Le Caféier

A new neighbour to the abundance of cafes along Balmain’s Darling Street is Mediterranean-influenced Le Caféier. For those who prefer to watch the shoppers pass by, petite white stools and wooden tables sit neatly outside. Step inside Le Caféier and expect a chic interior with vibrant bay windows at the front, white pot plants blooming with greenery, vintage coffee ornaments and a penny-farthing bicycle, an eclectic mix of cushions lining the bench and rustic recycled timber surrounding the counter. Coffee is taken seriously here with Le Caféier using Toby’s Estate in their Mirage machine.

While most cafes limit their breakfast offerings, Le Caféier offers simple hearty dishes such as omelettes with spicy chorizo, red capsicum and goats cheese and terracotta clay pots with aromatic lamb mince and vegetables topped with chunks of feta and two fried eggs. Lighter breakfast varieties include porridge with toasted walnuts, apricot and raisin or wood toasted muesli with yoghurt and berry compote. For lunch, Le Cafeier turns out a range of wholesome salads including our pick, the guilt-free chicken salad with carrot, corn kernels, croutons and chicken breast with tangy lemon sauce.