Sydney Eat Street: Where to eat in Annandale Village
Annandale is known for its quiet leafy streets and heritage buildings, but head to Annandale Village, a little pocket in the centre of town and you’ll find a hub of activity with plenty of places to eat, drink and catch up with the locals.
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FEZ & CO
Suzanne Gehar and her husband Sam’s cafe, Fez & Co, is constantly buzzing and if you ask her why, she’ll tell you “it’s because our food is awesome and our coffee is awesome”.
But it’s more than that, Suzanne says the success of the couple’s now second Annandale cafe comes from the recognition that theirs is “a place that brings people together”.
And while the menu is indeed awesome, Suzanne gives high praise to her dedicated staff.
“Hospitality teaches you so much, it’s about empowering women (in hospitality) and empowering people through hospitality,” she says.
“Love is the foundation, respect for our profession, so we are attracting a calibre of people (staff) that understand that vibe.”
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And it’s a great vibe. Sunday brunch bustles at this quaint cottage turned cafe where plates of modern Middle Eastern dishes such as Shakshuka (eggs baked in tomato sauce) and generous mezze sharing boards fill the tables. Of course, coffee is a must and for those looking to linger a bit longer, Fez & Co is licensed and offers a cheeky vodka iced-coffee. Think espresso martini minus the long stem.
And if you’re curious about the inspiration behind the cafe’s name, well Fez is a capital city in Morocco and the namesake of the red flat-topped felt and, as Suzanne says, “it’s just a fun word to say”. As for “& Co”, that’s the Gehars’ way of saying, “it’s not just us”.
— 4 Booth St; facebook.com/Fez-Co/
CORNERSMITH CAFE
If Peter Piper frequented a cafe in Sydney, he’d surely pick the Cornersmith Cafe if only for its jars of pickles stacked on the shelf.
For everyone else though, Cornersmith is a veritable homage to local produce.
On the back wall of this inviting sun-filled cafe is a large chalkboard with a handwritten list of “traders” who have brought in surplus items from their gardens – Kaffir lime leaves from Ann in North Ryde, chillies from Fay in Berry, whey from Vaucluse Public School – and the list goes on.
From day dot, Cornersmith co-owner Alex Elliott-Howery has graciously accepted it all and finds a way to somehow use it on the menu or for pickling and preserves.
“It’s just about being resourceful and keeping things from getting thrown out,” she says adding that in return, each person will either get a jar of whatever she produces or a coffee.
Alex’s pickling passion began with a conscious effort to provide her family with wholesome and ethically produced food.
Taking a sustainable approach and to eliminate waste she also preserved and pickled seasonal foods till finally opening up a shop and selling it at their Cornersmith Picklery in Marrickville.
That space has since morphed into a grocery store, pickling supply outlet and her own cooking school while the Annandale cafe, which started as a local hotspot, quickly developed a following for its delicious seasonal breakfast and lunch offerings.
Casper’s summer noodle bowl is a hot weather favourite with cold noodles, watermelon kimchi, coriander, corn and kelp furiake, For something with a bit more zing, the summer toast dish made with creamed corn, pickled jalapeños, herbs, red onion and crispy corn silks on night rye should do the trick.
Or you can go for the “Soldiers” (Scando Breakfast) with free-range eggs with rye and fennel bread, cheddar, Cornersmith jam and local Pepe Saya butter.
For those inspired by all the craftiness and Alex’s sustainable practices, she also has a cookbook that’ll help you fight that war on waste.
— 88 View St; cornersmith.com.au
NORTH ANNANDALE HOTEL
Head chef Michael Carter has a simple philosophy when it comes to his hungry customers.
“If people are going to go out, then we have to give them something special,” he says.
“We want people to be surprised … and walk out with a smile.”
Michael says to ensure freshness, rather than buying anything pre-packaged, the work such as filleting the fish and cutting the steaks is done onsite.
As for the meat that doesn’t make the cut it’s turned into hamburgers … huge hamburgers.
Yes, there are pub classics on the menu but at the North Annandale Hotel it’s much more than a counter meal experience.
Chefs here have hatted-restaurant experience which comes to life through the extensive and ever-changing specials’ board, featuring dishes such as pan-fried salmon or the more-ish gnocchi with mushrooms, sage and nut brown butter.
This ain’t your nana’s local.
— 105 Johnston St; northannandalehotel.com.au
CHARGRILL CHARLIE’S
The cheeky chook logo above the door across the street practically dares you to cross the road and see what’s inside. And you’ll be glad you did as rather than a generic corner shop with harsh lights and lukewarm chicken, Chargrill Charlie’s looks like poultry heaven.
Opening its first shop 31 years ago in Coogee, this casual restaurant chain has raised the bar for chicken shops everywhere.
Forget the laminated picture menu with a mere six items, here you’re spoilt for choice and since it’s all made fresh daily, that choice just got a little tougher.
For first timers, opt for the bird that started it all, their tender Portuguese chicken.
Go for the dinner pack and choose three hot sides or for a real challenge, try choosing any three of the 18 different salads.
While the first shop in Coogee didn’t quite have that same selection, this family-run business notes how they’ve evolved over the years to include healthy and clean-eating items, and on the more indulgent side, burgers, lamb, and even desserts.
There’s definitely something for everyone here, as even Oprah, Justin Bieber and Russell Crowe have ducked in for dinner.
— 119-121 Johnston St; chargrillcharlies.com
VINERY FOODS
Vinery Foods boasts a wine list that rivals big city dining but with the familiarity of a neighbourhood institution.
The inside is elegant as befits relaxed fine dining, while outside locals sit at one of the iron cafe tables, enjoy a glass or two and watch the world go by which on Sunday is done to the sounds of live Jazz.
— 125 Johnston St; vineryfoods.com.au
FAT FISH
It’d be a sin to call refer to this popular lunch destination as a mere fish‘n’chips shop, though their light and crisp beer-battered fish and golden chips are indeed divine, there’s also grilled fish, prawns, calamari and more of the sea’s bounty plus heaps of side and salads.
If the queue seems intimidating though, fear not as the staff here, besides being super friendly to the point of comedic, are uber efficient, probably because they know the locals’ orders before they hit the counter.
There aren’t any seats inside, but there are some public benches outside and a park nearby.
— 109 Johnston St; facebook.com/5fatfish
STONEGROUND BAKERY
Whoever said that man cannot live on bread alone clearly has never picked up a warm loaf of Stoneground Bakery’s sourdough bread.
But then again, that may be a subtle reference to the delectable sausage rolls or maybe a Greek pastry or even their stoneground French toast.
— 1/39 Booth St; stonegroundbakery.com.au
OSTERIA ANTICA
When it’s one of those nights where only a pizza will do, head to the neighbour’s place, the neighbourhood Italian restaurant that is and order up one of their red or white-based pizzas.
Or if you’re just in the mood for some nibbles, try their arancini with a glass of Chianti.
— 37 Booth St; osteriaantica.com.au
BAR SIROCCO CAFE
The Italian coffee is smooth, the breakfast, brunch and lunch range from splurge-worthy eggs Benedict with crispy bacon and sirloin steak sandwiches to the lighter bites including Bircher muesli and smoked salmon bruschetta.
But the best part is the entertainment – the parade of pups that frequent the alfresco dining at this dog-friendly cafe.
— 62 Booth St; barsirocco.com.au
Originally published as Sydney Eat Street: Where to eat in Annandale Village
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