Funky Deli Cafe

7.5 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  7      Service  8      Value  8     

Ventured there on a Thursday night using pre-booked coupons (2 x cocktails, 2 x tapas & 2 X mains - $49). We had been here before for a drink while listening to the live music.

Food options and quality was good, I'd stick to the tapas plates as they were tastier options compared to the mains, but overall no complaints.

Cocktails were the standouts... again! I had 2 old-fashioned and they are sensational. I'm told the espresso martini & margharita specials were just as good.

Good close slightly seedy Newtown ambience which just went well with the live music being played.

Service was a stand-out, very attentive and professional. Well done!

We went with the $49 coupon and I noticed @ 5-7 other diners closeby did the same. So great value all up and I'd be more than happy to come back and pay the regular prices.

PS: we have booked in another coupon night before the end of january. Can't wait to sample more cocktails.

Jan 09, 2012 

4.3 Below Average

Food  4      Ambience  5      Service  4      Value  4     

Was fairly disappointed with dinner at Funky. "Salt and Pepper Squid" turned out to be battered calamari (overly salty and soggy at that), pork belly again, way too salty. Chicken with mustard hollandaise was tasty, though....you guessed it, too salty. The highlight of the meal was the leek and mint arancini. Tangy and fresh with lemon butter.

Service was pretty awful. Inattentive waitperson left menus on the table through the first course, took away serviettes after the first course and never replaced them for the main.

Live music was a nice touch, but the atmosphere seemed a little tacky.
Cocktails, however, were really well made. Go for the drinks, not for the food!

Nov 30, 2011 

1 Not Recommended

Food  1      Ambience  1      Service  1      Value  1     

I contacted Funky Bar to comment that they had no vegetarian or vegan main meals listed on their online menu. This was their response: "We have 4 main meals that are vegetarian - Vegetarian risotto, Prawn linguine, Smoked salmon timbale and an Atlantic salmon dish." I'm sorry, but eating fish is not vegetarian. No marks for intelligence, or knowing your market. This place is definitely not vegie-friendly.

Oct 17, 2011 

9.8 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  10      Service  10      Value  10     

Happened upon this groovy cafe on a Sat night. We were drawn in by the live female singer doing R&B covers. Several times during the evening a crowd gathered on the footpath to listen.

2 chai lattes, a slice of delicious lemon lime tart and a watermelon martini came to $24 + free live music from 9pm to 10.30pm - what a fantastic cheap night out, especially for those who are not into the pub scene.

There were 2 comfy armchairs, a few seats along the window bench seat and more seating inside for about 30-40 people. They have live music every Fri and Sat night, looks like solo acts with mainly as their name suggests, funky music.

I'll definitely come back.

Mar 14, 2011 

8.5 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  10      Service  7      Value  8     

I love this, place, great breakfast and equally lovely grub with a drink or two in the evenings. The live funky music definitely makes a good start to a Newtown night out, will definitely visit again.

Mar 03, 2011 

6.3 Average

Food  7      Ambience  5      Service  6      Value  7     

Not a bad cafe in Newtown, some interesting dishes to choose from.

Read more on my blog

Jan 01, 2011 

5.5 Average

Food  4      Ambience  6      Service  7      Value  5     

Well, I wonder how many Owners read their reviews? heres hoping these guys do because the competition along King St is fierce to say the least! Called in last week (May '10) and sat down for what (upon reading the menu) promised to be quite an interesting dining experience. Sadly lacking.

I can't for the Life of me understand how/why people serve Micro-waved meals! I had the Lamb Ragout. The Lamb itself had been virtually broken down to the point it was akin to broth meat, the pungency of the tomato left little doubt that the Tomato Paste utilised was waaaay overdone, and the Fettuccine was (as you'd expect when thumped through a nuclear reactor) rubbery.

The whole dish was excrutiatingly Hot, if you are going to Microwave then ease up on the time! Like bloody lava! My partners roasted Pumpkin with Grilled Haloumi fared better, but despite the efforts of the "kitchen staff" (I use the term loosely, am thinking it might be a "cook") the dish lacked direction. Again, the heat was supplied via Chernobyl.. very poor.

But get this: when our coffees arrived the very first thing we noticed in unison was how "warm" they were! Got it a little backwards there folks. Service was excellent and attentive without being intrusive, and the ambience is cosy. Again..far too much competition to think things are rolling along.

May 20, 2010 

9.5 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  10      Service  10      Value  9     

Since my last review last year, we still have not had cause to complain. The change of menu recently to a Tapas style is again worth trying. The ambience is still as good as ever, having the musicians start earlier would be a plus, and I only say that because sometimes my partner and I dine early.

The service we have encountered is always friendly and efficient. If it wasn't we wouldn't be returning on average once month. The food and service is great and the cleanliness of the toilets and restaurant is superb, even under the display cabinets, which you can see from the tables along the side is spotlessly clean. This to me says a lot about a restaurant, which is, they have pride in their workplace and respect for their diners, you have no doubt too that the kitchen would be just as spotless. As regulars we obviously enjoy eating here a lot. If in Newtown, well worth a visit.

Original Review below from 2009. This place always serves up good quality food, the style of the food is more restaurant fare than average cafe offerings. Owners Mark and Stella are genuine and friendly, that once they recognise you have been a couple of times always make time for a quick chat.

The place is always spotlessly clean, a merit not shared by a lot of places along King St. The live entertainment is great and adds to the ambience of the place. I cannot praise it enough. Note: I did not know the owners before they opened, so this review is from a very satisfied customer.

May 06, 2010 

4.8 Average

Food  1      Ambience  5      Service  8      Value  5     

I cannot remember the last time I left most of my food on the plate. I was quite perplexed when asked by the friendly and helpful staff " how was it?" What can be said about a bland doughy substance, pretending to be food. My companions meal was no better. The upside, the live music is a nice touch and the staff really were nice. Is that enough to get me back? Too many places on King Street that tick all the boxes.

Apr 29, 2010 

9.3 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  10      Value  9     

First time last night and we will be back again. Great service, from all the staff. Food was delicious and cooked with attention to detail. Was given a better wine than I asked for as they had run out and the wine list alone will get me back there. The missus noted how clean the kitchen is and liked the friendly staff. Jeff Duff singing jazz was the dessert. Mark the owner introduced himself, reminded me of the wine I'd had and chatted amiably with us. I say give this place a go and we'll see you there.

Apr 27, 2010