Marrickville | Dulwich Hill Blog

At Raine & Horne Marrickville, we are a dedicated team of real estate professionals who share a deep passion for the Inner West. As residents living in and around this vibrant area, our connection to the community goes beyond mere market expertise. Every Wednesday we conduct team inspections where we start the day at a local cafe which keeps us in touch with the community. These meetings serve as a way to connect with eachother, discuss current properties and gets us out of the office for some local inspiration.

Here, we've compiled a list of a few of our favourites:

Valentina’s Cafe
From the team behind Grumpy Donuts, this sophisticated American-style cafe serves the kind of fuss-free food you’d find in a New York or LA diner. Think pancake stacks, fried chicken sangas and plenty of filter coffee. Coffee is by Artificer, and because this place is licensed, there are beers by The Grifter Brewing Co and a tight selection of natural wines on offer.
The focus on detail finds its way into all elements at Valentina’s, definitely worth a visit.
Location: 132 Livingstone Road, Marrickville

De Luca Marrickville
Deluca takes its morning brew seriously. It’s Marrickville residence is the coffee roastery’s second outpost – and flagship – in a light-and-bright warehouse on backstreet. But unlike the original (which opened in Banksmeadow in 2011) it’s coffee – and only coffee – on the menu.

Just like the menu, the space is minimalist. Designed by Cameron Krone, co-founder of Sydney studio Smith and Carmody, the venue features clean lines, natural timber and a neutral colour palette throughout. Streams of natural light are let in by the floor-to-ceiling windows at the front, while the espresso bar is front and centre of the cafe. Behind the espresso bar are large glass windows that frame a hunky German cast-iron Probat G90.

All the beans, which are roasted on-site, are available to purchase in-store. If you’re unsure which is right for you, Deluca’s advice is to just ask the barista.
Location: 5-7 Denby Street, Marrickville

Vesbar Espresso
Vesbar Espresso, founded by owner Aki Daikos, is part of ever-growing cafe strip along Illawarra Road in Marrickville. Daikos is no stranger to the hospitality industry, having previously operated Bay Espresso in Brighton Le Sands and Eastern Grind in Bondi Junction. Tables and stools scatter around the red Vespa parked outside, creating a distinct Italian charm to this former barber shop. Inside, retro Vespa advertisements, tins of peeled tomatoes and recycled hessian coffee sacks line the walls. For local commuters, the La Marzocco espresso machine brews Campos Coffee, frothed with Riverina milk from 6am. Hard to resist is the stack of delectable pastries, like the ricotta zuccherati and nutella donut, sourced from nearby A&P Sulfaro Pasticceria Italiana at Haberfield.
Location: 1 Warburton Street, Marrickville

Roastville Coffee
George Choutis and his wife Destiny had been involved with cafes and restaurants for decades before opening
Roastville. The duo has poured themselves into every aspect of the cafe’s design and operation. There are crosshatch timber tables made by Choutis’ and a cabinet brimming with colourful homemade cakes. Set in a large warehouse space, all the chipped-wood coverings, timber panels and much of the furniture was done by Choutis. The menu has been designed in collaboration with chef Rumil Binas and pastry maestro Libby Marriner. Almost everything is produced on site, the only exception being Brickfields sourdough and burger buns.
Location:157 Victoria Road, Marrickville

Double Tap Coffee
If the Double Tap brief is to service the locals with decent coffee and inexpensive but high-quality food, the cafe nails it.
The menu includes unchef-y, unfussy food: sandwiches – like ham, cheese and salad – and za’atar bread pockets stuffed with tomato, mozzarella and mint. Produce is from Shane Roberts, Penny Fours, Two Providores and Napoli Food and Wines. There are croissants, pastries and cakes made by Karaconji’s mum, often including a plum torte and a lemon yoghurt cake. All sandwiches are $10 and under, the only thing more expensive is the seasonal salad bowl.

The cafe is hidden in a back alley. It’s slick and sunny and has a large feature wall with a botanical mural done by
Karaconji’s artist brother Alex, who was paid for his work in doughnuts.
Location: 54-56 Smith Street, Marrickville

Warren & Holt
Warren & Holt, a wholefoods organic eatery that prides itself on producing honest, pure, simple dishes.

Though there are many elements to the menu and dishes, they let the ingredients speak for themselves. The menu is “allergen-friendly”, meaning it’s mostly gluten- and dairy-free with ample vegan options.
Produce is sourced as locally as possible. Sourdough and brioche buns are from Two Chaps, coconut yoghurt and coconut-ice cream is by Coco Tribe, meats from Dulwich Hill Gourmet Meats, butter by Pepe Saya and coffee from Pablo & Rusty’s.
Location: Shop 4, 415-421 Illawarra Road, Marrickville

Matinee
This Marrickville cafe’s retro design is inspired by the milk bars that once dotted the inner west. There are green velvet chairs tucked under a large crimson-tiled communal table. There are sky-blue floors and orange table tops. There are savoury muffins, brioche knots and a hemp brownie. Dietary requirements are accommodated, most impressively in the form of a dairy-and-gluten-free lemon meringue pie, which is made from aquafaba (a chickpea foam), so it’s vegan, too.
The house-blend coffee is designed to taste like Neapolitan ice-cream. There is a rotating menu of single-origin options for espresso and filter coffee.
Location: 23-29 Addison Road, Marrickville