Review Trafalgar St Espresso - Annandale

We had a nice brunch at Trafalgar, splitting two sandwiches between us. The Reuben was packed with filling and seductive melted cheese. The ham sandwich was fresh and well balanced between the heaviness of the bread and fillings. Overall, nice way to start our day.

Started going here again & pleased we have.. shared a muffin & avo toast this morning which was excellent! The staff are happy to give you two plates which many places do not. The coffee was also excellent & the guy behind the coffee machine is 5 stars.. highly recommend. Also, the customers are very nice too, it’s just a good atmosphere, Dean & Roger 👍🏻

Great coffee and the food is top shelf too

Local cafe for us. Great coffee! I had the crumpets with bacon and friend had the Big Breakfast. Generous portion, and it was tasty! Great presentation too. Would be back to try the salad bowl

Local gem that has lots of indoor and outdoor space, yet you still better get there early to get a seat. Love the bookcase that leads to a separate part of the cafe! Little Marionette coffee is a favourite of mine and I always smile when I find a place that does it justice. Food is great as well, the ham and cheese croissant was delicious. Can’t wait to come back for more!

Great coffee and atmosphere. I ordered the Bowl which was great but was to come with halloumi and didn’t do that was disappointing (hence the 3 stars), especially given the price for relatively small bowl of food

We had a brunch visit to Trafalgar Street Espresso with our friend Pete and Rob which gave us the opportunity to try a range of dishes at Trafalgar Street Espresso in Annandale. A quiet little street houses this corner cafe that has quaint interiors with a cool wall of books, leather couches and plenty of space to sit inside or out. Chef Felix Stawman’s has put together a tasty snd approachable food menu, that is wholesome, seasonal and served with beautiful presentation on the plate. We know it’s good from word of mouth and evidenced by the popularity of the cafe on our visit. We try a few of the breakfast and lunch options and there’s also a specials menu on the day. Breakfast wise, we sampled the morning glory breakfast bowl, which could easily be consumed at lunch as well. The bowl filled with sautéed kale, roasted tomato, broccoli, quinoa, green hummus, house pickles and a poached egg. From the lunch menu, we share the Haloumi salad, which has small strips of Hapuna mixed with pickled radish, kale, roasted cauliflower, rocket, house made sukkah and topped with a fried egg! A beautiful dish was presented to us, their “Burnt corn, zucchini & halloumi fritters, which were so flavoursome, soft and a nice char. They were decorated with the pickled radish and soft herb salad, whipped ricotta and a poached egg They also have rolls and burgers, avocado, fruit bowls, chia bowl and bread by the bread and butter project. The front counter in addition to an outstanding coconut, blueberry and banana muffin! Coffee by The Little Marionette, a full-bodied blend, and fresh filter roasts with the house blend featuring notes of caramel and chocolate with light citrus fruit tones and balanced acidity.

Easy going corner cafe with good coffee and really tasty and healthy salad bowls, loved the use of pickled vegetables that lightened up the meal

Found this place via a voucher for coffee won in school raffle. Anyway it is lovely nice vibe, friendly staff and beautiful calm setting.

Generally great place for coffee and lunch but lunch closes around 1.30 pm so be early.

The best people and all the best stuff. Top notch!

great coffee & tasty food 😋 business business business

Lovely food and perfect coffee. Highly recommended : )

Perfect spot away from all the chaos serving up stellar breakfast dishes and perfectly brewed coffee. Each time I cannot go past the creamy mushrooms on sourdough crumpets with eggs and pecorino. This is just spot on and deceivingly filling. Perfect local hideout.

Lack of acknowledgement from staff. They all just looked at us then kept sipping coffee. It was not a busy morning.<br/>We left and went somewhere else. Thanks!

Love my morning quiche at this place. They do great coffee as well. Cosy space to do some out of office work with a laptop or to just chill out.<br/>Walk through to the section out the back, it's got comfy lounges and walls full of books, and an entire encyclopaedia Britannica! Interesting place.

Huddled amongst residental homes, lies this quaint café, sitting on the corner of Trafalgar and Albion. A pale blue building with a rustic exterior, when you walk into the cafe, it has the same vibe. Because it's operated by some hipsters! It's people like them that can get away with a tree green couch, that you immediately spot when you first walk into the café. You also notice how worn out part of this seating is, to the point the leather has split. Perhaps that's the look they are going for, and you know what? It works in this small place. <br/>The café has like a hidden back seating area behind the book shelf, which was pretty cool. It's open when you walk in, and out the back are more seatings, and comfy armchairs for you to laze about whilst drinking your coffee or got beverage. <br/>The food on offer here is limited in choice. Three specials, one being sold out and the other two didn't take my fancy. So seeing that it was brunch, I decided to head for the pastries. I ordered a vegetable pie bit some how ended up with a lamb pie, but that's ok, I can live with that. They drizzled olive oil and some sea salt on the plate to compliment the pure which worked or really well. The meat was moist and the pastry fluffy and flaky. Also ordered their chai tea which was also quite good. <br/>Didn't get to try their coffee that people were racing about. Maybe next time I come back here, it might be more of a take away run. While we were sitting there, quite a few people came and ordered their thing for on the run. <br/>This is a place you come to of you're after something light or want to just chill out and have a coffee with friends, but a great café to know about any how.

Had to try a coffee place at the Aroma Festival and stumbled upon the Little Marionette. Although I am close by I have never actually visited their physical store so why not try them at the festival!<br/><br/>Joining the long queue, service was lovely and efficient and got through the throngs of coffee lovers quite quickly.<br/><br/>I tried their Mocha and it was lovely. Nice and smooth it went down well. I wish it was a bit warmer though. I got a regular at $4 which wasn't that large (they sold out of small ones at $3 so very interested to know how small they were).<br/><br/>***edited 07FEB20***<br/><br/>Having visited a few times to the cafe in Annandale, this certainly punches out wonderful dishes for breakfast/brunch. I always enjoy the sourdough crumpets here. The coffee by Little Marionette is a smooth and easily drinkable blend. The service is very personable and always enjoy coming back here.

Best bessssst coffee in Annandale - it only looses one point because its always busy & while the interior looks funky & cool, its not the most comfortable / practical interiors for seating.

Charming little cafe. Here you get simple done well. The coffee is one of the best. The eggs on toast was a surprise, with the eggs cooked perfectly and worked well with the cream cheese and lemon.

Coffee is not bad but the people who serve you aren't very friendly if you're not the right type of person. I don't understand why you would greet some customers with a smile and others with a grimace when they are there at the same time?<br/>It's the closest cafe to where I live so that's why I go but every time I get my coffee I tell myself that I shouldn't come back.

Waited ages a a simple cuppa. Seriously is it that hard or are the staff just darn slow. <br/>Not worth the wait when speed of service is this bad.

Horrible. I am yet to get a lukewarm coffee when I ask for it HOT every time. They even write it on the cup and the supposed "coffee nerds" still stuff it up. I didn't realise being a hipster meant you couldn't even read a small code. For those that are giving them high praise for their pies and pastries (made by black star), drive an extra 5 minutes to black star pastry in Newtown and get a great coffee, and a fresh pie from the makers themselves. Avocado and toast is good, and I am one to order it on occasion at a cafe, but that is because I'm there for a coffee too. At first I gave these hobos the benefit of the doubt as I get my coffee early when it's busier, but after having been there at different times throughout the day there is no surprise it appears busy in the morning because they are so slow. No mates, slowing down and acting cool is not worth losing business over, I am hoping the manager is never there otherwise he must be crazy. Overall. Shit coffee, shit vibe, shit attitude. Cheers.

the hidden room with books is a pretty cool spot to while away a few moments. the coffee is consistently good, though the food selection is very limited

Great coffee. Coffe was great, chocolate croissants flaky and delicious and staff were friendly- loved the relaxed vibe and sitting out on the footpath sipping a coffee! Took home some beans as well- this will definitely be our new regular cafe:)

The Coffee was Nice the staff were up themselves. The coffee was nice the dishes were nice.<br/>The staff were very much up themselves.

... wanted to try the Lamb Shank Pie, but they ran out. Apparently their pies and quiches sell like hot cakes. Get in early if you want them. Fortunately they had the Beer and Brisket Pie ($6). Absolutely delicious, with chunky brisket pieces and buttery pastry.

Also known as Little Marionette on the Dale, this little corner cafe run by proudly self named "coffee nerds" definitely got my thumbs up for its delectable coffee and well chosen pastries, it also scored in the cool factor with its "secret" room behind a revolving bookcase. Oh and the huge smile I got from my friend after he took a few sips of his coffee told me that we'd return one day soon for an espresso, well, maybe a macchiato for me. It seems my dear friend might have at last found the best coffee Sydney has to offer.<br/>

...divided into a cafe sit area and one with leather lounges, all placed with no airs, graffiti on a door and with a feel of a heritage past. The crowd on a Saturday arvo is relaxed, seems to be full of regulars and know what they want - a home away from home. The Dale Cafe is located at 18 Trafalgar Street, Annandale, NSW 2038, in Sydney's inner west, close to the Italian quarter of Leichhardt. The

Little Marionette on the Dale is tucked away on Trafalgar Street, Annandale, with large windows opening out onto the street and quirky decor, including a trompe l'oeil door masquerading as a bookshelf and a little elephant guarding the flowerpots. They sell pastries and pies from the delectable Black Star Pastry . The staff are friendly and they made an incredible bowl of muesli, fruit and yogurt for me (at 2.30pm on a Saturday afternoon, all the pies and quiches were gone).

Staff are tryhard hipster knobs with no customer service. They are making coffee but have an air of arrogance about them. Last time I checked a barista is in minimum on wage #tools. Give it a miss

Big Love for Little Marionette. Little Marionette is all (well mostly) about the coffee - which is awesome. If you’re looking for the full café/ brunch spot experience then this may not be the place for you. The food menu while not extensive and geared towards small meals and snacks is excellent - sweet and savoury baked goods courtesy of Black Star Pastry (Newtown) as well as lovely bread which turn the humble avo on toast and Bo’s Brekkie into my regular favs. The ambiance is very mellow and relaxing, and it’s a great place to kick back & enjoy some excellent coffee and light food.<br/><br/>The staff is lovely and very friendly. Service is prompt and overall would have to say this is one of my favourite Sydney haunts. I love tromping around town and trying out new places but always find myself coming back here when the craving hits.<br/><br/>Big Love to the team at Little Marionette on the Dale. You guys rock.

Homeless or Hipster?. I can't see what the fuss is all about, the waiters weren't very friendly (too cool for school perhaps...). Inside was pretty cramped and no matter where you stand you will be in the way (cue waiter bumping you aside).

Would not bother. Went for breakfast only to find the menu consisted of avacado on toast or a meat pie sitting in a warmer. Just had coffee instead, coffee was super burnt to the point of being unpleasantly bitter. Needs to work on the cafe basics.

Love my local - great coffee, amazing pastries from Black Star and love the couches & shelves. Only small downer is the $4 soy coffees

Amazing coffee. We get our weekend coffees here, they're always fantastic. We also love their grain bread, a soft grainy loaf, which you can get to takeaway or toasted and topped with avocado. Their pastries are also amazing

Amazzzzzing coffee, delicious pastry, lovely and accommodating staff. Although it is a small cafe, it is my favourite coffee place in Sydney.

Great atmosphere and service, nice place to relax on a weekend morning with coffee and newspaper. Food menu is very limited so don't go expecting a nice big breakfast. Most expensive item on the menu is avocado and toast

Good things come in little packages. This place is all about substance and passion. Although the place is tiny, they dedicate an entire room for their roaster so you know the beans are fresh and then after some handiwork from some talented baristas you are certain to receive some amazing coffee! There are limited food options but what they've got is really hearty and wholesome particularly the lamb shank pie. The place has a cosy, lived in feel about it with fabulous checkered tiles and their secret lounge area behind the bookcase just invites long, meandering conversations.

Hipster hell. Staff have massive attitude, too cool for school, need a shave and a slap

Fabulous coffee, yummiest pastries, very chilled out and off the beaten track. Loved it.

BEST PLACE EVER!. I absolutely LOVE this place. best coffee, amazing pastry (black star pastry) and always somewhere to site despite being quite small. Definately recomend. Sausage rolls are also a winner!

I suspect that Little Marionette on the Dale might be home to the best toast in sydney. Dense, chewy white sourdough cut into the most generous slices (think: the thickness that banana bread is usually served), best matched with butter and Vegemite. Consistently great coffee and good tunes too.

Cosy Coffee Nook. I'll admit that I was reminded about Little Marionette on the Dale by the wonderful Benjamin Hedstrom entry in this year's Archibald Prize. Sinking into the almost famous forest green chesterfields, I focused on what I was really here for - great coffee and wonderful Black Star pastries. This little café has more substance than most celebrities!

They say capuccino, I say Little Marionette on the Dale. This is my favourite cafe. Coffee is consistently excellent. And the guys behind the counter are always friendly and pleasant. Although, I think maybe they should cut down on the amount of avo on their toasts. I see lots of people leaving avo on their plates... Maybe too much of the good stuff.

Hip coffee nook in the middle of suburbia. Excellent coffee and nice pies, if a little on the expensive side.

The best!. Easily some of the best coffee in Sydney. The baristas are all really friendly and helpful too, none of the pretentiousness of other coffee places. A fun place to sit on the couch and have too many coffees.

Lucky to taste Ethiopian Benchmoji coffee. Just one 70kg bag of this rare coffee available to drinkers so had to try it as a short black today. A very heavy syrupy extract with spicy and buttery notes early and an aromatic fruity finish... A real coffee experience! Black Star Pastry's Pear and Pistacchio Cake was a highlight as well.

The most beautiful coffee and delicious snacks. Only the best baristas work at this place - the proof is in the mind blowing coffee.

Everything an inner city coffee shop should be. All respect given to and built around the in-house roasted coffee. Poke your head in the back roasting and packing room or slip behind the secret wall bookshelf and enjoy your coffee in a chesterfield couch.

Is this the Dales best secret? Is it the Bills Beans of Annandale? My god the coffee is truly excellent in a casual no rush atmosphere. Dedicated baristi who are the masters of the "dark art". Srumptious offerings from Black Star patttiserie and don't forget to buy your beans. And wait for it..... You can park.

Ace coffee, good pies, handsome barista. Yeah all that stuff. This place is ace. Ask nicely and staff will pop you round the back and show you some cool roasting equipment and confuse you with different bean varieties. <br/>Fun times, good music too..