For a very basic cafe, they charge like wounded bulls, I got charged $5.50 for vegemite toast, only to look up at the blackboard to see Bacon and Egg Rolls are $5.50, how the hell does that work???
I asked for a vegemite toast, not a whole loaf...
Food is good but the place is a bit cramped and has a slightly cliquey feel to it. Is it a stand out from what is offer on Darling Street? Probably not.
I have had breakfast here 3 times and every time really enjoyable. Good coffee, interesting and tasty food served promptly with polite and attentive service. Inside a bit crammed but no great bother - nice place. (As an update, I have to mark down service as have twice recently sat at an outside table for up to 10 minutes without service and therefore decided to leave - shame)
Quite surprised at the reviews below and quite frankly unbelieveable as I went to the Orange Peel for the first time a few months ago and my friends and I haven't had enough since! great service, great food and to top it off, great music. Judging by the number of people that come through each time, I'm there it doesnt' seem to matter what used to be when it first changed hands, it's now by far one of the best cafe's I've been to - the regulars seem to keep coming back and it's always packed on the weekends! Highly recommended.
We used to go to Orange Peel every weekend for breakfast or lunch but since the change of ownership the food and service has gone down hill. Very disappointing...will not be back.
I put in a review on this place in September 2005 (when OP changed hands). It was once a gem of Balmain and my last experience is best left forgotten. I had a sloppy, semi cooked omlette and GF had a salad sandwich which consisted of limp lettuce, beetroot and one piece of tomato. The new management have lost a lot of customers and a lot of them have not come back - going back just reminded me why I'm one of them.
This is one of my regular haunts for a quiet brunch. Their food is always ridiculously large but uses fresh ingredients and a bit of thought has gone into the menu. I have never really liked their coffee and often times it is served a bit too cold for my liking (I am a fan of piping hot coffee though so I rarely complain when it is only me who is dissatisfied). The last time I went here, I was somewhat disappointed in the drop in quality and the change of hands meant that I was not treated as warmly as I had been as a regular client in the past. There was nothing in particular that I could put my finger on but I ended up feeling like I had enjoyed the experience less than usual and as a result have been less than keen to go back.
Had breakfast at the Orange Peel for the 2nd time since it has changed hands. Finally the new owners have got it together. My food was excellent and the service as good as it used to be. I will be back again soon.
Went back there after moving back to Balmain. Wow!! what a difference people can make to a business. Once a buzzing local eatery with great service and Brekky, and the best coffee around, was very disappointed with the place now. Waited a long time for sloppy eggs and under cooked bacon, and to top it off a nice cup of burnt coffee. Won't be back.
We used to frequent this place regularly however, had not returned since the change of hands and subsequent poor reviews on service. However, our return visit was just as good as previous visits - service efficient and friendly and the food is just as yummy as it used to be. The outdoor seating on a sunny day is wonderful, and much preferable to being inside where it is a little dark.