Cafe culture at Foundry Fifty Three in Manly on Sydney’s northern beaches

Buzzy Foundry Fifty Three in Manly serves locally roasted coffee and simple cafe fare.

Ready for lunch: the crispy fried chicken burger.

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Cherry and Patrick Neary are living the dream.

The kids have grown up, so what do a couple of empty-nesters do? Simple.

They take over a cafe. Last May, the couple plumped for a Manly cafe that’s just out of the centre of town.

More Newtown than beachy, Foundry 53 is a funky little cafe in Manly.

The location is definitely not a problem here. Foundry Fifty Three is in a little pocket of Pittwater Rd that’s fast-becoming a foodie destination. It’s in good company, too – Sunset Sabi, Cridas and The Herring Room are all close by.

Foundry Fifty Three was more Newtown than beachy, thanks to the street art festooning the side wall and a smattering of industrial trendiness. It’s grungy but it’s kind of cosy, too. It still is – nothing’s changed since the new owners came on board.

And everyone’s welcome. Weekend trade is brisk and the coffee is always big business. Patient customers and equally patient french bulldogs wait in line for their takeaway caffeine fixes. They’ve come for a boutique local brew, Barrel One Coffee, which is roasted down the road in Brookvale.

Special brew: barrista Henry Seeney with the V60 pour over.

It gets the thumbs up from review platform Beanhunter and from the caffeine addict sitting across the table. Ramp up the caffeine and there’s single origin, cold drip and pour over; as well as Chamelia Organic Teas.

But Lycra lovers, surfers, gym junkies and french bulldog owners can’t live on coffee alone. So Foundry Fifty Three kitchen sends out simple, healthy grub. There’s a specials’ board as well as wraps, an Italian meatball sandwich and the hugely popular crispy fired chicken burger. It comes with bacon, melted cheese, house pickles, avocado, salady bits, house pesto and garlic aoili on a milk bun.

If you’re looking for something more breakfast- meets-brunch, the sky-high smashed avocado with poached egg and feta on rye is one of the default dishes.

The red-hot

The Mushroom Nimbin, perfect for a weekend breakfast.

chilli eggs with poached eggs, bacon and avocado on sourdough toast promises so much, but doesn’t deliver the expected heat-sear. The homemade chilli jam is sweet rather than hot. More chilli please.

The star is the mushroom Nimbin. It’s a cracker. Sauteed mushrooms, wilted spinach, feta, avocado and house pesto on toast.

And here’s a tip. There’s no Sunday surcharge. I can’t think of many places that don’t whack on a surcharge.

Twitter: @beverley_hudec

ESSENTIALS

Foundry Fifty Three, 53 Pittwater Rd, Manly

Phone: [phone]

Open Monday 7am-1pm; Tuesday-Friday, 7am-3pm; weekends, 7.30am-3pm. The kitchen closes at 2pm, but coffee and cakes are still available.

Go for: Mushroom Nimbin; $15; crispy chicken burger, $15.50; sky-high avocado, $15

Coffee: Barrel One Roasters Solara blend

Vibe: More Newtown

Bottom line: $39