Cafe Nookie, Surry Hills – Sydney’s Smallest Cafe @Not Quite Nigella

Cafe Nookie, Surry Hills – Sydney’s Smallest Cafe?

October 19, 2009 by Not Quite Nigella

nookie surry hills bubble

Sometimes I think that fate has arranged for it that I am my age and without a license. You see I can be a very distracted driver. This is a habit borne out of many years as the passenger always gawking at the passing shops. One such time where I was glad that I wasn’t driving was when we drove past Nookie Cafe in Surry Hills. It’s rather eye catching amongst the industrial looking warehouse types of buildings with shuttered windows. Literally a tiny room, a sign and 2 milk crates. Yet still, the lines come in waves and at any time you go past on a week day there could be 5 people waiting in line for their coffee.

nookie surry hills inside

This morning, my dining companion and I need sustenance before a day’s shopping so we stop by Nookie on busy Cleveland Street to partake of a coffee and whatever else they may have to offer. We walk up to it and it’s tiny – adorably so, and it’s like peeking into the room of someone’s house. The friendly barista Tom straightens his hair for the photo “Oh no, I don’t know if I’m quite photo ready. I had a big night for my birthday”. “That was 2 days ago” remarks another customer. I get the feeling everyone is a regular down this end of Cleveland street where there are many hidden offices and few places to get a good coffee.

nookie surry hills swear jar

Swear Jar

All of the food is brought in from places like Bourke Street Bakery as there’s nowhere to bake on the premises and the range is limited but there are items for lunch such as soup, filled half baguettes, frittatas and croissants as well as muesli, biscuits, brownies and tarts. Owing to the tiny space, cups are takeaway (with two milk crates, there’s not much point in getting china) and any items bought are given in paper bags with napkins.

nookie surry hills coffee

Cappucino $3

The coffee is by Caffe di Gabriel and is wonderfully smooth. I usually have my coffee milky and sweet but in my order paralysis (i.e. not knowing what to order) I forget to ask for sugar but it’s very smooth and very drinkable without it.

nookie surry hills strawberry tart

Strawberry tart -$4

I finally decide on a strawberry tart and the tart shell is baked very blonde and it’s very short pastry, in fact it’s so short it’s almost impossible to pick up and eat so it ends up falling apart in my hands and collapses into a pile of thick vanilla custard and shell and jellied berries.

nookie surry hills cheesecake

Gluten Free Cheesecake Brownie-$3.50

My dining companion’s gluten free cheesecake brownie is lovely and soft as there is no flour used.

me hat 4

My new Hat!

We perch on our cushioned milk crates and take in the view. Being Cleveland Street it isn’t much but it was a pleasant pit stop on the way to some shopping. As for my purchases, I longingly stroked a Chanel Calfskin Ikon handbag and bought myself a hat from Alannah Hill. Do you like it Dear Reader?

nookie surry hills menu

Healthy Balls!

Nookie Cafe

268B Cleveland Street, Surry Hills
Tel: 0401356072
Monday – Friday: 7:00 am – 4:00 pm

nookie surry hills outside

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Posted in Cafe & Casual Eating, Cheap Thrills $20 or under pp, Eating, Restaurants by cuisine, Sydney - CBD and inner city

56 Comments | Add your own

1. Amy | October 19, 2009 at 5:04 am | #

LOVE the hat Lorraine!
2. anna | October 19, 2009 at 6:29 am | #

love that hat!!!!
3. Rosa | October 19, 2009 at 6:45 am | #

I love your hat! A great shot of you!

Cheers,

Rosa
4. sandra | October 19, 2009 at 7:02 am | #

I love it when you find a good hidden gem, even if it is just a window in a wall with a few milk crates outside. Love the hat- so cute!!
5. holly | October 19, 2009 at 7:26 am | #

love your ah hat! i was eyeing that style off myself! hehe.
i have to go there for the gf cheesecakebrownieomg.
6. Fiona | October 19, 2009 at 8:00 am | #

That place is completely cute!
7. Midge | October 19, 2009 at 8:02 am | #

The tart looks lovely and ~omg! That cheesecake brownie!

(Looooove your hat, btw! )
8. Cakelaw | October 19, 2009 at 8:04 am | #

Love your hat Lorraine! What a fun name for the cafe. I do love the look of the choclate swirl cheesecake – is it too early to have some at 8am?
9. MrsDesperate | October 19, 2009 at 8:17 am | #

The hat is gorgeous. What a cute cafe (and the cheesecake looks divine!)
10. shaz | October 19, 2009 at 8:42 am | #

How cute is the cafe – love that it has curtains!

And the hat’s really pretty too.
11. Lauren | October 19, 2009 at 8:47 am | #

So cute – not to mention that the food is gf!! Yum! Love the hat also.
12. June | October 19, 2009 at 8:53 am | #

Ahhh, now there is a wonderful concept for an eatery! Even I could handle that small space. How wonderful to share your world, NQN. The hat is adorable- I have tried in vain to wear hats…I just don’t semm to have the face or head for one, but you, dear one, are lovely in your new purchase! I made Anzac biscuits today and I am smitten. I will have to amend the recipe to include just a smidge of salt- will that be heresy??? I promised an Aussie patient last week that I would call him to come to the clinic where I work to sample them and see if they taste ‘authentic’- his Mum is visiting this week and she always bakes him a batch, so we shall see how my Southern American biccies compare to hers. Stay tuned, NQN!
13. Aimee | October 19, 2009 at 8:54 am | #

Love the hat, looks like you’re off to the races.
And the cafe is soo cute
14. Esz | October 19, 2009 at 9:13 am | #

That hat is soooo awesome!! WOW! Love it
15. Sue | October 19, 2009 at 9:15 am | #

That coffee & cake before a shopping expedition is just what we need but your usual map (with directions to Chanel bags & Alannah Hill) would be most helpful. OK, I know it’s a food blog but one needs to shop so that one can burn the energy & try more strawberry tart!
16. Betty | October 19, 2009 at 9:50 am | #

This place is the cutest! I was just thinking that it looks like we’re peering into someone’s house, and then you wrote it! lol. Such a great find! And love the hat!
17. A Girl Called E | October 19, 2009 at 10:24 am | #

that is one cute hat!!
i was oogling over some Alannah Hill goodies yesterday. le sigh
18. anna | October 19, 2009 at 10:38 am | #

Your hat is fabulous! I don’t look good in hats. Except my strawberry hat. Which I am wearing now. Because it’s cold.
19. BritinBangkok | October 19, 2009 at 11:14 am | #

Oh the cafe is so cute!! What a great design.
20. Trisha | October 19, 2009 at 11:16 am | #

This is what I love about Sydney: you never know what you’ll find in the tiniest nooks in the city. What a lovely, lovely little coffee corner and I bet the customers not only come for the delicious coffee & sweets but also for the great service & company!
Oh and yes Lorraine the hat fits you perfectly well!
21. Shirley | October 19, 2009 at 11:53 am | #

Love the hat, and I love Alannah Hill! I’ll have to visit the cafe next time I’m at Surry Hills.
22. amy | October 19, 2009 at 11:59 am | #

you r so pretty lorraine! i love the hat too!
23. Angela | October 19, 2009 at 12:03 pm | #

You are so chic! Now I want to see a photo of the handbag…
24. lindsey clare | October 19, 2009 at 12:09 pm | #

healthy balls?
25. food.4.two | October 19, 2009 at 2:04 pm | #

I’ve seen this cafe, was tempted to stop, but had to rush off. Glad you stopped by and reviewed it for us!
26. deeba | October 19, 2009 at 2:20 pm | #

Love the hat & love the quaint lillte Nookie stop. Pity the pastry in that gorgeous tart crumbled. That cheesecake does look lip smacking good! Why was not fate as good to me as it was to you. I love oggling at shops while driving, but have to oggle at the boring traffic instead! Sigh!!
27. the projectivist | October 19, 2009 at 2:27 pm | #

you’re so girlie in your hat, Lorraine. very sweet.

you always find the loveliest little gems too. how scrumptious does that tart look? i could do with one right now, and a nice cup of tea.
28. PenelopePitstop | October 19, 2009 at 3:03 pm | #

I miss Sydney so much?!!!!!
29. Matilda | October 19, 2009 at 3:49 pm | #

A resounding Yay to your hat , it’s too cute, even though as Australians we don’t wear them as much as we should.Bring on Melbourne Cup Day when just about everyone wears one or a fascinator, a great opportunity to dress up!
30. vivian xie | October 19, 2009 at 3:58 pm | #

oooh i was going to recommend this place to you! you should try their pies next time; i always go there when i’ve got dance practice =]

the hat is so chic!
31. Jen | October 19, 2009 at 5:21 pm | #

I’ve seen this place but never made it inside (or rather outside) must try it. Great hat too!
32. Chefspiration | October 19, 2009 at 6:31 pm | #

cute hat I wish I could pull off hats! lol…I look terrible in hats of every kind…nookie is such a sweet little outlet…
33. Katie | October 19, 2009 at 7:14 pm | #

How cute!
34. Moya | October 19, 2009 at 7:15 pm | #

I think Alannah Hill are going to have a run on those hats thanks to that photo of you! The cafe is so cute too, what a brilliant idea!
35. pigpigscorner | October 19, 2009 at 7:26 pm | #

the cafe is so cute and your hat is so pretty!
36. Theresa | October 19, 2009 at 7:39 pm | #

Tres tres chic!
37. Ellie@AlmostBourdain | October 19, 2009 at 8:05 pm | #

Nice hat! I always amazed by your ability to discover all the hidden gems in every corner of Sydney.
38. grace | October 19, 2009 at 8:16 pm | #

i love the word nookie, and i had forgotten it existed! what a cute little shop, and being the prude that i am, i always appreciate a swear jar.
39. FFichiban | October 19, 2009 at 10:15 pm | #

Hee hee what a cute little place!! and yay for healthy balls?
40. chinesechic | October 19, 2009 at 10:42 pm | #

wow, cute hat! i’ve passed by this cafe ( i think!)..haha
41. Simon Food Favourite | October 19, 2009 at 11:00 pm | #

i’ve wondered what this place was like when i have spotted it from my car driving by. it does look like the smallest cafe in Sydney to me nice hat!
42. Shmii | October 19, 2009 at 11:33 pm | #

Healthy balls?? what are the unhealthy kind? hehe
I was in Sydney two years ago and I did it on a shoe string. I loved the lil Thai places everywhere. it’s difficult to get good fodder in tiny lil places in London. Will be doing Sydney soon again so will look out for itsy bitsy nookie! and the hat’s tres chic!
43. Dzintra | October 19, 2009 at 11:33 pm | #

I need that gluten free brownie…have never seen that before!!! And you look gorgeous in your hat…great post♥x
44. Barbara | October 20, 2009 at 12:29 am | #

Well that was an interesting post!
Nookie has quite a risque meaning in the U.S. but then it could also mean nook and cranny as that’s how small his cafe is. Or he could mean both? Considering the “healthy balls” label and the swear jar I have a feeling he meant the double entendre in his cafe’s name .
45. Faith | October 20, 2009 at 12:56 am | #

I love your gorgeous hat and it really suits you! I love the cozy feel of this little cafe!
46. rose | October 20, 2009 at 1:52 am | #

I can see a shop named NOOKS AND CRANNIES serving different English Muffins! goes to show that you can earn and serve in a myriad of spaces/ways – super cute and efficient! Your face, framed with your hair, takes hats so well; this one is absolutely adorable! thanx for sharing for many little well,… nooks and crannies of your experiences!
47. Alison Sainsbury | October 20, 2009 at 6:46 am | #

Nice hat! All ready for race day.

This is the kind of cafe I’d like to have, except that I’d have an oven or two and bake my own stuff. But no waiters, no messy people to clean up after, just me and a barista (because I suck at making coffee). And I’d spend all day baking and selling the results. And if sometimes they weren’t quite perfect (but still tasted great), that would be all part of the folksy charm.

And I’d call it … well I don’t know but something really adorable.
48. Einna | October 20, 2009 at 12:30 pm | #

what a wonderful find! always love a good coffee. Even the coffee cup is so pretty!
49. Mrs Ergül | October 20, 2009 at 1:11 pm | #

I love this hole in the wall cafe!!
50. Conor @ HoldtheBeef | October 20, 2009 at 2:04 pm | #

Healthy balls!

Love the hat. Going to wear it on Melbourne Cup day?
51. Yas | October 20, 2009 at 9:28 pm | #

Haha I know exactly where this is! I always drive pass on my way to work
You wouldn’t know that’s a cafe if no one was in a queue hey? LOL
52. BethieofVA | October 20, 2009 at 9:29 pm | #

You are so cute, and so is the hat! The tartlette looked delicious.
53. Lilia | October 25, 2009 at 10:51 am | #

I could not imagine how small the cafe until I saw the last photo, LoL.

Loves the hat, it’s quite on style.
54. Shannalee | October 30, 2009 at 3:36 am | #

SO cute – love how he wanted to fix his hair before the photo, too.
55. Not Quite Nigella | November 7, 2009 at 1:48 pm | #

Hi Amy-Thankyou so much!

Hi anna-Thankyou!

Hi Rosa-Aww thanks!

Hi sandra-I know, it was so cute and good to know that the coffee was good too! Thankyou!

Hi holly-OH cool! It’s a nice classic style Hehe yes, it’s great!

Hi Fiona-Isn’t it just!

Hi Midge-Yes greta idea isn’t it! And it was so nice and soft Thankyou!

Hi Cakelaw-Thanks so much! Hehe it’s a cut ename is’t it! Hehe of course not!

Hi MrsDesperate-Thanks so much! It was so cute!

Hi shaz-Hehe yes it makes it look that much more home like! Thankyou!

Hi Lauren-Hehe thankyou!

Hi June-Aw thankyou so much, you’re so sweet! No of course not! I’m so glad you liked them! I bet they love them

Hi Aimee-Hehe thankyou!

Hi Esz-Thankyou so much!

Hi Sue-Haha I see! Yes that is true, shopping burns lots of calories, especially when you purcahse things and have to carry them!

Hi Betty-Yes it so fdoes doesn’t it! Thankyou!

Hi A Girl Called E-Thankyou! Hehe yes I saw a dress I really wanted too!

Hi anna-Thankyou! Aww that sounds so cute!

Hi BritinBangkok-It’s adorable!

Hi Trisha-It’s so true isn’t it! Yes everyone seems to know them there. Thankyou!

Hi Shirley-Hehe cool! It’s definitely a lovely little place to stop at for coffee

Hi amy-Aww shucks you’re so sweet!

Hi Angela-You are too kind! Sadly I didn’t buy it!

Hi lindsey clare-I know!

Hi food.4.two-You’re welcome!

Hi deeba-Thankyou so much! Yes I have developed a habit of staring at shops which is dangerous now that I drive (sort of)

Hi the projectivis-Thanks so much! I love discovering these places I do confess

Hi PenelopePitstop-Aww sorry!

Hi Matilda-Why thankyou! Yes Australians don’t really wear hats do they? Yes that’s a good place to wear a hat!

Hi vivian-Oh cool! Yes I should, it was just a bit early Thankyou!

Hi Jen-It’s worth a stop for a coffee! Thanks!

Hi Chefspiration-Thankyou! Oh no I bet you don’t! It’s cute indeed

Hi Katie-I agree!

Hi Moya-Sadly that was the last one at DJs BJ (so I had to get it ). Yes small spaces are adorable when they’re used like this!

Hi pigpigscorner-Thankyou!

Hi Theresa-Thanks so much

Hi Ellie-Thankyou! Hehe maybe it’s from not driving!

Hi grace-Haha yes! It’s a word we should use more often don’t you think? Haha!

Hi Ffichiban-LOL you are too funny!

Hi chinesechic-Oh cool! Thankyou!

Hi Simon-It has got to be the smallest doesn’t it! Thankyou

Hi Shmii-Haha maybe deep fried ones? Oh wonderful! I hope you enjoy Sydney and thankyou!

Hi Dzintra-Thankyou so much! Yes it’s a great idea isn’t it!

Hi Barbara-Thanks! Haha yes it has the same meaning here too but I think that nook has the same meaning. Maybe it’s meant to keep you guessing! I think you’re right!

Hi Faith-Thankyou so much! It’s so adorable

Hi rose-Oh thankyou so much! That’s very sweet of you to say

Hi Alison-Thankyou! Sounds like a great cafe and one that I’d patronise!

Hi Einna-Thanks! It felt like quite a fun discovery

Hi Mrs Ergül-Hehe cool!

Hi Conor-Haha yes it caught my eye! I don’t really do Melbourne Cup but I’ll wear it lots of other times

Hi Yas-Hehe I know! It’s kind of cute and looks like a house!

Hi Bethie-Aww thahnkyou so much!

Hi Lilia-Haha yes it’s tiny! Literally a hole in a wall! Thankyou

Hi Shannalee -Hehe I know!
56. Ronni | November 12, 2009 at 11:28 pm | #

Love that you have picked up this little nookie, what a great response! The cheese cake brownie is trully yummy, esp heated up with ice-cream infront of a scary movie……but guys, its not gluten free! Nookie does have a gluten free brownie but the cheese cake b is not it…..sorry beautiful NQN but your NQR dolly…..(I know cause I make them for the lovely Toms)….Love your hat, and your blog, it is so nice to see some one be so easily happy and cheerful, keep up the good work!!