The Lion and Buffalo

4.6(711)

203 Malabar Rd, South Coogee, New South Wales, 2034

“South Coogee's Favourite Cafe”

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Services:TakeawayDine-In

Friendly Staff

Known for

RamenBacon and egg rollSteak sandwichTakeawayDine-inCoffeeVegetarian optionsVegan options

Why Choose The Lion and Buffalo?

The Lion and Buffalo brings European, Asian and Australian flavours together in a multicultural kitchen with real local support. Breakfasts and lunches are all-day affairs, with standout dishes like Ottoman eggs, ramen and steak sando drawing repeat visits, and the coffee and cakes are made on-site. The new ownership has kept the soul of the place while staff come through as genuinely friendly and attentive.

About The Lion and Buffalo

The Lion and Buffalo is a South Coogee cafe that calls itself the suburb's favourite, and it has a loyal local following to back that up. It's a multicultural kitchen with a fusion menu, so you'll find European, Asian and Aussie ideas sitting side by side. Think house-cured salmon lox, coconut milk porridge and seasonal ramen, with Single O coffee to go alongside. Breakfast and lunch are served all day, and the cafe offers dine-in and takeaway, plus vegetarian and vegan options.

Ask around and a few dishes keep coming up. The Ottoman eggs have fans, and one local was just as taken with the avo toast and its honey walnuts on the side. The steak sandwich gets high praise from someone who called it the best they'd had, and the ramen, even at breakfast time, gets a mention for its flavour. We've also heard good things about the apple and cinnamon hotcakes and a build-your-own bagel box. The cakes are baked in house, and the Polish apple cake and carrot cake are the ones people point to. A customer has also enjoyed the apple juice and a pot of tea.

The staff are a big part of the appeal. People describe the team as friendly and welcoming, and one visitor got chatting with the owner and came away impressed by how passionate he was. Not every visit is flawless, and one local had a piece of sourdough toast arrive burnt on one side. It sounded like a one-off in an otherwise enjoyable meal.

It suits families, with high chairs, good seating and a kids-friendly feel. The outdoor area welcomes dogs, and reservations are accepted. It's on a busy road, so expect some traffic noise, but parking is usually manageable and it's next to the 370 bus stop towards Bondi Junction. The cafe is open seven days a week, though it's worth confirming the opening times.

Location

What Customers Say on Google

Service

“Good food, good coffee, good vibes. And what seems to be a rarity in Sydney these days, actually good service!”

Cakes

“Had a delicious breakfast ordered the Ottoman eggs full of flavour and comforting dish, also got the Avo toast wow loved this the on the side honey wallnuts made the dish perfect, and the pot of green peach tea was so refreshing and clean tasting.”

Bread

“Really good coffee. The apple juice is also amazing. I had a ramen that was full of flavor.”

Source: Google Reviews

Community Comments

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Lion and Buffalo

: This South Coogee cafe is known for its fusion menu blending European, Asian and Aussie ideas, with standout dishes like the Ottoman eggs, avo toast, ramen and steak sandwich. It also bakes its own cakes on site, including a popular carrot cake. Single O coffee is served alongside an all-day breakfast and lunch menu, with vegetarian and vegan options available.
: Yes, The Lion and Buffalo offers both dine-in and takeaway. The South Coogee cafe has seating including outdoor options, is good for kids with high chairs available, offers wheelchair-accessible seating and accepts reservations. It's set up for relaxed brunch and lunch visits, whether you're staying or grabbing food on the go.
: It's a popular brunch spot in South Coogee, with outdoor seating, high chairs for kids and a welcoming attitude toward dogs. Locals mention it's easy to find parking nearby, and the atmosphere is described as relaxed and buzzing, making it suited to a casual family or pet-friendly outing.
: Staff at The Lion and Buffalo are consistently described as friendly, welcoming and attentive, with the cafe building a loyal local following in South Coogee. Most describe the food, especially the Ottoman eggs and steak sandwich, as flavourful and generous. A small number of reviews flagged inconsistent kitchen quality control, so it's worth checking your order before leaving.
: Yes, The Lion and Buffalo caters to vegetarian and vegan diners as part of its fusion breakfast and lunch menu. Dishes range from coconut milk porridge to seasonal ramen and avo toast, alongside Single O coffee. For current pricing or specific dietary requests, it's best to ask the cafe directly.