Happyfield

Between the tasty menu, affable front-of-house staff and Five Senses coffee pumping out of the sunny yellow espresso machine, Happyfield is an exciting addition to this traditionally Italian suburb.

The eatery has an American diner feel, and that means “proper” pancakes: foldable without breaking, half-a-pinky thick, slathered in Pepe Saya butter and drowning in Canadian maple syrup.

There’s also the McLovin Muffin, which has chipotle aioli and handmade chicken sausages topped with folded eggs and melted cheddar on an English muffin. The Bircher muesli is topped with toasted coconut, mint, tamarillo and slices of grapefruit and orange. Mixed mushrooms are sprinkled with dukkha and served on a bed of whipped ricotta and feta.

For lunch the mortadella and provolone ciabatta is a nod to Haberfield’s Italian history, while the crisp-skinned barramundi with cavolo nero is a fancier option.

As well as staples such as flat whites and lattes there’s an excellent nitro cold brew, and a dark caramel coffee topped with a creamy, golden foam, which arrives in a frosted mini mug.

Happyfield is open for breakfast and lunch and is licensed. There’s a small selection of locally brewed beer, a handful of wines and cocktails. Try the Hail Cesar, a Canadian interpretation of the Bloody Mary, made with vodka and delicately sweet Clamato juice.

Owners Chris Theodosi and Jesse Orleans painted the pressed-tin ceiling yellow, added banquet seating and chipped back the plaster on the exposed brick walls. Theodosi’s dad tiled the high communal table in the centre of the room.

Happyfield takes its name from its home suburb – and between the sunshine-yellow and sage-green décor, Theodosi’s yellow socks, and the energised, comfortable space, “happy” is the best way to describe this lovely neighbourhood eatery.