cornersmith, marrickville

Mecca Coffee. 314 Illawarra Rd, Marrickville. Another cafe that has risen to infamy in a short space of time. Unassuming from the outside, but the internals have a sense of charm that takes me back to the tiled interior of my grandmother's kitchen. It's busy, but not packed, even at the late morning time that I visit. There are a couple of high chairs in the corner, and some families are taking advantage of the hospitality with strollers in tow.

There's an emphasis on locally grown produce here - they close on Mondays for "pickling day" where local produce is put into pickling jars (on sale in the cafe, or - if you grow something in your backyard they're after, they'll trade it with you).

The food looks delicious coming out of the busy kitchen; people sit on tables or up at the espresso bar.

I wasn't overwhelmed with their coffee: it's certainly competently made, and perhaps I just had a rare misfire, but as a space to spend time and take in some sustainable food, it deserves its reputation.

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