Saint Marks

Saint Marks is a neighbourhood cafe in Randwick that locals treat as a regular stop for coffee, breakfast and a sit-down brunch. It's known for sourdough and pies, and the baked goods are part of the appeal. One person who tried the beef sausage roll ate it cold a day later and found the pastry still buttery and soft, which says plenty about how it's made.

The menu runs well beyond the bakery side. People talk about the bacon and egg roll, the corn fritters and the quesadilla, and the Reuben sandwich on sourdough has its fans. One local reckoned the Reuben was well-balanced, though another thought it went light on the silverside and heavy on the sauerkraut. The menu has also been described as quite meat heavy, so vegetarians may find the choices limited, although staff will swap bacon for an egg.

Coffee is the other big draw. We hear it described as strong and consistently good, and one regular makes it a weekly brekkie or lunch stop. Good value comes up often too, with people finding it better than most other cafes nearby for the money. The staff get plenty of credit for being friendly and welcoming.

You can dine in or take away. There are about six tables inside, a counter for singles, and a few seats outside, with the front undercover and the back open to the weather. It's dog friendly, with high chairs for little ones, and it has step-free access and accepts reservations. There's no wifi, so it suits a proper coffee and a bite more than a laptop session. Order at the counter when you arrive, as one visitor sat outside for a while before realising.

It's open early every day and closes in the early afternoon, so it's a morning and lunch spot, not an afternoon one. Check the hours before you head in. For a bakery-style breakfast or lunch in Randwick, it's an easy one to slot into your day.