Sluurpy > Restaurants in Sydney > Sub-station Cafe

Review Sub-station Cafe - Sydney

Jaber Shah
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!
Bee Jay
The food is pretty but expensive. Cool location but they have too many staff (5) in a restaurant with 6 tables. This explains the high prices. Plenty of better options near by. And why is eggs on toast served in a bowl????? $13
Iris Aisha
Very cute space with super tasty breakie dishes! It’s also dog friendly if you want to swing by with your doggy. 100% recommended
Stephen Wee
Great little cafe and they do really scrumptious sandwiches too besides the really good coffee And the 80s music 😅
Lauchlan Kerr
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.
Wyndham Hui
First time at this cafe. Food was absolutely amazing. Waiting staff not so amazing. Gentleman at the counter told me to order more slowly. I don’t think it’s possible for me to speak too quickly ordering from an unfamiliar menu. After I sat down I could hear him making snarky remarks about how he doesn’t like it when people speak too quickly to him. Pretty interesting experience. I’d love to go back for the food but only if that wait staff isn’t there.
Isaac Herbert
Beautiful small cafe in Alexandria. The staff were super pleasant and the food and drinks were just as great!!
Sasha Alim
Love the music selection they play, staff is always super friendly in recommending their specials and food is delicious! Had the Latkeh Special today.
Mj Smith
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!
Meo Cheung
Good coffee and food
Liora Engler
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!!
Justin Donnelly
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.<br/><br/>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.
Kimberley Jane
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.
Cynthiaeats_
Cosy revamped electrical substation housing a hip café with a snug interior. I liked how the specials of the day were displayed at the counter. Quite unusual but helps you visualise what you get. Food itself fell a bit short for me. More intense flavours and seasoning were desperately needed. The Shakshuka in particular had no body to it and was very watery. The Baked Granola was the strongest dish of the day with lots of fresh fruit, crunchy granola and a velvety yoghurt. Ratios were a tad off though, more yoghurt please! Mango Crush Smoothie was pleasant and generous in size. Personally, I would have preferred it to be served in a tall glass rather than a plastic cup with dome lid especially given that it was a dine in experience.<br/><br/>If you'd like to read more of my reviews, please check out my Zomato page and visit @cynthiaeats_ on Instagram for more photos!<br/><br/>My thanks to Sub-Station Cafe and Foodshot Sydney for the invite.
Janet Sheridan
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.
Caitlin Wallace
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.
Jwswong
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.<br/><br/>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
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!
Andre.W
Stopped by here a couple times and really enjoyed the atmosphere. Nice little spot to have lunch if you're in the area. Food was nice and you could tell they use fresh ingredients for all meals. The coffee was made really well but I think I personally prefer a bolder flavour in my coffee. I also noticed a soup of the day at another table and will be trying that next time I come through.
Janicexrose
Sub-station cafe used to be an old electrical substation, giving its name “sub-station cafe”. The chairs and tables are laid out in an outside sunny courtyard, giving it a vibe that was relaxing and inviting. The dishes cost less than $20 each which I’m glad for since most cafes now charge around the $20 mark or more. It can be quite expensive especially when you’re trying to have a decent brunch feed. We parked at the Woolworths (Woolies) carpark area which was about a very short 1-2mins walk to the cafe.
Weekendfoodescapes
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
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...
Coffeebrunchanddinner
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.
Mike Morley
We ordered two green eggs and bacon which we waited over 40 minutes for. Toast was burnt and eggs were cold. Not sure who the bald guy on the floor was, but he was unapolagetic and didnt offer any sympathy. We understood it was a busy saturday but fresh, unburnt toast wouldve been enough to walk away happy. Instead we walked out unimpressed unlikely to return. They should also reconsider who they employ in their kitchen because one chef was constantly eating with his hands and never washed them before handling the food of customers made me sick. The same dude then shouted and screamed at the poor waitress. So unprofessional. Kitchen needs a massive shake up
Hayley Blah
I came here with my parter for a quick coffee a while ago and we were really impressed with the cafe. The staff were friendly, the seating area was cozy and comfortable, and the coffee was good. We were happy with our short experience and decided to come back for breakfast another time and the food also looked pretty delicious. The next time we came for breakfast was definitely a let down. We ordered one of the specials displayed, which was baked eggs with big slices of chorizo, and when it arrived both orders were completely missing the chorizo which was a pretty key ingredient. Aside from that, the dish was completely lacking in any flavour and was very watery. Not watery like a thin sauce, but water as in just plain old flavourless water. We walked away feeling confused, disappointed and hungry. Cute place for a coffee though.
Maps Ja
Really good coffee and nice atmosphere. Hard to get a car park though. Food was clean, but minimal flavour - needed salt and pepper and chili chutney. No table service which is totally bizarre for such a teeny tiny place, no follow up from waiting staff after food delivery and no water brought to table with coffees. Scratched an itch but would not return.
Kobee
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.<br/>And I'll admit I am a coffee snob... they make amazing coffee. Thanks substation :D
Eatventures
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.
Cjrecking
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.
The RnB Diary
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.
Leon
The Sub-Station cafe is situated at a renovated electrical substation in Alexandria. Comfortable and lovely, I can stay at the cafe all day.<br/><br/>The food, however, is not up-to-par. I ordered a dish of green eggs and bacon. The scrambled eggs are dry and bland whereas the toast was so hard that it takes some mammoth effort to finish them.
Hereandthere
Second time in Sub-station<br/><br/>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.<br/><br/>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.<br/><br/>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).
Roxanne Groebel
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
2Foodiefrogs
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.<br/><br/>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!<br/><br/>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.
Issac_eatsalot
**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.
Alex
Decent food, it's nothing overly fancy. We went on a quiet afternoon and I found the staff seemed "irritated". Couldn't say it was friendly service, rather it was a hassle to serve us. The boss sat down to have his brunch and it looked way better than what we'd ordered. He then proceeded to order his staff around to bring him cutlery, then water etc. <br/><br/>Overall I'd say this place isn't overly passionate about the products and services they are delivering. Therefore it doesn't excite me.
Spooning Australia
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!!!
Charn Tangson
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.
Coco And Vine
In Short: Sub-Station Cafe in Alexandria is a boutique space, serving up delicious baked goods and healthy meals with fantastic daily specials. <br/><br/>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!
HurryDaFoodup
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. <br/>On a side note, their tables need to be slightly bigger to fit the plates and water and everything else on the table haha.
R
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
Tsymelissa
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!
Eatwithmyfoodsafari
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.<br/><br/>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.<br/><br/>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.<br/><br/>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. <br/><br/>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.
Lollieats
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!!
Gaby Mora
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.
Clauds
We have been here a couple of times now, last time for a Sunday brunch today. Both times the food has been ok/good, but there is just oddly poor and slow service. The first time we thought that this was a one off so gave it the benefit of the doubt and thought we would come back and give it another go.<br/><br/>Today's effort was worse than the first time. It was reasonably busy, but not packed and we had to check 3 times whether coffee was on its way, it eventually arriving 3/4th of the way through the meal. The various wait staff again had to be asked repeatedly for cutlery, water, napkins etc... At one point a staff member came to the table and took the salt and pepper from the table without a word and walked off. I had to call out and get them back. We didn't even have our food!<br/><br/>One of the coffees was meant to be decaf, it wasn't. One of the meals had a special request (hard eggs) and they weren't. I had to take it back and all the kitchen staff asked was "did you ask for it?" Uh, yes. <br/><br/>We really want to like this place, but they make it really hard and I think there are lots of better places around Alexandria.<br/>
Thewhereto
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
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!
Gabbys79
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!
Gaeth Al
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. <br/><br/>The food is really good! Fresh and delicious. The juices are nice also. The hero for us was the salmon mushroom dish. <br/>
FitnessFoodie
Breakfast & cafe heaven! 🍴☕️❤️<br/>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!) <br/>It's small and has a great atmosphere. Loved the interior and music - only downside is that the traffic outside is quite loud... <br/>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! <br/>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!)<br/>Did I mention that the coffee was some of the best I've had?! For a long black drinker, this is important. <br/>Can't wait to venture back to this place !
Jenlicious
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. 🚂<br/><br/>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.<br/><br/>But nonetheless, service was great and their courtyard was refreshing and relaxing ☺
Caitlin Hazell
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!
TrufflePig
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!
Mineyourswine
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
La Petite Bobo
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!
Kim
I love substation. <br/>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. <br/>I love the scrambled eggs or smashed avo on toast for breakfast options and EVERYTHING on the lunch menu is great.<br/>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. <br/>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.
Princess_Porky
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.
Bottomlesspit
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!
The Chronicles Of Hilda
Sub-Station was one of those places that lingered on my to-eat list for months, and despite living down the road and physically passing the cafe frequently, I always managed to overlook the little hole in the wall. Sub-Station definitely has its back pinned against the wall with the likes of Bread & Circus , Don Campos   and  Cipro pizza al taglio on neighbouring Fountain St and The Grounds of Alexandria and The Copper Mill just that little bit further away. With all these fantastic places to eat you'd understand why I always managed to pick somewhere else. You'd be forgiven thinking Sub-Station has little to no seating by the exterior however take a few steps inside and there's actually about a dozen or more spots to sit. It's particularly nice on a sunny day as you can bask in the sunlight and there's surprisingly not much traffic noise from busy McEvoy street.  Breakfast Roll: Free range egg, avocado, bacon, tomato and homemade sauce on fresh roll $9 As far as brekky rolls go, this was pretty good! Not too greasy (although sometimes that's exactly what you want) or soggy with everything neatly pushed into a fluffy bun. Latte $3.50 The coffee was pretty good. Smooth and pretty, it definitely held up nicely compared to the neighbouring cafes. The baristas and cooks were friendly, casual and approachable which I appreciated. Goats Cheese Salad: Spinach, grilled pumpkin, Meredith goats cheese, papitas, onion, olive oil and seasoning $14 God knows what compelled me to order this salad. I do like homemade salads but don't particularly froth over salads from cafes or restaurants because I feel as if I can make it just as good if not better at home, particularly for the price. Overall the salad wasn't too bad but it was pretty uninspiring. There were too massive slabs of pumpkin which for pumpkin lovers is great but I think one slice would've sufficed. I would have to say $14 for this salad was a bit steep. The mountain of reuben sandwiches were definitely enticing and g
Little Eats Sydney
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. <br/><br/>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
Ellen Ehrhardt Smith
The breakfast menu is quite small – with most of the usuals – so I’d like to come back and try the lunch menu. There was also a special of porridge – but with the sun out that day (such a rarity in the past weeks in Sydney!) it was good to embrace a more summery, rather than wintery (with which I associate porridge), breakfast. Have you tried anything else on the Sub-Station menu?
THEJUGERNAUTS
Jugernauts.com Substation cafe is housed inside what was previously an electrical substation and has a great look and feel to the cafe. Located along McEvoy street, its unassuming (despite is apparent iconography) and you’ll really have to stop to look for it. There also really isn’t much parking around though :/ Once inside, you’ll really notice the work that was done to make substation into the venue that its at. The feel is industrial/restoration with some clever touches – in particular, that bedspring lamp is quite cool looking. The black board is integrated into the fitout and they make the most of a tight space. They sell beans and here’s a look at their muffin in closeup. Outside, there is ample seating and the area here feels somewhat residential especially that large window cutout in the exisiting wall. Bit of a green wall/garden at the end there. A glance at the edible goodies they have at substation. Appealingly presented, price points readily present. Coffee Art. Decent Cof
Corridor Kitchen
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
Oh-ayana
...offering their signature Shakshuka dish, a traditional Israeli dish with 2 free range poached eggs cooked in chunky tomato sauce with grilled vegetables and a touch of chill and fresh herbs served in a shallow pan with a side of bread. Suprisingly this is a dish I'd definitely order however on that day I was after a Poached Chicken sandwiched assembled perfecty with the freshest ingredients while Bill had the simple and homey bacon and egg roll.
Tom Chun
Coffee is so good that makes u addicted to it. Lol
Sydney Eater
You will be doing yourself a favour going elsewhere.... I have never been so dissatisfied coming out of a cafe. Had the Shashuka which was one of the specials and it was super runny. It could have possibly been a soup by the looks of it. To top that, I had a tiny piece of bread from the end of the loaf which was quite stale. <br/><br/>I went on a sunny day and one of the waiters only put the shade down when I finished my meal. I had to actually move the tables and chairs myself to get some shade. The place was very tiny with one communal bench and 4-5 small tables outside.<br/><br/>Overall it was a bad experience.. didn't finish my coffee or my meal. Wasn't happy with the cafe or the other rude patrons beside us. I was excited to leave the place and ended up at the Grounds to get some juice which was worth the wait.
Brunch_snob
Waste of Time. Went to try Sub-Station and it was an instant regret. The Middle Eastern Platter was average and the shakshouka was runny and lacked flavour. Service was slow and subpar but the worst bit was the extremely crammed and limited seating space. With the dishes being served on oversized wooden boards on tiny square table, it was difficult to eat properly and the tables were so squished right next to each other I could actually hear the other patrons talking about us. Place is not family friendly i.e. no strollers as one patron had to change tables as the stroller was too big to go pass the narrow space. Possibly the worst brunch ever - will never return again.
Sarah_pussell
Too many staff and not enough service. For a cafe with lots of staff, there isnt much service going on. I really think that they could take orders rather than patrons needing to queue and order at the register. If the wait staff can bring a coffee to my table, then they ought to be able to bring the sparkling water that i ordered as well. Sandwich was ok but nothing special. Again, the coffee is adequate but not outstanding. I will not be in a rush to return. No wonder there is such a queue at other cafes in the area.
Orange_tree
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.
Ronin47
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.
Tom K
Great service and food!. The mix with breakfast and lunch menu is superb. service was very welcoming!
Sunnycat11
This is usually a favourite cafe of ours. We took my sister there last weekend and we weren't impressed. We cleared our own table, then the waiter said "if you want to know what the specials are, go inside and look. We did and there was no written description, just sample meals sitting on the bench. Ordered big breakkie and the toast didn't come with meal. We got 80% through meal and still hadn't received our toast. I got to ask and the chef ordered "ITS COMING". it all sounds so petty but I was sad because we come here regularly but this experience jas changed this.
Carla
I had to write this review after walking out. While the atmosphere is pleasant it was all it had going. Firstly had to ask twice for table full of plates to be cleared. Secondly food arrived and was beyond basic. Thirdly had to ask for coffees takeaway after meal despite ordering and paying for them upfront. The avo toast for $7.50 was a piece of bread untoasted, loaded with butter, less than 1/4 of an avacado, no salt and old tomatoes. Have not had a breakfast this poor in a long time. Poached eggs were ok. Would I come back no, never. Lots of great eats around town.
Jo
Best coffee! Can't wait to try the food next time.
Miss Macaroon
Amazing coffee and poached chicken salad!! Absolutley Loved it!
Caz
Cafe that doesnt know what a latte is. Went here on the weekend and asked for a caramel latte or any flavoured or plain latte and the waitress asked if a latte is a hot or cold drink. Seriously how can you call yourself a cafe if you dont even know what a latte is???
GregFresser
Good coffee. Quaint setting. Sunny courtyard.. Set in a former substation, the team provides a warm and happy cafe restaurant, with an open courtyard to boot.<br/>Came in for brekkie:<br/>Coffee was well made, with well a trained barista on hand. Nicely crafted lattes and piccolos. Hot chocolate also rather decorative.<br/>Muffins were tempting, but opted for the Big Breakfast - vege style.<br/>Perfectly poached eggs. Meredith goat cheese. Soft avos. Fresh sourdough bread.<br/>While a tad on the pricey side, we had a good experience all in all.<br/>Will return for lunch.
Kp
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.
Shaily
LOVED THE COFFEE AND FOOD!!!
Gal
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!
Novi Gunawan
Foods&coffees are good. The.... Foods&coffees are good.<br/>The lady owner is very friendly and welcoming however the waitress and waiter have an attitude problem.<br/>They could not care less about the menus.when asked about special of the day,their response was "I don't know"???<br/>Shame though..
Foodie Gal
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!
French Onion Soup Acai Bowls Alfredo Apple pie Arancini Baba Ghanoush Baby Back Ribs Bagels Baguette Bangers And Mash Bass Beef Beef Bourguignon Beef Cheeks Bento (Lunch Box) Bibimbap Blood Sausages BLT Bolognese Bouillabaisse buckwheat crepes Burger Burrito Burrito Bowl Cakes Calamares Calamari Cannelloni Cannoli Carbonara Carrot Cake Cassoulet Catfish Caviar Ceviche Cheeseburger Cheesecake Cheesecakes Cheesesteak Chicken Paella Chicken Sandwich Chicken Wings Chili Chili Crab Chilli Chicken Chocolate mousse Chow Mein Chowder Churrasco Clams Classic Beef Burger Club Sandwich Cobb Salad Cod Confit Coq au Vin Corn dogs Corned Beef Couscous Crab Crab Cake Crab Legs Crawfish Creme Brulee Crepes Crispy Pata Croque Madame Croque Monsieur Croquettes Cupcakes Curry Cuttlefish Dim Sum Donuts Duck Duck Confit Dumplings Eclairs Eggplant Eggs Benedict Escargot Fajitas Falafel Fattoush Filet Mignon Fish Fish & Chips Fish Soup Fish Taco Focaccia Foie gras Fondue French Fries French onion soup French Toast Fried cheese Fried pickles Fried rice Frozen Yogurt Galettes Garlic Prawns Gelato Green Curry Grilled cheese Gyros Haddock Hake Halloumi Ham Croquettes Hamburgers Hanger steak Hokkien Mee Hot Dog Hot Pot Hummus Ice Cream Italian Beef Japanese Curry Juice & Smoothies Kabobs Kare kare Korean Fried Chicken Kung Pao Chicken Laksa Lamb chops Lamb Shoulder Lasagne Lechon Lemon tart Little momo Lobster Lobster rice Lobster Roll Mac and cheese Macarons Macaroons Mandarin Duck Marinara Meatballs Meringue Minestrone Momo Mortadella Moussaka Mushroom Bruschetta Mussels Nachos Noodle Octopus Okonomiyaki & Takoyaki (Flour Dish) Omelette Osso Buco Oyster Pad Thai Paella Paella Valenciana Pancakes Pasta Patatas Bravas Peking Duck Philly Cheesesteak Pho Po' Boys Poke Bowls Polenta Porchetta Pork Cheeks Pork Loin Pork Roll Pork Tenderloin Poutine Prawns Pretzel Profiteroles Prosciutto Quail Quail Eggs Quenelle Queso Quiche Raclette Ramen Red Curry Reuben sandwich Ribs Rice pudding Risotto Roast Beef Roast Chicken Roe Salad Salmon Saltimbocca Sandwiches Scallops Schnitzel Seafood Paella Seafood Platters Shawarma Shellfish Shrimp Sirloin Steak Sisig Snails Soup Dumplings Souvlaki Steak Frites Steak Sandwich Steak Tartare Suckling Pig Sukiyaki & Shabu Shabu Super supreme Surf And Turf Swordfish T-Bone Steak Tacos Tagliatelle Tandoori Chicken Tapas Tarte Tatin Tataki Tempura Thai emerald Tikka Masala Tiramisu Toasts Tomato Bread Tonkatsu Torte Tortellini Tortelloni Tortillas Tuna Udon & Soba (Wheat & Buckwheat Noodle) Unagi & Dojo (Eel & Soil) Veggie Burger Waffle Fries Waffles Waffles & Crepes Wings Yakitori (Grilled Skewers)
Share on WhastApp
Share on Facebook
Browse the menu
Add review