Ground Floor

Disappointing.
Was looking forward to visiting this café after hearing great things through word of mouth.
While the café looked great, with tasteful design, art and furnishings, unfortunately the praise ends there.
No menu meant that deciding what to have and ordering was an awkward experience as we were sitting outside and did not want to lose our table (it was very busy). As there was a line waiting to order we had trouble reading the board to see what was available.
The young man that took our order was unfriendly, his negative demeanour made us feel uncomfortable as his poor attitude made us feel like we were inconveniencing him. We could easily tell he did not want to be at work. Mate, it’s not hard to smile. This left a very negative first impression on us.
We ordered the corn fritters and eggs benedict. Although usually a fan of crispy bacon, this bacon was so overcooked it was inedible. I was astounded the chef deemed it acceptable to serve. The corn fritters were bland and also came with a long hair cooked within it.
However, the coffee was good, and the young waitress was lovely.
Unfortunately, won’t be returning, which is a shame as this establishment could have huge potential with some improvements.

Let me first express my thanks to the previous reviewer — if it wasn’t for your review, I may never have ventured into this adorable, sexy as hell café — so thanks :) Also, a general thanks to Unilocal for just existing !! Had I not searched for café in the Newcastle area, I would not have found this place — so again, thanks !!!
*insert music* to stop my thank you speech … noted.
OK, onto the review — I LOVED this little café. It was dark but airy, a sense of calm swept down over me and an ‘ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh’ escaped my lips — a sigh of belonging !! THIS is what I was looking for. Their breakfast menu although not extensive, covers your basics — eggs, muesli/​porridge/​yoghurt/​fruit, toast etc — what else is there to eat at breakfast? Like the previous reviewer, I ordered the poached eggs and avo. I was given the option of white/​brown/​multi/​rye/​gluten free/​sourdough/​oneotherbreadicouldntquiteremember and I settled with the rye. The guy at the counter was SUPER rad. when I ordered an espresso, he looks me dead in the eye and asks ‘well since you’ve gone straight for the good stuff, would you like to try our single origin of the day as a ristretto — its from India and its nutty and caramel-​ey all at the same time?’. ‘Bring it’ was my response. Ohh and let me tell you, it was well worth the try.
Free wi-​fi is always appreciated, so make sure you ask for the password if you’re planning on getting some work done. I would return here in a heartbeat.

Former Gloria Jeans Opens As Respectable Hipster Café.
Serving Campos Coffee the only noteable reminant of Gloria Jeans is the display cabinet which is now filled with cakes, sandwiches and more. Gone is the chain-​store branding and replaced is a chic fit-​out that’ll appeal to the most modern urban adventurers design sensibilities.
I ordered the avocado on toast with two poached eggs ($ 10) and my usual flat white. There was a little kerfuffle with our order but it was the owner himself who finally brought my breakfast over with a huge side of a sincere apology. Any minor grimace I had melted in that instant.
Take a seat inside, perhaps right near the grand old piano or enjoy a spot of people watching from the outside communal tables. The service is swift and the goods one of the best on Hunter Street.
It’s guys like Ground Floor that are turning Hunter Street Mall around and breathing much needed life into this desserted strip of Newcastle.