Calico - Cafe, Restaurant, Pizzeria & Bar — Restaurant in Sydney

On a sunny morning in early March, I was drawn into the inviting atmosphere of the charming Calico Cafe on Abercrombie Street. Upon entering, you're greeted by a welcoming front room that seamlessly transitions into the dining area. Bathed in a warm yellow glow, the dining room exudes an artisanal charm with handmade chairs and lush greenery adorning the walls. I had the delightful opportunity to engage in conversation with one of the cafe's co-owners. “My name is Paul, a part owner of Calico cafe in Redfern... We turn it into a restaurant / bar of an evening” Paul, one of the brothers that owns the Calico Cafe and restaurant in Redfern, is a hard worker whose passion for creating a unique experience shows during all hours of the day. Paul and his brother, Matthew, transformed their space into a loving cafe by day and a vibrant restaurant by night. I visited the cafe both during the day and at night, curious to experience its ambiance in different lighting conditions and to observe any differences in the atmosphere and clientele. The sunlight filtering through during the day, coupled with the comforting hum of the coffee machine, infuses a warm energy into its light aesthetic. Conversely, as night falls, the dimmed lights set a special ambiance, creating a unique atmosphere. What I found was that although it changed from cafe to restaurant/bar, the vibes remained homey and welcoming. “I think it looks like a farmhouse mixed with a New York studio apartment. It's extremely welcoming. Feels like walking into a familiar home,” said Tess, a Calico regular. The inspiration behind the Calico menu reflects Paul and Matthew's diverse background, infusing Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavors to offer a culinary journey distinct from the typical Australian menu and dining experience. “Our food, Our concept, our location, our figure is totally different to most cafes.” Additionally, boasting a state-of-the-art pizza oven, their artisanal pizzas have quickly become a customer favorite, adding another dimension to their menu's appeal. What truly sets Calico apart is its sense of community. Paul and his team go above and beyond to create a welcoming environment where customers feel like family. “We treat you not just as a customer, as a friend,” said Paul. From hosting birthday parties to organizing live music events and even pizza-making classes, they actively engage with the local community, building lasting relationships beyond the transactional nature of a typical cafe. While seated in the cozy confines of the cafe, I couldn't help but notice Paul's outgoing nature as he traversed between tables, effortlessly engaging with each group of lunchtime diners. His laughter, like a melody, echoed throughout the space, drawing the attention of a gentleman who later revealed to me that he was a regular visitor to Calico. As Paul mentioned “We know a lot of our customers, we know them personally”. The atmosphere buzzed with energy, and Paul effortlessly carried out his typical day-to-day interactions. “He's like a father figure," remarked Olivia, a loyal customer who stops by for a daily takeaway coffee. It's evident that Paul's dedication to his business runs deep, fueled by a genuine passion for fostering connections and creating memorable experiences. “I will do today like an 8 an hour day. And I'll do it again tomorrow. Then I'm up again Sunday and I'm back here Monday” With unwavering commitment, tireless effort, and a heartfelt love for bringing people together, Paul and his brother have transcended the mere concept of a cafe; they've crafted a thriving community hub. “It's family, it's the way we present our food, our taste of our food, it's just a whole combination of things. It's a service we give our people.” In every cup of coffee poured and every warm exchange shared, their commitment to cultivating a welcoming environment shines through, leaving an indelible mark on all who enter...

You might think Surry Hills and Marrickville are the go to spots for a good cafe, but we also recommend checking out their neighbours in Redfern because there’s plenty of quality spots hidden amongst the backstreets. Calico is one of these. They also don’t have a prolifically posted Instagram which is a bit of a shame since their amazing food warrants more publicity. It’s good that we’d heard about this via word of mouth.

Located on Abercrombie Street in Redfern/Darlington occupying the spot that once was Rabbit Hole tea. It is a large venue with plenty of seating and some tables in the front and outdoor area. Style wise, I love the wooden walls, hanging greenery and vintage items paired with some on trend flower arrangements. I also appreciate the juxtaposition if materials and design like the geometric tiles on the floor and circular wooden wall frame.

Staff are friendly and eager to please, sorting us out with menus and water. They were very accommodating with our little niece’s requests and also they thankfully they let us have our puppy in the front section of seating.

The menu is quite extensive and hosts a range of items that in addition to the expected brunch items are a range of what seems to be Middle Eastern / Mediterranean influences. Not your run of the mill menu and I like this.

Inside they have also have some pre made sandwiches if you’re on the go as well as some amazing cakes and sausage rolls and pies. Our niece ordered their bolognaise pie - well cooked pastry and a light and nicely spiced mince inside, which she ate by pulling off the top and eating it first, as kids apparently do.

The pea cracker piqued by interest. A really good option for those with dietary requirements, for it is vegetarian, vegan, gluten free and dairy free. The Gluten free cracker was topped with a smooth puréed mix of broadbean, edamame and mint and then topped with some of these beans and pomegranates. It looked so beautiful and tasted light and delicious. I would definitely re order this.

We also tried their flavoursome stuffed eggplant, filled with pearl barley, Napoletana sauce and sitting atop a spread of hummus and feta.

Our dining party also tried a really interesting menu option; their Falafel scotch egg and coleslaw. Like a normal scotch egg in its preparation, but the egg sits inside a falafel rather than meat. So cool! -

We also had their halloumi wrap and a few coffees; brought to us by Cleanskin. A full bodied smooth coffee with notes of berries, cocoa and caramel. If you’re not a coffee drinker, there’s a huge drink list with smoothies, kombucha, vegan protein shakes and milkshakes as well as organic tea.

Overall this is a great...

Set on a sunny corner in Redfern, Calico Redfern puts the hospitality back into all-day venues. We were greeted and seated the second we walked in the door. Despite it being a busy Saturday lunch, staff emitted a relaxed vibe, taking time at the table to joke with my dining companion about his need to be double-parked with a spicy Margie ($18) and something from the rotating on-tap list. The zingy margarita was very well-infused with fresh green jalapeño. The Grifter pale ale ($9) was a quaffer, and staff happily transferred my bottled beer selection—a Stone & Wood Pacific Ale ($10)—to a chilled glass.

The menu holds interest across all three meals. For lunch we narrowed it down to glazed lamb shoulder skewers ($19). They looked small on the plate but when transferred into half moons of soft Israeli pita with labneh, well-dressed parsley salad and beetroot pickles, they made up two decent and delicious tender lamb sangers.

Pizzas, plucked from an Italian Marana Forni pizza oven, were well-handled with light fluffy bases and good, even blistering. Against a good amount of quality mortadella with a burrata centrepiece you get to pop yourself, Saporita ($29) impressed with duelling snakes of crema al pistacchio and Sicilian red pesto. It was even better with liberal helpings of their chilli oil. I’m contemplating leaving this one on my to-do list so I return...