Bangbang Espresso Bar and Café, Surry Hills – Rating: 17/25

Bangbang Espresso Bar and Café

Bangbang has been on our must-visit list for a long time.  It’s stream of positive reviews and celebrity-owner (Ministry of Sound DJ, Alan Thompson) put it on the radar as soon as it opened.  The decor is very modern and sparse but functional and surprisingly cosy!  The milk-crate tables outside have actually been screwed together as opposed to just stacked.  The large communal tables inside are good for large groups and inciting conversations with neighbouring patrons.  We found the waitstaff to be extremely efficient and helpful.  They need to be – with such a large menu, we didn’t know where to start…

Cappucino

You would think that serving Campos, Bangbang couldn’t put a foot wrong.  Our table was divided though.  Two of us enjoyed our flat whites while two others thought they were too acidic and watery.  If you’ve been there, let us know what you think of the coffee.

Kali Premium hot chocolate

The news on the hot chocolate ($4.40) front wasn’t looking much better as it was too watered down.  Kali Premium is used which is gluten and dairy free but we prefer our chocolaty drinks rich and indulgent.

Bangbang breakfast stack

The food is where Bangbang started to shine.  We didn’t have to wait long for our meals at all and the parade of fantastic-looking dishes started with the Bangbang breakfast stack ($16.90).  Squeals of delight could be heard from our guests as they discovered that the poached eggs had been prepared exactly how they liked them: runny yolks with firm whites.  The positive comments continued as they discovered the flavoursome spinach and potato rosti below.  The hollandaise sauce was hard to fault and the crispy pancetta on top is something different that added great texture and flavour.

English breakfast

Only positive comments, again, for the English breakfast ($19.50).  Free range pork sausage, bacon, two fried eggs, Bangbang baked beans, bubble and squeak, roast tomato and sourdough toast make this a ‘big breakfast’ eater’s delight.  Everything had been prepared well and, despite the size of the dish, presented well too.

2 soft boiled eggs with toasted Vegemite sourdough soldiers

The 2 soft boiled eggs with toasted Vegemite sourdough soldiers ($9.90) was hard to fault as the eggs were soft boiled and the bread was thick and tasty.  However there wasn’t enough bread to last 2 eggs so we ordered another side.

Welsh rarebit

Welsh rarebit ($14.50)… something very rarely seen on menus but absolutely perfect for winter days and treasured by those who know the dish.  This unfortunately was not a well executed rendition.  The sourdough toast provided a fantastic base but it was all down-hill from there.  The thick layer of mustard, (blackened) cheddar cheese and Worcestershire sauce on the side made for a very salty and overpowering combination.  Having tasted this dish prepared well before, we were left hunting the menu for a sweet fruit salad but left wanting.

Our suggestion (if we may be so bold) is to lighten up on the mustard, layer on more cheese and definitely do not charcoal most of the top of the dish.  Update: see Bangbang’s reply below in the comments section.

Bangbang Espresso Bar and Café

Our hunt for the best breakfast and coffee in Sydney continues but there are definitely some positives to Bangbang.  The extensive menu has something to please most tastes and the majority of it is prepared very well.  The hollandaise sauce and beans were some of the honourable mentions.  We were divided on our drinks and meals this week.  Some were exceptional and others disappointing.  We’re interested to know if any Sydney on Sunday readers have been to Bangbang and what you thought.

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Overall Rating: 17/25

Address: 113 Reservoir Street, Surry Hills, 2010
Phone: 9281 0018

Payment Options: Credit card, EFTPOS, cash