Cornersmith Annandale

The idea of a tiny neighbourhood cafe leading the conversation around food waste and ethical eating seemed radical in 2012. Several cookbooks and many jars of pickles later, Cornersmith is still doing its thing.

The menu here is strictly seasonal, and leans heavily on house pickles and ferments, as well as other produce from mostly local, small-scale producers. It’s a continuation of the ethos that began at Cornersmith’s now-closed Marrickville cafe.

Cornersmith-typical dishes might include kimchi pancakes and goat’s curd; a toasted sandwich with pickles and cheese; and a pita sandwich with black beans, snow peas, cabbage, coriander, goat’s cheese and a fermented pineapple sambal.

Because the cafe opens onto Annandale parkland there are DIY picnic boxes and a small deli. Cornersmith can even supply picnic blankets. Even inside the cafe there’s an outdoorsy, picnic vibe thanks to the high ceilings, wide windows (which look straight out onto the park) and a bright, lightly furnished fit-out.