Vittoria coffee. Shop 2, 12-26 Regent St, Chippendale. Despite an unimpressive exterior, the inside of this place is really pleasant. Complimentary newspaper to read while you’re there, cheery furniture and smiling staff.

The coffee is served a little too hot for my liking, but when it cools, it’s a reasonable decaf latte.

I’d say the main strength of this cafe is as an eat-in space.

Vittoria coffee. 96 Abercrombie St, Chippendale. Busy at lunchtime with a mix of suits and designers, this place has a bustling kitchen, and borderline restaurant menu, with prices to match. Even the takeaway menu is on the expensive side.

I’m here toward the end of the lunchtime rush, and the coffee seems slow on its way out; in face, it was being held back to go with my toasted sandwich (a Reuben – delicious!) and was the usual sweet, smooth latte I’ve lately come to expect from Vittoria decaf.

Vittoria coffee. 1/1012 Forest Rd, Lugarno. An unusual approach to seating layout: the covered outdoor section of this cafe is the main seating area, and the shop proper is for staff, and storage.

Inside has a sense of history to it: there are some older pieces of furniture, and some big glass jars giving a sense of high quality to the muesli and biscuits stored within. Photos of fans of the cafe are on the coffee machine, showing that this place gives back to their community.

The coffee is actually quite good: I’ve had some good experiences with Vittoria decaf of late: enough to make me actually walk in and try the coffee, rather than snobbishly walk past.

Bar Veloce, burwood

Vittoria coffee. 15a/127 Burwood Rd, Burwood. Murray Arcade (the arcade between Burwood Rd and Burwood Plaza). I must have walked past here dozens of times in the 10 months since this cafe opened, but today I thought I’d try it out. Lots of daylight gives this well presented cafe a cheery air. All the usual suspects are on the menu, and there’s even a Turkish toast with ricotta and honey.

Pricing doesn’t make sense to me – the regular coffee is $2.80, but
the large is $4.00 – too big a gap, I think. Add another 50c for
decaf, and it’s getting expensive!

Gratifyingly, it’s worth it. Despite (update: the decaf) being pre-ground, it’s a sweet, balanced cup. Not bad at all.

Biggles airport lounge, coffs harbour

Vittoria coffee. Typical of the use of space in a regional terminal, this place sells wine and spirits, newspapers, magazines, cards and souvenirs. There’s a food court area where customers and travellers alike can eat, and there’s even limited table service.

Coffee is delivered promptly: it has thick foam, and tastes surprisingly good – better than you’d expect.

The coffee dealer, circular quay

Vittoria coffee. Don’t let the signage fool you, they’re selling vittoria, not café aurora at this hive of coffee activity. Despite its size, it has six staff: three just on coffee, and they’re doing a roaring trade.

Coffee – a decaf latte – is ready in a flash, and it’s hot, a little thin at first, but among the best decafs i’ve seen, certainly exceeding my expectations.

As a place to write, this is an unusual setting indeed: it’s a mix of indoor and outdoor, with a massive glass roof about four stories up, but pavers and tiles on the ground. If you can put up with the smokers, this could be a good place to break out a few paragraphs of prose.

Nostimo mediterranean grill, padstow

Vittoria coffee. A newcomer to the tiny café scene in padstow, it’s a space with a modern, elegant design. The breakfast and lunch prices are very reasonable; an omelette is up for grabs for as little as $7, though the coffees range from $2.50 for an espresso to $3.40 for a mocha – an odd variance from their normal $3.25 for most coffee choices.

The coffees are served promptly, and come with a free mini biscuit. Though the decaf is pre-ground, and fetched from under the counter, it manages to be a bright cup with a reasonable flavour. A surprisingly good find overall.


Oh, and they have a website – www.nostimo.com.au

Omni blue, wynyard

Vittoria coffee. A sit-down café in a shopping centre, where the staff have a lot of personality: friendly with newcomers and regulars alike.

Coffee unreviewed, though their decaf long black is easy enough to drink.

The old fish café, newtown

Vittoria coffee. 239A King St, Newtown. Known to the locals as “fishcaf”, this tiny shop is an institution. Having big open windows on king st means that the café is pretty dusty, and the staff seem a little too busy for pleasantries like providing menus to confused patrons.

Coffee is a little bitter, but good strength, and drinkable temperature: what you’d expect from Vittoria.

South, newtown

Vittoria coffee. 232 King St is where to find this somewhat trendy, somewhat overpriced café in the heart of Newtown. Loud-ish hip hop grooves its way across the interior, mostly drowning out the noise of traffic. Somehow, on a fairly still day, there’s a breeze drifting through the café.

Out the back is seating for 15-20, bringing the total seating to an impressive 60 or so.

Staff are polite, and water is brought out immediately on arrival, although it’ a bit of a wait before the order is taken.

Coffee is a good temperature, is well made – not bitter – but still has that Vittoria flavour about it.


Update: Seems like this place has closed down.