Cuckoo Callay, Newtown

It’s safe to say that cafes at train stations are fairly average and unremarkable most of the time, but Newtown station isn’t your average station with its revamped concourse which is home to the funky Cuckoo Callay cafe. The Alice in Wonderland inspired name gives you an idea of the vibrant and quirky decor you can expect inside, with a bustling front counter area for takeaways and snacks, and a cosy, brightly coloured dining area further in.

The team behind Cuckoo Callay are passionate foodies themselves and it really shines through in their meticulously curated menu, with premium suppliers (think Vic’s Meats and Single Origins coffee beans) helping them execute quality dishes, like the cheekily named #Hashtag Browns. The hash brown has a pleasingly crispy exterior (albeit chunkier than usual innards) and is matched with silky smooth slivers of house cured salmon, poached egg and chunks of fresh avocado with an artful schmear of pea puree to cap it all off. A very satisfying brunch dish, though it could’ve done with some sauce for the hash browns.

#Hashtag Browns, $17

DK chose the Pulled Duck which was something a bit different from the usual pulled pork. The Pulled Duck came with sauteed potatoes, a mound of green lentils, shaved asparagus, poached egg and a lovely spiced chilli jam. The chilli jam gave it a wonderful flavour and acted as a great sauce (otherwise the rest of the dish gets a bit dry on its own).

Pulled Duck, $22

The Nutella Salted Caramel Thickshake caught our eye on the menu and we’re glad we ended up ordering this heavenly concoction which was the ultimate guilty pleasure. The Nutella isn’t all that apparent, but the rich, creamy notes of the salted caramel and vanilla from the ice cream more than made up for it.

Nutella Salted Caramel Thickshake $7

I also got my usual coffee order (a mocha), which hit the spot – no doubt in part thanks to the Single Origins beans.

Mocha, $3.50

Cuckoo Callay is a fine example of a cafe with serious attention to detail and we’re fans of their fun, quirky interior with lots of built in details playing on the Alice in Wonderland theme. Cuckoo Callay is so much more than your standard station cafe, punching above its weight and more than deserves its place in the Newtown cafe scene with reasonable prices for generous servings.

Excuse Me Waiter dined as guests of Cuckoo Callay

Cuckoo Callay
324 B, Newtown Railway station, Newtown NSW 2042
Ph: (02) 9557 7006