It seems a little hub of coffee goodness is developing around the Clarence/Kent Street area. Maybe it’s Clover Moore’s laneway project, maybe it’s the hipster vibe radiating from the likes of Grandma’s Bar and Stitch, maybe it’s the I- don’t-have-time-for-crap-coffee-can’t-you-see-I’m-a-businessman ambiance of the CBD. I suspect it’s some combination of all three. Either way, it can only be a good thing for someone like me. That is, as long as it’s not a weekend.
Kent Street Specialty Coffee is obviously on Kent Street, between Druitt and Market Streets in what has traditionally been a bit of a coffee desert. Recently though solid coffee options like Klink and Le Grand Cafe have changed all that, although the area unfortunately still shuts down on the weekends.
I arrive early one morning and it’s freezing cold. Just for something different, I order a macchiatto. It takes a little while considering I’m one of three customers, but they bring me a glass of water which I appreciate. The macch has a good crema and is a tad longer than I like, but this is more of a personal preference than a criticism. Maybe I’ve gotten too used to the short shots that are all the rage these days.
The place is cavernous, all exposed brick, pillars and wooden floorboards. I’m a fan of the aesthetic but it’s a bit cold in winter. All in all I’d say it’s a good place to throw back a coffee and dash off to get on with your day, so it fits right in to the area.
Kent Street Specialty Coffee
414 Kent Street
Sydney, NSW 2000
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15 Responses to Café Review – Kent Street Specialty Coffee, Sydney CBD
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A macchiato for a change?
That’s what bugs me about some cafes in the city, why close on weekends if there’s people shopping around?
Gaby recently posted…Review- Nazimi
It is annoying. At least we have the inner west…
While annoying, I appreciate why most of them don’t open on the weekend and the ones that do stay open on weekends are placed to capitalize on the draw for weekend cafe goers, namely shopping.
Shops like Kent St Spec would garner very little to no business on a weekend, since the majority (if not all) they customer base are only in the area Monday to Friday (for work).
Good point, Benjamin! Although, more and more cafes are opening up on weekends round there. Thanks for stopping by!
Nice one. This place it just down the road from work. I know what I’m doing on my break tomorrow.
Le grand café is open on saturdays, fyi
Love the space! Will be great to see more of these places popping up around Sydney.. Cafes open on the weekend has always been the biggest difference I notice between Syd and Melb city. There is far more open in Melb compared to Syd for coffee on the weekends.
Melissa recently posted…Comment on sunday blooms… unruly ranunculus by Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella
@ John – Let me know what you think!
@ Nikki – Good to know!
@ Melissa – I agree, and even outside the CBD it’s hard to find a coffe on Sunday in Sydney…
What a cute little place. But I have to say that in the cold weather I love places that warm me up
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella recently posted…Mulligan’s- Chippendale & Psychic Thursdays
I love the style of this place and I like that it so spacious! I like my coffee shorter as well, but this one still looks pretty good!!! Thanks for recommending this place Lau!
Manu recently posted…Comment on CAFFE’ MORETTI – MY FIRST REVIEW by kankana
I only recently discovered that Long Macchiatos exist, and I was very excited because it turns out to be far nicer than ordering a Long Black with some soy milk on the side! Wheee!
@ Lorraine – Me too, it was a bit chilly…
@ Manu – No worries!
@ Hannah – You just described two of my least favourite coffees ever, but I won’t hold it against you ^_^.
Been working in the CBD for over 5 years now and only now are we seeing some serious coffee. Thanks for doing the leg work for us in discovering these places! Much appreciated.
@ Howard – No worries! I really enjoy finding and sharing coffee spots, I know how frustrating it can be to wander around looking for a good cup of coffee and find nada…
i like tea weak, milky and 1 sugar and coffee weak very milky and 2 sguars (i desribe my coffee as warm milk with a hint of coffee lol)