Cambridge Lane Espresso

Serving the seaside suburb of Manly, Cambridge Lane Espresso is a charming coffee nook tucked down a laneway off Cambridge Parade.

The bright and airy cafe is simply styled with metal chairs, cast iron and timber tables and pressed tin trim on and behind the bar. Outside, tables and stools fill the tiny laneway while a dish of fresh water awaits four-legged friends.

The menu includes light and tasty breakfast dishes like salmon bagel; savoury mince on toast; veggie or bacon stack; avocado smash; and bacon & egg bagel. For lunch there's a selection of burgers (lemon pepper chicken, crumber barramundi, Angus beef, pulled pork or veggie) as well as roasted vegetable or calamari salad.

There's also a concise kids menu of crumber calamari, chicken nuggets or Belgian waffles.

The excellent coffee is Genovese while cold refreshments include milk shakes served in jars and Emma & Tom's organic drinks.

by Deb Lidster