Pablo’s Vice

Since 1996, flocks of coffee-thirsty punters have congregated on the same stretch of pavement in Darlinghurst for their morning fix. Some lean down to collect their coffee from the street-level window dispensing takeaways at rapid-fire. Others help themselves to a table in the cosy subterranean den.

The coffee here is exactly what you want from your local cafe. Campos beans are brewed fast and consistently, keeping the regulars happy. A blend of native herbs such as cinnamon myrtle, wattleseed, and dorrigo pepper go into the chai from Balmain producer Tippity Tea.

The menu makes the most of the tiny kitchen space. For breakfast there’s smashed avocado with Danish feta, rocket, and tomato on Sonoma Bakery soy and linseed toast. Quick snacks come in the form of tempura zucchini chips, sweet potato fries and onion rings. For lunch the Pablo’s beef burger comes with crispy maple bacon on a soft milk bun.