Calico Cafe

This is a fantastic little spot mixing Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavours. Everything we had was excellent: pizza base was spot on, as was the topping, creamy chicken pasta was absolutely delicious, and steak manoush was a fun and different way to serve manoush. And everything topped with generous lashings of cheese. Knafeh was also really good, but could've done with a bit more rose water syrup. Otherwise, food, service and vibe were perfect for a Sunday brunch. Highly recommend!

You might think Surry Hills and Marrickville are the go to spots for a good cafe, but we also recommend checking out their neighbours in Redfern because there’s plenty of quality spots hidden amongst the backstreets. Calico is one of these. They also don’t have a prolifically posted Instagram which is a bit of a shame since their amazing food warrants more publicity. It’s good that we’d heard about this via word of mouth. Located on Abercrombie Street in Redfern/Darlington occupying the spot that once was Rabbit Hole tea. It is a large venue with plenty of seating and some tables in the front and outdoor area. Style wise, I love the wooden walls, hanging greenery and vintage items paired with some on trend flower arrangements. I also appreciate the juxtaposition if materials and design like the geometric tiles on the floor and circular wooden wall frame. Staff are friendly and eager to please, sorting us out with menus and water. They were very accommodating with our little niece’s requests and also they thankfully they let us have our puppy in the front section of seating. The menu is quite extensive and hosts a range of items that in addition to the expected brunch items are a range of what seems to be Middle Eastern / Mediterranean influences. Not your run of the mill menu and I like this. Inside they have also have some pre made sandwiches if you’re on the go as well as some amazing cakes and sausage rolls and pies. Our niece ordered their bolognaise pie - well cooked pastry and a light and nicely spiced mince inside, which she ate by pulling off the top and eating it first, as kids apparently do. The pea cracker piqued by interest. A really good option for those with dietary requirements, for it is vegetarian, vegan, gluten free and dairy free. The Gluten free cracker was topped with a smooth puréed mix of broadbean, edamame and mint and then topped with some of these beans and pomegranates. It looked so beautiful and tasted light and delicious. I would definitely re order this. We also tried their flavoursome stuffed eggplant, filled with pearl barley, Napoletana sauce and sitting atop a spread of hummus and feta. Our dining party also tried a really interesting menu option; their Falafel scotch egg and coleslaw. Like a normal scotch egg in its preparation, but the egg sits inside a falafel rather than meat. So cool! - We also had their halloumi wrap and a few coffees; brought to us by Cleanskin. A full bodied smooth coffee with notes of berries, cocoa and caramel. If you’re not a coffee drinker, there’s a huge drink list with smoothies, kombucha, vegan protein shakes and milkshakes as well as organic tea. Overall this is a great cafe all round

Super duper average. Pass and go somewhere else. Interior design was good but that was the end of our experience. Tables too close to each other, super slow service and super slow food. Missed orders, and food didn’t arrive as per the menu. Falafels salad came without any of the listed bread and three pathetic falafels that were so dry and tasteless. We asked the owner and he just said “sorry we messed up” no offer to make it right. Coffee order was wrong, waiter didn’t even listen and gave our order to the wrong table! We asked for water and they gave it to the wrong table again! Then our beef sandwich came and was so rock hard it looked like it was sitting there for ages and the meat was so cheap. Like a 2am kebab. This place sucks. One star for the presentation but I will never ever eat here again

Absolutely worth a visit! We saw it after our yoga class and like the look & feel. The staff was very helpful and friendly; the menu was great. It had some different options than we we normally see and get. The quality of the food was very good; fresh and tasty! They were very mindful of social distancing and hygiene! Coffees were very good too. We will definitely come back for lunch and for drinks & snacks on a date night.