Esca

While exploring Glebe, I stopped by Esca Cafe & Restaurant for a quick break. I ordered the Iced Matcha Latte, and it was refreshing but quite mild in flavor — I personally prefer a stronger matcha taste. The vibe of the cafe was relaxed, with a cozy outdoor seating area perfect for people-watching. Overall, it’s a nice spot for a casual stop, especially if you’re strolling around the area, but if you’re a hardcore matcha lover like me, you might find the drink a little too light.

Esca’s all-day breakfast is outstanding with the service to match. The ricotta with roasted tomato, basil and balsamic is perfectly balanced, the halloumi adds a delicious salty bite, and the beautifully poached egg ties it all together. Fresh, indulgent and absolutely delicious. Walk don’t run….

Stopped by to grab a coffee and croissant to take away and wished that I had time to stay and sit in and take in my surroundings a little longer. The cafe interior is calm, with lots of charm, with goodies and gifts to review in their shelves. The service was great and the coffee and croissant were perfect!

I was blown away! My adult son and I came upon this beautiful Cafe looking for brunch. The food was beautiful. Best steak sandwich in Sydney according to my son! Prawn and mango salad was delicious. Great service and beautiful decor. We'll be back 😊

Tucked away toward the quieter end of Glebe Point Road, opposite the library, Esca is one of those rare cafés that actually respects the idea of calm. The food is consistently excellent, the atmosphere unpretentious and thoughtfully serene. My go-to breakfast is simple—scrambled eggs with spinach or haloumi, paired with a proper pot of tea. And when I say proper, I mean it: hot, strong, and made with quality leaves. No tepid water, no sad supermarket bags floating in the cup. They serve a very good English Breakfast blend; they once offered a French Breakfast tea I adored, but alas, it’s vanished from the menu. Friends who are coffee devotees swear by it here, too. The service is always pleasant and efficient, never the faux-friendly kind you find elsewhere. The tables are spaced apart with comfortable chairs and you can actually converse with your friends. Best of all, here’s no blaring playlist of thumping bass or wailing vocals—that bane of Australian cafés. Owners Jim and Effie deserve real credit: they keep standards high and seem to genuinely care about what their customers enjoy. In short, Esca is that increasingly rare find—a café that feels civilised. Easily the best in Glebe.