Do you remember that show Cheers? The one where the jingle says “you want to go where everyone knows your name”? Like bars, people seem to love coffee places where people are friendly, they remember your name and they remember your order. Particularly at the delicate time of the day where you’ve shifted your warm body out from under a snug quilt and into the freezing cold of the world. And you haven’t had your coffee….eek!
Fortunately, I have friends like Viggo who sent Mr NQN a photo of Workshop Espresso. He remarked that every time he went past it in the morning, there were 20 people in a queue outside. That afternoon I was meeting Freaky Flier and I suggested that we check out this place.
It’s lunchtime on a week day and there is the customary crowd. On the George Street side of the Galeries Victoria you’ll easily spot it by the crowd of people standing outside waiting for their cup of Joe. Defining hole in the wall, it’s very small-you could squeeze in about 8-10 people if that although most are there for a takeaway coffee and a pre-wrapped sandwich. Whilst there is a kitchen churning out warming toasties, and they’re good, the focus is really on the coffee.
Freaky Flier and I look around wondering whether there is space to sit before the friendly girl behind the counter notes our neck craning and offers to seat us. To the right are stools and bar seating with handy handbag hooks underneath. We take our seat and survey the blackboard in front of us. Corrugated iron and wood feature on the walls, an unexpected sight in the midst of the concrete jungle of the CBD. G.Q. magazine called it ‘barn chic’ but it’s perhaps more dad’s workshop chic with the vices that hold up signs and the accordion lighting fixtures.
Cappuccino $4
I’m really more of a tea drinker than a coffee one but it seemed foolhardy not to order a coffee when I was here. My cappuccino is fantastic, richly flavoured and complex. Today’s single origin coffee was an Ethiopian Yirgacheffe.
Bacon and egg roll with chilli jam $6.50
I wasn’t quite sure what to order so I looked at the blackboard menu and went for a bacon and egg roll. On soft, warmed and light Sonoma bread it came with a soft yolked egg and slices of bacon and sweet chilli jam. It wasn’t bad and I liked that the bread was warm and soft although I think some butter on the bread would have made it better or perhaps another condiment apart from chilli jam.
Jamon serrano bruschetta $12.90
I tried some of Freaky Flier’s bruschetta which had some jamon serrano ham, shavings of reggiano and a very generous amount of peppery rocket.
Hazelnut pastry $2.90
I loved the look of the multiple layers on the pastry and so I chose a little sweet morsel to end the meal with. It was very flakey and a little dry and perhaps more suited to dipping in coffee than eating by itself. This version was filled with a chocolate hazelnut paste like Nutella.
A couple of days later as we were in the city on the weekend, I decided to stop by again with Mr NQN in tow. It was late afternoon but the crowd was still there although it was easier to get a seat inside.
Iced chocolate $6
I was slightly fixated on the iced chocolate so I ordered one and it came out in an enormously tall glass, whipped cream optional but taken up. It was thick, frozen and chocolatey with a good level of sweetness to it.
Bocconcini sandwich (toasted) $6.50
This was one of the sandwiches in the front window display and I was curious to see what they were like. Here, they offer to toast it for you which is always a nice touch and it is filled with pesto, melted, oozy bocconcini and sun dried tomato.
Jam Donut $4
I’m glad I saved some stomach space for the jam donut, a gloriously large sugar dusted donut that they also warmed up. It is filled with a generous amount of thick strawberry jam filling and gives you enough sugar and energy to power you to the moon and back. It’s also worth breaking any kind of dietary resolve for 
So tell me Dear Reader, how many coffees do you drink a day and what kind do you order? Cappuccino, Long Black, Macchiato or another kind? And do you like it when places remember you or your orders or is that not a factor?
Workshop Espresso
Galleries Victoria, Ground Level, Shop RG01a, 500 George Street, Sydney NSW 2000
Monday to Saturday 6am-5pm (Saturdays 4:30pm)
If you enjoyed this post, why not share it with your friends?
What is NQN up to now?
NQN on Facebook
RSS
55 Comments | Add your own
Those donuts look amazing, espec for a cold winters day. I drink too many coffee especially on the dreaded night duty!
I generally have two coffees a day but never after 12 o’clock. I adore frothy milk, but only have one cup with frothy milk on the weekend (saves calories) so on weekdays I have my coffee black. This place looks great, and I live it that is small and crowded. I can imagine how wonderful the coffee aroma is.
Now that I’m in America, I’ve started drinking The Largest Coffees Known To Man. Holy smokes, they’re bigger than my head. Today I was able to add salted caramel syrup and soy milk (this isn’t even Starbucks, it’s a legitimate “coffee” place), and it was delicious and hilarious.
Oh it is this place! It is always soooo busy. I wanted to go there last time I was in Sydney but did not get the chance as my flight was delayed:(
black coffee…. um….. embarrassed to tell you how many i drink in one day…
That jam donut is looking mighty delicious – I really have to make my way to Sydney one day!
That food looks fabulous. I have a sudden urge to go and buy a jam donut
I like it when people remember you and are warm towards you in restaurants/cafes. But I don’t like the creepy guy at the Subway who smiles and laughs inappropriately and always remembers my orders. Wish he would forget me.
Please recreate that jam donut – it looks just scrumptious! What a delightful coffee shop!
How thoughtful that there’s somewhere to hang your hand bag. More places should pick up on this. I absolutely would have to have one of the jam donuts with some of the cream from the iced chocolate xx
Ooohh, a jam donut please! I order between one and three coffees a day – more if I am being sociable.
I love their ladder-like newspaper rack and rustic stools.
I have spent many hours staring into Workshop Espresso from stationary buses during peak hour traffic!
I actually am an anti-coffee girl unless its coffee flavoured ice cream (but my parents swear it will change by uni
)
This cafe looks so tasty and sweet – definitely where a Cheers series could begin (love that show – have you seen Becker?)
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
I order cappuccino, usually only one a day. I think it’s important when they know your name and order – it’s comforting and makes you feel special. It also saves a long list of “this is how I like it…..”
I can’t understand why you aren’t fat, fat, fat! And you’re not–you are perfect. But I love it that you indulge yourself, and I suspect it isn’t all work-related
I like cappuccino or cremas when in France–and sure, I am always pleased when I am recognized and singled out. Why not?
Looks like a great cafe
I have my eyes on the ice chocolate and DONUT! I’m having probably at least one coffee a day and I usually get a MOCHA haahaha because it has the robust coffee flavour but also the sweetness of the chocolate YAY!
It’s nice when cafes remember my orders because I think that means they pay attention to their customers ~
The drinks look gorgeous!! Can I have some ?? Pretty please??
As winters approach, my intake of coffee increases. And I am craving one right now. This store looks so cozy and cute, kinda like an upscale Starbucks.
I don’t really go anywhere often enough for them to remember my order but the egg man at the markets always gets a carton of extra large eggs ready when he sees me coming.
That donut looks awesome! I’d like a half-strength-decaffe-valium-vodka-latte-on-soy-to-go please!
That should get me through the rest of the day 
Wow – those rolls look SO good. Brekky beckons, but unfortunately these guys are just a tad too far from my work place :/
I’m a tea drinker like you NQN, but if I have a coffee (about once a week) I’ll order a cafe latte (with skinny milk, I can’t stand the taste of full cream! yuck!)I also embarass my husband by ordering Decaf!
Okay….maybe I should just stick to tea….
Always see this place packed to the brim and wondered if it was worth a visit! Shall drop by now for that jam donut…Yum!
I get my morning coffee (just one a day, otherwise I’m bouncing off the walls!) a few blocks away at Encasa deli on Bathurst Street, a skim hazelnut latte and it’s lovely that they remember my name
You’ve got me with the jam donut!
Am putting this address on my ‘Sydney list’: fun and sensible place to have a good coffee and decent small lunch! Thanks
! If alone, I just have one big mug of strong and not very sweet black coffee at breakfast: a few cups more if friends or collaeagues turn up on the doorstep. After that it is wine and tea! And, yes, it is nice to be recognized at favourite places, given the table one prefers and have a little TLC to make the meal more fuzzy-warm. On the other hand, this obviously cannot happen if in a new place and one just hopes for courtesy and professionalism 
!
The donut photo GOT me too!
Slobbering while yelling “WHOO HOO!”
LOVE a place where everybody knows my name, TRUE!
Makes me feel wanted to the Cheers family too
That is a whole lot of delicious right there.
oh my, it all looks so delicious! I love the sound of the hazelnut pastry… think I need to go and acquire a new jar of Nutella now
Ooh I’ve walked past this hip-looking place many times, but haven’t tried it yet. YES to iced chocolate & a jam donut.
I drink coffee only once or twice a week, but have 2-3 teas a day
I order soy lattes or macchiatos.
I drink a few coffees a day. I love my lavazza brewed at home, taken with lactose free milk. I add the cold lactose free milk to the hot coffee and when I go out ask for cold milk in my coffee. Definately NOT a flat white…but my own type. I can’t stand the taste of soy milk, leaves a tinny type taste in my mouth !!
Yes well I know I drink too much coffee, always black and strong. Those doughnuts look yummy, but I just have to tell you about a “jam doughnut” I came across last week…..the “jam” was whole berries in a thick syrupy berry sauce and the dough was soft and devine with a slightly crispy coat. Best doughnut I ever had. You think between us all we could recreate it?
HI Gin-Tonic! That sounds amazing! Now where was that donut? I so want to create it!
Lorraine, it was at the Brisbane EKKA! I think we’re probably on our own, with all the blogsters help, to recreate it. The doughnut makers will have now gone back to wherever they hide for another year
Hi Gin-Tonic, would you have a photo of it? I’m really interested in it. I’m on a donut kick
That song is now just stuck in my head.
Those jammy donuts look amazing.
Must try this little place when I’m in the city next and craving a coffee .I’m a coffee fiend and cannot resist the aroma as hard as I try, Ok I don’t try all that hard,lol
I have however, cut down lots as I used to drink waaaaay too many cups of coffee a day that I started to develop symptoms of Arrhythmia! Eeeek that was pretty scary so now if home and devoid of visitors , I’ll have one maybe two but if I’m out it’s a mandatory Cappuccino or two. If dining at a nice place and a divine meal consumed I do revert back to my Italian roots and order a Ristretto which keeps me bouncing along bright-eyed and bushy-tailed all night.
I’m totally in agreeance with Hotly Spiced , Jam donuts/doughnuts( and why are we all using the American spelling?) definitely have to be served with cream!
I like it when you are recognised as a regular and your order is known before you utter the words or when the Barista adds really cute images atop your frothy cappuccino like trees, leaves, hearts etc
You can tell they really love their craft!
jamon bruschetta for breakfast has to be a winner.
How many coffees a day she asks!!!!….. do they come in intravenous drips? Our machine is NEVER turned off. I like them all but splash out on affogato occasionally.
My office used to be down the street from here and walking past all the time, it made me wish I drank coffee! I had the iced choc once and it was huuuuge! The bocconcini sandwich looks really good toasted, I think I might have to drop by sometime
Nice little workplace cafe– Although at $4.00 a coffee I will have to be limiting myself. For freshly cooked doughnuts exactly like this go to Narel small goods on the corner of Botony Road and Daphne Street Botony and buy a bag full!
Oh wow look at that jam doughut. Coffee is pretty good too
I don’t drink coffee (because I’m a wimp who turns into a shaking mess whenever I drink coffee or eat anything with it in it) but I do drink tea! Green tea, to be precise – and I usually drink 3 or so cups a day.
I refuse to leave my house out into the cold without a cup of tea to go!
Good grief, where do you put it all? It’s just not fair! I would look like the side of a barn if I ate half of that.
It looks delicious!
Little nooks like this are always a nice place to visit regularly. While I love the flavour of coffee, I unfortunately don’t respond well to it in my tummy, so I’m definitely a tea lover. A spicy chai latte has to be my favourite. I recently tried one of those hazelnut pastries at an Italian festival, I was lured into getting it because I just couldn’t resist it’s name as it was called a little lobster tail. Mine must have been filled to the max with Nutella because it was crispy and crunchy on the outer but oozing with Nutella when I bit into it, yum yum
It all looks delicious! I’ll have to keep it in mind as a place to check out next time I’m in town.
That pastry looks amazing, even though it might not have tasted too good
Finally you drop by there. I’ve been here many times mostly just for coffee. My favourite is the affogato with vanilla ice cream. The coffee here is very strong and I saw some office workers ordering these and smiles whilst eating the ice cream with coffee shot, so I ordered one and love it so much.
Next time, I’ll try the bocconcini sandwich which you ordered
ive walked past this place many times and theres always a queue! must give it a try!
Lorraine,
U’ve been meaning to ask you for some time now….So you order all of this stuff and then test it? How does that work, cuz I’d love to be able to eat all of this and look as good as you, Sweets.
Anyhow, this place looks Awesome. I think I shall order, um, EVEryTHING!
I have 2 coffees in the morning before work. My daddy bought me a Kerug Machine and I use it every day. I place whip cream in the bottom of my cup and it’s all FOAMY and dreamy on top…
Hope you are well & enjoying life. X
I love my complex starbucks for the same reason, they know my name and it feels like home…LOL
God I have started drinking too much coffee… BAD!!
B/W this place looks fabulous… And now I am craving that Holy Jelly Doughnut!!
When I read the title I thought you must have done a coffee making workshop!
This place looks fantastic… I may have to check it out next time I’m in Sydney – I love anyplace that knows their coffee!
You know what this calls for? A detour via the city on my way to work today! Thanks for the inspiration. I’ve seen this little hole in the wall a number of times, but always walked straight past. I’ll head straight there, next time.
Yummo I’d take a Bocconcini sandwich plus a jam donut. I just drink regular cappuccino full fat milk
Lorraine, love your Blog;I dont usually comment but just had to let you know that we have our very own “cheers type coffee bar in Crows Nest – called Zar Bar, also a hole in the wall; Zar is the barista extraordinaire, who knows everyones name, even your work colleagues, no more remembering what everyone has, Zars knows us all – such a great way to start the day
the bread looks so fresh!
I would love to try the Bocconcini sandwich
I walk passed this place every afternoon and I have glanced at those sugary donuts and powered on with the resolve not to succumb to them.
I am now pregnant and it now seems impossible to say no to any kind of food. I think I will stop off this afternoon and pick one up for dessert tonight.
Yum, yum!!!!
Oh and in regard to people remembering your name it can backfire on them if they get it wrong.
I used to get coffee at a place near my work and they asked my name, which is Kym. The next day she said “hello Kylie” and I wasn’t sure if she was talking to me so I stupidly didn’t correct her. I let this go on for a couple of weeks before I felt so awkward that I just stopped going there in case I was found out that my name was not Kylie.
I managed to find a place with nicer coffee and where they remembered what my actual name was.
Post a Comment