101 reasons to visit Raw

Where to find the best sweet potato fries in Castle Hill.

Classic Orange, Detox and Super Green juices from Raw101.

• Fresh feasts for summer
• Gem’s food dream shines

With friendly staff, a comfortable and cosy venue in the heart of Castle Hill and the best sweet potato fries around, it is easy to see why Raw101 has gone from strength to strength.

Cherrybrook owner Kedra Egan, who bought the cafe three years ago, and her team of dedicated staff ensure each customer feels at home in the industrial-chic space on Old Northern Rd in Castle Hill.

Iced latte, iced chocolate and mixed berry smoothie.

Head barista Ali, who celebrated his third anniversary with the cafe last week, remembers everyone’s orders and brews the Toby’s Estate Coffee to perfection while Jash, a former head chef for the Shangri-La, heads up the kitchen.

The wait staff greet regular customers by name and new ones with a smile, and you can’t help but feel part of the Raw101 family by the time you leave.

Raw101 owner Kedra, staff member Sarah and head barista Ali.

“We’re all about quality food, fresh ingredients and making sure people are satisfied,” Mrs Egan said.

The generous portion sizes will satisfy even the hungriest of patrons, such as the Bacon Stack ($18.50), which is a sky-high plate of poached eggs, semi-dried tomatoes, Spanish onion, baby spinach and avocado served on hash browns.

The Bacon Stack with poached eggs, semi-dried tomatoes, Spanish onion, baby spinach and avocado served on hash browns with rocket and hollandaise sauce on the side.

The cafe has become particularly busy this summer with the Sydney Hills Christmas Sky Show outside their doorstep every evening and Castle Towers located across the road and it has extended its trading hours over Christmas.

Its new lunch menu, launched in November, perfectly complements the all-day breakfast and has also attracted nearby workers, shoppers and families to the eatery.

The select lunch menu has a range of options to suit all tastes, with the range of burgers – served on Brasserie Bread milk buns with a side of fries – proving especially popular.

The Betty burger with Angus beef, lettuce, tomato, bacon, pineapple, beetroot, cheese and barbecue sauce.

Each one carries the name of a dear family member, such as The Betty, an angus beef burger with the works named after Mrs Egan’s 96-year-old grandmother.

The sweet potato fries ($7.50) are the best in Castle Hill and are served with a mouth-watering aioli.

Sweet potato fries.

When the sun is shining, the family-friendly and pet-friendly cafe is the perfect place to unwind with a cool, fresh-made juice or shake.

Where: 283A Old Northern Rd, Castle Hill

Christmas Trading hours: Dec 22, 7am-9pm; Dec 23, 7am-3pm; Dec 24, 7am-2pm; Dec 25 closed; Dec 26-27, 7.30am-3pm; Dec 28-30, 7am-3pm; Dec 31, 7am-2pm; Jan 1-2, 8am-3pm; Jan 3, 7am-3pm.

Details: Walk-ins and bookings welcome. Book by phone on 9659 3911 or send a message on Facebook