Berkelouw Books Cafe Paddington, Sydney

User Reviews of Berkelouw Books Cafe, Paddington

Displaying: 1 - 8 of 8 reviews

3.6 Below Average

Quality 4 Food 5 Ambience 2 Service 2 Value 5

We thought we’d grab a bite before our film at the Verona cinema next door. By midday there was a queue of about 6 people waiting to order food. They were short staffed with only two staff on deck, one making coffees, one taking orders and preparing food.

The food on display wasn't labelled so customers had to continually ask what was in that quiche etc. Also, there weren’t any prices anywhere. We had to clear our own table before sitting down. The man taking orders was very flustered. Food was being taken to the wrong tables. Chaos basically. Don’t eat here during film festivals if you want a pleasant, stress free meal.

Mar 19, 2012

fwogga
1

4.4 Below Average

Quality 1 Food 2 Ambience 10 Service 4 Value 5

I love Berkelouw book and store set-up, it's quiet, intimate, love the music, bookshelf, wooden stairs, second-hand books, and free books to read during a coffee. But coffee and food wise, it's just awful as awful could get.

Without a doubt, coffee was using the cheapest beans and cheapest supermarket milk to make, it had no flavour, no strength, no taste to it. I was thoroughly disappointed, despite of how much I want to like it.

Food is in the same league, sandwiches and pastas are not made with best flavour recipe, but by random picking of ingredients; rather than cooking everything to perfection, they used raw materials, such as supermarket $2 tomato paste, capsicum; everything tastes boring and radom with no flavour, no oil, no cooking involved. Basically no love from the kitchen and chef.

If you like the environment, you can go there, but if you want some food and coffee and enjoy a proper morning coffee moment, it's a horrible place.

And the cruel reality is that although the staff in book counters are super nice, but staff in cafeteria area are not nice at all!

May 17, 2011

alwaysacoffee
11

9 Highly Recommended

Food 9 Ambience 10 Service 8 Value 9

Coffee was good, as well. But I recommend here because of the Perfect ambience!
silent, and sometimes speak in undertone sounds comfortable. You can get beautiful sunshine if you seat next to the window. you'll love it.

Nov 25, 2010

cindykm
1

9.5 Highly Recommended

Food 10 Ambience 10 Service 10 Value 8

I used to come to this cafe before I was reloacated overseas for work. It was a great place to relax and unwind after a hectic day a work. Since returning to Sydney I have revisited the cafe and have noticed some welcomed changes. The staff are so friendly and willing to please. One thing that stood out was the new selection of organic and gluton free food, that taste fantastic. And not forgetting the delicious organic coffee. Great place with a great ambience.

Sep 28, 2009

Mytee
2

8 Recommended

Food 7 Ambience 9 Service 9 Value 7

I love this place. Have been coming here late on weeknights with friends for coffees/chai lattes for a couple of years now. Really good intimate bookish atmosphere, lovely staff, and great views over night-time oxford street. Great desserts!

Feb 26, 2009

minna00
1

8 Recommended

Food 5 Ambience 10 Service 8 Value 9

I was there a couple of years ago and it was my favourite book shop-and-café (this concept is rarely known in my home country, Hungary). I appreciated very much the selection of books, enjoyed the perfectly made flat whites and loved the rustic furniture in the café part. (Actually, I haven't eaten there, only posting a review is not possible without filling in everything, which is a pity.)

Nov 12, 2007