Kickstart Your Week: Sydney’s Best Cafes, Bars & Hidden Gems

Welcome back, I hope your Christmas and New Year celebrations were pleasant.

For the less than lucky ones you might already be back at work. For those of us still on holiday I say as they do in the U.S of A … “enjoy”!!

Well the new year kicks off with a bang for us with a top five for the start to 2025 including watching movies under the stars.

1. Large serving sizes and delicious food in the Inner West 🍽️ 

Oh how humble Valentina’s Sydney looks but as they say looks can be deceiving. Located at 132 Livingstone Road, Marrickville this is a brilliant place to visit and feel like you are in a traditional US Diner.

At Valentina’s, the breakfast (all day) is their thing. You can get toast, pancakes, bacon and eggs, breakfast burritos, Huevos Rancheros, breakfast sandwiches, heaps of sauces, spreads and sides. Coffee and teas are also on hand to round out the breakfast / brunch.

Open from 7:00 am until 3:00 pm every day, walk ins only 😃 

2. A true little piece of Italy in the heart of Surry Hills

On the corner of Foveaux and Riley Streets you will find Bar Conte which notes itself as the World’s first Negroni Bar and Italian Restaurant.

There is a Café menu for breakfast and lunch which is limited but changes daily (breakfast sweet options and daily pasta). The dinner menu includes mouth watering options such as the Paccheri Octopus Ragu, Tuna Steak of the O’Connor Rib-Eye.

Aperitivo hour runs 4:00 - 6:00 pm with $15 Negroni’s and snacks to nibble on.

Closed on Sunday but open other days from 7:30 am, in case you need a Negroni to kick off the day 😉 

3. Good Music. Good Times @ The Troc 🎶 

The Trocadero Room is an entertainment gem at 156 Enmore Road, Enmore.

With a 4.8 star Google rating The Troc is not to be missed. Will sums it up in his review “…Cracking bar with such friendly staff, a cool space and great drinks. Terrific place to see a small band…”

Some of the performers in the coming weeks include; Afro Moses Spirit Band, Tom Woodward, The Night Packers, Asha Jeffries and Bek Jensen.

Further information and tickets can be found on the website.

4. Catch a flick at the open air Moonlight Cinema 🌕️ 

You know it is Summer when the Moonlight Cinema operates in Centennial Park.

Running from 22 November 2024 through to 30 March 2025 you can enjoy the movies under the stars. In January 2025 you can watch; Conclave, Sonic the Hedgehog 3, Better Man, The Princess Diaries, Heretic, Wicked, Gladiator II, We Live in Time and on and on the list goes. Almost everyone is catered for at the Moonlight Cinema.

General admission tickets start at $29.50 for adults all the way up to the Platinum Experience at $190 per person.

Tickets purchased online via the website.

5. Stylish Italian restaurant, patisserie and cellar 🍷 

Located smack bang in “flashier than flash” Barangaroo is the stunning Bottega Coco

Bottega Coco is an Italian restaurant, patisserie and cellar. Open from 8:00 am to 9:00 / 10:00 pm every day of the week, the menus are simply all encompassing.

My breakfast favourite is the Italian pan baked eggs which is served with focaccia, make sure you also add a side of bacon or smoked salmon to make it complete 😄 

The T-Bone comes highly recommended by many.

Momo’s review is a perfect summary of the experience at Bottega Coco “… Such an absolute gem! The moment you walk in, you’re greeted with a cozy and welcoming atmosphere. The set menu is fantastic value, allowing you to enjoy a variety of dishes without feeling rushed. Each course was served at just the right pace, making the meal feel like a true culinary journey…”

Bookings are essential and can me made via the website.

Thanks for reading!

Cheers and beers,

Mick

Founder of Mick’s Five

P.S. Hope to see you again on Thursday this week.