Matinee - Marrickville, Sydney

Matinee Coffee in Marrickville offers a spacious and welcoming environment for patrons to enjoy brunch without reservations. Owned by Charles Cameron, the café serves house-made pastries, sodas, and relishes alongside their own roasted coffee and a variety of delicious dishes, accommodating various dietary requirements. Inspired by NYC’s bold brunch culture, Matinee’s retro design, crafted with assistance from Luchetti Krelle, features vibrant colors, plush velvet chairs, and a mural reminiscent of old-school milk bars.

Chef Michael Smith curates a concise yet inventive menu, including hazelnut brioche French toast, coffee-rubbed pork hash, and Persian rice kedgeree for breakfast, and hand-rolled saffron pasta with hot smoked salmon for lunch. The café also caters to dietary needs with options like a dairy-and-gluten-free lemon meringue pie made with aquafaba. Matinee’s house-blend coffee, designed to taste like Neapolitan ice cream, complements the menu, which offers vegan shakes and alcoholic beverages, including draught beer from local brewery The Grifter Brewing Co.

With a focus on creating a vibrant yet thoughtful space, Matinee Coffee combines show business elements like red velvet-roped entrances with practical considerations, such as ample seating for groups. The café’s commitment to quality, creativity, and inclusivity, evident in its diverse menu and attention to detail, aims to provide a memorable dining experience reminiscent of a daytime show where everyone is welcome.