The Little Marionette, Annandale

I ventured over to Annandale this week to try The Little Marionette - both a cafe and a local coffee roaster. In a corner location, just a block back from Parramatta Road, on the lovely and wide Trafalgar St - this was one very busy little cafe.

It has a great vibe, and plenty of different places to sit - at the window seat was my pick (and it was a gorgeous day so the big windows were open and almost hot in the sun), but if you wanted a cosy spot there's the club chairs in the adjoining room (behind the 'secret swinging bookcase' door which sits ajar - fun).

This is a really friendly and relaxed place with great coffee and some fabulous pastries from Black Star Pastry - if you're passing by - drop in!

The Little Marionette

18 Trafalgar St

Annandale

 

Delmain Providore, Balmain

A late after school outing to the waterlogged park with my son and the dog - we needed a quick followup for afternoon coffee. 

We had the car, so headed down into Balmain and stopped into this little cafe-deli-fruit&veg shop on Darling St. Choosing to sit outside at the quirky long table with little stools . . . and watch the passers-by whilst we had a quick snack - a coffee, a hot chocolate, and a fresh (white chocolate & berry) muffin - perfect for a rainy and cold winter afternoon.

You'll find it right down in the heart of Balmain:

Delmain Providore

306 Darling St

Balmain

About Life Cafe, Rozelle

It's been in Rozelle for ages, in fact About Life started out in the shopfront opposite (now RedRoomDVD) - with lots of food & goodies packed into a tiny and bursting place. Happily, when it moved across the road, it just meant more space, and more goodies - and the cafe could serve more food and accommodate more people.

It's got room to move inside - with stools at window benches for individuals to perch, small tables & big tables - and even more room outside (undercover and with heaters). The indoor space is very light and airy - and all the windows open up in summer. It might only look onto a busy part of Darling St, but people watching is sometimes just as good as a view.

I stopped in for a morning coffee (rich & smooth) and some yummy carrot cake - and picked up some fruit & veg whilst I was there - so all in all, a successful outing.

About Life 

Natural Marketplace

Cafe & Express

605 Darling St

(large purple building)

BlackWattle Cafe, Glebe

A cloudy but fine Saturday afternoon had my family and I (including the dog) head out on a bike ride. This time we thought to ride over to Blackwattle Bay, Glebe which has some on-road riding, but then it's mostly around the bay on paths and parkways.

On our journey - we stopped in at BlackWattle Cafe, perfectly situated with surrounding lawn and views of the bay, the CBD and the Anzac Bridge. It was established last year - in the lovely Bellevue Cottage building after much restoration. Having seen the empty shell there for some years, it's great to have it now used.

Parking the bikes - we took a table outside and enjoyed our coffee (which they source from the local roaster The Little Marrionette), cake and a break from our ride. The coffee is quite perfect, and I take a sip before I take a photo!

There was a baby shower celebration just starting when we arrived, so the indoor part of the cafe was closed - but that just meant the cafe was serving coffee & cakes beyond it's normal 4pm so suited us just fine. I had a peek inside - which retains the charm and patina of it's history, so might have to go back for a breaky or lunch sometime.

The main walking/running/cycling path is below the slight hill - so it's a peaceful stop with just the views and other patrons as company. Dog friendly too - with tall posts away from the tables to tie up your 4-legged friend, and water dish for refreshment.


Out for a ride or a walk? or visiting the area - here are the details. Hope you make it.

BlackWattle Cafe

55 Leichhardt St, Glebe

(on the walkway/cycleway that runs around Blackwattle Bay)

www.blackwattlecafe.com