Eating Out

Forest Lodge Hot Spots

If you happen to be at Broadway Shopping Centre, need to pick up some office supplies from OfficeWorks Glebe (on Parramatta Rd), or just want to take a break from your studies at Sydney University, why not check out the coffee and food spots on offer in nearby Forest Lodge? The nexus where Glebe, Camperdown and Annandale meet, Forest Lodge is home to many a small but thriving cafe. One of those is In The Annex, not too far from

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Munja Bakehouse

“The product is unique and it’s different – there’s nothing out there that’s like this. What people tend to do when they make a cake is make it look pretty on top; a couple of seeds or nuts on top of the cake and they sell it. But this one here [FNG BAR ™️], when you take a bite the product is in the actual cake itself – and that’s what gives it a difference. When you see people take

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Nicky B's Sandwich Bar

Amr Haggag, Nicky B’s Sandwich Bar

“When you are a chef, you are by yourself, but when you are an apprentice, you have a lot of people teaching you and a lot of information from here, here and here. From Ultimo TAFE to three years as an apprentice, I learned that, no matter how basic the dish, it is important to know the steps. The kitchen is like a house. We’ve got five sections and each section needs people with the ability to work on it,

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Joe Barr, Paisley's Cafe

Joe Barr, Paisley’s Cafe – Caringbah NSW

“I would call it modern Australian: easy, quick, no frills — it is what it is. It’s egg and bacon rolls, it’s brekky wraps, it’s sandwiches and salads. It’s convenient and it’s what people want — and it’s not expensive. It’s in a good price range and not killing their budgets; we try to please the customer here. At the end of the day, we want to operate as a family cafe. We want to be part of the local

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Instagram @Helens.kouzinaki

Helen Karatzas, Instagram Blogger

“Through my blog, I embark on a beautiful exploration of these [Greek family] traditions, breathing new life into ancient recipes and adapting them to modern tastes and lifestyles. It’s a celebration of how food evolves, yet always holds onto its soul. This journey fuels my creativity and reminds me daily that cooking is more than a task, it’s a form of honouring who I am and where I come from. My drive and passion for food come from the incredible

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George Pegios, Pauly’s Deli

“I like the quality of the food here; I certainly like the servings. The variety is here too. I come here with my son and we have a great meal together. More importantly, I like the attitude of the staff and the service that’s provided. I’m not a cook but I do a good barbecue. I cook with all meats and I’m good with fish as well. For me, it’s [food] a connection; I like the whole process of it,

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Souvlaki Boys – Marrickville NSW

This very month, June 2025, Souvlaki Boys will celebrate nine years of business. But that’s not all they’re celebrating: they’ve just won the title of Outstanding Specialised Retail Business in the Inner West Local Business Awards. “It was a very humbling experience to win for the fifth time in six years – it’s out of this world!,” says Nick Alepidis. “It’s been an absolute blessing, and it goes out to all the customers and staff who make all of this

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Nicholas Vanos, The Deli Erskineville

From a previous life in the corporate world, Nicholas Vanos is now the proprietor of The Deli Erskineville, a family operated establishment that pretty much does what it says on the box: it’s a fine food deli on the main street of quiet but cosmopolitan Erskineville. But working in food wasn’t something Nicholas expected to do. “I was looking for something to feed my soul,” he says. Not that working in food came completely out of left field; Nicholas’s mother

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Nicky B’s – Ramsgate Beach

From the shipyards of Sydney Harbour to a sandwich bar in Ramsgate, Nick Benatos followed his passion for food and hospitality to set sail in a whole new career. “I come from the maritime industry, working on Sydney Harbour. I worked there on the harbour for 10 years and I loved every minute of it, but hospitality has always been a thing for me. Even at work I was putting on shows with the boys up in the lunch room,

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Smoke n Grill Picton

David Schembri, Smoke n Grill – Picton NSW

As it enters its eighth year of business, Smoke n Grill continues to build on what it does best: wood-smoked protein and other tasty dishes prepared in-house. But the recipe for success wasn’t written overnight. “It all took time; a lot of trial and error. And documenting everything I did and changing it bit by bit until I got what I’ve got today,” proprietor David Schembri explains. “There’s a balance [with spices]. You can put too much salt, too much

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RaJu Acharya, Happy Soul Bistro

After arriving in Australia from Nepal in 2008, RaJu Acharya forged a new life and career for himself. Starting out working in kitchens, Raju has since become the head chef of the Happy Soul Bistro which boasts two venues, in Beverly Park Golf Club and Paddington. “When I started working in a kitchen as a helper, that’s what drew my attraction towards the food. When I was prepping something, when I was cooking something, it always made me want to

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Vicki Schultz Holbrook News & Gifts

Vicki Schuur, Holbrook News and Gifts, Holbrook NSW

Although a resident of Holbrook for 25 years, Vicki readily admits that she’s not a local — yet. “My daughters, who are 23 and 21, are locals, but I’m not yet; I’ve got about another five years to go,” she laughs. Vicki, however, is a valued member of the Holbrook community as the proprietor of newsagency Holbrook News and Gifts, which has recently added coffee to its many offerings. “I’ve been in business for three years and the coffee machine

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Submarine Cafe Holbrook

Helen and Warren Thompson, Submarine Cafe, Holbrook

Near to the site of Holbrook’s famous submarine sits the Submarine Cafe, captained for many a long year by Helen and Warren; so long, in fact, that their customers go back generations. “It’s very rewarding, I thoroughly enjoy it. What makes it special is the return clientele; people I’ve known for years. They first came to visit [the submarine], then had their children, and now their children are coming back with their children,” Helen explains. “It’s like family coming home,

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Robyn Coniston Bakery

Coniston Bakery – Coniston NSW

“When I eat out, I look for freshness. We tend to look for places that are completely different to our bakery. When I go out without Jason, I really like the freshness of Thai. And I’ll have something a little more spicy, because Jason doesn’t eat spice – he has a sensitive palate.” Jason and RobynConiston Bakery, Coniston NSWwww.gerringongbakery.com.au

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Cimini Bakery Kogarah

Cimini’s Pasticceria Cafe & Bakery – Kogarah NSW

I married John Cimini, the founder, 30 years ago. The relationship has been very fulfilling; John is doing his calling, definitely. The highs for me [working at Cimini’s] would be serving a premium product, well priced and made with love. When John’s parents migrated 50-odd years ago [from Italy], they brought some recipe books with them and opened their own cake shop in Leichhardt and hand made all of their products with love. That book has been passed down, so

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Larder Wine and Cheese

The Larder Wine and Cheese Bar – Dulwich Hill NSW

I just bought the business six months ago [April 2024] and I’m trying to change it completely. I have wine from Italy, South Africa, Croatia, which I get through my other business as a wine importer, something I started as a hobby. I’m proud of our products because you can’t find them anywhere else, especially the wines from overseas. I wanted to give people the different tastes of the different wine regions. For example, South African wine is peppery, earthy.

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Michael
The Natural Butcher