Poolside Cafe at Andrew “Boy” Charlton

LOCATION
On Mrs Macquarie’s Road, between the Botanical Gardens and the shimmering waters of Woolloomooloo Wharf.

PROFILED BY DE GROOTS MEDIA
Like a scene out of a 1950s Presley movie crossed with 21st century architecture, the Poolside Cafe at Andrew “Boy” Charlton sits above its shimmering, aquamarine namesake, blending nostalgia with first-rate class. The Andrew “Boy” Charlton pool which itself has a lofty history was the site of public swimming baths as early as 1788 and a popular swimming spot for the Eora Aboriginal community years before white settlement. Today its turquoise waters and colourful bathers provide a lively contrast against the darker, though no more dazzling, grey-blue ripples of Sydney Harbour and Woolloomooloo’s heritage-listed Finger Wharf.

With such a vibrant setting, the Poolside Cafe at Andrew “Boy” Charlton has a perfect scene for play. Boasting an award-winning architectural design by Lippmann Associates, the cafe is an extension of its natural-yet-urban setting. An ultra-chic wooden terrace runs from airy indoor area through floor-to-ceiling windows to an alfresco terrace from which glass balustrades offer views of the pool. Red chairs, white tables, black umbrellas, weaved ottomans and striped deckchairs create an atmosphere ideal for morning and afternoon lounging. So it’s just as well that this cafe is famed for its all-day breakfasts. Whether you opt for a vegan or vegetarian option or a heartier choice like the “poolside breakfast” (eggs, bacon, chorizo, mushrooms, roast tomato and sourdough toast), the meal will accompany the scenery. The same goes for lunch, which is made up of great salads like the blood orange, beetroot, pumpkin and watercress as well as more substantial dishes. But before you come for a taste, just keep in mind that the cafe is in-sync with pool operating times (and season) so check before you plan your brunch. You may also be interested to know that the relaxed cafe charm gives way to a dazzling, exclusive-hire, function spot at night.

Agnes Gajewska