LOCATIONOn Military Road, the main road through Neutral Bay in Sydney’s Lower North Shore.
PROFILED BY DE GROOTS MEDIAMaisy’s Cafe is one of those Sydney rarities – no I don’t mean a bus that turns up on time – it’s a 24-hour restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner all day. Just think of the possibilities! If you’re now wondering whether it’s filled with pregnant women dining on pickles and ice-cream and wired-looking patrons on their tenth cup of coffee, it isn’t. Maysie’s is chic, fuss-free but also somehow trendy. In atmosphere it is casual yet rhythmic – like a cross between a student library and a jazz club. Maybe it’s the silver tables, chairs and coffee bar that give this impression or maybe it’s the way the waiters move, comfortably, a little in their own world but always attentively. In short, you are made to feel like nobody is going to judge you (so go ahead, order that beef burger).
Relaxed vibe aside, the main thing at Maisy’s is the 24 hour menu. It is a beautiful thing to be able to stroll into a restaurant after 12pm and order pancakes or eggs (although Maisy’s also has a 24 hour lunch and dinner menu, so you may opt for a bowl of wedges or nachos instead). Equally, you may prefer to sink your teeth into a satay chicken or beef burger. There is also a range of sandwiches, salads, pastas and “main meals” like frittatas, schnitzel and steak (as well as desserts). If the regular menu doesn’t please, a specials menu resides on the wall. Here you can find quirky snacks like a traditional hot dog (cheese, caramelised onions and all) as well as larger dishes like grilled barramundi served with new potatoes and salad. Sip your meal down with a coffee, cold drink (like a frappe, milkshake, juice or soft drink) or bring a bottle of wine for companionship.
Agnes Gajewska, March 2010