Aroma coffee. 474 Gardeners Rd, Alexandria. Trendy looking bakery – there’s one in Surry Hills that I’ve been to (but not reviewed, it seems) and it seems a couple of others. Their work is of a really high standard, too.

Desserts: – flourless chocolate cake, lemon meringue tart, chocolate mousse and raspberry tart.

There’s seating around the outside windows for eight to ten people, and a big communal table that seats probably 15 people in relative comfort. With their location, they’re doing a lot of takeaway lunches for people who work nearby – it’s not unusual to see people walk out with a dozen little paper bags of delicious treats.

My decaf was pleasant enough, though it’s hit and miss – another one I try is a little burnt. If you’re here, though, the reality is that you’re looking for good food, not good decaf.

Coffee Roaster coffee. 14 Hartill Law Ave, Bardwell Park. I heard about this place from twitter when it first opened, and so I made a particular journey to check it out. It’s incredibly close to the train station, and yet seems to have really high standards for food and coffee. The owner remained on the phone for over seven minutes I was there for the takeaway order (business call) – not the friendly or prompt service I was hoping for. Granted, this was after lunchtime.

Inside, it’s a really interesting space: – there is a french theme throughout, and a mix of different seats that work together really well. The name and opening hours of the cafe are written in texta, it seems, on the glass – I’ve never seen that before!

No decaf grinder: preground coffee is stored in a metal container. The coffee, though, is quite okay: nothing to write home about, but certainly drinkable.

Has anyone had a good experience here to offset my own bad experience?

Golden Cobra coffee. 281 Clarence St, Sydney. Takes its name from the history of the building – an old police station.

What used to be the offices of IMG at the turn of the century has been transformed into a little design arcade, gaffa gallery and cafe. It’s a little gem of a space for finding the work of emerging creatives.

It has a bathroom in the back of the building, very elegantly appointed, though missing the all-important hand-drying facilities.

The crowd are office workers, more women than men on this particular visit.

Because of the type of fit-out, there are a couple of little rooms with tables, and a 4-storey high glass-ceilinged atrium with great natural light.

Coffee – decaf is ground to order – is really good as I’m increasingly coming to expect from golden cobra. The staff know about coffee and are happy to chat.

Well worth a visit. Come for the coffee, stay for the gallery.

Website: Klink Cafe

Golden Cobra coffee (Timothy Dalton blend decaf). 31 Oxford St, Surry Hills. How many times have I walked past here and not noticed it?!

Walk in past the licenced bar and coffee machine and your seating choice is green vinyl clad booths – if you prefer, there are a couple of ordinary tables at the front of the cafe.

There’s a big collection of vinyl records on display, and an old record player is playing the kind of tracks that wouldn’t be out of place in the film "High Fidelity".

Coffee is promptly made, and – though there’s no decaf grinder in sight – the beans appear to be ground on site at some stage. It’s a fresh tasting, smooth cup with a complex aftertaste: straw and caramel.

The meals are really well made too: from the specials board was this burger with fries ($15).

A really relaxed place to spend time. Highly recommended. Unsurprised to find that this cafe is the work of (former “Well Connected” owner Jack Sheen).

Euroblend coffee. 17 Fowler St, Camperdown. Old general store, converted into a beautiful cafe space. Light timber touches. Fresh flowers on the table. Soft music piped in, and a lovely display of product on the shelves. It’s the little touches that make a difference – the wallpaper has real character.

Mains around $10, biscotti around the $3-4 mark. Water for the regulars, served in big jugs with freshly sliced lemon.

Large communal table seats 15, and that’s the only seating option – a development application in the window suggests hope for outdoor seating soon. Blankets are available for those who want to relax in the park across the street.

No sign of a decaf grinder, the coffees are churned out really fast, which is a positive for those in a hurry. Coffee is a little floury in texture, but is otherwise fine.

D.O.M Coffee. Shop 1 Riverwood Train Station, Belmore Rd, Riverwood. A difficult space to work with, much less make into a welcoming, homey space: this is an achievement. You can see their commitment to the environment in their choice of bio cups, and there are a range of different roasted coffee blends on display.

There’s no decaf grinder, with the preground coffee stored in a resealable plastic container. It’s a really good decaf; sweet, complex, smooth. If you’re commuting, it’s $3.90 well spent.

Morgan’s coffee. 291 Annandale St, Annandale. I’ve been to Annandale a few times, and so when I looked up this place on my list of “cafes to visit one day”, I was surprised that I’d never seen it before. Arrive there, and you’ll realise that this is the only retailer for a reasonable stretch in any direction. Plenty of places to park on the street nearby, and a couple of comfortable places to sit while you’re queueing.

Arrive here late for breakfast on a Sunday, and you can expect to spend 15-20 minutes waiting for a seat. As it was, we took an outdoor table – the first available offering, and settled in. While you’re waiting, the staff are an absolute pleasure, though – they’re happy to keep you updated with availability, and ensure a warm reception at your table (there are even blankets provided for patrons, on the back of each seat). This is a place where the details have been carefully thought out.

Revolver Vegie Big Breakie: two baked eggs, in housemade beans, buttered mushrooms, roast tomato, avocado, danish fetta, hummus & toast – $16

After surveying the menu, I’m actually stuck between a few choices. When in doubt, I generally order a vegetarian big breakfast. Anyone can make a plate full of bacon and other delicious treats work well, but if you can make an appealing dish for vegetarians that doesn’t feel like leftovers, then you’re doing something right.

On a busy day like the day we visited, there was a long wait before the food arrived – we’d finished our first round of coffees and were almost persuaded to order a second round before the food arrived!

Indeed, the vegie breakfast is amazing. The eggs are a little bit more runny than I’m expecting, but the pan is so hot that they cook after you break into them with knife and fork. A great mix of flavours between the beans, the fetta and the avocado – I surprise myself by eating the whole thing!

Revolver Big Breakie: two eggs baked in housemade beans, honey cured bacon, roast tomato, mushrooms, pork fennel sausage & toast – $16

For the carnivores, there is a more spectacular option – the big breakie looks and smells amazing, and is well received by my breakfast companions.

Hot Chocolate

I wasn’t a huge fan of the hot chocolate: I think I prefer my hot chocolate to be thicker, and stronger in flavour. It’s perfectly drinkable, but not amazing.

Ricotta Hotcakes with daily fruit compote and Maple Ricotta – $12.5

The hotcakes, on the other hand are amazing. So incredibly sweet, and with great texture – I don’t normally order something like this, but I’m seriously tempted to try them on a return visit.

decaf coffee (regular size)

And this brings me to the coffee. I couldn’t see a decaf grinder in my brief time inside the cafe, and – while perfectly drinkable – this didn’t seem to be the amazing coffee I was hoping for.

In short, this is a place to visit when you’re in the mood to savour some great, well-made food. Don’t come here if you’re in a rush, but bring a big appetite.

Caffe Aiello coffee. Shop 1, 513-519 Wattle St, Ultimo. This is one of the more upmarket places to eat in the Ultimo area, and so it’s not until a suitable occasion arises that I have the chance to check it out.

No decaf grinder: the decaf is pre-ground and stored in an airtight container. The decaf latte is served quite hot, but – after a first, somewhat worrying taste – it mellows out to be a good complement to the meal.

Great pizzas – fresh ingredients, light, tasty.

Website: insiemepizzeria.com.au

Primo coffee. Market City, Haymarket. I’ve walked past this place a few times: it doesn’t look like a spot for takeaway coffee – indeed, the barista asks me if I’d like to have a table.

Make your way to the back of the cafe, and the counter is there – there’s no decaf grinder. The preground coffee is kept out of sight in an airtight, resealable jar. Coffee is very hot, and it’s okay; good milkwork, and no bitter aftertaste. One of the best Primo cups I’ve had.

Mocha decaf coffee. (also, glinelli, toby’s estate, vittoria and campos coffee for those drinking the caffeinated variety). Inside the ABC building, 700 Harris St, Ultimo.

Often when I mention this place, people assume they would need to sign into the building to get here. This is not the case! You can just walk in off the street. into the foyer, and then head down the main corridor, past the new studio for ABC News 24.

Coffee is not too bad: I’ve had bad experiences here, but they seem to have improved things to the point where I’ll be making my regular order a decaf latte and not a hot chocolate.