Alchemy

Was really nice food, Tasty european style with great service. Would recommend to try it for sure.

Another touch of Europe here we are invited to experience exquisite Polish cuisine, taste soups and traditional sausages. Rolls and sandwiches made with a Polish slant, mustards and fruit pastes used to create gourmet delights. Europeans have a nice way of adding finishing touches and eating is seen more as past time then a necessity, they enjoy their time around the meal table and express this through their food. At the Polish Café, you will feel inspired by the richness of the culture prevalent in the atmosphere of regulars that attend, and leave bright eyed and bushy tailed, knowing that you have been given the oppotunity to appreciate something quite different. Take away is available as well as eating in.

Arrived at this authentic Polish restaurant for a friend’s birthday. There was no way I was missing out on dessert this time so I skipped entrees. For the main I wanted to try something unusual and ordered the duck. My first time sampling this dish was a winner-​crispy skin and generous, tasty meat!
Alchemy: conjuring enchantment it seeks to transform base material into gold and to discover a life-​prolonging elixir. I didn’t quite feel the magic-​the polish dumplings (‘pierogi’) were a little oily and way too pricey. Perhaps it’s because the menu does not focus purely on Polish cuisine, but also incorporates Italian dishes.
What about the dessert? Well, it may not be the best Polish food in town in my humble opinion, but it’s worth coming here for the cheesecake alone… and the friendly owner who always comes up to say hello, which is a welcome change from many ostentatious venues serving average food.

Situated on Crown Street in Surry Hills, Alchemy Café is a Polish Café I discovered a while back whilst looking for somewhere quiet to get some work done with some co-​conspirators of mine and we just happened to stumble upon this little gem.
Not only is the coffee good, but a short walk to the rear of the establishment reveals a quiet little courtyard that we’ve been fortunate enough to occupy for ourselves most times we’ve been. This gentle atmosphere is imperative to good concentration.
The other stand out at this establishment is the customer service. The owner of the Café is a real character, a friendly, interested man who always makes you feel welcome.
He tells jokes, gives out chocolate coins amidst our change and once, when I went to grab a coffee before work with a friend, he overheard our conversation regarding said friend’s birthday and brought out a slice of cake and a candle and we all sang happy birthday together. He has a tremendous baritone voice.
The food is great too, a little on the pricey side, but it’s a good size serving and delicious food.
It has a real family atmosphere. I’m not sure whether it’s family run, but the owner has the kind of personality where it’s almost as though you’re going to friends place for coffee rather than a café, however, the friend just happens to charge you for it.
The café is closed on Monday’s.