Cooks River Canteen - Earlwood

Back home in Australia and off to lunch with the Aunt and Cousin.

There is excellent space for kids all around this canteen. The coffee was surprisingly nice and food selection was good too. It was quiet so service was fine. Parking was everywhere. This is a great space for kids to have fun and parents to enjoy a coffee.

Having patronised the canteen as a morning walker around the Cooks River track recently I'm loath to let this little gem out of the bag, but it's such a handy, unassuming stop-off for walkers and families in this part of the world I thought the rest of Sydney deserved to know more!If you are taking the Cooks River walk around from Tempe to Earlwood/Marrickville/Canterbury, there's a great spot to unwind and enjoy some refreshments near Gough Whitlam Park. But there's only a small "Cafe Open" sign near the bird-watching lookout path that gives this canteen's location away. Don't be put off - walk down the right path and find yourself in a quiet oasis where the Cooks River Canteen operates from 8am-4pm weekdays, earlier on weekends. Situated between two very well-equipped children's playgrounds is a small seated area where you can stop for a takeaway coffee, hot pasty or pie - or try one of their fabulous toasties or jaffles. My fave is the honey and ricotta - all at reasonable prices too (note it's cash only). The canteen is mostly packed with local morning walkers when I'm there and mother's groups in the park - and it's pet friendly in these parts also. They serve Hungry Goat coffee - a mix of Ethiopian and high country beans that is medium mild, and not too shabby while you're trying to wake up! You can continue on your walk after being suitably refreshed or for those who are coming for the playground, park the car in the Gough Whitlam carpark accessed from Bayview Rd and spend the morning/afternoon lazing under the trees. Kids will love the mini flying fox and play equipment, or why not take them around to the bird-watching platform for a spot of nature watching. On more than one occasion I've seen fathers with their sons here pondering over the pond's daily spawn, coffee and cakes in hand. Plenty of people also just like to stop off for a coffee and relax with a book, or each other's company, in this part of the world. It's hard to give this one away!

Love these guys (and gals), they've brought to life this corner of the world. It's buzzing on weekends. Nice coffee and their toasties are god too, Jalapeno and chorizo gets a special mention. No frills and plenty of smiles. Great for the kids with the playground right next to the canteen.

Great place to stop off while walking around the river with your dog. Good food and coffee. Handy addition to the local community cafe options.