When I was studying for my high school and university exams, I needed absolute silence. There was no traipsing off to the the uni library and even now for me to write it has to be silent. I can’t quite comprehend being able to write in a cafe where there are so many distractions. Yet as we sit in Sadhana Kitchen in Newtown, people sit with their headphones on, head down and working on their laptops.
My main distraction here would be the food. It isn’t easy to get raw food in Sydney, in fact the first time I tried it was near Margaret River in W.A. but I became fascinated by the whole concept. I never grew up eating any raw food, everything in my parent’s household was cooked but there is a lightness to raw food that appealed to me. And when I heard from the lovely owners of Rubyfruit in Leura that Sadhana Kitchen in Newtown had a 100% raw food menu that was also vegan and delicious, Mr NQN and I just had to go.
A bit of a secret, it’s located on a quiet street parallel to Enmore Road and sits in a converted warehouse space. The owners also own a yoga studio so you really follow the signs to the yoga studio and you’ll find yourself in a space with a tiny kitchen and a colourful mural of Lakshmi on the back wall. Sadhana is a Sanskrit term that means “conscious spiritual practice.” A sign near the cash register lets you know “you are loved” and the bill comes with a note to “have an awesome day.”
The drink and smoothie menu is extensive and spans two pages long and prices aren’t cheap although if you’ve visited a health food store lately and seen the prices, you’ll see why. We order a drink each and sit back and relax. The vibe is chilled and slowly yoga student after yoga student files past us as they’ve just finished a class. Some stretch and some order the raw chocolate coated ginger bites or a smoothie. There is regular and also cold drip coffee. The cafe started as a response to one of the owner’s blog which featured raw food recipes. People asked where they could try them so they opened up Sadhana Kitchen.
Tejas Tacos $15.50
Our food comes out first and we start with the tacos served on large butter lettuce leaves. Three to a serve, they’re filled with walnut mince, salsa, guacamole and vegan sour cream which is thicker and more like a ganache texture than sour cream. No matter though because these are full of flavour and when you try it all together it does have that whole taco-ey flavour to it. There’s a little salad in the centre and that is dressed with the moreish sweet mustard dressing.
Sadhana Lasagna $15.50
This was my favourite dish and I would happily eat this in place of a regular lasagna.The pasta is replaced by thinly sliced zucchini strips and it is filled with cultured cashew cheese, basil pesto, walnut mince, wilted spinach and chunky tomato sauce. The side salad is flavoursome and dressed with an avocado dressing.
Warrior Smoothie To build strength and stamina $9.50 and Skin of the gods > To purify and beautify the skin $7.60 (regular size)
We read that the juices and smoothies are cold pressed so that they aren’t exposed to any heat. Mr NQN went for the warrior smoothie as they had run out of mango which was the main reason why he chose again. This one had blueberries, raspberries, banana, sun warrior sprouted brown rice protein powder, chia seeds, coconut oil, mesquite almond mylk, ashwaganda and was thick and almost chocolatey with the occasional crunch from chia seeds.
My drink was the green tonic which they substituted orange and lemon for the yellow grapefruit and added cucumber, kale, aloe vera. The coconut oil was to be applied topically but it didn’t come with the drink and it was only when I came home that I realised that it never arrived. This wasn’t quite sweet enough for me, I like green drinks if there is a sweet element like apple juice or a fresh element like parsley.
Samadhi Quiche $15.50
We wondered how they would do a raw vegan version of a baked egg dish. This is not very similar to a traditional quiche although it is full of flavour. The texture is thick and reminds us of the salty intensity of miso. It’s a spinach and mushroom filling topped with caramelized onions and smoky coconut crisps. The side salad has goji berries and raw white sesame seeds and a sweet mustard dressing.
Mango float $10.50
I’m a complete nut for raw desserts – they are usually very light and don’t make you feel weighed down. The mango float is a tall, light, fluffy and so creamy coconut and nutty slice of cheesecake split in the centre and filled with nuts and dates. It’s more coconut than mango but I’m quibbling as my fork kept going back for mouthful after mouthful of this.
Blueberry and lemon cheesecake $9.50
This is a case where people dismiss this because it’s a bit flatter and smaller than the other cakes but this is so very close to a regular lemon cheesecake. You almost forget that it’s raw and vegan. Sam, one of the owners tells us that they use coconut nectar for this instead of agave nectar as the former is lower in GI although it does give the cakes a distinctive caramel shade. OK perhaps I could work here although I suspect not much work would get done…
So tell me Dear Reader, can you work or study in a cafe or a busy place? Or do you need complete silence? And what do you think about the whole raw food and vegan idea?
Sadhana Kitchen
76A Wilford Street Newtown NSW 2042, Australia
Tel: +61 (02)9516 1334
Open: 7:30am – 4:30pm | Tuesday – Friday
8:30am – 4:30pm | Saturday & Sunday
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54 Comments | Add your own
I love the raw food idea. I am not sure how much I would be willing to learn any of these dishes to make for myself though. I am probably more prepared to go and eat somewhere like this than cook like this. Some of those dishes are quite intriguing. It does remind me strongly of a Facebook friend and every time she posts a recipe, one of her friends pipes up and says what about a vegan/gluten free version?? Must be exhausting to live strictly on a special diet I think.
Wow I thought vegan was hard diet to maintain but raw is even harder. The last time i tried vegetarian and vegan cafe, it was a bad experience so I haven’t tried again. But I am definitely intrigued by the raw desserts ~
I m quite lucky and can work anywhere but I m Only really productive when I m by myself at midnight hehe
Mmmm raw food paradise to the maximum my friend. I simply love the wonderful looking desserts, which without a doubt, no one would believe are raw. A wonderful place I would like to try
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
I love working surrounded by people, so cafe’s are a great place for me to study. I’m going into uni to sit in the cafe to do work today actually. I am not into the raw food trend, I like warm cooked comfort foods and baked sweets
What a fabulous cafe, we are lways in Newtown but didn’t know about this little gem. This will definitely be on my next visit list. Those desserts – yummo.
I need quiet, even on a train or bus when reading a book, I put in industrial earplugs to stop the constant noise of ‘doof doof’ music leaking from others headpieces and those dreadful loud ringing tones and conversations for all to hear from inconsiderate mobile phone users! Bring on more quiet carriages….
Yum – this all loOks good. I bags the mango float.
Very interesting……not my kind of food though. The closest I come to eating raw food is salad leaves with ranch dressing, smoothies and fruits.
I don’t need quiet to write, but to sleep.
You should take your MIL there Lorraine, I’m sure she’d love it! These meals certainly looked lovely, but I still wont be giving up my oven any time soon
And if you needed another excuse to visit, Newtown’s own brewery – Young Henry’s – is just across the driveway.
I feek healthier just reading about that food!
I need silence to work, which is very hard in an open plan office.
<3 raw food! Roll on summer!!
I can’t work with noise either – must be my limited attention span! As for the raw food, I love raw food but I don’t think I could do it all the time – too many gorgeous things to cook and I’d have to break too many bad habits xo
Raw food absolutely intrigues me as well – I love fruit and veggies in their raw state, but eating like that all the time must be tough.
This is so strange NQN, I spent yesterday reading this article http://www.theage.com.au/lifestyle/cuisine/the-raw-power-of-nature-20120908-25kme.html and being absolutely facinated by the whole raw/vegan way of eating. I’m not sure that I could sustain it full time, but I am incredibly keen to try some of the food! Thanks for yet another interesting post!
I love writing in cafes! So soothing.
I’m currently in the middle of writting three assignments for uni and find that i need background noise but no-one else at home
Not sure about the raw quiche but the deserts look delish, then again i prefer unbaked cheesecakes anyways
Arabella needs total silence when she’s studying. We’re all scuttling around here on our tippy-toes at the moment. I can’t pronounce half the things in Mr NQN’s drink. I’ve heard eating raw is so good for you, it’s just, I do like hot food, especially in winter xx
How do you make caramalised onions with no heat?
Did you see the article on raw food in the SMH yesterday? It was very interesting but I don’t think I am organised enough to try it!
People watching is too distracting to write in public.
If I’m focussed on the task I can study anywhere!we eat a lot raw in our culture.Tabouli, homous, falafel,etc so it goes without saying that it’s much more healthier for the body and easy on the palatte!
I do yoga on Sundays in Newtown, this is a great way to enjoy that post-yoga high! Love love LOVE Newtown and all the attitude!
HI Di! Good question
I think maybe they’re sun dried-I think the cut off point is 48C/118F so on a hot day you might be able to dry some things out.
Hahah wow coincidence this was posted today! I just read an article on raw food on smh just this morning and it mentioned this cafe… I’m not sure how I’d go on the raw food diet but the article had me considering it which is further than I ever thought I’d go, lol! I love cooked foods tooo much – although those desserts look preeetty good!
Silence is Golden, THEY say, too!
Sometimes what THEY say IS true!
I really like the idea of the raw food cafe as a choice!
But perhaps in Adelaide would be in the minority with my opinion’s voice!
I’ve never tried raw food but these dishes look exceptional, especially the lasagna!
Love the raw food movement – hope one day raw food cafes will pop up everywhere.
I’m not into the raw food trend, I like my main meals cooked. I would however, try the raw desserts, they do look amazing and I would imagine, are way healthier for you. I just think it’s a lot of effort to make them as raw as possible – I can certainly appreciate their passion and determination though, good on them.
How absolutely fantastic a place!! Those Tejas tacos are to die for
Next time up in Sydney, this is one place I simply have to visit 
! Shall tell all my Sydney friends meanwhile – thanks! I have always enjoyed a lot or raw food: there would not be a single day when I would not have at least one composite salad! Years ago these would oft be side salads or pita fillings etc: now I aim for at least two main course meals a week. How one’s body says ‘thank you’ 
! As for working: absolute silence, even music and phones off – love the 10pm – 2am time slot the best: most productive for me 
!
Raw desserts I’m ok with. There’s a stall at the Noosa Farmer’s market that does that sort of thing and I tried an amazing lime slice once. I’d welcome a slice of that mango float too!
Interesting place. Pretty food.
My husband would be ga-ga for it.
I think some raw food is great, but deep down, I just think I need cooked food. Maybe I don’t, but it feels that way.
Bad experience with raw food, haven’t picked up my guts to try another one yet…. but maybe if i find some of that mango float!
I just love the colour of the drinks – such vibrancy and life. They must be doing you good!
Way to go! if I get to get away from my full on business I will come to Sydney and visit this wonderful place.I have been eating raw food for four years. Yey! a Raw Food Cafe just across the ditch.
Wow, those desserts look amazing! I’m so keen to make a raw vegan cheesecake now
I need to work with music playing – I’ve got a boombox stereo on my desk in the office (playing Triple J)
Lorraine, that place would be certainly on my list when I am in the area. Love to try vegan dishes, they are light indeed, and amazingly delicious.
As of writing, I can do it anywhere if I am in the wave. But if there’s no inspiration and I have to struggle for the words, that no silence would help…
Dear Lorraine,
I’m definitely not into raw or vegan food as I need that piece of grilled and bloody scotch fillet every now and then
Raw food seems to be everywhere I turn at the moment. There’s even an article in the SMH today about it.
I can’t study with noise either. I remember ‘studying’ for my HCS with the radio on, it was a disaster. Inevitably I feel asleep or was too engrossed in the music.
What an interesting menu. I’m curious as to the crust on the quiche, is it raw?
I’m one of those people who can turn off and concentrate. One time, my brother and I were involved in a long conversation and my husband and his wife (at that time) started yelling at us and we didn’t notice, at all!
I’ll definitely have to go there with my mum for a girls’ day out! I’ll have the lasagna.
I eat a mix of raw and cooked foods but I wouldn’t be a vegan because nuts, grains and legumes can make me bloated and give me allergies. I’m ok if I eat them every so often.
You’ve found a perfect cafe to take your mother in law!
Ive eaten raw food once, this wonderful lady from France came to KL for a few weeks and made her raw food in dehydrators and such – and the food tasted so good!
I’ve seen this place a few times and never had the desire to go in, except now you’ve made it look all delicious and that! Might have to go one day..
OMG I love raw desserts too!! This place looks so good – jealous!! Would love a place like this near me.
Heidi xo
I was reading about this place just yesterday and thinking that I must go try it. The food looks good and sounds interesting. Not sure I could ever manage (or want to) go vegan and/or raw food. I love food too much to do that! But interested to try it and expand the amount of raw food I eat.
I can work anywhere…love quiet spaces and love busy spaces. Different parts of my brain work better in different spaces so it depends on what I need to do. I am definitely more creative in busy places.
My friends went here last week and were obsessing over the tacos and lasagne! Pics look delicious, Must head over and try asap.
I love eating raw food- especially raw cheesecakes. I really need to try making one soon. When you’re next in Melbourne try Yong Green Food in Brunswick St Fitzroy – it’s fabulous!
Regarding studying, i’m like you. I need complete silence!
I WANT TO GO TO THERE!!!!
I have been to this cafe and it was quite interesting and nice( and healthy!)but I am not sure I could eat raw,vegan food everyday! However I might try it again this week! You’ve inspired me..
I love going to Sadhana (probably a little too much) Wasn’t surprised to see myself in one of your photos… looks like I’m in danger of becoming part of the furniture ^_^
It all looks fabulous! I love the colors. I’ve never eaten at a raw food restaurant, though I am very intrigued by them. They must cook some things though, if the onions on the quice are caramelized? Or is that a raw version of caramelized onions?
Sadhana Kitchen is an amazing place, with amazingly delicious and nourishing food. I can’t speak highly enough of Maz & Sam who own it and the love and integrity that goes into every aspect of the food and business. That is the secret ingredient here to why the food and drinks taste so damn fine!
I would have to say that I find the prices to be very affordable when you consider that it is all organic and highest quality, superfood packed, ingredients around. For the nutrition you get in a smoothie or raw meal compared to other venues, the pricetag is a bargain, in my opinion. It’s so great to be able to eat out and know all your nuts have been activated and all your greens are organic. Amen!
sounds like an interesting place – I haven’t really had much raw food – a few experiments at home but haven’t managed to go along to places that serve it – imagine spending your day here – raw food and yoga would make you feel better about spending so much time on the laptop
You are right Lorraine, it isn’t at all easy to get raw food in Sydney. I haven’t yet made it over to Sadhana Kitchen yet but now I know I must make the trip! I love the diversity of cuisines, restaurants/cafes and locations you cover! Also, I thought you or your readers might be interested to know: I have just heard that raw chef Julie Mitsios of Conscious Choice is opening a raw cafe called Earth to Table at 85 Bronte Road Bondi Junction. This is great news for those of us in the Eastern Suburbs. I believe she will also be running her raw food classes from there. I don’t think it’s open yet but I hope you will check it out and let us know what you think.
Raw food always amazes me….it doesnt LOOK raw! We have a raw kitchen over here in Fremantle. THeir raw pizza if to die for!
That’s twice that this little place has popped on my radar today … must mean i need to make the trip there. Tejas Tacos look wonderful. As does the lemon and blueberry cheesecake. Thanks for sharing.
Went to my first raw cafe in Palm Beach, Gold Coast whilst on a recent family holiday, which was called Genki Cafe. Genki is apparently Japenese which means enthusiastic, energetic, lively. The food was organic and the desserts were raw which was my first experience with raw food and i’ve steered away from vegan as my initial thoughts of the “diet/lifestyle” seeme bland and restrictive. When we had the raw blueberry tart and the raw tiramisu torte I was blown away with the flavour, texture and amazing “healthiness” of this beautiful food. That first experience has now sparked me to buy chia seeds and now protein powder and I have done heaps of internet searches and am convinced raw is amzaing and so beneficial to our bodies. Thank you for your review of this cafe. I live in Wollongong, so a drive is needed to be able to check this cafe out but it will certainly happen in the near future.
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