1/17 Elizabeth Bay Road, Elizabeth Bay NSW
(02) 9326 9224

This little café was a great relief to find just on the edge of the Kings Cross district. You enter a completely different world when you walk through the doors of this Potts Point café. The café is bright and friendly and is totally focused on good service and great coffee.
The business has been there for over 10 years and has recently changed hands to a fun loving Irish family, who have a string of connections in the hospitality world. The family team members have worked in the coffee and pub industry and this combination works well. It’s a great place to visit not only good for great service and excellent fare, but you also will get a good belly laugh.
The baristas at Monkey and Leo are well trained and they have a good selection of coffee to choose from, with origins changing regularly. The day we visited we were served by a young English barista who had competed in the English barista competitions, and his latte art was exceptional. The highlight of the coffee system is a nice big red three group Ruggero placed high above the caffeinated crowds. The morning coffee trade is growing, as many city commuters pass the doorway on weekdays, and they are guaranteed a great tasting and quick brew.
The food at Monkey and Leo is pretty substantial, and brunch is a very busy time at the café. When the new owners took over, they introduced a big Irish breakfast on the weekend. This plate is an enormous and delicious meal that will keep you going for the whole weekend and features a black pudding sausage from an expat Irish butcher from the neighbourhood. The kitchen is very small, but you will be amazed how this little space can dish up some restaurant quality plates quickly.
You know a business is doing well when other café owners frequent the business on their days off. This is definitely the vibe that is happening here, and the tree shaded outside seating is a great space to hide from the neighbouring city. Parking is also easy, as it’s only a stone’s throw from the Kings Cross parking station. A big tick for Monkey and Leo: the perfect tree change in the big city. A great café business with excellent customer service and better still, some humour.
Open 7 days. Mon – Fri: 7am – 4pm; Sat & Sun: 8am – 4pm.