Glory Days Coffee

Inside the bright, spacious foyer of the Dexus development on North Sydney’s Mount Street is Glory Days Coffee. Much like its surroundings the cafe is understated: there’s a single sleek wood-panelled bar houses a stunning cream La Marzocco Strada coffee machine, a glass case with a selection of pastries and other baked treats, and not much else.

The menu is deliberately pared back and good for grab-and-go workers on their lunch breaks. There is sourdough bread, pastries and cakes from Chippendale’s Brickfields; cold-pressed juices and tonics by Cali Press; and because coffee is a big focus here, bespoke coffee roasted for the cafe by Mecca in Alexandria.

The front coffee bar – which also turns out Prana Chai, Tea Craft teas and Mörk hot chocolates – hides a tiny kitchen doing toasted bagels schmeared with cream cheese and topped generously with smoked salmon, tomato and capers, or with chilli and chives. There’s also coconut chia with berries and granola, and oats stewed with fruit, yoghurt and coconut.