A nice cafe with a nice open sunny terrace. The milkshakes are excellent and the burger with the…read morehome made chips was divine. The coffee here is also good. Not a bad choice for a brunch or some lunch in Neutral Bay.

Whilst the portions are probably not ample enough for my gigantic scoff-meister appetite, this…read moreplace is good and consistent with its food, coffee and waitstaff (who will ignore you for as long as it takes you to get up and demand they actually do their job instead of discuss who is the most hipster one of all). For breakfast, get the pancakes or the brekkie wrap. If you've had an all-nighter, you can get excellent coffee by the bowlful. Seriously. For lunch, definitely go the BLAT. As most seating is outside, go on a sunny day. And hope that a lone jerk face with a book and a tea isn't hogging an eight seater table in the sun.

Great coffee, great lunch options, reasonable prices. The…read morestaff are cool, and the spiral staircase is cooler (and you have to walk down it carefully). Coffee is great, as is the option for gluten free almost anything, should your friends need it. I'll be back.

Really cool cafe on Military Rd. Specifically the layout of the cafe... walk in and walk up the…read morethin, windy stairs to go up to the upstairs section. But putting aside the layout this is still a good cafe. The coffee here is good, and the barista is a lover of coffee and willing not only to advise, but also to complain about what is lacking with their style of coffee - which was surprisingly refreshing. The food here should be your drawing card here. It is simple but good. I really like the breakfast brioche, especially when add some mushrooms to it. Saying that they are willing here to add or subtract anything on the menu to make exactly what you would like on your plate. Going from there, the staff here are extremely friendly, and make you feel as if you are home. Which generally improve your experience. This is an extremely relaxed and that is awesome for the weekends. But sometimes this place is extremely busy and so you might miss out on a seat, but if you are lucky you can sit down and relax.

Before the owners Denis and Dom took over this business it used to be a cafe that was lack of…read morepatron was magnified by its large size. Now as L'Ami de Pain Boulangerie it's hard to try and miss the queues that line up for the coffee on weekdays and weekends. People are lining up for the selection of breads including their baguettes. Vibrant macroons are amongst their exquisite cakes as well as savouries from quiches, pies to sausage rolls on offer. A great addition for families in the corner playpen and the table with drawing paper and crayons an there is outdoor and indoor seating. The personalised service provided by Denis and Dom is second to none and it explains why this neighbourhood bakery has become of the most popular haunts for the locals.

If I was solely reviewing the coffee this place will be getting 1 star at best. But there is more…read moreto this little cafe then the actual coffee. To be honest I was extremely underwhelmed by this cafe. A few people have recommended this place, and as it is around the corner from my brother's I tend to come here often for takeout and dessert. But sadly with ever purchase, it is confirmed that this place is at best average. None of the food is overly fresh - not the quiches or the pies. Even their sandwiches are pre-made, and you can taste it. The dessert here is alright, but not great and nothing to boast about. The photos of the cakes and desserts order- made look amazing. So maybe that's why everyone raves about it. But if you are coming here for a quick bite, I honestly don't understand the charm. There are better places in Mosman or walking distance to Military Rd. I think Shot on Military is a million times better. Maybe that's just me. However, they are extremely kid friendly so maybe that's the appeal - because other than that I seriously don't understand why this is popular.

a couple of friends and myself went out to Neutral Bay for the day. found Essence Coffee right off…read moreMilitary Road and what a little hidden gem. the shop itself is quite small, but has a cozy feel to it. more importantly the coffee is legit. i had a flat white and it was pretty excellent. they did have food and other beverages available. their bacon egg roll looked quite tasty so i'll definitely have to check this place out again soon. service was great and the staff were really nice. worth a trip if you're in the area.

This is a great little hole in the wall with a great atmosphere…read more I have only grabbed a coffee here a few times, but it is exceptional. The coffee is smooth and delicious, which when I order decaf is surprising! The service is wonderful, so friendly and welcoming. Even when you are pushing a pram into a tiny little coffee shop to get bub out of the sun. As others have said, great spot for a solo coffee! There is limited seating, but great for take away!

Disappointing, in a word - the guys here seem to care a lot about the coffee, and so despite high…read moreexpectations I left rather disappointed. For the first time in a long time I didn't actually finish my coffee. Coffee: Double macchiato Bean: A variety of Single Origins, mine was prepared with beans from El Salvador Crema: Erm, ok I guess, 6.5/10 Overall Taste: A little bitter, not the nicest coffee I have tried 5/10 Served in: Latte glass (-1) Preparation: Too much milk for my liking, perhaps a little under extracted? If you are after something like a latte or cappuccino then it might be a better bet, but for a shop that appears to be so passionate about specialising in coffee I would have hoped for better, especially with so many great coffee options just over the bridge. The location - well, it's not bad, I think you could probably enjoy catching up with a friend here - but given the disappointing coffee I focused more on the close proximity to the parking lot.

These guys know their coffee…read more Walk in to a warm wall of coffee aroma and mountains of coffee beans on display. The baristas are friendly and not at all hard on the eye either!

I love this place! I just had breakfast here and it was amazing! Egg and bacon roll with tomato…read morechutney at a good price accompanied with a pricey but worth it carrot, Apple and ginger juice! Highly recommend! Friendly service, outstanding cleanliness and super tasty food and beverage!!! They also do gluten free which gives them extra points in my books as most of my family are gluten free! 10/10

Probably the only time I will be here for a coffee. Not because there is anything wrong, it's just…read morea stop by on the way to a meeting. The coffee is Campos and the Barista Guru does a great job with it. Service is fine and there's a good food menu to try out. Yes I'd recommend it, if I had time I'd give te Haloumi, baby beet orange and spinach salad a go!!

Another cafe has popped up in Mosman but this time its gluten and lactose free and I'm pretty…read moreexcited. At Cafe Free you can indulge with an American diner style serving of gluten free waffles or enjoy a bacon and egg gluten free roll to feed your hangover. I'm proud to say I wasn't hungover when I visited Cafe free so I chose the waffle route - its not everyday you see waffles listed as gluten free on a menu. Ordering gluten free pancakes or waffles is usually disappointing as eateries struggle to create the fluffiness of normal pancakes. I am often faced with a small serving that is sparingly decorated whilst everyone else is enjoying a stack of buttermilk pancakes with banana, ice cream and maple syrup. Not fair. Cafe Free is exempt from this gluten free bias. To my delight I was greeted with an epic stack of waffles covered in caramelised banana, strawberries and decadent dollops of treacle butter. The waffles were thick and doughy (who knew something gluten free could be doughy?), the banana was perfectly crispy and THAT TREACLE BUTTER. The dollops were initially intimidating and I felt pretty guilty watching them melt amongst the grid of the waffle but I finished the whole plate. No regrets. I was full for the rest of the day but if you had to choose one meal to last you the day you want to make it waffles from Cafe Free. Outside of the waffle experience is a menu full of items that we are used to seeing as gluten full. At Cafe Free you'll find wraps that don't crack, gluten free Vegemite spread and a steak sandwich on the menu. Beyond their breakfast and lunch menu they offer $20 take home dinners and are looking at moving into the evening with tapas. There were also talk of gluten free lasagna - win. All of this is thanks to their Chef, Zoe, and her family and friends who have come together to provide a gluten and lactose free dining experience. On arrival I am greeted by Zoe's brother, Adam and am served by one of Zoe's friends and her mum. Even amongst people buzzing in and out for a late breakfast or takeaway coffee, you can really feel that family element. Speaking with Zoe I learnt about her seasonal menu and experimentation with the baked goods that are on display in store and on social media (so you can't escape that almond milk custard tart that you've been thinking about all week). There is certainly plenty to look forward to as Cafe Free grows. Watch this space.

Coffee's good, food's ok, service is terrible. Felt like we were inconveniencing whoever the cranky…read morebloke was who was running the joint just by being there

Love this place! Had several great breakfasts here…read more.. fun,happy staff, great sunny aspect - try the truffle scrambled eggs -yum!!

From the owner: Neutral bay is a gorgeous harbour-side suburb located in the lower North Shore, home to many…read morepopular eateries and bars. One such café, is hidden, a short walk from the main Military Road strip, distinguished only by a sign that states 'coffee' known as '5 Loaves 2 Fish'. The minimalist café is beautifully designed - it features contemporary décor and its' all white interior feels fresh and clean. Upon entry, the staff at the café are inviting - their smiling faces and positive vibes are infectious.