Cafe Sopra - Walsh Bay

Restaurants

The third Café Sopra is now open across the road from the Sydney Theatre Company and down the road from the Sydney Theatre

First published on 20 Apr 2010. Updated on 8 Apr 2011.

That's great news for theatregoers and Cate Blanchett fans (she's been spotted having lunch several times since the café opened in January). Not only can you now eat well (and cheaply) before the theatre: Rocks and Walsh Bay residents now have somewhere to shop.

Getting a good coffee at Sopra has never been a challenge. The machine grunts all day long and owners Barry and Jamie McDonald always employ good baristas. Service in general at Sopra is always top notch too - casual and breezy yet super-efficient.

You'll also find some of the best vegetarian food in the city here thanks to fruit and vegetorium to the stars Fratelli Fresh, located in the same building. Head chef Andy Bunn utilises the excellent produce on offer in dishes such as deep-fried zucchini flowers dusted with parmesan and some of the lushest salads you'll ever set eyes and teeth on. Don't miss fantastic pasta dishes such as their lasagne (a perfect winter warmer) or their risotto Milanese.

How about some waffles for dessert? They serve 'em with a big blob of vanilla gelato and a generous drizzle of honey. Then again, how could you go past Bunn's legendary banoffee pie? Here, it's layers of caramel, banana and whipped cream topped with chocolate shavings.

The Sopra folks don't take bookings, which can be a bit of a pain if you're looking to eat here pre-theatre – but then, the tables turn over pretty quickly. Order a $12 cocktail and do your fruit and veg shopping while you wait.

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Words by Myffy Rigby