Cafe cuisine: the best places to taste it in Balmain

Contessa Balmain

83/100 (874 ratings)

Restaurants

Vegetarian Friendly

Gluten Free Options

Vegan Options

Cafe

Vegetarian Friendly

Gluten Free Options

Vegan Options

Brunch

Breakfast

Lunch

Salad

Prawns

French Toast

Toasts

Bruschette

Burger

Sit down

Café

Seating

Table Service

Wheelchair Accessible

Serves Alcohol

Highchairs Available

Full Bar

Outdoor Seating

Takeout

Accepts Mastercard

Accepts Visa

Breakfast

Lunch

Brunch

Cheap Eats

"Beautiful presentation and great value for money for the tuna salad. Chai latte and banana smoothie were delicious too...."

Grace

"We have been in this place for breakfast and we have eaten The Farmhouse Omelette, Rosa’s Breakfast Bruschetta and coffee. They were ok, with a..."

Chicca Fumagalli

"We ordered the Italian meatballs and eggs. The meatballs were seasoned well and juicy. However, would have preferred more of the delicious pesto to..."

Celeste

"Contessa meaning countess in latin is authentic to it’s Italian Roots fused with modern Australian cafe culture. Marco has cultivated a symbiotic..."

Jade K

"Nice staff and food and drinks were all very delicious. 1 potato leek soup2 prawn garlic spaghetti 3 risotto4 kids egg and..."

Eucalyptus33

"We were served by a lovely cheerful host on a busy Sunday and seated for lunch. Coffee was on point 👌 My friend and I both ordered the salad on..."

AdzTheFoodie

"Such amazing food! Everything tasted great and the staff were all so friendly. Definitely recommend the Nutella french toast if you have a sweet..."

Bella Rychter

"Tasty brekkie and big portion. Coffee is good too. Staffs are friendly and quick service. It is a bit pricy considering it is in Balmain, the price..."

Mic

"Good luck finding a table here for brunch on Saturday or Sunday! There’s a reason why Contessa is so popular though, the staff are beyond friendly..."

Blurred Limes

"The food and drink was very nice. I ordered Contessa corn cake and seasonal fruit frappe. The corn cake was nicely cooked, with a mixture of sauce..."

FluffyHamster

"Contessa is just one of those places that is constantly busy all day. And with good reason. Their selection of brunch dishes is incredible. ..."

Every Crumb

"Happy mornings begin at Contessa Balmain! There is even an outdoor table for you if you want to bring your furry friend! Dog Lovers, rejoice! This..."

JESSA BONELLI Aka “thetravelbelle” 💃

"Contessa is a busy cafe but it's worth the wait for a table if it's packed. The place has an indoor and outdoor seating with lots of natural light...."

EdeliciouS

"our favourite "go to" for breakfast. we've been fans now for about 6 months, and i now judge every breakfast place by the standards at Contessa..."

Megan Starling

"Fist time coming to this venue. Even though place was packed with customers when I came, service was quick and friendly. Coffee was awesome, from The..."

Foodblogs

"✔️ Was blown away by the amazing food & service at Contessa. I came here with my uncle on Sunday, they were packed as always which makes the vibe..."

Vic Aoun

"A friendly cafe with good portioned and tasty food. Really enjoyed the corn cake with salmon, could have be even better with just a few more drops of..."

GymEatSleep

"Even on a Wednesday morning, most of the tables were full. There was such a great variety of cafe, Italian and American inspired dishes it was..."

Foodsofchar

"From the bare brick walls and large mural, this is one of our favourite Italian/ American cafe. Not only do they have amazing customer service..."

Famishedduo

"Great cafe for the locals with friendly staff and chef. Very generous servings of food, loved the spaghetti and corn cakes. Nutella french toast..."

Anna

"Nice place, tasty food, great espresso martini, and super friendly and lovely service!! We really enjoyed our brunch here and what a fantastic start..."

Zheng Yufeng

"A good cafe to grab lunch. Service was friendly and efficient. I had the corn cakes with beans which I thought was a good size. It tasted fresh and I..."

Kerri

"Cafe uses The Grounds Coffee beans, sandwich was nicely toasted sour dough, bacon Avo, and some salad. Interesting add on with pickle Cucumber. Not..."

Howard Phung

"Generous serves of good food and friendly serviceContessa Balmain is a cafe/restaurant serving breakfast and lunch 7 days a week. It is..."

Milo_wendy

"Contessa Balmain is a licensed cafe situated in the suburb of Balmain. Their cuisine is inspired by owner Marco’s Italian roots and passion for..."

Love At First Bite

"Famous for their ‘Froggycinos’ Cafe Contessa seems to have flown under the radar …. But no longer! They are making their presence very clear..."

Alexandra | Lalan_eats

"Contessa Balmain will make my Top 10 Cafe List this year, such a superb venue. A venue that is so incredibly busy but never faulted on service,..."

Spooning Australia

"They serve the grounds coffee which was nice. Was not really hungry so just tried their muffin by luv. Would like to come back to try their brekky..."

Eathealthy

"Contessa is one of those cozy cafes in Balmain area that has been around for a long time. The cafe has a very warm ambient and very friendly staff...."

Hong Kong Blogger

"Contessa has been a local institution in Balmain for more than two decades with current owner Marco running the business for the last 13 years. It is..."

The RnB Diary

"I haven't ordered chicken parmigiana in years because I've always found it to be a plain and boring dish - schnitzel, tomato and cheese. However, I..."

Beef Ball

"A nice little cafe with friendly staff and great service. When we arrived the place was packed, luckily we didnt have to wait long for a..."

Asian Food Ninja

"Are you addicted to brunch? Are you looking for your next brunching hit?🍴 @contessabalmain will fill your every brunching fantasy with their..."

My Bondi Summer

"Came here on a Sunday for brunch. Was greeted by what seemed to the manager, was very friendly and inviting. Waited about 10minutes for a table on a..."

Kevin Dinh

"Little busy cafe, was pretty full on a Sunday morning, but we were seated quickly. My chicken Parmy was good from presentation to taste. They..."

Chenny

"Came here for breakfast on a Sunday and it was fantastic, the lovely waitress was super friendly and the atmosphere was great, they were super busy..."

Daniel Tambasco

"Very busy happening place. Good social media exposure. Had been seeing lots of good updates on my Insta so gave it a try. Staff were awesome...."

Missfoodie

"Started off with Bloody Mary's, which got us wanting more!Great spot for a long catch up with good food and a sneaky cocktail!..."

TheFatCouple

"Cutest babycino you will find in any cafe in Sydney, which they have named a frogacino. The cafe has a nice ambience and service is warm and..."

Eatwithmyfoodsafari

"Follow my insta @burgernsbikinisBrunch at Contessa is such a hidden gem! Balmain is not an area I frequent often as a foodie, but after..."

@burgersnbikinis

"I've been to Contessa twice now and definitely recommend it. Friendly staff always makes us feel like a regular and the food is fantastic...."

Xoxo.msjamie

"It’s absolutely no surprise how a place that is something of an icon in the Balmain cafe scene has outlasted so many Prime Ministers these past 14..."

The Next Rush

"Contessa Balmain is a funky and very stylish cafe. Boasting indoor and outdoor seating combined with friendly staff and great service creates an..."

2Foodiefrogs

"Totally heart this cafe in Balmain! I can see why it's jam packed on the weekends especially. The food here is flavoursome and hearty, the thing..."

Those Who Love To Eat

"Had a Bloody Mary and the mushroom risotto. They were kind enough to accommodate my request to add chicken. The food was delicious. Would definitely..."

Hannah

"Love this place! As a local this is our go-to cafe and we never leave disappointed. Food is great (chicken tortilla is delicious) and service is..."

Sarep

"Great little neighbourhood cafe in Balmain serving up a wide selection of breakfast and lunch items along with good coffee. Contessa is licensed so..."

Charn Tangson

"Bianca: Happy 2017 folks! I’ve been an admirer of Contessa Balmain for a little while now. Granted this has all been through some social media..."

Forfoodssake

"Went to sus out this qaint coffee shop in Balmain. I Had a Nutella donut $5 plus lge coffee. Atmosphere was nice. Their food looks amazing and I..."

Patopeaking Eats And Runs

"Along the bustling Darling Street in Balmain is a not so hidden gem, but one that has been shining bright for over a decade under Marco’s..."

Sir And Mlady Dine Out

"Contessa Balmain has been in Balmain for 24 years and 13 years under the current owner. What I notice first is the incredible friendliness and..."

Thewhereto

"We are kindly invited to contessa balmain. We popped in on a saturday lunch time and the cafe was pumping, full of customers!We started..."

The Weekend Foodie

"Busy Coffee shop. Located on Darling St, this place is always busy with either people getting takeaway coffee or sitting down to eat. It’s quite a..."

Postcards From Peta

"What a bloody beauty - sitting on Balmain Rd is @contessabalmain - home of the 'Deluxe Cheeseburger' 💪100% house made beef pattie,..."

Issac_eatsalot

"Love this amazing cafe in Balmain. As I walked in I felt the warmth. The staff were unbelievable and made us feel welcomed. The coffee was on point..."

Lollieats

"Love coming here on a Sunday for brunch. Awesome, American style menu with an Italian twist. Generous servings, yummy coffee. Wait staff are friendly..."

Rirrii

"Contessa Balmain is an experience that you have to be a part of along Darling Street. This place is a mix of New York and Italian - a place to sit..."

Coffeebrunchanddinner

"We had the opportunity to dine in for lunch at Contessa yesterday. We found the overall service to be attentive and inviting. The cafe space had a..."

Mish Mash

"Nice cafe just up the road from the heart of Balmain. Good food, great coffee, but is a bit pricey in my opinion. But you pay for quality, and that's..."

Live2eat

"Great atmosphere nice big breakfast can be slightly $$$$ to be a regular but great every now and again. The decor is fantastic and it's worth a visit..."

Julian Stambe

"Best cafe in Sydney! I've never been to a cafe more times than Bar Contessa and every time it's been a 10/10 experience. Amazing coffee, attentive..."

Pats

"Went in for brunch on a Sunday. Seated quickly. Friendly waiters/waitress. Took order promptly. Coffee was a little slow in coming. Actually the..."

DRJ

"The menu is extensive at Bar Contessa. It covers all of your sweet and savoury favourites for breakfast. Our poached eggs from the Hawkesbury Valley..."

Little Munch

"I think I have a new favourite brunch place! Walking along the quiet main road of Balmain I was drawn into Bar Contessa by its modern yet rustic..."

My SeeFood Diet

"Hangover heaven. The coffee will wake you right up and the all day breakfast menu is a godsend! Wish they open another restaurant in my..."

Suburban Eatz

"What an absolute gem. With the postive reviews I couldn't resist. Came here with a group of 10 and they were happy to accomodate us. Staff were very..."

Tim G

"Yum! I often take my staff here for Fri morn breakfast meetings. Staff are nice, food is tasty, eggs Benedict to die for! Always busy, no surprise..."

Nina

"My favourite sunday brunch. Service is always amazing. Generous portion of the dish and I always go back for their creamy mushroom..."

Edelweiss Tam

"Great service, amazing food clearly made with..."

Wayne

"Outstanding food, coffee and service from Marco and the team. Came here for a lazy lunch with my family of four and no-one was disappointed. Our new..."

David Eagle

"The best Meat Ball Linguini in a long time. Went to Bar Contessa for an impromptu family dinner last Friday and was drawn by its ambience and rustic..."

JP

"The Lady is Looking Hot!. Bar Contessa is a long time favourite for a lazy brunch, quick coffee or late lunch on weekends when I find myself out on..."

Angelo_W73

"Awesome. For a small place it has real atmosphere and the food (and coffee) are fantastic. Recommend the risotto but it's all great. Friendly and..."

Paul

"Great food, good value. I had the risotto special with avo, prawns, sundried tomatoes in a creamy white wine sauce, which was extremely tasty; my..."

Kbalm

"Good food, good vibes, amazing coffee. We ordered eggs Benedict- I’ve had better and Nutella French toast - I expected it to be warm, it was cold..."

Aastha Choudhary

"Located on Darling St, this place is always busy with either people getting takeaway coffee or sitting down to eat. It’s quite a small cafe but..."

Peta McConachie (Postcards from Peta)

"Always great! Love the Iced-chai, the French toast is literally the best, fluffy and well made. Absolutely loved the burger as..."

Hrithika Mulchandani

"This is such an awesome spot for brunch! You can never go wrong with the coffee or a "Contessa fry up"! We have been here so many times and the..."

Dominic Lattouf

"I’ve found Eggs Benedict Heaven! Costing under $20, the Hollandaise sauce (the most important part) is made to perfection and clings to the eggs...."

Robert

"Love Contessa's fruity frappes and eggs benedict, and the fry-up brekkie is what all big breakfasts should aim to be. Service is always friendly and..."

Belinda J

"Outstanding cafe! The staff are awesome - incredibly friendly but not too over the top. The service is really good and the food - omg - definitely..."

Robert Coulter

Kafeine Balmain

81/100 (1377 ratings)

Coffee & Tea

Gluten Free Options

Vegan Options

Cafe

Australian

Vegetarian Friendly

Gluten Free Options

Vegan Options

Brunch

Breakfast

Lunch

Pancakes

Salad

Salmon

Eggs Benedict

Toasts

Burger

Juice & Smoothies

Beef

Juice & Smoothies

Café

Australian

Seating

Table Service

Highchairs Available

Outdoor Seating

Takeout

Brunch

Breakfast

Lunch

Mid-range

"Excellent food with amazing gluten free..."

Tanya Van Ham

"I’m not really into this coffee.. Quite bitter and overall it is rather strong! Probably my tongue was tired as this was the second..."

Xihuahua 🐶

"Pretty fast and cute cup. The coffee is a bit 'smoky' but I liked it overall. Coffee must be good if a cafe wants to survive in this cafe packed..."

Guorium🧪

"Nice vibe, quick service. The corn fritter is crispy and got tangy of interesting combination of spicy, sour lemony taste with tomato relish and..."

Mic

"It was a pretty uneventful Sunday and we just happened to be in Balmain. We decided to try a cafe called Kafeine. The cafe itself was quite busy but..."

All About Food Blog

"I haved dined here multiple times over the years and it has never failed to disappoint. I have had the eggs benedict with bacon and potato rosti a..."

Theeconomicfoodie

"Love it here! It is great for all taste buds sweet and savoury and the service is really quick and the food is delicious! super friendly staff and..."

Foodyreviewer

"First time in Balmain and I was told about Kafeine as an institution. It was very busy on a Sunday lunch but we got seats at a high seat table. The..."

Charlotte Guingo

"My favourite place for brunch on the main strip of Balmain! The eggs Benedict is an absolute must and can’t go wrong with a perfectly made Campos..."

Blurred Limes

"How do I miss giving review for this balmain hot spot?I was around the area and wanted a great take away coffee, surely I came for this..."

Culinary Artist

"We came for a quick lunch and tried the steak sandwich and grilled fish wrap. Both were really delicious. The steak was premarinated and not too..."

Lily The Frugal Foodie

"Can't fault this place. Fast service, lovely staff, a menu with variety and most importantly delicious food! Yummy vegan options too!! Would..."

Olivia Ossovani

"a very busy & popular cafe with locals & foodies alike, the menu is extensive & offers a range of classic & modern fusion inventive dishes. The..."

Princess Greedy Guts

"Yum!! The atmosphere at this cafe is great as it’s always bustling with people and the food... amazing! We ordered the salmon croquettes and..."

Realfoodiesofsydney

"Had mango smoothie -really refresh Also had pulled pork & beef potato hash(not sure if the names are correct?) Location is good too - nice..."

FluffyHamster

"Kafeine is located on the main street of Balmain and it is very easy to find. The interiors and decor are nice and relaxing. I ordered their 'Volcano..."

Pignic_

"Nicely designed joint (love the windows) and friendly staff. You know this place is a local favourite when you see people streaming in from..."

Hayley

"I had been meaning to go here for some time now, but both times (with a dog) and there was a wait. First time was too impatient so headed elsewhere,..."

Anna

"Great location, friendly staff, amazing food. I've seen this cafe all over Instagram, so I had high hopes. I rang and was able to book a table which,..."

Sarah Elizabeth

"TRY THEIR SLOW COOKED BEEF WITH POTATOES!!! My friends and I accidentally came to this cafe, we're supposed to go to another famous cafe in the..."

1900.

"Kafeine is a really great cafe with great food and good coffee. It overall is a great experience but not consistent. My first experience was 5 stars..."

Ace

"Lovely food and great service. Staff were polite and welcoming and the food was simple yet tasty. Although the plating of my dish was impractical..."

Sydneyfoodgurl

"We shared the Summer French toast and Corn fritters and it was worth the hype. The salsa on the corn fritters and the lemon curd on the French toast..."

Miss Kris

"Extremely busy on the weekend but well worth the wait. Four of us dined here and we all loved it. I liked that their menu was creative and different..."

Shannon Stensness

"Situation on the main st, kafeine is a gem. Plenty of parking short walking distance away. This place is very busy on a Saturday morning. We came..."

N K Take Aotearoa

"An extremely popular cafe in Balmain and it was certainly buzzing with customers on this early Saturday morning. Great coffee, they also do a cold..."

Thewhereto

"Quite happy with my lunch here today. Had the mixed Veg hash with smoked salmon, everything worked and was very tasty. Bit on the pricey..."

Chickalulu7

"I had a very nice Saturday lunch here! I ordered the acai bowl which came with quinoa granola, coconut, kiwi, strawberries, grapes, passionfruit and..."

Thehappymedium

"A local favourite and always busy. The food and coffee here is really good. We've been here a few times and will visit here again when I'm in the..."

Micku

"Regular brunch spot in Balmain because of a friendly service and great coffee. My favourite has to be the corn fritters with bacon. Eggs Benedict..."

Fabfoodie K

"We visited Kafeine on a busy Saturday morning and were put on a waiting list. We were seated after only 5 minutes and I ordered the breakfast board..."

Cozza

"In Short: Cosy cafe in the heart of Balmain. Focus on healthy shakes and juices, slow cooked specialities and excellent Campos sourced coffee...."

Coco And Vine

"Chewsday adventures took me to Balmain where @kafeine_Balmain stuffed my belly with yummy foodz for lunch 🍽El Loco: pulled pork,..."

Issac_eatsalot

"Consistently great coffee. An interesting menu with healthy options. Friendly service. Buzzing vibe and busy all the time. A neighborhood spot that..."

Shants

"Came to Kafeine for a weekday brunch with a friend. We were seated immediately and did not have to wait long for our food at all. We both ordered an..."

Nancy

"This is a Balmain hot spot. You will always see people waiting for a table on a weekend, however, it is never more than 5 mins and is worth your time..."

Coffeebrunchanddinner

"Kafeiene serves up fresh and simple yet delicous food. I had the breakfast board which was very satisfying, especially the toast dipped into the..."

Jojo

"My third visit to Kafeine in Balmain :) This time is for my Birthday Brunch. Mr.P wanted to treat me for lunch here :) Arrived on a Sunday ard 11am..."

The Hungry FoodTech [shirley.gondo]

"We go to Kafeine for the coffee and they do it well. On most occasions we take away, but sometimes we'll take a seat on the banquette..."

Eatwithmyfoodsafari

"Very popular local cafe in Balmain. I chose the poached eggs on sourdough toast ($9.9) and soy latte & my friend had the breakfast burrito ($13.9)..."

Sydneyeats_by_two

"Balmain is the place to be, popular with people all over the main strip it's a cool buzz... This cafe has not only the best #campos coffee but a..."

Eating Out Sydney

"Regular coffee stop when in Balmain and on this day there was time for breakfast. Had a good experience with the store in the CBD and expected the..."

Martin C

"Had their chicken wrap and a fresh juice, which came to less than $20 for lunch. A pretty good deal. Great atmosphere in this cafe. The food tastes..."

A Food Fable

"Cute spot to eat, good coffee. Had a constant stream of customers and staff are friendly. Will be back for French toast and the amazing juices!..."

Isabella Eats

"Stopped by on the weekend for a quick brunch. Place was packed when we got in around 10.30am. We put our names down as we wanted to eat..."

Amys_food_adventures

"Everything we ordered was yum, the highlight definitely should be the Scotch Eggs, pretty unique as don't see it often on menus, the texture and..."

GymEatSleep

"This cafe is very busy over the weekend, staffs are all very friendly and well trained. Love their chai latte, the fragrance from chai tea smells..."

Tiffany

"Kafeine is a stand out amongst the bustling Darling St cafe scene. The vibe is funky yet relaxed with exposed brick walls and reclaimed dark wood..."

Little Eats Sydney

"As good as expected! Very busy cafe on weekends. We certainly enjoy the breakie. Salmon paradiso is one of the best. Definitely highly..."

Vanessa.xueqq

"Hip Asian crew running a cafe that ticks all the boxes when it comes to food trends. My salted caramel slice was delicious as was my cacao spiced..."

Kai Luv

"Service is a hit and miss sometimes, but the food always exceeds expectations. Lovely coffee too, a nice little cafe to pop into for a quick bite to..."

Sheree Murray

"This place is my favourite cafe in Balmain! The food is always fresh and consistent, the coffee is superb also. Probably one of the best cafes in..."

Those Who Love To Eat

"Prompt Service and Good Food. I enjoy eating here regularly. The staff are very polite and friendly. They are very prompt with taking orders and..."

Shannon.justine

"Good food and friendly..."

KyO

"Love this place! Always such great service and warm and friendly staff serving healthy, delicious and very well presented food. A lot better value..."

Vetticus

"Generous serving, good flavour. Nice decor and good range of food on the menu. I had the fish wrap and there was a generous amount of fish in there..."

ST

"Could be better, could be worse. The tonic coffee is a cool concept and pretty tasty.Service is quick, efficient, and friendly.Eggs..."

Nancy Wu

"Favourite place in Balmain. This place is a little expensive but the food is fresh and the coffee and juices are just so amazing. It's always quite..."

Thosewholovetoeat

"Only Cafe open after 3 in Balmain!!!Friendly staff, interesting menu, bit expensive (but I guess we are talking Balmain...) was very busy but..."

Lillyfa

"Great coffee, great food and love the guys who there. Always a pleasure coming to..."

G More

"Great breakfast and coffee! Had a vanilla soy latte that was delicious, and also the salmon benedict (pictured). Would definitely come back next time..."

Chris Ovens

"It's hard to pick a favourite cafe around Rozelle/Balmain because there are just so many, but Kafeine is definitely up there! Consistently good food,..."

Michelle

"Great food, coffee and staff!! Always end up coming back. Mushroom goodness is so..."

Carmen Reynolds

"Having a lunch in this place, quite busy and fast service aswell, they got alot of choice for menu and abit confusing to choose, this one in pics..."

Victoria Devyan

"Easy to see why this place is so popular and always busy! Great coffee, will have to come back and explore the food..."

Bojan Kovacevic

"Fantastic coffee, tasty food and great service. Highly recommend..."

Visakan Thayalan

"Kafeine is the bees knees! Robert is the most polite, courteous, and fastidious barista I've ever met. It's also no secret how good the food and..."

Ashley Deeley

"Brilliant coffee and fantastic fast service. They were open during COVID and always welcomed you with a cheerful hello regardless of lockdown...."

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