Tripod Cafe, Darlington

Whenever I walk to the Camperdown campus of Sydney University, I walk past Tripod. Outside, the café sign features three peas in a pod and hangs over giant wooden spools that double as low tables. Tripod is one of a stretch of cafes that line Abercrombie St and is usually filled with locals having lazy lunches and a steady stream of uni students picking up their daily dose of caffeine.

Upon first glance, Tripod seems to be really small, offering only 20 seats on a sunny day but once you step inside, there’s also courtyard in the back and two rooms upstairs. The courtyard is bright but my favorite thing is the large amount of greenery that lines the far wall which makes the space feel airy. In contrast, the upstairs area is cosy; one room has couches and a coffee table, the other has a few tables and mismatched chairs. Muffins and other baked goods (sometimes friands!) are laid on the counter for you to buy, but they’re mostly gone after midday. It’s every bit an inviting hideaway in the suburbs.

Small latte ($3.50)

If you’re tired from late nights spent working or partying, wake yourself up with some coffee on-the-go. They do everything from piccolos to cappuccinos. There’s even something that I’ve never heard of before: espresso served over ice with sparkling water and a little orange zest, also known as sparkling espresso. You’ll have to stay in the café for that though. Got some time? Sit down with a pot of peppermint tea or Indian chai. Freshly squeezed juices come with names like “immunity” or “energize”, but if none of those catch your fancy, you can choose your own selection of fruit and vegetables.

Reuben sandwich ($10); Mixed berry smoothie ($6.50)

I had the unfortunate luck of striking out twice that day. Once with the mango smoothie (they had run out) and again with the reuben. A shortage of sauerkraut meant that purple cabbage coleslaw was in the sandwich, but it was yummy anyway. Serving food on wooden boards is generally a sore spot with me but at least Tripod puts some layers of baking paper between food and board. The stacks of corned beef and swiss on rye had me turning it into open-faced reubans and a pickle sandwich. Burgers, salads, and rolls make up the rest of the menu; there’s a pulled pork roll and double cheeseburger that sounds like a good lunch. Each week there are also specials like roast pumpkin, pinenut and feta salad with sweet chili dressing. They’ll be scrawled in chalk on the boards next to the stairs.

The upstairs nook is a great place to bring your laptop and work on your thesis while enjoying a nice lunch. There’s also a small window next to the table to remind you that an outside world filled with fresh air exists. Both that area and the courtyard are popular, so if you want to be guaranteed a seat, avoid arriving during lunch hours. That said, the food and coffee tick all the boxes and the staff are friendly. It’s worth it, even if you have to sit with the giant spool tables out the front. There will definitely be another visit to try the crispy chicken burger a friend recommended.

Tripod Cafe
262 Abercrombie St
Darlington NSW 2008
Website