I wouldn’t normally write about a cafe on this site as it is not entirely in the scope of it’s theme, but I recently visited a cafe in Sydney that made me want to bring it to the attention of travellers to Sydney. Firstly I’ll tell you a little about
I wouldn’t normally write about a cafe on this site as it is not entirely in the scope of it’s theme, but I recently visited a cafe in Sydney that made me want to bring it to the attention of travellers to Sydney. Firstly I’ll tell you a little about the cafe and then the other reasons why I bring it to your attention.
The Grounds Cafe
The Grounds Cafe is in an inner west suburb of Sydney called Alexandria. It is relatively new, as is the style of the cafe. Whilst most other cafe’s along strip malls have the bustle and noise of the outside street roaring past, and are limited to the confines of the building they are situated in, The Grounds is set a little off the road, nestled in amongst a garden and courtyard covered in vines. The cafe itself is located in an old pie factory from the early 1900’s and is quite large. Many elements of the building were left as it was upgraded to accommodate the cafe and you can see and experience many of these whilst eating there – Black and steel frames, bespoke wooden cabinetry and polished white and green subway tiles. The pie factory was part of larger grounds which over the last 3 years has seen some serious upgrading to accommodate some corporate offices as well as a very nice bar/pub, a cheese and meat importer and some other smaller stores. The upgrade of the entire complex has been done with care and style. The Grounds cafe is situated at thecnr of Bourke Rd and Huntley St, Alexndria. Find the map here
The centerpiece, and the main reason to visit this cafe and surrounds, is the beautiful littlecottage garden and vine covered verandas, complete with fresh vegetables and a piglet. The cafe has been allowed to plant their own vegetable patches in the courtyard that they pick daily use in the cafe and sell in the monthly market held in the complex. It is filled with fresh smelling herbs, vegetables and strawberries. Along with a menu that has the freshest ideas and the freshest ingredients, this cafe is one the most relaxing and charming in all of Sydney. This is exemplified every weekend with waits of up to an hour to get a seat in either the cafe or the under vine courtyard where you can eat off the take-away menu.
But if you are a traveller and can get there on a WEEKDAY then you are set! Without the rush of the weekend crowds this cafe will allow to really unwind and take in the smells of all they grow. Take the time to enjoy the eggs or the fresh coffee that they roast themselves. You can even see the coffee roasters through a glass wall and tasting room within.
Another Reason to Visit
If you are travelling in a campervan, then when passing through a larger city like Sydney, it can be difficult to find a place to park the vehicle overnight. This can be exacerbated if your campervan doesn’t have a toilet. Luckily, not far from The Grounds Cafe is the kind of area you are looking for. Only 1 block up Bourke Rd on the corner of Maddox St, there is a park. This park has all the facilities a campervan renter might need for the night. Firstly, Maddox St has no timed parking restrictions so you can park the vehicle without fear of being booked. In the park itself is 2 free BBQ’s, each with it’s own awning making it possible to cook even in the rain. The Park also has a 24hr toilet block. However, (and even better) if the toilet block is closed, there is also public indoor basketball courts right next door. These indoor courts naturally have toilets and showers and is open late every week night for basketball competitions. Find the map here.
There is also an additional cafe available that is less flash than The Grounds if you are on a budget. It is the Weighbridge Cafe on one of the Bourke Rd corners of the park. If you’re bored and can spare a few dollars, you can also weigh your campervan on the weighbridge :)
All in all, this park offers toilets, showers, cooking, benches, open spaces, indoor and outdoor basketball courts, a cheap cafe and the best cafe in Sydney. Additional to this, if you are looking for somewhere to buy beers in the evening you can go to the pub that is in the same complex as The Grounds, or stop in at the bar on the other side of the road along Bourke Rd as you walk back to your camper. It is the perfect place to park a camper and is not overcrowded and targeted by a mass of other campervan users – meaning less likely to attract unwanted attention.
If you are looking for campervan hire in Australia then you will want to check out our booking engine for the best price.