Cafe Shenkin

A place to call home – that is at the very heart of Cafe Shenkin, and it is what has made the Sydney institution it is today. This spot in the heart of Erskineville in Sydney’s inner west, is the flagship location of the Shenkin brand, with several locations now spread across the city. Specialising in Middle Eastern cuisine with Israeli and European influences and traditions, Cafe Shenkin is without a doubt one of the most popular cafes in town – making it the ideal choice for relaxing with your nearest and dearest over a wholesome meal or coffees. Just be sure to book ahead though, as this Erskineville Road cafe fills up quickly!

So, what can you expect from the Erskineville location of Cafe Shenkin? Well, as the flagship location, you’ll find the central cafe for all the spaces here as well as a bakery pumping out some seriously enticing pastries. This humble spot began in 2007 after the family moved from Tel Aviv and has since flourished into a Sydney foodie haven serving delectable dishes and exceptional coffee. For breakfast, eat your way through the Israeli big breakfast with labenne, avocado, salad and smoked salmon; Tamar pancakes topped with vanilla creme, date molasses and fruit or the Middle Eastern favourite – shakshuka topped with eggplant and haloumi.

While Cafe Shenkin is open everyday for breakfast and lunch, it’s also open for dinner from Thursday to Saturday. If this is what you’re in for, expect to see Middle Eastern dishes like the ziva, a baked pastry with a rich three-cheese olive filling with loads of sides, the shakshuka hotpot and the baked salmon smothered with lemon and capers and served with potatoes. There’s plenty more besides at Cafe Shenkin so to be honest your best bet is to make a reservation and head to Erskineville as soon as possible. You’ll find it along Sydney’s Erskineville Road – just make sure you arrive hungry!