Barcycle

I’m a resident of this neighbourhood community, and it is great to be able to drop by and have the best coffee, the freshest home-​styled Italian dishes for lunch or dinner.

Some of the best discoveries come when another door shuts… Wanting to have a few drinks while in Walsh Bay on a Saturday evening with our dog, we had planned to go to Ventuno, but despite being largely outdoor, they had a no dog policy. Not far away, Barcycle seemed far more relaxed, and we perched on the high stools at the front. There was no issue about our dog, and in fact a container of water was happily provided.
The café had only recently (perhaps just that weekend?) started to stay open late on Friday and Saturday nights, mainly for the pre-​theatre crowd, with authentically Italian share plates and a short but perfectly sufficient drinks list. To cool down on the warm summer night, I started with a Pimms, served in a shortish glass piled high with fruit. Next up I switched to the pinot grigio, plus we ordered the platter of three dips, which was very tasty.
After going for wander around Bangaroo Reserve, we couldn’t resist returning for dinner. We choose one of the meat platters, but the stand-​out was the pizza. There were no options for toppings; in true Italian style it was only available one way: a half-​and-​half combination of thinly sliced potatoes and a tomato topping with anchovies. It was perfectly matched with a glass of house red, one of those house reds that is simply delicious despite being so cheap.
Highly recommended!

Barcycle clearly has the best coffee around the Walsh Bay piers. This little hole in the wall care/​bike shop (who knew this would be such a good combination?) is a favourite of the many businesses around the area, especially the theatre companies so be prepared to stand in a bit of a line if you come for your morning coffee. However it is definitely worth it! With its al fresco seating and homemade sandwiches and pastas (the pasta is actually homemade, not just the sauce) and all day breakfast its the perfect place for breakfast, brunch and lunch.
The owners and staff are always friendly and ready to give you advice on menu options. It’s a great little local because they never forget a face or a coffee order so if you’re lucky enough to become a regular in this gorgeous spot then you’ll soon be known to the staff there. My recommendation is to try the meatball sandwich, the owner’s mother makes the meatballs and they are delicious or the bacon and egg roll. One of the best I’ve ever had!

Damnit, The coffee and service is so bloody good every time I fly from Europe, I just have to stop off here.
Alberto I’m coming for you, get my coffee ready!

Bikes and coffee — why wouldn’t the two go together?
Barcyle was born out of the obsession of owner and former Italian pro cyclist Alberto Talone. Aside from offering all day breakfast, lunch and coffee, bike hire and fitting services are also available next door. For bike-​lovers, you couldn’t get much better than this. For a non-​cyclist, like myself, the various cycling related paraphernalia adds an element of quirk.
Alberto is a perfectionist, and it’s easy to see he takes pride in making coffee the way it should be, as well as serving up a decent breakfast or lunch.
The food menu is simple, but executed well. The coffee is amazing (and I say this as an ex-​Melburnian coffee snob). Best coffee in Walsh Bay — if not all of Sydney.
Barcyle is a favourite of locals — but also worth traveling to, especially if you’re seeking a place to write or escape the noise of the city.
Set on the quiet side of the Harbour, with amazing views over the water, this place is likely to boom along with the rest of the area, with the development of Barangaroo. Getting in early feels a little like being in on a secret.