Stanley St Cafe - St Ives, Sydney

Stanley St Cafe in St Ives, founded by Patrick Asmar, stands out as a breakfast spot nestled in a car park off a suburban street in St Ives, away from the bustling laneways of St Ives Shopping Village. Despite the initial risk, the café’s success can be attributed in part to the Asmar family’s legacy, with Patrick’s father, Alf, being a recognized figure in the community due to his tenure at Wahroonga’s Cafe Laurella. The café occupies the space of a former bookshop destroyed by an electrical fire, transforming it into a vibrant coffee stop.
The menu at Stanley St Cafe offers a blend of Australian comfort dishes and Middle Eastern influences, reflecting the diverse tastes of its clientele. Popular items include poached eggs with labne and Phoenician eggs with hummus and spiced lamb. The café exudes a slightly grungy yet tasteful ambiance, characterized by furniture with a copper-pipe theme and dark wooden finishes. A hanging bicycle pays homage to weekend cyclists, while a whimsical monocle-wearing pug statue adds character to the space.

Stanley St Cafe is not only a place to grab a quick coffee but also offers a Middle Eastern-inspired café experience worth lingering over. Guests can enjoy dishes like labne and zaatar with their eggs in a relaxed and slightly grungy atmosphere. Despite its unconventional location, the café has carved out a niche for itself in the St Ives community, attracting patrons seeking a unique breakfast experience in a welcoming setting.