Easily the best cafe I’ve been to in NSW! Staff were lovely and accommodating. Easy to see how experienced chefs are and their pure passion and attention to detail. Will be returning every time I visit from interstate!
We had the substation breakfast and steak sandwich. The food was delicious, fresh and beautifully presented. The service was nice and quick, even though they were busy and the atmosphere is great. We will definitely be back!!
After a meal for less than $20? do you want to leave satisfied and full? substationcafe has you covered. They have a focus on delivering quality plus locally sourced ingredients that will fill you up.
Built inside an old electrical substation it hosts a beautiful littke floral courtyard were you'll feel warm and cozy whilst enjoying your amazing food. Highly recommend this place is you want to relax, take in the sun from above and enjoy some exceptional food and great service.
So many fresh options at Sub-Station cafe! Beautiful natural sky light and greenery, a perfect hideaway from the bustling streets outside. The stacks and avo were simply divine and the cake was moist and the figs really added to the dish. Friendly staff and quick service, one of my go to cafes in Alexandria, never disappoints.
Good food and good price. The service was slow. The place could do with some more colours and a better decoration. The coffee was great and the breakfast was fresh and crispy.
This place is lovely! The decor is so open and you can see into the kitchen area. I got the Reuben sandwich and my partner got the breakfast burrito. Both were super tasty and large portions! So either skip breakfast and come for brunch or you could maybe share with a friend if you’re not a big eater. Cost us $38 for two meals and a espresso. My partner didn’t love the espresso but said it was okay. The Reuben sandwich was the star of lunch. We sat at the bar seating sort of in the middle, and I sat on the side with the wooden floorboards. The floorboards bounced a bit as people walked by so my chair did move a bit. Highly recommend this place and will be coming back. The food came quickly and the staff were helpful and attentive.
Get away from Sydney city life with this cafe. Loving the interior and feels. There's a water mister inside which help cool down from the heat outside.
Went for all the recommended specials. Coffee and drinks are really healthy and so are the dishes. Scrambled eggs are light and creamy. The veggie plate with poached egg is full of greens and veggies! The Rueben sandwich has grilled cheese on the outer. Thoroughly enjoyed the chia seed pudding with fruit. Great way to end the meal.
Sir And Mlady Dine Out
+4
Knowing exactly where their ingredients have come from, and that they are all fresh, is very important to Sub-station owners Orit and Ram. The café, situated in a heritage listed Sub-station in Alexandia, boasts a nice homey look and feel with a range of family recipes on the menu. Sub-station’s cooking philosophy is to not over complicate it. Rather, to use only the best ingredients and combine natural flavours to create dishes that really do stand out. Café owner Ram was pleasantly accommodating and brought out the three specials for us to try. The small facilities they use to create their dishes means that everything is made on the spot. Everything that came to the table was fresh and hot, the perfect lunch!
Sundays are the best day to enjoy a nice brunch. Matt and I head to Substation in Alexandria at about 10am. The cosy cafe is buzzing and full of people who are enjoying their weekend. . By the time I leave, I can see a bit of a queue forming so my advice is to go in non-peak hours to ensure you get a table! The venue was an ex substation if you hadn't guessed by the name. As you walk in, you can also see physical display of their specials which really brings their menu to life.
Does My Bomb Look Big In This
+4
Back in 2012, Orit and Ram Stern, rescued a beautiful piece of municipal architecture in Alexandria, and subsequently got others to see the value in it.The utilitarian building in question – Electricity Substation No. 152 – was erected by Sydney Municipal Council in 1924. Despite being granted permission to knock down the simply detailed, purpose-designed building, upon seeing its potential, Orit and Ram decided to renovate the space, originally bought as storage for their other business, Pizza Chefs.What emerged was Sub-Station Café, a well-designed oasis from the light-industrial eyesore that is McEvoy Street. Café-goers weren’t the only ones to notice this jewel in Alexandria’s thorny crown – heritage listing for the beautiful façade followed in 2016. Working with such a compact space has its ups and downs. To get to their storage area, there’s a wall-mounted ladder that Ram and his team must go ascend and descend when things run out. The menu, which walks the line between...
This cafe is a little gem in Alexandria with fabulous coffee, tempting baked goods and ever changing specials. We visited on a Saturday and enjoyed the buzzing atmosphere of fellow cafe lovers starting their weekend. Ever had that feeling of just ordering your meal only to see the other dishes coming out and wanting to switch? At substation the daily specials are cooked up and displayed on the counter so that you can see exactly what you want. Our pick of the specials was their version of a shakshuka and a delicious veggie stack with haloumi and smoked salmon. Outside of the specials there is an all day breakfast menu with enough variety to please even the fussiest eaters. Also a great option if you are wanting to enjoy a coffee or a bite to eat solo.
This hidden gem was such a delight as soon as I stepped my foot in the door. It's only tiny but it has so much vibe inside. The team are always inviting, the food is remarkable. I love that when they have a special it's place at the counter on exactly how it will look when served. This helps for those who eat with their eyes.
And I'll admit I am a coffee snob... they make amazing coffee. Thanks substation :D
Who would’ve known what to do with an old electrical sub station? One might think that the space is awkward and overall just a little bit odd. But not the owners at Substation Cafe! They have transformed it into a unique eatery. We arrived on a cool winter’s day to find that the ‘outdoor patio’ had a nice breeze but was cosy and warm beneath its roofing.
We ordered the chicken sandwich and the green eggs and bacon with a banana Rama smoothie and an iced chocolate. The sandwich was decent and simple so if you aren't looking for anything fancy then it's a solid choice. The green eggs and bacon were excellent, plenty of variety on the plate. The banana Rama smoothie was incredible and the iced chocolate was solid. Overall a nice atmosphere and good customer service although the drinks did come a bit after the food.
Café culture is well and truly booming in Alexandria! The abundance of artisan bread and specialty coffee is impressive to say the least. Well-known names like The Grounds of Alexandria, Sonoma, Textbook Boulangerie Patisserie, Bake Bar, John Smith, Bourke Street Bakery have heated up the competition to an extent that neighbouring Redfern and even Surry Hills can no longer ignore.
Second time in Sub-station
Sub-station is small but spacious enough to make you feel welcome. As most customers are here for take-away coffee and breakfast/lunch/baked goods, this small cafe does serve the purpose.
To be fair, coffee and food are just above average. Big portion is a good way to draw more customers in but my friend had a hard time digging in her reuben as it was huge and rather dry.
The idea of having different specials daily (or weekly) is very intriguing. I actually came back for the second time to see what special the chef had that day (I'd missed fritter special the first time, as it was made and offered after we had brunch).
Large portions, fresh food, perfect for brunch!! The best banana smoothie - omg the dates make it!! The table area is quite small though and was a lil grubby but they were really busy. Also we thought we'd wait much longer for the food but they were so quick
If you drive too fast on McEvoy you may miss Sub-Station Café. A hole in the wall, this little café is one not to be missed. It is a very cosy café only seating roughly 15-25 people both indoor or outdoors in the atrium. With a super friendly café owner and colleagues, they make you feel welcomed and at home. The menu is awesome and always has a new item on it every week or so.
The team love to experiment with flavours and try to steer away from the classic dish combinations and rather focus on creating new flavour pairings. Before MacDonald's was putting brie on their burgers, this café was already doing it!
One of our favourite breakfast meals is made here and if you’re a huge fan of cheese then we highly recommend you come and try it for yourself. It is called the Early Rush Breaky Roll with 2 eggs, crispy bacon, rocket, brie and house made pesto aioli and it was just absolutely delicious. The pricing for the quality of food is great, you can pick up a meal and coffee for 2 under $40.
**invite** Remodelling an old substation couldn't have been easy but this team have done exactly that! A good kitchen crew and passionate owner mean all the food comes out tasting and looking beautiful. Faves were the iced tea and scotch fillet sandwich.
Sub-Station Cafe, located in Alexandria, is one of the best little cafes in Sydney. The people, the food and that venue, all sublime. If I lived in the area I would have a tab at this place and be on a first name basis with all the staff. That Early Rush roll - OMG!!!
Sub-Station Cafe is a popular little cafe located in Alexandria that serves up a mix of different dishes including the usual brunch classics, their own regular specials and also a large selection of delectable house baked goods at the front counter. The venue itself is located inside a very small re-purposed electrical substation with an attached courtyard, it’s not too spacious but a very cosy space.
In Short: Sub-Station Cafe in Alexandria is a boutique space, serving up delicious baked goods and healthy meals with fantastic daily specials.
I say ‘electrical sub-station’, you say…’uh, coffee’? Maybe not, right? This is not a combination that typically goes together like, say, scones and jam…but do not let this odd association deter or fool you. Sub-Station Café, with its boutique, eclectic, and quirky café interior, housed in the untouched exterior of an old electrical sub-station in Alexandria, is a perfect match. I would say electric, but I’ll resist the urge for cringe-worthy puns this time!
Although small this place packs a punch. Fresh food and always delicious. Their coffee is excellent! They have 3 special dishes everyday and they continue to experiment and change it up which I love because it gets you to keep coming back! Customer Service is ok not poor which is fine by me.
On a side note, their tables need to be slightly bigger to fit the plates and water and everything else on the table haha.
Amazing!! Came in for lunch and the service was great and food arrived promptly. We tried their daily special which was a beef brisket with pumpkin and a salad. The brisket was so tender, juicy and melt in your mouth and perfect with the salad, to cut through the meatiness. This item should be on the permanent menu! Also the smoothies and fresh juices were great. Overall pleasant experience with great food 5/5
A converted electrical substation and a hidden gem on McEvoy Street, Sub-Station Cafe is definitely my new go-to cafe in Alexandria. They serve authentic Aussie breakfast, with eggs and sourdough toast done perfectly. The tomato relish was delicious, adding a pleasant twist to my normal breakfast plate. The moment I saw Acai bowl on the menu, I knew I had to order it, and it didn't disappoint at all. It was one of the best Acai bowls that I've ever tasted, with a really thick yet icy consistency, and the fresh fruits and homemade granola complemented it so well. We tried their lemon meringue tart and blueberry muffin too, great for takeaway and to end off your meal. Their coffee was amazing, while their wide range of juices and smoothies will definitely cleanse your palate. Thank you Substation Cafe for the great food and service!
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What a surprise find this place was! Set inside a converted electricity substation, it really doesn't look like much from the outside. But as soon as you step inside this sliver of a cafe, you'll find a haven among this industrial area of Alexandria. A small courtyard runs the length of the cafe, with a clear view of the small, open kitchen. There's a small suspended herb garden, and rustic touches like the old school scales and framed advertisements from a bygone era.
And the food! The menu features standard cafe fare running the gamut of granola, breakfast fry ups, smashed avo on toast and sandwiches and salads, fresh juices, smoothies and bakery items. But wow, do they do it well. Everything we ordered was beautifully plated and a joy to eat.
I like a balanced meal so we shared a sweet and savoury dish. The creamy acai bowl topped with buckwheat groaties, coconut and chia seeds was vibrant and refreshing, and served with granola and fresh cut fruit, provided a wonderfully textured bowl of goodness.
The substation breakfast was almost a meal for two, and indeed, we did share. Two soft poached eggs come with sourdough toast, sumac bacon, oregano mushrooms, avocado, julienned carrot and beetroot, tomato relish and little pot of natural yoghurt.
Tip: The cafe is located on busy McEvoy street near Victoria's Basement and Bunnings so is a perfect spot to stop by for a meal, refreshments or baked good after some shopping.
What a great little gem of a cafe. Friendly staff, delicious food, and awesome coffee. I had the acai bowl which was beautifully presented and absolutely delicious. There are some amazing baked goods to either have with a cup of coffee whilst sitting in the cafe or to take home to enjoy. This cafe is a definite!!
Even though this cafe is conveniently located close to the gym we had only visited once for a pre-workout meal: coffee (for me) and a GF brownie (for Alvaro). Okay, I admit I had a few bites of the brownie. I made a mental note to come back for a proper meal, which happened last weekend. I’m boring when it comes to beverages. Or should I say I always order the same to be able to compare establishments? Either way, my long black was good: not too strong and not too cold.
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Substation is a cute little cafe in Alexandria, hard to see from the street but identifiable from the pumpkin sitting on a stool out front. It actually looks like a little vintage substation from out front and inside quite rustic whilst still modern, and feels warm with gardens and heating. About 6 tables and bench seating, there's plenty of room. When you walk in, you get the impression that everything is freshly baked, which, when I asked, it is. It was early morning, beautiful muffins had just been made and were being decoratively topped. They were pear or Berry and looked very appetising. They'd also just baked some pastries that I tried each of them. Had a small spinach and ricotta triangle as well as a pumpkin and cheese one - so good just out of the oven and incredibly tasty. I then got my coffee and was so impressed with the latte art - a beautiful swan - made my day! Hubby got the acai smoothie topped with chia - large size and he enjoyed it a lot. For the breakfast I ordered the healthy option as I usually do, the granola and yoghurt. A huge bowl of granola, natural yoghurt and beautifully sliced fruit; oranges, kiwi fruit, paw paw, passion fruit, strawberries, rhubarb and honey. Such a generous serving. Hubby got the substation breakfast, totally for for a King - it was a huge platter of eggs, bread, avocado, tomato, bacon, mushrooms, and a cute little pot of yoghurt and granola. Really good value. Having heard that everything was freshly made, we got some brownies with walnuts to go, completely decadent and great for afternoon tea. One of the other great things about this place was the staff were so nice! Really polite, hospitable and provided great service.
The Chubby Food Critics
+3.5
Stumbled across this place whilst in Alexandria. Coffee was nice, food was rather good - worth the money that's for sure! A trendy, urban cafe that has a range of breakfast and lunch options at affordable prices. A good find in Alexandria this morning!
I have been a couple times and it gets quick busy during lunch! For good reason too. The sandwiches are amazing! I usually grab a bench seat and a steak sandwich and it's amazing. Service is quick and coffee well made. Definitely a favourite with those in the know!
Unexpectedly good!! We wanted to try somewhere new and found this spot on Zomato. Cafe doesn't look like much from the outside, but once you are in, you're greeted with friendly and welcoming staff. The set up is quiet nice and features subtle creative touches. The thing I found to be different here was that they had the special dishes made up and on display, so you can see exactly what you dish will look like when you get it at your table.
The food is really good! Fresh and delicious. The juices are nice also. The hero for us was the salmon mushroom dish.
Breakfast & cafe heaven! 🍴☕️❤️
This place looked good from reviews and it didn't disappoint. (Despite the fact that my salmon/avo smash has been deleted from the menu!)
It's small and has a great atmosphere. Loved the interior and music - only downside is that the traffic outside is quite loud...
Big heaters keep you warm outside and the staff are very friendly. The menu is extensive and has something for everyone. The daily specials are displayed at the counter which I love! Also on display are countless amazing sweets!
I had the gourmet avo toast with a poached egg and my brunch bestie has he Sub-Station breaky. Both were amazing. I'd go back and order exactly the same - it was so fresh and tasty. (And I'm a massive creature of habit!)
Did I mention that the coffee was some of the best I've had?! For a long black drinker, this is important.
Can't wait to venture back to this place !
The name itself pretty much says it all. Preserving its heritage aspects, Sub-station is a revamp of what use to be a functioning electrical sub-station featuring ancient station props and exposed brick walls to evoke an industrial vibe. 🚂
Based in the popular 'Brunchland' of Alexandria, you can pop by for a quick coffee or grab a quick bite as space is quite limited. I'm not usually a salad girl but I opted for their mango chicken salad which was one of their daily specials on display. I could definitely taste the mango flavours mixed amongst the salad, however I'm not a fan of rocket and there wasn't much chicken in the dish as well.
But nonetheless, service was great and their courtyard was refreshing and relaxing ☺
This cafe is worth going just for the layout - it's fresh, modern but also small and cozy. The food was also yummy & fresh and I love that they have a display of the actual dishes for the specials (you always know what you're getting). The staff were also lovely and attentive. My only fault was that the acai bowl kinda tasted like one of those UFO lollipops, very unusual. Definitely would come back though!
Tiny little cafe housed in an old substation. Despite the size, substation is airy and feels spacious. The coffee here is sensational, in line with the food. I absolutely loved the food here, and the Mediterranean-style breakfast platter ticked all boxes. The tables are to scale with the cafe so you can find it squishy - minimise the drinks!
Cool little funky cafe , love the fit out, best on a fine day as the venue doesn't cope well with rain but the food and good, the coffee is great as is the atmosphere
Didn't get to try the food but the coffee was great. The food looked delicious - especially the shakshuka! Really cute outdoor area too and service was great!
I love substation.
I get my daily coffee from here (says it all) and I love that they bake so much daily, on the premises. The cheese & spinach parcels are great & the fact that they sell out is testament to the quality.
I love the scrambled eggs or smashed avo on toast for breakfast options and EVERYTHING on the lunch menu is great.
The daily specials (both breakfast & lunch) are always changing so you are spoilt for choice and have great options if you feel like something different.
The consistency of the quality sees this being the first choice for businesses lunches (ok there's no wine) as our guests are always impressed & sitting out in the courtyard is de-stressing.
A cute little cafe in the heart of Alexandria. Reasonably priced, friendly service, and tasty. A lot of home style cooking from what I can see - generous portions and wholesome. They do a lot of in-house baked treats too. Have been here 3 or so times and walked out satisfied on every occasion. Great coffee too - beans from Single Origin Roasters.
One of the best coffees I have had in Sydney. I didn't try the food, but the cakes and slices looked beautiful. I would come here for a coffee and cake catch up!
Set in industrial Alexandria and housed in an otherwise inconspicuous old electricity sub-station is Sub-Station Cafe. Take a seat in their relaxing courtyard and enjoy their delicious, fresh and healthy meals. They offer easy access for prams too.
Sub-Station Cafe may no longer be functioning as a electricity sub-station about the vibe still hangs on to its ‘electric’ roots. Lightbulbs hang from bedsprings above the open-plan kitchen and the exposed brickwork and cream walls bring an industrial feel. Upon entering your eyes will be drawn immediately to the freshly baked goods and sandwiches on display which are all made in-house daily. Then check out the blackboard for their menu and specials. Sub-Station is a favourite take-away coffee spot for local parents however it is also great to eat in with a few friends. The courtyard is not huge however it can easily accommodate a few prams
Sub-Station Cafe opened just over a month ago in, you guessed it, Alexandria. It is housed in a beautifully renovated electric substation (Substation 152), a long narrow space with a fantastic indoor/outdoor area, warmly minimalist with a homey touch. The attention to detail in the decor is to be admired, from the patina of the floor to the bare bulb light fittings crafted from bedsprings. Sub-Station has a spotlight-on-the-ingredients kind of café menu. We ordered the Avocado Toast to share which was a generous plate of soy and linseed toast
Charming. Sub-Station Cafe is a charming oasis in the middle of industrial Alexandria. It is deceptively spacious with a mini-tiered garden taking up a corner. The menu is short and sweet with daily specials set out on the front counter. The shakshuka was a delicious medley of baked capsicums and onions in a spiced tomato base topped with two eggs. It was served with a generous hunk of sourdough and a side of pickled radishes. Alongside a well-made cappuccino, this was a perfect winter brunch. The mushroom boreka, a flaky triangular filled pastry, was also lovely. Sub-Station is self-service but staff are friendly and efficient. Definitely a worthy neighborhood local.
Cute space, small menu. Came for breakfast. Small little converted cafe but it looks really interesting with the seating area in the separate "courtyard" in the former substation. Breakfast menu pretty small so just tried the breakfast roll. Took a little bit and not sure how freshly made it was since I saw several rolls in the cabinet. Anyway it still tasted OK so no demerits on this visit.
Great service and food!. The mix with breakfast and lunch menu is superb. service was very welcoming!
Best coffee! Can't wait to try the food next time.
Great new cafe. Just wish it was there when I lived across the road! Good coffee and nice fresh, tasty food. Surprisingly spacious for a small building.
LOVED THE COFFEE AND FOOD!!!
You have the most delicious and tasty collection of foods and beverages! With a unique and comfortable Cafe environment, I give this Cafe a 10 out of 10!
Delicious!. My beautiful man and I headed here on a whim and we enjoyed a top breakfast! I had the breakfast special, which I now can't recall the name of but it was two eggs cooked in a rich tomato and capsicum sauce (plus beautiful roast Veges in the sauce too). My man had food envy but his big breakfast with an assortment of yummy items such as tomato, avocado, poached eggs and delicious ham kept him very satisfied. Coffee was great too. The fit out here is really interesting too and they've made really great use of the space...we'll be back!
Quirky little cafe with limited seating space, but stunning ambiance. Coffee was spot on, their beans had berry undertones which I enjoyed. My Reuben sandwich was mega, wouldn’t change a thing. Got introduced to Latke which is a sort of hash brown with eggs and apple. It just worked. Service was great. Highly recommended!
Very cute space with super tasty breakie dishes!
It’s also dog friendly if you want to swing by with your doggy. 100% recommended
Great little cafe and they do really scrumptious sandwiches too besides the really good coffee
And the 80s music 😅
Best Cafe I have been to in Sydney, food is excellent and I have never been kept waiting. They also do a perfect coffee. Staff are friendly and their service is great! Definitely worth checking this place out.
Beautiful small cafe in Alexandria. The staff were super pleasant and the food and drinks were just as great!!
Love the music selection they play, staff is always super friendly in recommending their specials and food is delicious! Had the Latkeh Special today.
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