Cafe Ish

6.5 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  6      Service  8      Value  4     

We tried it on the weekend with some friends. The service was good and friendly. The Wattle Moccacino is nice if you like your coffee extra sweet, but I prefer it without sugar. The food was nice but soooo overpriced. Is it Surry Hills top up?
Will definitely not go again. There are so many better and cheaper cafes in the inner west.

Feb 02, 2009 

9.8 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  9      Service  10      Value  10     

What can I say, Cafe Ish has become our weekend regular spot for the best coffee and breakfast in Sydney. As a devoted Surry Hillvian I am proud of what Josh and Ai bring to the area. A rich and wonderful mix of exquisite flavours and the specials board is a constant highlight. Try the soft-shell crab it's to die for and the attention to their coffee is second to none.

A casual and friendly atmosphere creates an awesome haven for locals, foodies and coffee lovers alike. Do yourself a favor and drop by and grab a cuddle from there bubbly cute pooch Tora.

Jan 13, 2009 

6 Average

Food  7      Ambience  6      Service  5      Value  6     

We live nearby and were excited when Cafe Ish opened. It got some great reviews. I think these went to the cook/owner's head however. The menu is good with a quirky Japanese bent to some of the dishes. Their muffins are great.

We went for breakfast both times. The first time my partner's Japanese omelette was undercooked. Considering it had prawns this isn't a good look. Second time we both had a baked egg dish. Quite ok but they were stuck well and truly to the dishes. A few nice flavours but nothing I couldn't have done at home. The coffee is good but the bill for $60 isn't really justified for 2 breakfasts and 2 coffees.

Atmosphere kind of ok. Not the nicest location or ambience. The owner/cook wanted to tell us about how we needed to train our dog. In the meantime his dog was tied to the shop next door and kept jumping on us. (Unless an animal can sit quietly and not jump up it shouldn't be there). So my turn, please learn how to train your dog and even better leave it at home rather than in the restaurant. Meanwhile the wait staff were having a hard time with another customer (he was being rude). They were very pleasant and professional. Next we heard the cook/ owner talking loudly in the kitchen (deliberately making sure everyone could hear - we were outside), about the customer who's just left and then ran out to check if he'd paid. Please stick to your kitchen, the wait staff handles customers much better. Too much attitude and not enough delivered.

Jan 05, 2009 

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  6      Service  10      Value  8     

Delicious food. Friendly attentive service. Try the Wattle Maccacino coffee, but order a mug. A cup’s not enough!

Nov 29, 2008 

9 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  9     

This place is adorable. Mostly locals, small tables, hard to get in if it's too busy. Love the menu, love the wait staff, love Josh and Ai. What's not to love? Great wattle chai latte. Great scones. Great soft shell crab eggs benedict (though it's rich, watch out!).

Nov 16, 2008 

9.3 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  8      Service  9      Value  10     

Went here one Sunday morning after reading some reviews and was not disappointed. Soft shell crab omelette was divine. My partner had the crab hollandaise and both of our plates were left clean. Have also had toasted wraps here for lunch which were full of flavour. Signature coffee also rocks. Location isn't great as it's tucked in a little off the street but this place is definitely worth a visit. Would prefer some more smiles and friendliness with the service as its so small but all in all, a wonderful little find.

Oct 29, 2008 

9 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  10      Value  8     

Stumbled upon this wonderful cafe on a fairly quiet Sunday morning. Had the soft shell crab omelette recommended by the waitress, absolutely yummy! Wonderful coffee too, very satisfying breakfast. Most customers seem to be regulars as the staff greeted them by name, but we felt right at home because of the great vibe of this tiny place. Can't wait to try all the dishes recommended by other reviewers, looking forward to breakfast next Sunday!

Sep 21, 2008 

8.5 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  7     

A great little discovery! Fresh ingredients, full flavoured and a menu with a bit of a twist. Despite the tiny little space it lives in we haven't had any trouble getting a table (especially with a group of about 7). The waiteresses provide excellent service and the coffee is great. Josh and Ai make you feel right at home and are happy to make some alterations to the dishes to suit your needs.

I fell in love with the handmade yoghurt that accompanied the flourless orange cake (heavenly!). Worth the travel (even on a stormy Saturday). Its a little on the pricey side but you're getting top notch ingredients in your meal. A definite must!

Sep 09, 2008 

5 Average

Food  6      Ambience  7      Service  1      Value  6     

After reading the rave reviews, I was keen to try this place. Sadly, Cafe Ish is a victim of its arrogance even before having the chance to be a victim of its success.

The menu adds an interesting twist to your standard cafe fare and the tray of four unusual types of salt they offer is a nice touch. Unfortunately, the execution was not quite there on the day and the coffee very average - perhaps it was too busy for them but we were there towards the end of the day.

Although the waitress was pretty friendly, the obnoxious barista left a lasting impression. When I stepped in to hear what the waitress was saying to me as we were paying, I was shocked as she shouted "would you get out of the kitchen!” How rude!!! I can safely scratch Cafe Ish off the list forever now.

Aug 24, 2008 

9.8 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  9      Service  10      Value  10     

Excellent food prepared by a master chef. The food is imaginative and consistently fantastic; the service is attentive, professional and friendly. The coffee which is passionately prepared by Sydney's best barista was reviewed in the coffee guide as 23/25 and the food 21/25. Although this places their coffee and food in the top three cafes in Sydney I can't imagine why they didn't get a perfect score! Please, please don't come here, I don't want to have to join a queue.

Aug 23, 2008