The Bearded Baristaa

Opened in late 2021, The Bearded Baristaa is Sydney Park's new favourite coffee and brunch spot. 

Built into a new apartment block on the western side of the park, it's the perfect spot for a park pit stop. Roll up to the cafe's front espresso bar for takeaway, which is where you'll typically find co-owner Khaled Alfas—and his epic beard. If you're keen to stay a while, head out the back to chill in the leafy courtyard.

"We wanted to create an inviting but uniquely styled cafe where you have the option to sit and enjoy a coffee, or a fancy feed," Alfas explains. Alfas co-owns the cafe with business partner John Ebid.  

The Bearded Baristaa does cafe staples with a seriously delicious Middle Eastern twist. Think loaded baklava toast with whipped ricotta, honey, pistachio, and orange zest; a towering and spicy basturma Reuben sando; and sujuk hummus on toast with pickled onion and a fried egg.

The signature B&E is a milk bun packed with a sunny side-up egg, bacon, cheddar, and aioli. You can also grab ka'ak-style sandwiches with fillings like cheese and sumac or sujuk and egg, and a selection of daily manoush specials too. 

While the menu is worth a visit on its own—coffee at The Bearded Baristaa is a major highlight, with specialty blends and brews on offer daily. "When choosing Reformatory Caffeine Lab, we really took the time to narrow it down to what and who we felt was the most consistent," says Alfas. 

"Our main focus for the cafe is to really build our brand and create an amazing community," Alfas continues. With locals (and their four-legged pals) lined up on the reg, it seems The Bearded Baristaa crew has already achieved this. 

As for what's coming up, Alfas says, "we are looking at expanding a cheeky doggy menu as we are keen on being a pet-friendly cafe. We're even looking into a liquor license so we could possibly hold a  tapas night with come cheeky cocktails."

Image credit: The Bearded Baristaa