The Lion and Buffalo has won Time Out Love Sydney’s 2018 title.
The campaign honours the most loved venues around the world, voted for by locals.
“It’s a huge honour for us to be named Most Loved Café in Sydney, we are very lucky to have such loyal customers and a fantastic team working with us,” says Anna Allison, The Lion and Buffalo Owner.
Caroline McGinn, Global Editor in Chief at Time Out said local recommendations from the campaign have helped capture great new and existing venues.
“Local businesses are the beating heart of a city’s neighbourhoods and this campaign is a fantastic way to show your love for all those hidden gems. We want to champion these independents and their entrepreneurial spirit and give them the spotlight they deserve,” Caroline says.
For the past two and a half years, The Lion and Buffalo has grown into a popular South Coogee favourite foodie destination. Housed in a former corner store, the café brings passionate locals together, and the community’s been growing with people from all over Sydney.
A La Marzocco GB 5 pumps out Single O’s Killer Bee blend, which Anna says is great for milk-based coffees but extremely popular in blacks. It’s a sweet blend with flavours of dark honey, toffee, and tropical fruit sweetness, with mild acidity, creamy texture, and a long milk chocolate finish.
“Customers really know our coffee. We spoil our customers with our quality and if it’s ever not up to scratch they’ll tell us out of courtesy,” Anna says. “People comment all the time we’re a Melbourne-quality café in Coogee. We take it as a compliment.”
Located in South Coogee, Anna says there’s a real community vibe in the residential area. Everybody knows each other’s name, neighbours who have lived in the area for 20 years without talking now unite frequently at the café, and elderly citizens use the facility as a place to catch up with loved ones. A 90-year-old woman across the road won’t leave the house except to walk over to the café.
“We love our strong sense of community. Customers are part of our community and we’re proud to operate a place for them to interact,” Anna says. “We have a strong connection with our customers. I came from Poland 12 years ago not speaking a word of English. I’ve worked in pubs and hospitality jobs, but always had a dream of opening my own café. Now I have.”
The Lion and Buffalo is open seven days a week, and focuses on exceptional Australian produce in an all-day menu.
Besides indulge in the food and coffee menu – stare at the huge mural of a woman holding a rabbit, painted by world-famous street artist Fintan Magee.
To see the full list of Time Out Love Sydney 2018, visit www.timeout.com/lovesydney
