Food

Where to Find the Best Aussie Grub in New York City

 

It’s no secret that Australians love their coffee, they also love breakfast a.k.a. “brekkie” and let’s be honest, the chilled out Aussie stereotype is often replaced with snobby when it comes to the first meal of the day. 

With around 20,000 Australians currently living in New York and oversized pancakes, supermarket white bread and strong mugs of black coffee with half and half not really cutting it for this elite class of brunchers, restaurateurs took the opportunity to fill the niche and bring a little taste of down under to the City.  

So, how do you spot an Aussie cafe? There are a few dead giveaways. Australians take their fit-out, tableware and playlists just as seriously as their food and coffee. A chic interior paired with the rhythmic beats of Odesza, Lord Echo and Tame Impala is the first tell. Next, the coffee options, that’s right, there’s more than one type of coffee on offer ranging from a cold drip to a flat white to a latte that looks almost too beautiful to drink. Lastly, take a gander at the menu, if the words, halloumi, avocado on sourdough toast, crispy bacon, boiled eggs and soldiers, jam, pineapple on a burger or of course Vegemite appear you can guarantee you’re in an Aussie Establishment. 

Here’s a list of some of New York City’s favorite Australian cafes. 

Two Hands
Two Hands, now boasting four locations around the city, prides itself on its farm to table style fare. Their beef, pork and lamb are all raised in Greenville, New York and add flavor to the bowls, salads and “sangas,” Australian for sandwich. They also have a variety of vegetarian options, like the portobello mushroom burger with local cheddar. A side or two of halloumi is an added perk of the Two Hands menu. 

Sonnyboy
A crowd favorite located in the heart of the Lower East Side, Sonnyboy, also a popular icy pole from the ‘80s, serves up all day eats, flat whites and cocktails. The burrata and fig toast is delectable at any time of day and of course nothing can beat the chicken parmi or parma, depending on where your from, with fries on the side, not underneath, just how it should be. 

Words: Alice I’Anson 2021
Cover Image: ThatsFerntastic 2021

 

Banter
Brunch is basically an opportunity to eat eggs and drink a mimosa at the same time and West Village cafe Banter certainly knows how to brunch in style. The buttermilk fried chicken sandwich and the Banter bowl are staples and when there are coffee Negronis and espresso martinis on the menu, what’s not to like. 

Good Thanks
Another Lower East side gem, Good Thanks, also a common response to “how ya going?” is a brunch hotspot for Aussies in the city. The kimchi scrambled eggs accompanied by labneh and sourdough toast is a stand out item as is the chickpea curry scramble. But let’s talk about the avocado toast, not only do they have it on the menu, and it’s delicious, they actually have two versions to pick from. Way to out-do the competition Good Thanks. 

Ruby’s
Ruby’s is truly Aussie with Vegemite on sourdough toast the first item on the brekkie menu, closely followed by avo toast. They’re known for their burgers, but doesn’t everyone say that? Try the Bronte or Bondi burger and add pineapple, you won’t regret it. Be prepared to wait for a table, even with three locations this place fills up quickly.

Bluestone Lane
With so many storefronts, Bluestone Lane has become an Australian institution in the city. It’s a go to for a post workout coffee or avocado on toast and even has milo on the menu, a real highlight, especially in the depths of a New York City winter.   

Charley St
Situated in Nolita, this Aussie eatery has one of the more creative and diverse menus offering plant based waffles with oat jam and cashew coconut cream, golden turmeric lattes, poached pear bircher and toasts decorated with micro greens. If you’re missing home there’s certainly no shortage of Australian accents when dining at Charley St.