Estabar

5.8 Average

Food  7      Ambience  10      Service  5      Value  1     

I'd read such glowing reports about this being the best coffee in Newcastle. I went there for breakfast on New Years Day and was incredibly disappointed. The coffee tasted like dishwater, it was weak and had absolutely no flavour. It was ridiculously expensive and with an extra 15% added for the public holiday, it made it one very expensive cup of slop. Perhaps, it was the barista that day, but I certainly won't be returning to find out.

Jan 03, 2012 

9.8 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  10      Service  9      Value  10     

Arguably the best coffee in Newcastle and better than the majority of Sydney cafes! Best cafe freddo made with the smoothest espresso I've ever had. I just can't get over how good their coffee is, it is always consistent.

Food is excellent despite the small-ish portions. Excellent gelato and milkshakes as well, especially the banana milkshake made with real bananas (bit pricey but well worth it!). Awesome coffee, great food and superb view, what more can you ask for?

Jun 20, 2011 

8.8 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  10      Service  9      Value  7     

Easily the classiest cafe in Newcastle, and they can actually make a coffee as well. Food menu is small, not particularly cheap, but always interesting and tastes great. Gelato is easily the best in Newcastle (not hard because there aren't that many gelato stores in town), but it rates up there with the best of Sydney.

The seated bar area looks out over the water at Newcastle Beach (sort of), so there are views if that sort of thing is important to you. We always pop in here when we stop by, and I always pick up a Chocolate Affogato over a scoop of Coconut gelato, it's just like a hot (and cold) liquid Bounty bar in a cup! Just delectable. Highly recommended.

Mar 25, 2011 

8 Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  7      Service  8      Value  8     

The best coffee I have ever had in Newcastle, and it was made according to my specifications. The temperature was perfect, never had coffee before where I could just drink it straight up without burning my lips or tongue first. I will go again, and will try the food next time. The views of Newcastle Beach from this cafe is exquisite.

Jan 25, 2011 

10 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  10      Service  10      Value  10     

Amazing Food Passion Shines through and the Menu is always updating, soo for a not so Feral that lives around the corner who after living in Ultra Trendy Wealthy Perth for many year and new to the area, I love Newcastle and pLaces like this just prove there is food and coffee Love everywhere, you just have to know how to find it. Well done Estabar.!

Mar 03, 2010 

8.8 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  8     

Amazing to find a nice place where you can get nice food that is wheat/gluten/ dairy/egg free, very handy if you have kids with multiple allergies, specifically, when we were there for a late breakfast, they have a v. nice wheat/dairy/egg free bread (from Qld), home made baked beans (more like a bean casserole), plus they do a tasty porridge and fab gelato.

Nov 10, 2009 

8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  10      Service  6      Value  8     

Superb view over Newcastle Beach. Service can be slowish but food and coffee great and where else can you watch Whales while sipping a well made coffee!

Jun 30, 2009 

10 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  10      Service  10      Value  10     

I love this cafe. The staff are so nice, the food and drinks are wonderful and it's lovely to sit and look out at the beach over a cold drink and salad.

Mar 13, 2009 

8.8 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  8     

Never going to Newcastle all that much I was surprised at the fact that this level of quality exists there. The cap was delicious with taste and texture and the choc cloud cake was ahhh delicious. A group of 6 adult and 3 children and everyone smiling.

Feb 03, 2009 

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  8     

I'm someone who is usually disappointed by the coffee cafes and lounges during my visits to friends in Sydney. It's the usual problem you expect of places appearing to fill a demand. Estabar is a small place, and is often crowded, however, is a surprise that such a cafe near to me in 'feral' Newcastle manages to surpass the standard I find in the big smog.

The selection of hot and cold beverages is very good for their circumstances, the prices aren't as exploitive as in Sydney, I have the feeling that the staff during my visits actually have a clue of what good coffee is like, rather than just preparing cups like a monkey on a conveyor belt. This is one of the few places anywhere that passes my 'espresso test', for making something I can actually drink and keep down, and not cause me to afterwards rethink how much I paid.

That being said, I've avoided ordering during their peak business periods, so I can't comment on how well their service copes with stress. It's my recommended cafe in the Newcastle CBD for visiting friends.

Oct 18, 2007