Hornsby’s best cafe revealed: Jim and Harry’s, Mount Colah

The results are in and now we have a winner for the best cafe in Hornsby, as voted by you for the Delicious Local cafe competition.

Meal from Jim and Harry's cafe in Mount Colah. Picture: supplied

The wider Hornsby community has voted for their favourite local cafe for 2021, which can be revealed as Jim and Harry’s in Mount Colah.

The competition was launched by food genius and celebrity Matt Preston and the community nominated 13 cafes.

Jim and Harry's Cafe in Mount Colah. Picture: supplied

It included The Refinery Espresso, Berkelouw Books Hornsby, Blu Water Grill, Hornsby Bunker Beam Espresso Bar - Hornsby, Coho Berowra, Coffee DRs, Firestone Sydney, Jim & Harry’s, Lotsa Food Cafe & Takeaway, The Coffee Emporium Hornsby, Thyme Square Cafe, Wise Monkey Cafe and Oliver Brown Hornsby.

The winner, Jim and Harry’s, is recognised as one of the oldest surviving cafes in the region after being established by a pair of brother-in-laws Jim Efstathiou and Harry Kovelis.

Mr Kovelis has since passed away but his name has lived on through the popular cafe, which is now solely owned by Mr Efstathiou.

Mr Efstathiou thanked his loyal customers who voted for him in the competition.

Food from Jim and Harry's cafe in Mount Colah. Picture: supplied

“I can’t believe it, it’s fantastic [we won]. We’ve been here a long time and have developed a good relationship with our customers,” he said.

“All the food we produce is nice and fresh and we try and do everything right and that’s the secret.

“We’re well known for our burgers, people love our hamburgers. There was another story which named the top 14 burger places in Sydney and we made the top 14.”

He said over the years the cafe has changed dramatically.

Burger from Jim and Harry's Cafe in Mount Colah. Picture: supplied

“The business has changed considerably over the years and the last time we changed was making it into a cafe with takeaway a couple of years ago.

“We used to have a supermarket and video store and you’ve got to change with the current economic climate.

“We wanted somewhere for people to be able to sit down and have the food we produce. We don’t do a lot of the classic cafe meals, but people do sit down and have their breakfast or lunch and we offer really nice coffee.”

He said they decided to begin the cafe because they wanted to run their own business.

“I’ve been here for 32 years. I’m a printer by trade and started working for myself.

“I’ll keep on working while I can and will continue to make changes, I’m always trying to make improvements.”

The popular cafe is located at 595 Pacific Hwy in Mount Colah.