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PANE E CIPOLLA

Named after the fields of lilies that once covered the land, modern day Lilyfield is full of fantastic foodie finds. Simple and uncomplicated is the secret, says Vinnie Scalone. And it starts with her cafe’s Italian name Pane e Cipolla, which translates to “bread and onion”.

She explains it’s a reference to a time when food wasn’t as complicated and her grandmother would say “that’s all we had and we were happy”.

Vinnie started young in the kitchen — from about the time she could reach the bench standing on a crate. She opened the cafe with the intention of being a quick takeaway shop to serve the local community, including the mums who would be around for school pick-up. But her customers convinced her to expand — and she did.

With help from friends and neighbours, tables were built, lights were hung and a good scrubbing revealed original navy blue and sable tiles. She even got some business advice from her coffee supplier, Ed Cutcliffe of The Little Marionette, a boutique coffee roaster which also got its start in the Inner West.

One of her first dishes included brown rice, which Vinnie admits ended up being much more popular than she expected. Now however there are a number of menu items that include the staple such as the Mexi Bowl, Green Bowl and brown rice salad. Fortunately for those with a sweet tooth, there is plenty of yumminess baked on site.

Fridays are for the “fun stuff” such as a rich chocolate cake while Saturdays always feature a rustic display cake and ginormous muffins. The treats go quickly so best to get in early, if for no other reason than to just sit and enjoy a simple and uncomplicated cup of coffee.

— 4 Orange Grove Plaza

BREW HA HA COFFEE ROASTERS

It’s not enough to just know the source of the beans used in his award-winning coffee, David Dordevic needs to see it himself, which in the coming months will include a seven-day farming excursion in Nicaragua.

It’s all in the name of the perfect cuppa, which begins with the perfect bean roasted twice weekly in the wee hours of the morning. From there, Barbara (the name of the espresso machine) works her magic producing a smooth cup of Joe.

For the true connoisseur, there is the decadent filtered coffee at $12 a cup. Those who know their java will appreciate its beauty but for the neophyte use those extra dollars to try a slice of chef Felicity Hatcher’s divine housemade orange cakes.

Coffee fans of all persuasion will agree though that her breakfast and lunch menus are winners as well. A real crowd pleaser is the breakfast plate with roasted truss tomatoes, mushrooms, spinach, feta and bacon with sourdough.

Or get your green on with a kale and quinoa salad — keep it vegan with the sweet potatoes and cherry tomatoes or indulge with a 12-hour slow-cooked beef brisket. Either way, it’s a win-win scenario.

— 360 Catherine St

MALAYSIAN SMALL CHILLI RESTAURANT

Shhhh! Word is this is the best laksa in Sydney. There’s plenty of competition for that title all across the Harbour City but when the local ambos give it two thumbs up you’d best check it out. Stat.

Less than a year old, this smart restaurant with its white and yellow brick walls and wicker light fixtures is owner Jasmine Leong’s second rendition in Lilyfield but judging by the queue for lunch, her fans were quick to follow.

It’s the use of imported Malaysian ingredients that makes the difference, explains Jasmine, adding that most laksa spices on the market are from Indonesia and rather sweet.

“Malaysian laksas are spicier,” she says.

What makes hers better than the rest though is the special paste she prepares using a very specific powder made from dried Malaysian shrimp and then adding her own blend of ginger, lemongrass, onions, curry powder and more.

The crispy duck dishes here are a standout, particularly the laksa that includes a quarter of a duck and greens or just the duck, greens and steamed rice. Equally enticing is the roti canai with beef rendang or curry chicken.

Basically, it’s all good … and authentically Malaysian.

— 91 Balmain Rd

THE LOCAL PRESS

For Micheal Wahab, food has always been a part of his life, starting at age 11 working for his uncle in Italy making pastas and sausages.

Equally important though is time with his family and friends, which is why he swapped the late nights of restaurant work for the daytime hours of running a cafe. It leaves evenings open to spend time with his kids.

The Local Press, which he’s had for the past year, is his latest endeavour. While he prides himself on offering “good food with good service”, he admits that opening this cafe was an opportunity to challenge himself, foregoing the time-consuming prep work of traditional Italian dishes for grab-and-go options such as bacon and egg rolls, sandwiches and wraps.

For those with a bit more time this relatively small cafe with rustic street signs and even a vintage 1960s bench-style front seat, offers indoor seating as well as few tables out on the bricked forecourt.

Here you can linger a bit longer and enjoy breakfast dishes such as omelettes, pancakes and acai bowls or for lunch try the generously sized Louisiana chicken burger with southern fried chicken, American cheddar, slaw and chilli aioli or the truly healthy grilled chicken dish with poached eggs, hummus, rocket, and sweet potato.

— 19/331 Balmain Rd

SONG’S PLACE

It tastes as good as it sounds — Cajun Burger with Chinese ginger in the sauce. It’s definitely a case of East meets West in Song’s Place at Sydney University’s College of Arts.

Song Wang, or as her regular customers call her “Mother Song”, is a popular destination for students.

They call her Mother Song because she’s virtually the campus Matriarch, with students seeking her out to either celebrate or cry on her shoulder after exams.

Song owned cafes in the Sydney CBD and Cronulla but took over this outlet a few years ago, offering students and locals alike her home-baked goods, tantalising laksa, pork friend rice and of course, the Cajun Burger. Song’s Place is open Monday to Friday but closed throughout the school holidays.

—Sydney College of the Arts, The University of Sydney; Building 29, Kirkbride Way

MUST TRY

GRILLED HALOUMI ROLL

Every parent has said and every kid has heard it: “Wait 30 minutes after eating before going for a swim.”

It’s fair to say it’s a tough ask at the Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre with The Blu Aqua Kiosk’s great selection of brekkie and lunch food.

Conveniently located adjacent to Leichhardt Oval and just off the Bay Run path, the cafe is located inside the aquatic centre, but there’s no need to pay to pop in for a cup of Toby’s Estate coffee.

Add to that a grilled haloumi roll with a fried egg, mushroom and beetroot relish along with a berry smoothie. So, have a swim, run or kick first, then order some lunch and relax while others do their laps.

— The Blu Aqua Kiosk, Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre, 43 Mary St

THE VIBE

In the true spirit of Dennis Denuto, it’s all about the atmosphere at the Orange Grove Market in Lilyfield. Similar to its sister markets in Leichhardt, Marrickville and Kings Cross (part of the Organic Food Markets family) its foodie finds include farm fresh fruit and veg, French pastries, homemade sweets and the decadent grilled sandwiches from Mister Toast.

It’s a ‘Castle’ more than worth checking out.

— Orange Grove Market; Orange Grove Public School, 2-8 Perry St

RISOTTO NERO DE SEPPIA

Along the foreshore of Iron Cove Bay, a worldly experience awaits at The Lobby Cucina & Bar.

From the cocktail bar you’ll travel the globe with an elegant collection of whiskeys from the likes of Ireland, Japan, the US and of course, Scotland.

For dinner, it’s a visit to Italy where hatted chef Vanessa Martin prepares stunning fine-dining dishes such us as this black risotto with braised cuttlefish, prawns and zucchini.

— Le Montage; 38 Frazer St, Lilyfield

BACON AND EGG ROLL

Crispy bacon, eggs over easy on a fresh roll. It is the staple of the Australian cafe but at Sandy Lane, a cosy cafe popular with locals, adding a touch of aioli and sweet onion marmalade put this one right in the mix for “you beauty”.

— Sandy Lane; 63 Perry St

SUNDAY ROAST

Sunday isn’t Sunday without The Sunday Telegraph … or roast! While chicken plays a starring roll, the chefs have run afoul and added red meat to the menu.

Every Sunday from midday until they’re sold out, gather the crew and feast on slow roasted Angus beef, duck fat potatoes, honey roasted carrots, market veggies, Yorkshire pudding and classic gravy.

—Chicken & Sons; 312 Balmain Rd