Sydney’s café scene just got a facelift with the launch of Kansas City Shuffle – a spanking-new eatery in a hidden corner of The Rocks. Kayne Papworth (founding head chef of Melbourne’s Proud Mary) and Benny Sweeten (former owner of Joe Black) are the men behind the café, housed in a heritage-listed 1860s building, once home to a Cadbury chocolate factory.

It is open from 7am to 3pm from Monday to Saturday and serves a range of dishes – from breakfast classics (poached free-range eggs on toast, anyone?) to delicious lunch offerings such as fried-chicken sandwich spiked with pickles and jalapeño aioli.

There are some spectacular design elements here – an exposed brick wall almost 100 years old, an original retracting copper-and-tin factory door and lamps made of laser-cut plywood. But it is Papworth’s food that is the real star. Here are our three favourites.

Berkshire Pork Served on a bed of braised lentils and baby leeks (sous-vide, crumbed and fried), this is a substantial main accompanied with brioche and a perfectly poached egg.

Spring lamb Papworth cooks the lamb in the oven for hours, portions it, then planks it over a black-barley and smoked-eggplant salad, beautifully infused with a lemon and olive oil dressing.

Pancake It is, however, the dessert that takes the cake. Cream-cheese parfait, lemon curd and blueberries create layers and layers of indulgence, with smoked almonds adding just the right amount of crunch.

PS: The café’s drinks selection is as extensive as its food menu, with offerings ranging from Single Origin brews and organic teas to Pizzini Prosecco and Spring Vale Chardonnay. So drink up! 

Kansas City Shuffle Cafe | 195 Gloucester St, The Rocks | +61 2 9247 7309

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