Bacino Cafe

Long blacks were very disappointing this morning. It only confirmed our suspicion when the lady next to us left a near full cup of black coffee. Come on Bacino; you have a good reputation to protect and we deserve better value for money

This is the only café in Clifton Gardens. This is also the tiniest café I’ve been to – it’s the size of two bathroom cubicles, maybe. I got a little claustrophobic ordering, because there is seriously room for only one customer inside at any given time, because it’s crammed with café stuff (and 2 employees.)
This being a small café, there aren’t that many choices. I ordered a chicken wrap, which they toasted, and I was lucky enough to get the very last one. It was surprisingly much better than I expected for being a pre-​made wrap.
Super friendly staff. There are tables out front, too.

Piping hot coffee with real flakes of chocolate, served just feet above the water … settle yourself on a preppy striped deckchair in the sun, wrap up in a fleecy red blanket if it’s chilly. What better way to enjoy harbour views in true local fashion? There are no shops or offices nearby — this is coffee to relax with. Join the neighbours, the joggers, the walkers at Bacino, across the sand from Clifton Gardens’ popular park and playground. Just be warned: this is fair weather service. When the clouds close in or the wind whips up the waves, Bacino Clifton Gardens closes its hole-​in-​the-​wall doors, and the barristas retreat to sister café Bacino Chowder Bay, around the corner. The coffee’s still great, but the setting drops a notch.

This is my favourite Bacino in Sydney. Located at Chowder Bay which on a former military base, it’s a great starting point to fuel up before a bush walk or to re-​fuel after a bike ride. Some out of the way places lack atmosphere but this place has a groovy sort of secret club vibe without the clique.
What makes this place a winner for us however is the seating outback which opens onto enclosed bushland. Finally, Brunch with a young boy who has ants in his pants is possible. Once he gets restless he can roam around without disturbing other people, including us.
It’s not cheap, such that we wouldn’t go every week but the food is delicious. My husband enjoys the full breakfast (of course, it’s weekend) and I share the corn fritters or Veggie breakfast with my son. A MASSIVE mango smoothie that is thick and indulgent always does the trick too.
Service here is very friendly and chatty. It’s a little hidden away and all the more gem like for it.
I’m pretty sure they only take cash so don’t get caught out.