Mado Cafe, Auburn

Mado Cafe has been an Auburn mainstay for years. I still remember the first time I went there after hearing stories about Turkish food from a friend’s travels. Stepping into a back room filled with ornate (and heavy) wood tables and chairs and decorated with hookahs then ordering plates of ice cream felt like an absolute contrast.

Mado is one of the few places where you can get the famous kesme maras ($7.50) – a block of slow-melting ice cream that’s eaten with a knife and fork. The addition of salep and mastic makes the ice cream chewy and firm. It’s sweet and milky and generally confuses those who aren’t already familiar with it. Example: “Why does it look like a brick? Hang on, there’s a knife and fork… How do I eat this? So I just cut it like a steak?”

Most people are here for the sweets which also includes kazandibi ($5.50) – a charred pudding – and firinda sutlac ($5.50) – an oven baked rice pudding – both of which are creamy but somehow not too rich. The kazandibi is a favorite. It’s a fluffy pillow-like pudding with a caramalized coating.

I’m one of those people who seemingly loves dips a little too much. If you’re like me, the three dip platter ($6.90) will make you the happiest person. Select whichever dips you want – my childhood favorites were hommus, jajic (diced cucumber with yogurt), and mint yoghurt – and devour them on thick slices of soft turkish bread. It’s basic but sometimes that’s all you need while chatting to friends over tea.

Speaking of tea, Mado also has salep ($4) – a viscous, milky and sweet drink made from the tuber roots of an early purple orchid and served hot. It’s perfect for cold weather but if it’s sweltering outside and you’re feeling a little adventurous, try some ayran ($3). It’s basically yogurt mixed with water and salt which sounds a little odd and I have to admit that it’s not for everyone. If neither of those sounds appetizing to you, just stick to a glass of cay ($2) which is Turkish tea.

There’s always people in Mado, no matter what time of day or night you happen to stop by. Tables are filled with families going out for dessert, old-timers talking over tea and coffee, and people who just need a snack. The continuing presence of a crowd should be enough to convince you to step in for some ice cream.

Mado Cafe
63 Auburn Rd
Auburn NSW 2144