You want a little bit of Italian caffe culture in your life? then this is the place to go. One of the great Italo caffes on the scene. The coffee is great and the service is impeccable non stop regardless of the masses coming through. As far as Balmain is concerned there is no better and definitley one of Sydney's all round greats.
Massive queue for coffee but not much of a wait. The décor is rustic, a long mahogany table is beside hot red milk crates. The atmosphere is like walking into an Italian household, it's welcoming, full of food and Italian words fly through the air.
The coffee is excellent but the sandwich press probably wasn’t the best way to heat up a croissant that has filling. As busy as it is, this is definitely the place to go for a relaxing morning coffee with a magazine. There was a boy with one glove on who spent all morning rearranging food, bit of concern that he would frequently use the ungloved hand to touch the food and would wipe both hands on his top.
Great coffee, great family business dedicated to local community, really love and care about food and coffee. The food is great on a cold winter night, excellent!
Brilliant little place a Balmain. Up there with the best coffee in Sydney. I know a big rap but it's true. The food here isn't the drawcard but the coffee is. I didn't dislike the food but the coffee was that good it made the food look a little ordinary.
Great place none the less will go back for sure.
I come here at least once a week. The service is the best you will ever get. The coffee is awesome. They don't charge for babychinos, and those 2 brothers that run the place are brilliant at what they do. Last weekend there were different people behind the counter, and unfortunately, I found the guy 'running' the place to be rude, not only to his staff, but to me. Bring back the boys I say, I will come back, but will avoid the rude senior staff.
Updated: 19.02.08. The boys are back... HOORAY! This is by far the best cafe in Sydney. The guys are awesome and make you feel like part of the family! Love it.. love it...
The queues outside the front door from 7 am till close tell the story. Balmain's most popular coffee shop by a country mile. This is how any food business should be run, the staff treat you like an old friend, good coffee and great food. Sit on a milkcrate and watch the world go by...!
I've been going to Bertoni since the first day it opened (in July 2004) and it is still one of my favourite cafes. The two brothers who own the place, and run it with their families, make all who visit feel special. It is one of the most enjoyable places to relax and have a cup of coffee, if you can find a place at the communal table. Most of the food is homemade when available, the gnocchi is fabulous. It's getting more and more popular (almost too much so) but we can't keep away. Some of the best coffee in Balmain, from the nicest people.