (correction: one of the few tables total) and got down to some serious menu browsing. I had only ever ordered coffee from this darling little corner cafe and now it was time to chew on something. But what? With a menu that offers a plethora (or, maybe half a plethora... a pleth) of salads, sandwiches and nibbles, it took a while to decide. Finally when I figured I might like to use a fork and not just my two hands like a cave person, I cast my eyes to the salad portion on the menu. In a fit of insensibility and pressure, I ordered the salad with the least amount of comprehensible words in the description. WWWOOOOOWIE aren't I fancy?! So my warm pork salad came with "radicchio" and "muscatels" ($14). Hum *scratches head.* Am I not sophisticated enough to know what these things are (if know what they are, then please don't answer that)? Turns out the pork came atop a bed of greens and with large saltanta-like things. Thank you "muscatels" for revealing your identity. I found the pork to be a little difficult to navigate with its fatty sections and uber crispy skin. The flavour was good though. I don't suppose I would have this mystery salad again, but I didn't hate it. Way to go Gnome for being fancy beyond your years. I feel all the better for it.

    Inside the cafè
    Kurt C.

    A small corner cafè wine bar on Crown Street Surry Hills with indoor and outdoor seating. This rustic little cafe is associated with Brewtown Newtown, so you know they have decent coffee. The staff here are friendly and welcoming. This cafe is a great spot for taking in the action of Surry Hills. I visited this place for lunch. The menu is small with light breakfast and lunch options available at a decent price. I ordered the slow roasted lamb roll and a their cafè brewed Egyptian Rose iced tea. The lamb roll was nice enough and the iced tea was refreshing and sweet. I also had a coffee to go and it was as good as expected. It is worth a visit to this friendly little cafè to take in a bit of Surry Hills. I will be back to try their breakfast menu.

    Funky Gnome Espresso. My cafe in Surry Hills Sydney. An unusual modern retro coffee machine and great baristas.
    Robert F.

    One of the best cafes i have found in Sydney, the greatest compliment I can give it, is that it would be at home in Melbourne. Very friendly staff, nice corner location in Surry Hills and the best coffee I have had so far in Sydney. Add the small but focused food selection and you have a winner. Do get there early on weekends to get a seat though.

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    14 years ago

    My favourite spot in Surry Hills for breakfast. Fantastic coffee and a simple but very tasty menu. Try the Benni roll!

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    13 years ago

    Best spot in Surry hills for Saturday or Sunday brekky.

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    Review Highlights - Gnome Cafe

    Very friendly staff, nice corner location in Surry Hills and the best coffee I have had so far in Sydney.

    Mentioned in 9 reviews

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    Glider KS - Taro Latte

    Glider KS

    4.8(8 reviews)
    1.2 kmChippendale
    $$

    I completely walked by this place the first time I was wandering around Spice Alley, but once I…read morelooked at the small cafe's Asian fusion menu, I knew I wanted to try it. You order at the front register, and they bring your order to you. I've only tried their hojicha latte and taro latte, but they are the best lattes (no coffee) I've ever had. They're so flavorful and rich with a fluffy foam design on top. The drink itself is smooth and creamy but not overly sweet. Hits the spot!

    All coffees are not created equal…read more I know this because of Glider. The original is in Potts Point, this is the new venue, and it's an absolute corker. They've set up shop in a teeny tiny Lilliputian cottage in Kensington Lane in the new Central Park precinct. It backs onto Spice Alley and has light-filled interiors that are all white walls and light wood and it feel positively Scandinavian. Then there's the coffee. Good lord, man. It comes served in these custom cups, they're kind of grainy and glazed and feel like they've been hewn out of very light sandstone by some unnamed master craftsman who will die a nobody but be recognised posthumously as one of the finest artisans of this or any age, Van Gogh style. The barista had the obligatory mustache but boy, did this dude know what service felt like. Polite, friendly, charming, without being overbearing. Win stars out of five. Top class, thank you and goodnight.

    Photos
    Glider KS - Omelette

    Omelette

    Glider KS - Nice presentation

    Nice presentation

    Glider KS - Hojicha Latte

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    Hojicha Latte

    Something 4 Jess Espresso Boutique - Cuuuuute.

    Something 4 Jess Espresso Boutique

    4.3(21 reviews)
    1.4 kmChippendale
    $$

    The unassuming Something 4 Jess has quietly become my favourite cafe in Chippendale. In all…read morehonesty, I had to take a break because I was becoming one of those customers who was there a little too early a little often. The lovely staff make it hard to stay away. I've been meaning to write up a review for weeks, but struggled to choose what to write about. The menu is seasonal and changes weekly, some samples include finely cut wagyu, crusted in dukkah and served on sourdough, honey-glazed bacon with fresh avocado, and mushrooms with ricotta. Almost everything comes served with sprinklings of sprouts and greens grown on the windowsill. The menu is small but there's almost always something for everyone; however, those looking for your classic big breakfast should come prepared to settle for something a little different. The quality of coffee is not entirely consistent, but the molasses-infused sugar makes up for it. I could eat a jar of it by itself. There's also a range of sandwiches on offer. A friend recently brought home lamb-shoulder on sourdough that had me drooling. I need to be strong, three visits in one day is just too much.

    I don't know who Jess is but if I had to guess she'd be some kind of minor indie princess, she'd…read moreprobably have a nose ring and a heart of gold, she'd wear bare feet and have sun-tousled hair and holes in her jeans and a smile that could thaw out the Cold War. And if I was going to personify this cafe, that's how it'd go. It's small and charmingly ramshackle and chilled out and social all at the same time, it's basically how I want my living room to be. The coffee is fantastic, as are the views across the new Central Park development, and weirdly the noise of the construction across the road doesn't seem to come inside. The small menu is on the spendier side, but it looked creative & wholesome. Bring a book or a notepad to write deep thoughts in.

    Photos
    Something 4 Jess Espresso Boutique - Long black (after I had taken a sip).

    Long black (after I had taken a sip).

    Something 4 Jess Espresso Boutique - Art on display over the table-for-ones

    Art on display over the table-for-ones

    Something 4 Jess Espresso Boutique - Yummy counter display with an old-timer register

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    Yummy counter display with an old-timer register

    Toby's Estate - Toby's Estate Ethiopia Long Black

    Toby's Estate

    4.1(14 reviews)
    1.8 kmChippendale
    $$

    Toby's Estate turned out to be one of the best cafe in Sydney to get good, single origin coffee at…read morea reasonable price. Located next to Victoria Park and near Uni Row, I was surprised to have found this gem that the locals get to enjoy everyday. Walking in, a barista takes your order for takeaway and has you standing behind them as they make your order. There is plenty of seating inside, but those are reserved for those dining in. They have their roastery in the back, with large windows separating from the cafe. We had visited twice here and each time was a great experience. I had the opportunity to try both their Ethiopian and their Guatemalan long blacks, and the tasting notes do stand out. They have a variety of coffee beans you can purchase, along with a more limited selection of teas. Toby's Estate is a must try for all coffee aficionados in the area.

    I found out about this place through a friend who noted that they landed the top spot on the…read moreWorld's 100 Best Coffee Shops ranking, but I liked my hotel cappuccino better than their flat white! I'm not a coffee snob, so maybe I'm way off. One thing I did love was how their baristas are around the counter rather than behind it, so you can chat and watch as they make your drink! The jury is still out on when the coffee world will standardize a flat white, according to my barista

    Photos
    Toby's Estate - Interior space

    Interior space

    Toby's Estate - Merchandise for purchase

    Merchandise for purchase

    Toby's Estate - Storefront

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    Storefront

    The Bean Brewers - Breakfast roll (halloumi&egg

    The Bean Brewers

    4.1(10 reviews)
    1.4 kmChippendale
    $

    The food here is amazing and the people are so nice! There is a nice assortment of food for…read morebreakfast and lunch. Would definitely recommend to stop in and get a coffee and something to eat.

    Bar Mattino is a surprisingly busy little joint for its whereabouts (tucked into Chippendale on…read moreAbercrombie street). Sebastian, the robust English chef, serves up traditional and delicious café cuisine for breakfast and lunch on weekdays and a beautiful roast for Sunday lunch. He's funny at best, though I might warn you not to sit too close to the kitchen unless you want to overhear a colorful monologue of cynicism and crude jokes. Some winning items on the menu include the "Big Salad" which changes daily and can include a delicious mixture of pumpkin, cous cous, eggplant, walnuts, raisins, and any other odds and ends the chef decides to add on the day. I recommend ordering it with poached chicken, which is as tender as can be. Another popular item is the BLT, served on Turkish bread. Careful though, it's big enough to feed your entire family of seven. If you can appreciate a good chip (or 2 dozen), Bar Mattino's are hand cut and fried to perfection. Lastly, I would highly and enthusiastically recommend the house made brownie, for which I solely blame the gain of 3 kilos. It's chocoloatey, and melty, and powered sugary and just ALL good.

    Photos
    The Bean Brewers - Pretty yummy! Mushroom about toast

    Pretty yummy! Mushroom about toast

    The Bean Brewers
    The Bean Brewers - Vegan breakfast burrito

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    Vegan breakfast burrito

    Gnome Cafe - coffee - Updated May 2026

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