Reuben Hills

https://onthegrid.city/sydney/surry-hills/reuben-hills

On the Grid : Reuben Hills

"Reuben Hills is kind of everything that’s both so wrong and so right with Surry Hills, distilled down into the purest of forms. The coffee tastes exceptional… but to get it, you’re probably going to have to deal with a man-bunned barista who has no time for ignorance of bean origins. Whatever food you order will undoubtedly be a big pile of delicious, exotic ingredients… laid out for visual impact, not ease-of-consumption. The fit-out is reminiscent of that semi-secret New York coffee shop you'll find in a back alley in Manhattan. A garage converted into a clean, homely cafe with industrial touches. Basically, if you love horn-rimmed glasses, you’ll love Reuben Hills." - For the People

Sydney Cafés for Coffee Lovers

@afar

"Coffee Doesn't Get Much Cooler In a converted warehouse decked out with white and blue tiles and colored LED light strips, Reuben Hills prepares house-roasted, single-origin coffee three ways (filter, cold-brew, and espresso) and hosts cupping and tasting sessions every Friday at 10 a.m. The food is java-focused, too, inspired by buying trips to Central and South America. Menu staples include eggs with queso fresco and black beans, sopapillas , torta ahogada , and a spiced grilled chicken sandwich with tomatillo salsa (pictured). For non-coffee drinkers, there are fresh juice blends, Mexican Coke, and some seriously tempting milkshakes."

"Reuben Hills, Surry Hills by For the People. Reuben Hills is kind of everything that’s both so wrong and so right with Surry Hills, distilled down into the purest of forms.The coffee tastes exceptional… but to get it, you’re probably going to have to deal with a man-bunned barista who has no time for ignorance of bean origins.Whatever food you order will undoubtedly be a big pile of delicious, exotic ingredients… laid out for visual impact, not ease-of-consumption.The fit-out is reminiscent of that semi-secret New York coffee shop you'll find in a back alley in Manhattan. A garage converted into a clean, homely cafe with industrial touches.Basically, if you love horn-rimmed glasses, you’ll love Reuben Hills."

Sydney

https://www.cntraveler.com/story/what-to-do-in-sydney-the-black-book

What to Do in Sydney: The Black Book | Condé Nast Traveler

"Grab a latte at Reuben Hills, stroll Crown Street for its boutiques (The Standard), hit Tap Gallery, and dream of relocating to one of the Victorian homes along the way."

https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/best-coffee-shops-in-sydney

15 Best Coffee Shops in Sydney | Condé Nast Traveler

"This micro-roastery in Sydney’s coffee heartland, Surry Hills, roasts its own coffee upstairs and showcases the results in its ground-floor café. They pride themselves on meeting farmers in the source countries to sample and select small lots. Try their coffee black, white, or filtered, or the cold brew and iced latte options. Teas include their own black blend and Apple Native Iced Tea, while drinks get Latino (order the house-made iced horchata or Mex Coke). Quirky milkshakes span coffee and salted caramel." - Sophie Davies

juneny Cooking

Google

I really like the coffee here. The food might seem like your usual breakfast menu at first, but they’ve added creative twists—like corn pancakes, crispy pork belly with pineapple jalapeño sauce, and scrambled eggs with sautéed onions. Everything is really interesting. The atmosphere is great too, with a stylish mood and tone. I’ll definitely be back to try more of their coffee.

Kim

Google

Food was good, veggie bowl was the best ! Really nice vibe, just minor was I ordered warm coffee (around 50-55 degrees) but it was really cold coffee (roughly 30 degrees..) Still deserve 5 starts, food was absolutely nice

Carven H

Google

I really enjoyed their coffee here, it was so good that I ordered a 2nd round. Their decaf coffee was great too! We had the huevos divorciados and Wagyu Reuben. The Reuben was great with thick slices of meat. Huevos had lovely flavour but was messy to eat (hence the divorce name I guess!)

Lara Rezende

Google

I’ve been here more than once, and the staff are always super friendly. The food is delicious and well-presented – even though the overnight oats in their photo had more garnish (like flowers) than the one I got, it still looked great and tasted amazing. I also looove their visual identity (uniforms, menu, website etc)

madhuparna basak

Google

Reuben may look like a tiny café from the outside, but it's surprisingly spacious inside with two entrances. The food and service were absolutely on point. We had the flat white, mocha, and matcha latte—each one was delicious. The ricotta pancakes were heavenly, and the soft baked eggs did not disappoint, though I found the sauce a bit too tangy for my taste. The sourdough with AP was as great as ever and the LP chorizo was a fantastic add-on. Overall, a great spot with quality food and a lovely vibe.

zzz

Google

Came here on a rainy morning and the server was welcoming to us. We were told that we could sit anywhere we wanted. This place has got nice coffee atmosphere that I liked a lot. They have an extensive option of food and drinks on their menu. We went for Not The Reuben sandwich and fried chicken basket for sharing. We had mocha and matcha latte for drinks. Not The Reuben sandwich was to die for. We were amazed by the taste and quality of the Wagyu and ingredients. Every bite of it was heaven. Fried chicken basket came with chipotle and bbq sauce which brought out the taste of the chicken. The chicken was fried to the crispiness to my liking and it wasn’t oily and overly salty. I loved every bit of it and i wish the portion was bigger as I couldn’t get enough of it. Even the matcha latte was pretty solid to me even though the size was a tad small. It had got rich matcha flavor and not overpowered by milk. Overall I enjoyed my dining experience here and would love to come back again to try more items on their menu. I would love to have Not The Reuben again too!

Bryan D

Google

Have been coming to this bustling Surry Hills cafe for a decade and it never fails to deliver. The food and coffee is always great. The design of the cafe is very cool and it a nice relaxed vibe.

Alyssa A

Google

A lovely cafe nestled in the leafy Surry hills serving the most scrumptious Reuben sandwich! 🥪 So generous with thick slices of wagyu brisket + slaw, mayo and manchego cheese in some perfectly toasted rye. Loved the vibes here.

Sarah C.

Yelp

We've been to Reuben Hills plenty of times and always thoroughly enjoy it for a quality cup of coffee and unique menu. Reuben Hills is a micro roastery with a street front cafe. They sell products in store as well as wholesale. It's a trendy little space with exposed bring walls, dim lighting and friendly and approachable hipster staff. During these Covid19 times, they're doing an all day menu for eat in (max 10 diners) and takeaway. Their menu is interesting and has a unique take on your favourites, with a South American twist, and the all day dining options are varied. On previous visits, we also liked the huevos divorciados and baked eggs. Today, we enjoyed the polenta porridge cooked in almond and macadamia milk, topped with rhubarb and granola. This makes it a vegan, vegetarian and dairy free meal. The polenta gives it an interesting texture and the toppings flavour it nicely. Reasonably priced at $12. Kurt loved the BROKEN OMELETTE ROLL with fried shrimp, omelette and bacon jam on a milk bun with rocket and a side of prawn crackers. The coffee is always good, whether it be a milk based, filter, espresso or cold brew. They also do tea, chai, sodas and shakes (why not try their oreo or salted caramel shake). It's probably a good time to pay them a visit whilst it's a bit quieter than usual or even grab yourself takeaway. Also selling pantry staples if you're in need of anything

Bjorn t.

Yelp

there are so many places to get a good coffee in Sydney, but this was definitely my favorite. Nice options compared to some of the other Brekkie spots, and their espresso was solid. I was really impressed by how intentional and swift the service was, even during a busy Sunday brunch. Bonus points for good music.

Jodi S.

Yelp

The ricotta pancakes are to die for. A tiny bite to the syrup, tasty cakes... The eggs on sourdough was very good, as well. Cozy and open air space hidden in an alley.

Eugenie C.

Yelp

Been here twice and both times, the only thing that stood out to me was how cold and dark it was. The cafe is in a converted terrace building and there is a massive wind tunnel through the narrow and long building, as the front door is always open and there is no back wall. On top of that, I felt the icy cold air escaping from the plaster walls (they do the opposite of insulate). Recounting this Arctic adventure is enough to make me chilly and I've slowed down in typing this review as my fingers are frozen. Food was average and with prices around the $18 mark, you could have brunch at a much nicer place serving better tasting feed. Being warm is a basic necessity and I don't think that even lowering their prices to $5 would cut it. Not up to scratch on even the basics.

Declan C.

Yelp

The first thing that you'd notice is the ambience. Great vibe, cool interiors, neat space. I had the swordfish tostada. Oh boy, the dish was packed full of flavours and textures with the use of pickled apples and rhubarb. Definitely worth checking out. Great place to hang with good company.

Gina L.

Yelp

Looking for a new, hip cafe that isn't super popular yet - but getting there? Want to feel cool without trying too hard? Hate the term "hipster," but know that you are? Then Reuben Hills is your joint, because, let's be real folks - this place is hipster to the max. After 3, very happy visits to Reuben Hills, I felt that it was necessary to write a review. Ambiance: -A hipster's unintentional dream -Reuben's easy to miss entry way opens up to an urban, high ceiling, eatery - full of exposed brick, wood, steel, concrete, and neon fixtures -I love it's open kitchen, coffee bar, shared tables (with gorgeous dark blue tiles), and how the restaurant garage rear opens up to the alley way in the back to let in heaps of natural lighting -Great for people watching and fashion note-taking. Seriously, you can get inspired by what people wear here -They drop some serious beats Food: -Not your typical brunch. Reuben's Latin-American inspired menu is a nice twist on the traditional -I've personally enjoy the hearty Baleada - rich with mole, soft baked eggs, jamon, and the most delicious toasted bread that is even more fantastic went dipped -Soft tortilla tacos are also quite delicious and surprisingly filling, but not memorable. In fact, what brings Reuben's rating down for me a bit is the fact that everything sort of tastes the same. At least, there is great potential to improve -Where the cafe does shine is in it's coffee and SHAKES. Go and order the espresso shake - it isn't very sweet and hits the spot. Additionally, the salted caramel is another favorite. SOO GOOD. I have yet to go back to try the sesame flavor Extra: -I'd bring friends from out of town here - Reuben Hills packs a fun, casual atmosphere and is perfect for catching up with friends over good food -Average service Can't wait to see how this place matures over time - or if it's just a trend. In the mean time, I'll be back for more.

Benjamin B.

Yelp

Seems I'm the last guy in Sydney to this party. I want to give you a good reason why I haven't been here before but I'd just be lying (although I have been working on the great American novel in my spare time....) One visit in and consider me a conscript. Whatever Kool-Aid they got, I wanna be drinking. First thing that greets me is a buddy from my old high school that I haven't seen for ages, cracking start. And it doesn't let up. A dark, smoky latte piled high with fine brown sugar - just how I like 'em, is there a telepath on staff? If there is, don't look at what I did on Saturday night, it would just embarrass both of us - and from there I see some old guy in the corner eating something that I want desperately. I point to it. Bring me that. It's their fried chicken. Their signature fried chicken, the one the menu says is "F*cking Good" or words to that effect. The word "F*cking" s definitely in there. And it is. It really is that good. Big, juicy hunks in a light fry batter type deal served up in a basket with whole green (mild) pickled chillis and spicy mayo and some kind of harissa-type dipping sauce that I'm all up in with my fingers it's that tasty. Some guy next to me is sucking back on a giant stainless steel-clad dark chocolate and Mexican chilli milkshake, at least I think that's what he said. I was still elbow deep in fried chicken and wasn't really listening properly. Oh and they have free wi-fi. Which means I'll be working from here a lot.

Thien N.

Yelp

First place I ate in Australia. It was a good start to the trip. The service was quick, there was a ton of atmosphere and the food was top notch. It's all food that I've tried before with an interesting twist. I had the Ruby Ice Tea and the Pretty Fucking Great Fried Chicken. The tea was good. Just enough sweetness but not overwhelmingly sweet. It had a nice fruity taste I couldn't put my finger on. The Pretty Fucking Great Fried Chicken was great. If you're a bone enthusiast when it comes to fried wings these won't be for you. I thought they were top notch and the peppers and sauces went along really well. Overall I would recommend if you're in a diverse group of people that needs to cater to different tastes.

Jay B.

Yelp

Love this place! Nice chill atmosphere, great quality food and coffee. Music choice is on point too. Prices a little steep, but for the area i guess it's to be expected.

Amy T.

Yelp

The cafe culture in Sydney isn't as big compared to Melbourne, however the coffee culture in Surry Hills is growing. Every time I visit Sydney, I make sure I drop by Surry Hills for coffee and brunch. This time, I discovered Reuben Hills in Surry Hills which specialises in good speciality coffee sourced from around the world, particularly Central/South America. I had a superb filter coffee by Panama Esmeralda. A perfect coffee fix for a Melbournian. If you're from Melbourne and used to receiving a generous amount of filter liquid for your buck, don't hold your breath at Reuben Hills. The filter coffee is great, however, they are a bit stingy with their quantity compared to several notable favourite cafes I frequent in Melbourne. That being said, this is a place to check out for coffee (latte, flat white, filter or whatever) or/and brunch. I didn't try their food but my eyes tell me that the food scattered around the communal table looked delicious. I was too full eat at that point so just enjoyed my cup of filter. The inside reminds me of the many "hipster" refurbrished warehouse/garage style cafe found in Melbourne, except Rebuen Hills is more polished. I didn't realise that I was sitting in a someone's warehouse/garage till I looked behind me and saw the garage door rolled up to reveal a lane way. Also the crowd is not the typical hipster crowd you would expect to find back in Melbourne taking over all the "hip" cafes. The crowd at Rebuen Hills is mixed and not necessary there to be "part of the scene". I'll definitely be back to try their food. I'll still drink their filter coffee even though I know I'm better ripped off compared to back home.

Hannah D.

Yelp

The "Reuben" here is somewhat of an impostor... as in it's not really a Reuben. They didn't use cured meat so it looses that distinct Reuben taste immediately. The sauerkraut wasn't sauerkraut. more like a fresh shredded cabbage. I don't think it had pickles on top either. All that being said the sandwich I had (pretending it was a Reuben) was wonderful. I would order it again. I really enjoyed my lunch and they are deserving of the four stars. Lovely staff and venue. I want to have this dang ice cream sandwich for breakfast at some point as well. Who doesn't love a little ice cream for breakfast?

Linda I.

Yelp

Your trendy breakfast cafe in Surry Hills that's great for people watching. What I liked most was the vibe: with air free flowing through its opened garage door and window on a sunny day and some good beats playing in the background, I was a little more than alright. A bit of saliva dribbled down reading the menu but that was about it. My socks weren't blown off nor was my jaw dropping to the ground. It's your average cutesy cafe that you go to to hang out more so than expecting your taste buds to be dancing to the same beat. We ordered the pulled pork Baleada and salted caramel shake (mind you, there is a difference between "shake" and "thick shake" so make sure you know this) and it was decent.

Elaine L.

Yelp

I'd been wanting to try Reuben Hills for a while, but the polarised and divided online reviews had always put me off. Luckily, Jen and I seemed to have visted Reuben Hills on a good day. [Photo] Really Fucking Great Fried Chicken with chilli in a basket, $18. Um, pardon my language but yep that's the name of the dish. The fried chicken was scrumptious, take my words for it because I actually already had lunch before we came here in the afternoon, but I still enjoyed it very much. Having said that, was it foul-mouth inducing good? I'll leave it for you to decide.

Brent F.

Yelp

Great spot. The tacos are awesome. Delicious breakfast things. Solid coffee selection, and the beans are roasted just upstairs. Its obvious that the proprietor is inspired by his frequent travels to coffee growing regions - the latin american inspired food menu, and the touches like woven blankets for colder days. Great space.

Vincent F.

Yelp

Pretty cool place to go and a nice location, although thought the food was a bit over priced. Don't get me wrong - it was good - although $14 for basically one egg, some bacon and pickles was a little bit steep. Definitely worth a visit, just avoid the bacon and egg sandwich as it wasn't great!

Reuben W.

Yelp

I love the name. My name ring Reuben..this was a must visit place. Atmosphere and restaurant was awesome. Staff was absolutely great. Food portions were slightly smaller for their price The quality of the food was decent, nothing special. I would say visit if your close...don't go out of your way.

Karen T.

Yelp

People said this is one of the best coffee places in Sydney so decided to give it a go. I came here on a work day for lunch. It wasn't too packed as on weekends which was good. I ordered a latte which was ok but didn't really have the WOW factor. Nothing special in my opinion. For lunch, I ordered the Swordfish Tostada which was really good. Crunchy and 2 big servings.

Artemis H.

Yelp

And this cafe is another classic example of wannabe trendy hipster joint with a Brazilian twist to suck in whatever customers willing to fall for it's outward experience. When I saw the Latin American vibe I really really wanted to be wowed. Except now I regret ever thinking I'd wanted to try this place every time I traversed past it. Like most cafes in Surry Hills, it's a terrace converted into eatery. I found the interior satisfactory but entrance from both ends..? Well whatever works eh. The staff weren't the most friendly but a bit standoffish, perhaps we came on a "bad" day, either way not cool from the offset. If we walked in there wearing monkey suits you still have to be accommodating if we're to be paying customers. I had a very underwhelming and oily scrambled eggs on toast, you could still taste the milk in that mix. My partner had the soft baked eggs w/ chorizo, kale, ranchero and rye, he said it was "pure disgusting" and a "waste of calories". Strong words for a man who eats anything. We also (yes I know why did we order more than 2 dishes?) had some kind of excuse of muesli or porridge or poached something drowned in cinnamon. That was a destroyer of the taste buds. Just thinking back on this experience is all frowns. There's so much competition and options of hipster cafes in Sydney, why bother returning to one that failed to make the cut? I wouldn't recommend this place to anyone.

S P.

Yelp

Amazing fit out. Prob one of the best fit outs ive seen. Especially loved the feel at the back, near the roller door - was like sitting in your garage. Menu is interesting. I had the traditional Honduras tortilla bean dish for breakie - not sure what it is called again??? But it was tasty. Coffee is great too, with a roasting area upstairs. Overall a great experience for coffee, food and a chill out - I'll be back.

Kate S.

Yelp

Nothing to really write home about here. We were told to wait to be seated (but not sure why when the place was fairly empty, late on a Saturday). So we proceeded to seat ourselves, only to be told off minutes later that the two of us cannot hog a table of five incase a large group comes through the door. If it was that important, guide us immediately to the place where you'd like us to sit, rather than making us feel like we are unwelcome. The coffee was ordinary. Might come back again to try food but won't go out of my way. The fit out was OK but the coffee machine and all the action takes place right at the back of the cafe. x

Sandra H.

Yelp

Great space full of atmosphere loved the Not Reuben sandwich which was perfect for a light lunch for the 2 of us, just wish we could've had a beer.

Susan B.

Yelp

I really don't understand this place. It has a good location and nice interior, and that is where the plus points end for me. The food was bleah to yuck. I had the worst French Toast I have ever had in my life here, it was truly awful. My husband ordered something else that he didn't even finish (which is extremely rare). And the coffee was average. I am glad some other locals seem to love it because that means they will go here instead of some of my favorite spots. And Eugenie's comment about the wind tunnel effect is spot on. I remember being freezing cold in here. No thanks.

Richard A.

Yelp

Un-Australian. They bring the check and rush you out. Portions are high priced and small by Aussie standards. Avo on toast is one slice of toast and 1/4 avocado. They make scrambled eggs, so they have eggs and they have a griddle. But they can't be bothered to make them without mixing in onions. There are people for whom onions are a dietary issue, and this is not a monumental request.

Maria N.

Yelp

I like you Reuben Hills .. there I said it !!! I really really do. It has been a day since visiting this sweet spot and I'm still holding onto the taste of your gorgeous coffee. This place has such a great vibe, from the fitout, to the uber trendy hipsters, to the somewhat grandma style melamine mugs. The menu was limited to a few brunch options - nothing seemed to really pop (perhaps a reflection of how I was feeling at the time - was craving some poached eggs) but nevertheless, I had the baked eggs with Jamon, spinach and Ranchero (what a great word) - had it not been 50 degrees outside, this would have been a great brunch option so highly recommend it for those cooler mornings. The only downside to this place is I think they may have taken 'cool' too far - all the cups on the table had gathered some rust inside - its one thing to claim something as being rustic, and quite another thing when your crockery contains it !! This clearly didn't stop us from having a great start to the morning. Highly recommend.

Elliott W.

Yelp

A hipster place that lives up to its hype? You bet. This place is always packed with a wait list on the weekends when I've walked by, but when a client suggested a brekky meeting in Surry I jumped on the opportunity to try this place. As expected, sat right down as it was a random Wednesday. I've heard great things about the Central American inspired food and wasn't disappointed. I opted for the soft baked eggs with jamon- great amount of flavour without being overwhelmed by tomato sauce. Perfect light-ish breakfast to fuel up for the day! The coffee is also fantastic, you can tell they put a lot of effort and care into it. Bit pricey, but what would you expect from Surry?

Ryan Q.

Yelp

If you want that trendy Surry Hills thing, this is the place. I've gone a few times because the atmosphere is great and the shakes are good. The staff could use some work though. Went in yesterday for a place to work for a few hours and a shake, not paying attention to the fact that it was late in the afternoon (should've known better). I wasn't warned that they were closing within the hour, and there was an issue with my order. I sometimes like an espresso shot in my shake, which I'll pay extra for, but this wasn't possible as it wasn't something they would do behind the bar. Alternatively, it was suggested to me to buy the shake and a separate espresso for five dollars, and then I could just mix it myself at the table. What made it worse was that I wasn't offered an explanation why this couldn't be done, nor was there any health issue as far as I could think of. Never had a problem at any other cafe. Was just strange and a little unfriendly.

Peter H.

Yelp

Very cool little spot with the best cold brew in the city! Seating area is great and it's a great place to hang out for a while and grab a coffee and a bite.

Daniel C.

Yelp

3 Reasons why this place is so overrated 1. Coffee is less than mediocre Just because someone looks and acts like a arrogant, hipster barista with beard doesn't mean he makes good coffee. I had a piccolo and the ristretto's at maccas are better extracted and less bitter. 2. Pricing... You are doing it all wrong $8.50 for a milkshake. A milkshake. $16 for "really f#@$#% great fried chicken" that was really not great. Everything on the menu is overpriced. I get dragged here by friends who want to be seen or read a review and they heard it was amazing. Well here is the honest truth. I don't mind paying for good food and service, if it's warranted, which leads me to the next reason... 3. Service is well, there is no service After frequenting this place 4 times I though maybe I went on a bad day the first three times. No everyday is a bad day at reuben hills. Every hipster, including the under dressed waitresses, is rude and when you ask for anything they hardly ever smile or say thanks when you leave. They make me feel like they are doing me a favour by serving me?!?! I'm done with Reuben Hills. I gave them four chances and their arrogance and overpriced menu is unjustified. In fact I struggle to see how people enjoy being treated like degenerates and pay for it in the process.

April Z.

Yelp

Great location with cool beautiful food n coffee...average services...French toast is amazing...

Phil N.

Yelp

Pretty sure I was dining in Hipster HQ: - Stools at the front - Check - Waitstaff in stylish flannelette - Check - Menu arranged in order of whatever (wut ice cream sandwich first?) - Check - Mismatched plates - Check I must say with style comes substance as the Latin style brunch meals are darn tasty. Ditch the wanky names and just call it a Chorizo burger because its damn good. Ceviche could use grilled bread but the baked eggs were also a winner. That ice cream sandwich aka. Doggs Breakfast is worth trying. Takes a hipster to revive a Monaco bar, imagine if one ran for PM!

Jeremy O.

Yelp

I swore I wasn't going to write another review that mentioned hot sauce, but then, unexpectedly, Reuben Hills happened, and my soft heart was once again betrayed. With a menu that features wings and grits and tortillas and the kind of avocado that doesn't come without lime and coriander, the basket of Tabasco and El Yucateco and Sriracha, for some, might have been considered a given - hardly noteworthy. But I've lately come to understand that hot sauce is the glue that binds, and the food at Reuben Hills is bound tight. Of course the reason to come is the coffee, because they love the filter, and they serve it black, in rustic, single-serve jugs. It's different, and in this Latte jungle we know as Sydney it's profoundly impressive. Is it fantastic enough to warrant the price tag - up to $7 a delicate Columbian pop? Probably not. But the air of occasion around it seems authentic enough to justify the pretence, and who am I to say that those delicate apricot tea notes don't belong in a humble cup of Joe, anyway? I'm generally a harsh critic when it comes to the Sydney Brunch, a cruel and costly institution, but this place grabbed me right in the delicates. If you're looking for an on-trend breaky spot that loves its coffee and serves simple, good food that zings to life, Reuben Hills is a worthy choice.

Howard C.

Yelp

This place has been on my list to try for a bit, and being the try hard I am I went and tried it out. Hard. I suppose this place would be the perfect place to be a try hard, since some people dub it as a hipster cafe (since hipsters are supposedly try-hards.) It most definitely has the vibe down, with the industrial interior, garage door rear, clientele and romanti--errr...sparse lighting. I imagine it would be pretty dark in here if it wasn't for the open garage door since there are no windows. I'm a caffeine addict so I had to try the coffee...the flat white was OK. Not bad, not amazing, but OK. Since I was so disappointed with the Reuben at Reuben & Moore, I decided to disappoint myself further with the NOT Reuben, but at least this one was a pleasant surprise since it isn't advertised as a Reuben, so no disappointment there...the wagyu was delicious. My friend ordered the brioche and the Baleada. The brioche was a bit blase, and the Baleada was simply OK...nothing to write home about. We topped off with a salted caramel shake and I have to say, if I wanted to get diabetes this would be how I would go. Gimme some of that sugar... This place is more of a cafe; I wouldn't consider Reuben Hills a place to go for brunch since they don't have a typical brunch menu, but it's definitely worth checking out.

Gmv G.

Yelp

A lovely and popular Surry Hills Cafe. Very trendy and hip dining atmosphere. Obviously a local's favourite spot. Service was attentive and very friendly. We got RH's signature dishes: the reuben sandwich and the chorizo baked eggs. Both were done well and delicious. Slightly pricey at an average price of $15-$18 per dish. Coffee is fantastic here. By the way, you can skip the whole dining experience here, but you can't go past their famous shake. The Salted caramel is VERY popular and fantastic. Today I got the Fig & Honey Shake ($8.50 - very very expensive): However, it was a beautiful creamy shake with Fig ice cream drizzled with honey. So delicious and I was very satisfy with it. http://gmv-gotmyvote.blogspot.com.au/2014/03/dining-rueben-hills-surry-hills.html

Shannon C.

Yelp

Tucked away on a quiet, leafy Surry Hills street, you will find hidden gem Reuben Hills, brought to you by Russell Beard (the guy who started the Mosman coffee roastery The Source) and Nathan Borg. Forever on a mission to find the best coffee, discovering Reuben Hills is also a coffee roaster only increased my desire to check it out. So, when I was meeting Mr M for lunch in Surry Hills, Reuben Hills was top of my list. Mr M and I arrived on a Wednesday for lunch, and my expectations were high. We stepped inside the cute stone frontage, and I was immediately impressed. Yep, it's got it down pat. Don't let the small frontage fool you. Reuben Hills is a large, long, industrial space with a warehouse feel. In fact, I kind of felt like I was in Melbourne. It's all exposed bricks, wooden beams, tiles, stools and soaring ceilings. I love how the whole back area is completely open on to the lane. This is warehouse chic at its best. The service was efficient and friendly. Just the kind of service you want at a cafe. The food menu is certainly interesting. This is not your cookie cutter cafe menu. How about a Doggs Breakfast? An ice-cream sandwich with salted caramel - yes, please! Or perhaps a Baleada, a popular food originating from El Progreso Honduras, which is a wheat flour tortilla, folded in half with a variety of fillings. This day, I can't go past the Figs, goats curd, wild rocket & jamon on sourdough rye, and Mr M opts for the NOT reuben-wagyu salt Brisket, pickled slaw, melted manchego & horseradish cream. Both are excellent, though I can't help but experience a pang of food envy when I notice the trifle sitting in front of another patron...next time. Now, let's get to the all important coffee. As I mentioned earlier, Reuben Hills is a coffee roaster. The coffee roasterie is actually located on the floor above the cafe, and if you look closely, you'll see glimpses of it through cut outs on the ceiling. There is some serious equipment up there. In fact, if you're a coffee connoisseur you may be interested in Russell's free weekly coffee cuppings, held at 10 am every Friday, where you can try experimental bean roastings. Worth nothing, they also sell beans to the public. Mr Mr and I order lattes (extra strong for Mr M and skim for me). They are impressive. Just the right temperature, with creamy frothed milk and oodles of flavour. Best I've had in Sydney. I was converted. I know where I'll be getting my beans for my humble home coffee machine from now on. Sorry Single Origins... Though Reuben Hills has some serious and worthy cafe competition in Surry Hills, I can say, it is without a doubt my favourite Surry Hills cafe, and dare I say it, possibly even my favourite in Sydney. So, get down there and give it a try for yourself.

Jamie S.

Yelp

Arriving at Midday it was obvious the place is popular so we were looking forward to a great dining experience. The service was great and we were advised that we would be seated in 20-25 minutes and they promptly seated us. This can be something handled poorly at busy times but these guys did well. The place though noisy was laid out well and went all the way through to the laneway with the vibe of a popular place. The menu looked ok with a few modern terms such as scram as their take on things. The food arrived and you just know things are not great when you are served a decent priced meal in a plastic basked that one expects in a cheap out of state diner it didn't suit the food or the rest of the venue. The Scram and avocado came with a huge dollop of avocado which overwhelmed the plate, it was rather bland and non salt or pepper was anywhere in sight. The staff whisked by and made no effort to offer us or notice our attention grabbing waves (maybe we were being too subtle and polite). One staff member whisked her food off through a side door and we continued our meal in the noisy place. The meals were tasteless and overpriced, (though one of the meals discovered a large servicing of salt near the end of the plastic basket experience) What started well ended in something that strikes this place off to a one off never to be experienced again. The staff did ask how the meals were and our resounding, underwhelming was noticeable. She apologised and felt nervous about making eye contact or asking us for anything else. Before asking for the bill two of us used the bathroom, for such a busy place queuing for a single unisex toilet was made worse by the state of said toilet when our place in the queue arrived. It stank, had a sad old plant on its last leaves near deaths door due to lack of natural light. The ensuing mess on the floor and sad attempt at being neglected in context with the surrounding design of the place this was rather awful! Thanks but no thanks, what started as a two star review sees this place get a one star review!

Nhi P.

Yelp

Whats all the fuss about?! $5 coffees and a 40 minute wait apparently! Is the coffee good? Yes, excellent. Are the staff friendly and attentive? Absolutely. Is the food delicious? Yes, the soft eggs were definitely soft. Did I leave with a burning desire to hit repeat next weekend? Unfortunately not.

Surain R.

Yelp

Popped in for breakfast on a recent trip to Sydney, the fit-out is great - lots of space and with a cool warehouse feel. The service was quick and attentive. I had the balaedas (beans + eggs or slow cooked pork wrapped in a tortilla) which were both delicious; I preferred the beans and eggs. Having had two I can say the coffee was excellent and not the product of random chance ;)

David E.

Yelp

frequent visitor here and normally it's been pretty good but seeing a lot of staff turnover and they lost our order today, so we went hungry rather than wait. Bad...

Philip C.

Yelp

To say I was disappointed with Reuben Hills is an understatement. It had come very highly recommended, both personally, and from online recommendations. But the best I can describe it is "Meh". There was nothing particularly wrong with the food, it was just... ordinary. Disappointing. That being said, the coffee was excellent, and I would definitely go back just for coffee. But probably not for breakfast.

Peter P.

Yelp

Dropped in for lunch when passing as this place has had so much good press in Timeout and the Sydney Cafe Guide. Was immediately impressed with the location and the decor but that's as far as it went for me. The staff were aloof, and not that helpful. The food was fine but I didn't think amazing, I had the the egg and bean baleada and my partner the muesli trifle. Happy with both but not raving about either. The coffee was really average, really surprised given the mainstream press reviews they have. There are so many places in Surry Hills with better coffee, I can't imagine why anyone would choose here...

Adam J.

Yelp

Reuben Hills was high on my list of places to visit. I was impressed. Staff are friendly, polite and helpful. Great coffee. I ordered the 'not Reuben sandwich' and it was pretty amazing. Presentation was a bit lacking though, just placed in a plastic basket. Also had a aero milkshake which was decent, however they should invest in some larger straws. Everything is done well, just needs a bit of polishing around the edges.

May H.

Yelp

This is a café with character. Coffee...okay, I had better ones. But food menu is certainly interesting. Most people order their soft baked egg options. I order soft baked egg with chorizo, egg is really soft , creamy egg yolk with tomato sauce and chorizo, tasty combo. I had my eye on their banana, peanut and espresso bread with salted caramel butter, will definitely try this next time.

Andrew K.

Yelp

I can't imagine why anyone is giving less than 4 stars here. Staff were friendly and efficient, food was delicious, coffee was great. I took my mother along and they dealt with her country ways without condescension, she had the pancakes(but didn't eat the flowers) and a cold brew(new to her, but enjoyed much). I had the Smashed Omelette Roll, the bun was excellent, I don't know what was so great about it, but it was spot on. The shrimp were dried, I assume that's a South American thing, and somehow the BACON JAM was a perfect accompaniment. Atmosphere was industrial hipster-y, the music was indie, but not so much so that I didn't know a few tracks. Short version: Good coffee, good food, good service, BACON JAM.

Lani P.

Yelp

Reuben Hills, I'd long heard of your existence and even seen your beans at some hip Brisneyland cafes but until a recent trip to ol' Sydney town as stop to you had escaped me. Luckily, on this trip I found myself wandering Surry Hills with time to kill and there you were with the lure of coffee, free WiFi and a breakfast menu to keep any one happy. Combined with the rose and elderflower iced tea you were pouring that day and I was one happy camper.

Crops To Cuisine ..

Yelp

Really enjoyed the breakfast at Reuben Hills. The menu has a lot of creative takes on traditional breakfast items. The difficult part was deciding what to order! We settled on the muesli in rosewater and pancake with date compote (amongst many other ingredients). Both had truly interesting flavors and beautiful presentations. While the pancake may have been a bit indulgent for breakfast (served alongside a heaping scoop on quandong ice cream, date compote, and pecan praline, which reads and tastes more like a dessert), it was well worth every calorie. The muesli was great, but you must love rosewater, as it is a predominant flavor in the dish. The coffee and atmosphere live up to the reputation as well. Very impressive for one of my first meals in Sydney.

Tim L.

Yelp

New menu possibly as good as old menu, from which all the favourites have survived. Pumpkin bread Sopaipillas w sultana syrup and wattle seed ice team looks super interesting

Mark B.

Yelp

Great location, service, coffee, service and food. The waitress even found my wallet before I left for the airport. Try the Huevros for something different and don't forget the hot sauce.

John T.

Yelp

I was more than a little surprised to see some of the review of Reuben Hills. It is true that it is small and you are likely to be a little cramped, but both of these facts paled in comparison to the quality of the food and coffee. Honestly they seem a little strange. Take note though, if you want your food served on fancy plates or are looking for posh atmosphere, this place is probably not for you. If, however, you are looking for excellent food and coffee Reuben Hills is highly recommended. All my experiences have been universally good in regards to the food and the service, which is not to say that the service probably does get worse when it is slammed, it may, but I have experienced it. The espresso and white coffee was amazing, as was the drip coffee. There are a number of different varieties to try from different regions with a good description of each. Check the website for info about their cupping classes which they also offer some days. The food was also amazing. I went twice in one week and everyone I was with ordered the same food each time. We were each so satisfied with what we ordered that we had no desire to try something else. One of our party had the Huevos Divorciados. The eggs and tortilla were amazing and the salsa was well done. I had the Fried Chicken (the actual name is slightly different) which comes with some peppers and a tortilla. I added some hot sauce and it was a pretty good Mexican cum Australian version of hot chicken and waffles. the brisket and salmon was also very good.

Davey W.

Yelp

Very hipster but worth it. Coffee was sensational and my broken omelette roll with bacon jam was to die for!!

https://onthegrid.city/sydney/surry-hills/reuben-hills

On the Grid : Reuben Hills

Sydney Cafés for Coffee Lovers

@afar

Sydney

https://www.cntraveler.com/story/what-to-do-in-sydney-the-black-book

What to Do in Sydney: The Black Book | Condé Nast Traveler

"Grab a latte at Reuben Hills, stroll Crown Street for its boutiques (The Standard), hit Tap Gallery, and dream of relocating to one of the Victorian homes along the way."

https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/best-coffee-shops-in-sydney

15 Best Coffee Shops in Sydney | Condé Nast Traveler