Sydney council wasn’t overly keen on changing a loading dock into a café, but luckily for caffeine-dependent locals, Corduroy has launched after a 12-month DA pursuit. Sandwiched between the iconic Hotel Hollywood and red-hot hipster bar, Tio’s, this narrow café is pumping out quality pours of an exclusive Guatemalan/Colombian blend of Little Marionette – undoubtedly aided by the fact that LM’s roaster, Benny Stronach, is co-owner.

But running the show at Corduroy is biz partner Nigel Park, who sold out his stake in Manly small bars Safety Wolf and The Pony Room to see daylight again. Well, at least when he’s not DJing old-style rock and country, which explains the vintage ’70s stereo and plans to soon add a record player and lots of vinyl.

In the meantime, the space is decorated with a wall of black flower boxes planted with hard-to-kill bromeliads, plus a small back area with wood panels, stools and a long bench. Still, it’s best to drag your coffee outside and get some vitamin D by perching on the sidewalk’s concrete drains housing Foster Street’s new edible gardens.

Food is tasty but basic for now: one meat and one veggie sandwich, placed on your choice of Luxe sourdough or soy-linseed – think pulled pork or avocado, rocket, cucumber and provelone. There’s also Farmer Jo muesli and a choice of Luxe tarts: rhubarb, almond or custard at the mo’. Eats will pick up once barista Harry Levy – a former pastry chef at Black Star and Porteno – gets off his bum and sets up his off-site food business. We’re just saying, Harry….

Where: 4-14 Foster St, Surry Hills
Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-4pm, Sat 8am–4pm
Details: no website, but you can pre-order via www.beattheq.com