Toco Fresh Concord — Restaurant in Sydney

Competition along the Majors Bay Road shopping strip has made the people of Concord the winners. Toco Fresh is my second quality café experience there in as many weeks. With so many neighbouring cafes, the motif is clearly aim high, because nobody can afford to fail and see their repeat business decide to head next door.

Far from a cookie cutter café offering, Toco Fresh has a distinct point of difference from their popular Italianate neighbour. Bright colours are the first thing you’ll notice, across painted metal stools and chairs in their al fresco seating area, and in the bright neon signage within. With a larger outdoor space, there are plenty of racing bike propping opportunities, as the large group of MAMILs (middle-aged men in lycra) next to us suggests.

For them, and us, coffee is the first order of the day. Beans roasted by The Grounds in Alexandria are put to good effect in a Latte ($4) and a Flat White ($4), that both have well-balanced bitterness, body and robust flavour. We leave aside protein-based smoothies for freshly squeezed juice, choosing one called OT ($9). The well-presented drink has an enduring spicy ginger and peppery celery finish, but kicks off with green apple, cucumber and lemon, that makes it super-easy to neck.

Juicy buttermilk chicken makes The Dirty Bird ($18) easy to devour. The oil-free fried bird is piled onto a single Belgian-style waffle with sweet pickles and a slurp of maple syrup, making an easily manageable rendition of the ever-popular Southern American dish.

Spying both house-made brisket and pork belly appearing across a number of items in Toco Fresh’s all-day breakfast and lunch list, I resolved to try both of them. Piled onto toast with cooked spinach to break up the intensity, thin slices of brisket are the basis of the Texas Eggs Benny ($20). Unlike the fried chicken, this is a substantial dish, with two poached eggs hiding under the mass of cleverly smokey Bearnaise.

The brisket is good, but Toco Fresh's roast pork is even better. Eaten inside a sesame-seed topped charcoal burger bun as the Osaka ($18), the thinly sliced, honest and porky roast has little bits of crackling scattered throughout. The pig is the highlight of this sandwich that teams it with tasty cheese, coleslaw, crushed cashews and wasabi mayonnaise, and calls it Japanese. I’d call it modern Australian myself, but whatever you happen to name it, it’s definitely a tasty,...

Toco Fresh is located amongst the strip of shops along Majors Bay Road, Concord. With so many restaurants and shops in the precinct, it’s good to know what’s on offer in order to make an informed decision of where to visit. Toco Fresh has the perfect mix of healthy and indulgent menu options, which makes it suitable for any clientele.

The store is obvious from the street with its alfresco tables and bright stools, and as you enter, you will see some neon signage drawing you inside. The café would be described as a casual dining space, which makes for a laid back café visit.

Toco Fresh uses beans from the Grounds and we order a latte and cappuccino. Although missing the latte art, the coffee was nicely made. We follow up with a freshly squeezed pineapple juice to beat the December heat. They also have a range of smoothies, some with the addition of protein for the gym goers amongst us.

From light brekkie such as eggs on toast or fruit salad to brekkie rolls, healthy bowls, burgers and salads, the menu really has a good range of options that it would be hard not to find something for you. We love that they do an all day breakfast and we opted for Toco Pancakes at lunchtime! Fresh Buttermilk pancakes, topped with fresh fruit, berry compote, whipped cream and maple syrup. This decadent dish was generous in in size and good for a sweet treat. They do also have waffles and French toast if sweet is what you’re after.

We also order one of our go-to’ dishes, the Eggs Benny. Sourdough topped with spinach, poached eggs and a creamy hollandaise. You can also get this with brisket, pork belly or chorizo.

From the lunch section, we opt for a burger. A charcoal bun is something that always takes my fancy, and the soft brioche bun was encasing a crispy fried Japanese style chicken fillet, double cheese, mixed pickles, aioli mayo and you can add regular fries, sweet potato fries or salad to your order.

If you’re keen for something a little more healthy, they have acai bowls, salads and grilled plates.

The prices here are reasonable and with such a big menu than spans many diners, it really is a no-brainer to visit if...

Grateful I discovered Toco Fresh! It is a gem tucked in the heart of the Concord community, a space that doesn’t just serve food, but serves feeling.

The vibe is what pulls you in first; it’s a place where the air feels lighter, the music is just right, and the atmosphere welcomes you like an old friend.

Here, the walls are alive with vibrant, ever-changing art, each piece echoing the soulful evolution of the café’s cuisine. Creativity is expressed on the walls and on the plate.

Speaking of plates, my 8-year-old son, a young yet seasoned global traveler with a palate sharper than most adults I know, gave the cheeseburger and fries an enthusiastic 10 out of 10. A rare accolade from him, and one not given lightly. The burger arrived at the perfect temperature, with just the right residual heat to keep everything warm yet never overdone, a small detail, but a testament to the kitchen’s precision.

I also ordered the matcha latte and was so grateful for this after a long flight. It was vibrant, full-bodied, and lovingly poured, crowned with a heart in the frothed oat milk. A small moment of beauty that made the experience all the more special. Beyond grateful.

It’s all about the vibe here. The kind that invites you to slow down, savor, and stay awhile. Every visit feels a little different, yet always familiar, just like the best kind of neighborhood...