Valentinas Sydney opens its doors in Marrickville on Tuesday, May 25, with its inception leaning less on market research and demographic mapping and more on gut instinct.

"Basically, we open the sort of places we'd like to go to," co-owner Elise Honeybrook says of her approach with business partner Scott Clark, the duo behind the hip Grumpy Donuts in Camperdown.

And the sort of place they like to go to is a local that sits "somewhere between a cafe and a restaurant" and offers a "beautiful and comfortable environment".

Inspired by road trips to the US, the interior brief was given to design collaboration of Matt Woods and Lucia Braham.

The menu also has a simple deliciousness about it, with a rare roast beef sandwich muscled up with liquid cheese and horseradish cream and a breakfast sandwich that cheekily tips its hat to a famous fast food chain.

"It's an English muffin with egg, cheese and a house-made pork sausage patty," Honeybrook says.

Once they bed down daytime trade, dinners will follow.

Open Tue-Sun 7am-3pm.

132 Livingstone Road, Marrickville