Barista Haus cafe brings an inner-city flavour to an otherwise uninspiring strip in Rockdale. Tucked down an alleyway near the post office, this space is all gleaming-white subway tiles, polished-concrete floors and hanging pot plants. Pops of sunshiny yellow are scattered throughout, from the chairs to the cups; it’s good, clean fun.

Head barista Jess Reynolds has a real passion for coffee. She thought that because Rockdale is a bit run down and stuck in the ‘80s that she could create something exciting and different with Barista Haus.

While fresh sandwiches are prepared daily, and sticky cronuts beckon from behind the counter, coffee by Melbourne’s St ALi is the focus here. Reynolds likes the lighter roast, believing it’s what Sydneysiders are moving towards now.

On the last Friday of every month, to capitalise on the lack of small bars in Rockdale, Barista Haus will turn into a bar.