Lion Café Surry Hills, Sydney

User Reviews of Lion Café, Surry Hills

Displaying: 1 - 10 of 15 reviews

2.5 Not Recommended

Food 3 Ambience 2 Service 2 Value 3

This cafe has changed owners Five times in the last few years, but the name remains the same. It's a shame because now it's worse than ever. The service is abysmal, I sat outside waiting for service while on a call for 20 minutes. Eventually I went in and ordered a take away coffee and left.

Another time I went there to give it a second chance i ordered the eggs benedict. The poached eggs were overdone, the ham was cold and pre cut straight out of a packet. The whole mess was served on one measly piece of toast and the benedict sauce while good was scant.

Both times the coffee was great however so if you want a quick pick me up takeaway before you go to work, go here. For a sit in meal forget about it.

Feb 09, 2012

Sifinland
1

5.8 Average

Food 5 Ambience 8 Service 5 Value 5

Just a note, this is under new management, so reviews 6 months older than Feb 2011 should be ignored.

Took a Melbourne colleague there for lunch, was amazing. The staff were fantastic (and good looking!). The menu was quite diverse, I had the special of the day which was tuna with penne (scrumptious). Can't praise them more highly. Try it out, loved it.

Now, a few months on, it's had a change of owners, for the worse. Service levels have dropped. Not Happy Jan.

Sep 27, 2011

DizzyT
2

7.3 Recommended

Food 7 Ambience 7 Service 8 Value 7

I believe this place has recently been taken over. The previous reviews seem very mixed. We were very happy with the service which was fast and very friendly. The food was great. We had the avocado and egg plus a bacon and egg on sourdough. Coffee was good.

Jan 28, 2011

zurich08
228

8.8 Highly Recommended

Food 8 Ambience 8 Service 10 Value 9

This is my regular coffee spot and I am so in love with it. The staff are exceptionally friendly, the food is divine and the location is beautiful. With the exception of peak hour I find the atmosphere to be relaxed and cool. I am exceptionally impressed every morning.

Aug 13, 2010

Amy1990
1

6 Average

Food 7 Ambience 5 Service 7 Value 5

This place is conveniently close to my work, and so I go here for my daily caffeine fix,I love good coffee. Unfortunately, while not exactly substandard, its not exactly great either.

The staff are friendly and polite, but the service can be a little slow, especially during rush hour. Its not unusual for me to be at the end of a queue of 10+ in the morning.

As for the ambience, since there's no space for those waiting for their takeaway supplies, those at tables are surrounded by standing customers loitering in spare spaces. The food is decent but typically pricey like most cafes in the area, so to buy my lunch I generally roam further afield.

May 24, 2010

petexanh
5

8.5 Highly Recommended

Food 7 Ambience 8 Service 10 Value 9

I'm a self confessed coffee addict that can smell an exceptional cup a mile away. Lion would rate as one of Sydneys premier caffes without a doubt. Friendly staff and a great outdoor seating area under the soaring oak tree canopy provides a really chilled out setting for breakfast or lunch. Mike and Mark offer a great cafe experience. Worthy of going out of your way to try it!

Mar 14, 2010

tone&jihane
5

1 of 1 reader found the following review helpful

7.8 Recommended

Food 9 Ambience 8 Service 7 Value 7

This place has got a lot better since they changed the coffee over a few months ago. I've had a pretty good Saturday breakfast here and they do a $10 pasta at night which is good value. Great for locals as there's no much open on Sat morning round here or nights unless you want pub food.

Oct 08, 2009

hiatus23
1

9.8 Highly Recommended

Food 10 Ambience 10 Service 9 Value 10

Fabulous atmosphere! it's now my regular. Especially at dusk, alfresco on the street is gold! heaps of models, journalists, musos, artists, fashion designers, celebrities, yet it's still down to earth. The food is the best thing, quality, fresh, so tasty. Original. Totally special. A little bit different but try it for yourself, you'll keep coming back for more, no worries. yum yum! I think I might pop in now for breakfast.

Aug 28, 2009

3d publishing
1

0 of 1 reader found the following review helpful

3.8 Below Average

Food 5 Ambience 6 Service 2 Value 2

I second MySecretGarden's comment, Lion used to be my favourite cafe in Surry Hills until it got taken over. The new staff are very young and inexperienced and the friendly vibe has gone. I brought a friend there for lunch today and when I asked what the specials were (I was outside and couldn't see the boards) I was told "soup and pasta". When I asked for further details, I was told 'cauliflower soup and spaghetti with prosciutto". Right.

I ordered a lamb wrap which was cold and dry. So disappointing. Another time I was there recently I asked for a soft drink and the waitress said: "The fridge is there, just get it yourself." I won't be back. Pity, cos it's a great little spot.

Nov 11, 2008

niki6
4

1 of 1 reader found the following review helpful

8.8 Highly Recommended

Food 9 Ambience 9 Service 9 Value 8

Yum! This is my present favourite cafe in Surry Hills/Darlinghurst. Great breakfast choices. Inside and outside area, clean toilets (rare at cafes). I have always found the team all to be happy and chirpy even at 7.30am!

Sep 06, 2008