Sydney's Best Coffee...

hazchem

congratulations to everyone who made the top 5, all these cafes are doing a great job. Sydney coffee is growing rapidly and I suspect its going to be even harder to decide next time around. I'd also like to say a huge thanks to Crema Magazine for inviting me to take part in the panel this year. I was surprised to be asked, and honoured to be a part of this process. A lot of fun! Thanks again.

admin

Hi mate - great to have you on board; also found this exercise useful in developing the methodology - am now confident that we have the methodology to say we have the best judging process possible, and dare I say it, the most accurate judging process in the country!

admin

HI AM - actually we have been doing Sydney with the Summer issue and Melbourne with the Winter issue and were going to start doing one city per quarter - ie adding Adelaide for the Spring [Oct '10] issue and Brisbane for the upcoming Autumn issue... however we commenced a pretty exhaustive search through Adelaide and I hate to admit it, we couldn't find 5 cafes which produced coffee of what we considered sufficient standard - ie we could have done the best 5 cafes, but only 2-3 produced coffee which we felt were up to the standard required - ie we couldn't do a Top 5 that we would be proud of recommending anyone should visit - hence we canned the feature. I haven't been up to Brissy for a couple of years, but happy to start the process for Brisbane for the Autumn [April '11] issue, if you think that Brisbane has 5 [or more] cafes of truly excellent standard. A

admin

PS full story [along with pics] up now on Crema website...

over_extracted

Hi A big congratulations to all the nominated finalists, all the hard work and professionalism shines through! OE 😉

admin

Fare 'nuff AM, but what did you think off Matty's suggestions under 'Brisbane's Best Coffee'?

admin

Hi guys - usually we get feedback [both good & bad] from our Best cafes feature [of any city] - obviously we recently did Sydney in the Summer issue - any comments? Also, we always start with a pretty wide-ranging shortlist, but it's always possible that we've missed someone good - keep those suggestions coming as we're already looking at candidates for next year's feature! A

admin

hi guys - a quick question for members in Sydney; have you been to Hazel's now that we voted it no. 1? She was concerned about the size of their space and said that she was planning to expand a bit... A

hazchem

admin wrote:

hi guys - a quick question for members in Sydney; have you been to Hazel's now that we voted it no. 1? She was concerned about the size of their space and said that she was planning to expand a bit... A

A, it'll come as no surprise I'm sure that I've been in many times since the article was published and have also spent one day there working on the bar. As I understand it, the plans you mention are still in place but have not yet been executed I have also noticed a sharp increase in new customers coming the Alchemy & saying things to the effect of "I've heard/read you have the best coffee in Sydney so I had to come here & try it"

hazchem

as a further update to the planned changes at Coffee Alchemy ... As I understand it roasting & packing operations are being expanded & moved next door, with the current space being renovated and expanded to provide a LOT more seating space. Will post photos once it's all done.

admin

Hi guys - we will be looking at refining our list of best cafes in Sydney over the next month or two for our annual feature in Crema magazine; as many of you know, judges are [impartial] industry professionals and usually one or two Crema forum senior members and we take this extremely seriously... process starts with me drawing up a shortlist from recommendations from various sources, including judges [obviously] but one very useful source is the forum; bottom line is, now is the time to give your input, if you know any great sydney cafes that you think should be on the list. A Unlike other reviews, our Best Cafes is strictly based on the quality of the coffee!

Kelsey

My palate's probably not refined enough to even make this recommendation, but I was seriously impressed with Ruby's Cafe in Charing Cross this morning. An SO as well as a blend on offer, tasting notes for all the SO's they rotate through and options of cold drip, aeropress and siphon, in addition to the usual suspects. And the coffee was very good, at least to my taste, and made by the owner.

admin

can't believe the measures some people take to get included in the Crema Best Cafes of Sydney shortlist - see: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/1-million-left-behind-in-suitcase-in-cafe-20111122-1nt0m.html A ???

Brett_H

admin wrote:

can't believe the measures some people take to get included in the Crema Best Cafes of Sydney shortlist - see: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/1-million-left-behind-in-suitcase-in-cafe-20111122-1nt0m.html A ???

And why wouldn't they... only problem is that you've obviously missed the 'drop.' We will know if they are more successful in future if they are featured on the front page that is gilded in gold.

Kelsey

This week I spends couple of days in Sydney and had done excellent espresso. First up was Mecca in the CBD and a past 'best cafe'. They made me an excellent double ristretto on their KVDW Spirit that was just about as perfect as could be. Big mouthfeel, strong flavour and lively without being overly bright. Bertoni's in Balmain was almost as good. Served by an older gentleman, when I asked for a ristretto he replied 'No sugar?' - but it really wasn't a question and he very much approved at my response in the negative. Di Bartoli were roasting in-store when I visited. Had a good old chat and really liked their passionate but not-at-all-snobby approach. I went with the Barista's suggestion of an SO from Daterra estate at 86 degrees. It was very nice, but a bit green and I commented that it tasted less than a week old and thought it might need a longer rest. The barista agreed, but apparently their stock frequently is run down by bean sales before it can be fully rested. Bought a bag of their house blend - bang in target. Exactly my type of roast. Also bought a keep cup for my wife and took the opportunity to enjoy the machine porn. All in a lot of fun. On a side note I stayed at the Menzies hotel - avoid their super auto at the breakfast restaurant. I watched as it performed a self cleaning cycle and then dripped soapy suds in the cup of the hapless next recipient.

UNM

Off to Sydney for a few days next week. Will peruse this thread for ideas of cafes to try (we are staying in Surry Hills). If any places listed in the thread have gone downhill, or anywhere new you think I should try, please let me know. Also happy to meet any local cremarians for a coffee, time permitting

WotB

Reuben Hills, Sample, Joe Black, Single Origin just to name a few. If you're keen on Vietnamese, you can pop by my work for dinner (Red Lantern on Riley).

borat123

Had a couple of days in syd, so after organizing some coffee bags and a knock box, I went to check out Mecca. I tried a ristretto of their Kenya vuga (spelling?). Quite enjoyed it even though suffering from a winter cold and taste buds a bit out of whack. Smooth, lightly acidic and nice body. After some quick last minute shopping / delivery, I also picked up a nice tamp stand; thanks Alex.. Also from Qld came some bling Coffeebags, and a knock box from barista basics - just nearby in George street. They had a Urania out the front but such a shame it was only used as display.... Now heading back home later tonight.

derrilex

Glad it arrived in time. Need a photo with your gold tamper :thumb:

balibuyog

Hi Guys does anyone have any good cafe suggestions in Sydney south west???? I normally have to travel 20-30 mins to inner west somewhere to get good coffee Regards Ben :coffee2: :coffee:

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