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    Kawa

    4.0 (44 reviews)
    Closed 7:30 am - 5:00 pm

    Kawa Photos

    KAWA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for kids
    Good for groups

    Recommended Reviews - Kawa

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    Reviews With Photos

    Chai for two
    Benjamin B.

    Aaaaaand we have a new contender for My Paddo Cafe. Kawa on (surprise surprise) Crown St is pretty much everything you want for a brunch spot. If the adorable little outdoor tables and stools are full, heed the sign nailed to the tree on the sidewalk: "Please wait (it won't be long)." My friend and I were on an ill-advised anti-coffee kick at the time and we ordered the share pot of chai tea brewed on milk. It came in a rad antique china jug with wicker handle and strainer that I thought seriously about stealing . . . couldn't get it into the pocket of my skinnys though. For vittles I took another yelper's tip - thanks Joel Amigo H! - and got the avocado and tomato on Turkish with a pot of hommous drizzled in olive oil and a side of hot sausage ("that's what she said"). And when I showed the French waitress her mention on the Yelp app she became charmingly flustered in that inimitable French fashion, it was super cute and I made a few googly eyes at her that went sadly unnoticed. I'll be back to try again though.

    Avocado, tomato and basil on sourdough with poached eggs and roast pumpkin.
    Keira R.

    I don't live in the area so this was a suggestion from my brother. GREAT GREAT GREAT choice! I loved the relaxed feel and felt healthier just looking at the fresh fruit displayed. I ordered an English breakfast tea which gave me three full cups and a little extra (and they weren't tiny cups either). After a week of not eating very well, this was exactly what I needed. I ordered the avocado, tomato and basil on sourdough with two poached eggs ($5 extra) and a side of roast pumpkin ($2.50 extra). It was superb. Sourdough is sourdough, always a bit tough to eat but it worked well with this. I am a big eater and definitely not a health fanatic so I was relieved with this meal. It was fresh, tasty and a great serving. I would definitely recommend this place.

    Kellie R.

    My favourite cafe for brunch! Kawa is light, bright and cute in an awesome location, especially for people/dog watching if you're at one of the tables outside. They do the best vegan/vegetarian big breakfast (available all day!) in Sydney as far as I'm concerned. And it is BIG (and amazing and delicious). There is also yummy fresh juices and smoothies. The coffee is great and the staff are nice. A must if you haven't been, it will probably become your favourite too. And grab one of the cute business cards while you're at it!

    Delish.
    Monica V.

    Went her for brunch on a beautiful Saturday morning. Expected to wait but we were given seats right away. (Didn't mind sitting inside) I loved that the staff were friendly and you didn't feel rushed along as often is the case with other cafes. The food was good - ago on toast with eggs and salmon. Only lost points for the poached eggs which were pretty hard and slightly over cooked. The coffee was delicious.

    Breakfast Salad
    Bremar S.

    This place was awesome!! 4 1/2 to 5 stars! Hands down! I ordered the Kawa's Famous Breakfast Salad with bacon and 'Mar got the French Toast. Salad for breakfast?! Sounds weird right? But my breakfast salad had kale, spinach, apples, quinoa, avocado, a poached egg and bacon. I think the bacon really set off the dish! 'Mar's french toast came with bananas and he added an additional side of 2 fried eggs. (His stomach is still adjusting to Australian meal sizes ).

    juice is great
    Nura A.

    I mean I only got juice but it wasn't too shabby at all. it's quite small, and I wouldn't recommend for groups but if you're out with a friend pop in and try it out, it's cute and the business coffee cards are adorable!!!!! I'll have to go next time and try out the food, I'll bring the boyfriend along

    Kawa is super busy on the weekends, even on a long one.
    Justine C.

    A pretty cool joint, speaking of the volumes who attend. This is where it can get a little frustrating. It would be helpful being a Surry Hills local, rather than living a 25-minute train ride away, yet then again I would not want to trade my super spacious house (in comparison) on a rediculously cheap mortgage for smaller spaces and over the roof rent in comparison. Solution: don't come here from 10am on a Saturday, or on any weekend for brunch, unless you're a local. It's hard. Speaking of which, their coffee is good though. I am itching to try something on their breakfast menu. A good Christmas in July present where I can actually make it on a weekday, once deadlines move away for June. Great ambience, great vibe. Every local and their "dog" wants to come to Kawa.

    French toast with banana and bacon
    Rebecca C.

    To be honest, I think the food here is 4 stars but the actual restaurant space, seating, and service is 2 stars. Most people don't seem to mind sitting on the sidewalk and waiting around for leisurely (read: slow) service, on low benches and tufted cushions...some even seek it out intentionally. I, on the other hand, as my tip for this spot clearly gives away, can't tolerate being in direct sunlight for too long, as I *WILL* get burned. Only after we finished (quickly) eating did we realize that there were a few indoor seats. This isn't really a mark against the establishment, it's just a practical concern for times when the limited indoor seats are filled. Also it's really hard to eat anything, including french toast with maple syrup, from a plate on a coffee-table-turned-bench that's otherwise meant to put your feet up on. Leaning over to shovel ungainly forkfuls into my mouth in the glare of sunlight and exposed to the public shame of decadent breakfast meals by virtue of being directly on the footpath is not my idea of fun. I noticed how similar the menu here is to the Goods Cafe across the street and a block closer to Oxford Street...same paper, same font, same lamination technique, same style of having one food and one drink menu...I wouldn't be surprised if they are related, owned, or run by the same people. That being said, I'd rather go across the street for the food, which is admittedly really good and worth seeking out.

    Will M.

    Having a good time here, had the eggs benny was on point. Order a large strong latte. Trust me

    I had the big breakfast for brunch, beans bacon poached eggs & mushroom. Nothing super just ok
    Ayie A.

    I had the big breakfast for brunch, beans bacon poached eggs & mushroom. Really like the place, street view and all. For the food, i'd say just okay. Nothing super or outstanding for my brunch but hey i came here to just have my own time. So yes, it's a good experience after all.

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    7 years ago

    Great coffee and tasty food! Perfect breakfast/lunch place for any day of the week. Staff are also very lovely. Highly recommended!

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    11 years ago

    Nice, relaxing spot on Crown St. Good coffee and juices. I really like the smashed avocado & tomato on toast.

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    Page 1 of 2

    Kawa Reviews in Other Languages

    Review Highlights - Kawa

    I ordered the avocado, tomato and basil on sourdough with two poached eggs ($5 extra) and a side of roast pumpkin ($2.

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    Social Brew Cafe - Special of the day - french toast.

    Social Brew Cafe

    4.7(150 reviews)
    2.1 kmPyrmont
    $$

    Honestly some of the best and quickest service I've ever had for brunch/breakfast. We were seated…read morewithin a few minutes of arriving and we quickly placed our orders. Our drinks were out in 3-5 minutes and our food was out within about 5-7 minutes after. As soon as we finished we were given our checks to pay at the front. I think we were here for only 45 minutes and it was amazing! I started out with the iced strawberry matcha and my husband had their iced mocha. The iced mocha was good but the iced strawberry matcha was flawless. The strawberries were so fresh and the matcha was just perfect itself. Great combo together! My husband had the free range eggs on toast and I had the eggs Benedict. His was delicious but the eggs Benedict was amazing. The crispy kale really sold me as it was delectable in each bite. Eggs were poached to perfection and the truffle hollandaise was just delicious. Couldn't have had a better experience if we tried!

    This cafe was recommended by a family member and was an easy travel from our hotel and was actually…read morea walking distance of less than 10 minutes. For a larger party, coming in with a reservation was convenient since they are pretty busy and change tables often. Service staff were efficient and very friendly. Ordering was easy as well. Their seasonal specials is definitely worth the look over. I had the peanut butter shake and although it didn't look it, it tasted very much like peanut butter in liquid form. I also got to try the summer breeze watermelon salad. That was refreshing. It had a mix of greens, dressing, feta and a crisp prosciutto. I've never had prosciutto served fried; it was delicious. The whole piece married well, and I wish I knew the background of how it was created. I loved every bite! Although the place was crowded, it can still be intimate. Besides indoor seating, they also have a patio and seating outside.

    Photos
    Social Brew Cafe - Store Front

    Store Front

    Social Brew Cafe - Smash Beef Burger

    Smash Beef Burger

    Social Brew Cafe

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    The Grounds of The City

    The Grounds of The City

    4.0(79 reviews)
    1.3 kmSydney
    $$

    Nice spot but where do I begin? I'm always torn when coming to a place but not fully experiencing…read moreit. This place was recommended to us by a local family friend. We came in thinking it was just a coffee shop, but it's essentially a restaurant that also has a focus on coffee. They have a full bar and a window to the outside where you can order just coffee and tea to go. As for the interior it's dimly lit and sort of has romantic date night vibes. We essentially only ordered coffee and one person ordered a cake slice. The lychee cake was pretty good per my aunt. A couple people ordered the Coco Loco, which is basically an espresso martini on steroids with Nutella and something like a Ferrero Rocher. I ordered a latte and their Affogato. The latte was very smooth and BI is arguably one of the best I've ever had. Is the Affogato a cheat code because they use like a tiramisu ice cream? You could argue that case. You can also buy their blends of coffee beans, subject to availability. While the latte was very smooth, I can't say it was mind blowing but it was still pretty good.

    First time in Australia experiencing the culture and culinary experiences. Please take that into…read moreconsideration when reading this. I also reserve 4 and 5 star reviews for exceptional service with unforgettable dining experiences. The ambience is intimate but also noisy. I will say the coffee here and in Australia in general is some of the best coffee I've ever had. I ordered (2) espresso martinis, pancakes, and the sirloin steak breakfast with a side hashbrown. My pancakes were stone cold but I will say the aesthetics on it made it edible. The pistachio butter cream was to die for. My steak was ok ; for the price I simply just wanted more. I could be wrong but I doubt it was even 6oz. If you have this place on your radar be sure to make reservations. This goes for almost every restaurant in Sydney. My server was Cassie who was very personable and even gave us tips on what to watch out for dining in Sydney.

    Photos
    The Grounds of The City
    The Grounds of The City - Strawberry chiffon cake  Great to stop and enjoy for afternoon tea

    Strawberry chiffon cake Great to stop and enjoy for afternoon tea

    The Grounds of The City - Outside

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    Outside

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

    Toby's Estate

    4.1(14 reviews)
    1.9 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

    Paramount Coffee Project - PCP Sydney  Stracciatella, chilli & hazelnuts on rye, with heirloom toms, smashed avo & sautéed greens

    Paramount Coffee Project

    4.0(88 reviews)
    0.4 kmSurry Hills
    $$

    WOW. I don't know if I'm just hungry and jet lagged but the breakfast at PCP Sydney definitely left…read morean impression on me. My golly, the stracciatella, chilli & hazelnut toast is to die for!!! You can add more to it such as heirloom cherry tomatoes, avocados, greens; garlic roasted field mushrooms, pork sausage, eggs or smoked ocean trout. I opted for scrambled eggs and it was a breakfast for champions NGL. Soooo good! Paired with the orange blossom matcha milk, I'm in heaven! I'm not really a citrusy kinda girl but that combo was divine. I needed more caffeine though for my long day ahead so I got a large mocha-- just the buzz I needed. The vibe is very aesthetic, industrial chic with high ceilings. Love the tables as well as the pitchers that look like Aesop bottles haha. I was really torn between the shokupan yuzu French toast and stracciatella, chilli and hazelnut toast but I'm glad I went with savory. Absolutely what I needed for today's adventures. Service was amazing. I was seated immediately but I came 15 mins after they opened so that's probably why. I'm so happy I added PCP to my Sydney itinerary.

    This was a very good breakfast!…read more I had the avocado toast with sttaceletta cheese and hot chili oil. Everything paired so well together and it was very fresh. My coffee was also delightful.

    Photos
    Paramount Coffee Project - Cappuccino...yes I got 2 of them in my first trip.

    Cappuccino...yes I got 2 of them in my first trip.

    Paramount Coffee Project
    Paramount Coffee Project - Avocado toast with stracciatella cheese and hot chili oil.

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    Avocado toast with stracciatella cheese and hot chili oil.

    Shortstop Coffee & Donuts

    Shortstop Coffee & Donuts

    4.3(72 reviews)
    1.1 kmHaymarket
    $

    Walking around sure makes you hungry! It was time to grab a…read morecoffee and a donut. Vacation carbs don't count, right? I came around lunchtime and just wanted a coffee and donut. I got a hot latte and a sour cream cake donut. It was delicious! The coffee was hot and sweet and the donut was crisp and delicious! I sat here for a little while and enjoyed my snack. The shop was nice! Cozy, with a fresh brewed coffee smell!

    I insisted we stop in while my husband and I were walking around Melbourne for a break and…read morerejuvenating snack of donuts and coffee. Plus, I'm never one to turn down the possibility of a donut and coffee. Shortstop specializes in cake donuts rather than yeast, which allows for more creative flavors. I have always preferred more specialty donut flavors than traditional ones. My favorites in years past have been matcha green tea, earl grey, rose, lavender, etc. So imagine my elation when we stepped inside Shortstop and saw all these phenomenal flavors aligned with my preferences! I, of course, insisted on ordering the triple matcha, while my husband opted for their earl grey and rose. We also ordered coffees, a filtered coffee for my husband a latte for me. Their coffee is sourced from local roasters. The triple matcha had a matcha cake base and was topped with white chocolate, matcha glaze, and matcha icing. I'm never one to say "too much matcha," so this was perfect for me! I had a bite of my husband's earl grey and rose donut, which was a lovely balance of earl grey, lemon myrtle, rosewater, and rose. Highly recommend if you're in Melbourne craving some sweets. We're so glad we stopped in!

    Photos
    Shortstop Coffee & Donuts - What's available today?

    What's available today?

    Shortstop Coffee & Donuts - Ricotta cheesecake donut.

    Ricotta cheesecake donut.

    Shortstop Coffee & Donuts - Decision time!

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    Decision time!

    Kawa - restaurants - Updated May 2026

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