Deus Cafe Camperdown — Restaurant in Sydney

Nothing like having your nephew turn 18 to make you feel old. We had scheduled a lunch to celebrate with our nephew who just turned 18. We were racking our brains to think of somewhere cool to go and decided on the Deus Cafe in Camperdown.

This cafe/Restaurant/bar/motorcycle/streetwear shop was an ideal venue. The menu had variety to suit all in our dining party, from a 9 years old to a 60 year old and us somewhere in between. It is a cool and large dining space with decorated with motorcycle paraphernalia. The bar neatly stacked with spirits and mixers and a couple of craft beer taps. They also do coffee, juice and have a range of milkshakes to choose from.

All of the food on offer was enticing, however the meaball sub really stood out when we seen it being delivered to a table nearby and of course we had to order this. The meatball sub was substantial and the ideal option for one ravished with hunger. A huge baguette, filled to the bream with meatballs, smothered in a nepolitan sacue and melted cheese and served with a plate of crisps, that we added to the sub for a textural element. At $15 it was decent value too.

The younger ones of the group opted for the karage burger, this too was quite large, a tower of Japanese fried chicken, cabbage slaw, as well as pickles between a potato bun, and sauced with wasabi mayo. Some of the younguns were picky and thankfully the staff at Deus were happy to accomodate. We gave our 9 year old niece zero chance of finishing the burger, but she polished off the burger, chips and a gaytime milkshake, guess she worked up an appetite playing netball earlier that morning.

Come to think of it, all meals were huge. The mushroom burger was was also stacked. It too was a tower and the logistics of eating it, had us thinking of the right game plan to tackle it. This burger was tasty, it was too had a potato bun a solid field mushroom, haloumi, beetroot, lettuce, it was sauced with a tahini yogurt and a delicious bbq relish.

It wasn't all burgers and subs, there was also a Japanese lunch set. The set consisting of a katsu chicken rice, miso soup and accompanied by an assortment of condiments including seaweed, salad, kimchi, tempura and dipping sauce.

Deus was perfect for this occasion, the veue is cool, the staff were excellent, they were very accommodating. The menu had good variety and everyone enjoyed the food. A great cafe, restaurant and bar in the inner west and well...

High expectations mediocre breakfast.

false advertising unsanitary table salt low/med value for price average food good presentation great atmosphere

I've walked past this spot 100 times and finally made it in. I did my reasearch ahead of time and looked at their menu, specifically picked this spot over others because of their average prices advertised online and that they offered Eggs Benedict on GF potatoes pancakes (available until 12 dictates their online menu).

Upon arrival (just before 11:30) I instantly noticed that all menu items were several dollars more expensive than advertised online pushing the prices above average. I also observed that instead of salt shakers patrons pinch salt from a shallow bowl left on the table it was evident this bowl is not changed with each sitting which strikes me as unsanitary.

When we ordered they told us they had already stopped serving potato pancakes (contrary to online wdvertising). However service pulled a quick recovery and offered to serve eggs over potato hasbrown instead.

The presentation was great, hollandaise sub-par and otherwise an average meal. We did enjoy the food and the atmosphere was great. In conclusion I did not feel like I got good value for the price and was disappointed by false advertising online. However I did end up enjoying the cafe. I will may go back for coffee or drinks but in future will eat breakfast elsewhere.

Second visit

Gave them a second chance.

Busy spot. Service was slow and unfriendly. Took them 10 minutes to come and offer us a coffee and they never brought water and at the end of the meal they asked for a tip. Food was again good but I spent almost twice as much as I would for better at other cafes in he neighborhood.

I want to express again my discomfort with the table salt. They seated us at a long table with multiple couples and we shared a shallow bowl of salt with the patrons arround us. Everyone's fingers in the same salt bowl. Simple solution - put a spoon in the bowl to promote sanitary practice. Or even better - get regular shakers.

Final conclusion - tried twice. Don't feel...

My family and I have always enjoyed going to Deus for brunch and/or coffee. We lived in Tokyo, and had brunch at Deus at least once a month. Made it a point to visit the ones in Venice Beach as well as in Bali. Today was my third time to visit the one in Sydney but was greatly disappointed. I was by myself this time and ordered salmon salad which was one of the lunch menu specials, I didn't enjoy it from the first bite as the dressing wasnt to my taste, that was fine, so i dug on it slowly and started with the salmon a few mins later - but I thought the salmon was rather off, I couldn't eat even half of it anymore and so I told the male staff to let the chef know about it. He took my plate and said he would. When he didn't bother to return after about 10-15 mins, I asked a female staff to call his attention. So he comes back to me and said the chef has tried it and said the salmon was fine, and that he trusts his chef. Didn't offer me anything else to replace my salad or order anything else. He offered for me to speak with the chef who never came because he said he was rather busy (although by the time he took my plate, the place was already nearly empty)

I practically had to ask if they felt the need to apologise under such cIrcumstances. He apologized and said he would be happy to take 15% off my bill(!!!) I told him I didn't need his 15%, just didn't like how he and the chef has ignored me and my comment on my lunch! I felt it was an insult rather than an apology like I was after a free meal or something. I paid and left. I couldn't believe this has happened at a restaurant we so love...