ASLAN Coffee Roasters, The Rocks, Sydney

ASLAN Coffee Roasters, The Rocks, Sydney

Monica Tindall

I feel blessed to have foodie friends worldwide, even more so when they can direct me to great coffee. Checking in with my Sydney crew about where to get a good brekkie, but most importantly an excellent cup of coffee around The Rocks – all answers led to ASLAN Coffee Roasters.

I suppose roasting your own beans is a pretty sound indicator that they take their brew seriously, and so it is, we find ourselves soaking up some Aussie culture and a darn good cup at ASLAN Coffee Roasters in The Rocks.

ASLAN Coffee Roasters – The Rocks

Exploring the aromatic world of coffee since 2009 in St Peters, ASLAN Coffee Roasters takes its name from the Turkish word for lion (hence the logo). Their story began with a fascination for the multifaceted characteristics of coffee beans originating from the Indonesian Archipelago. On top of their roastery, they now have three cafes – St Peters, North Sydney & The Rocks – and sell their beans online internationally.

Brekkie at The Rocks, Sydney

As a visitor to Sydney, you couldn’t ask for a better location than ASLAN Coffee Roasters at The Rocks. Minutes from Circular Quay, George Street, the CBD and right at the entrance of the historic laneways that make up The Rocks, it’s in the heart of all the action.

In the laneway of Nurses Walk, next to the Australian Institute of Music, look for the small white tables on the footpath and the glass walls looking into a giant mural of a lion. Either that or follow your nose to the enticing smell of freshly brewed coffee.

ASLAN Coffee Roasters Menu

The café offers a compact menu of easy-going favourites for breakfast (but also brunch and lunch).

ASLAN’s Classic Pancakes (AUD 20) live up to their name, boasting fluffy rounds adorned with fresh strawberries and blueberries. A scoop of vanilla ice cream melts on top, while maple syrup lets us customise the sweetness.

The aroma of earthy herbs and roasted mushrooms signals the arrival of the Herb Roasted Mushroom Sourdough (AUD 16). Juicy mushrooms rest on a bed of smashed avocado, their richness balanced by crumbly Danish feta and a nutty dukkah crunch. We recommend adding the Poached Eggs (+$5) – their sunny yolks ooze into the creamy avocado, adding a golden stream as we slice in.

Alongside the pancakes, hubby’s second brekkie pick is an Aussie staple, the Bacon Breakfast Bun (AUD 13), enhanced with avocado for an additional AUD 4. Crispy bacon, a perfectly fried egg, tangy tomato relish, and fresh greens were all in a fluffy bun. Spice aversive hubby asked for the chipotle aioli on the side, but soon found himself adding in increasingly sizeable dobs as its smoky depth was irresistible.

My healthy preferences are satisfied with the Passion Fruit Granola Yoghurt Cup (AUD 7.50). At ASLAN Coffee Roasters, it’s a refreshing and healthy breakfast option made with layers of creamy yoghurt, tangy passion fruit, and crunchy granola.

Coffee at The Rocks

Now for the essentials – coffee!

I love that you can customise your caffeine kicks at ASLAN Coffee Roasters. Hubby savoured a Large Cappuccino (AUD 5), its silky frothed milk cradling a shot of espresso and a hint of chocolate. I opted for a Large Latte (AUD 5) with oat milk (+$0.70), boosting the classic espresso-and-steamed-milk blend with an extra shot (+$0.50) for good measure.

Beans To-go!

We enjoyed the coffee so much that we bought a bag of beans to take home. ASLAN Blend, their flagship since 2009, celebrates Indonesian coffee with its medium-dark roast, boasting hazelnut, dark cacao, and earthy homeyness notes. Sourced primarily from the Ketiara Co-Op, a woman-led, community-focused farm dedicated to organic practices and forest regeneration, this blend embodies ASLAN’s commitment to quality, sustainability, and showcasing Indonesia’s finest beans.

Reasons to visit Aslan Coffee Roasters Cafe in The Rocks: excellent coffee; friendly staff; house-roasted beans; hearty and tasty brekkies; great atmosphere.

ASLAN Coffee Roasters Cafe The Rocks
25 Nurses Walk, The Rocks
NSW 2000, Australia
+61 0468 321 777
[email protected]
@aslancoffee
*indoor & outdoor seating
**vegetarian options

ASLAN Coffee Roasters The Rocks Opening Hours
Mon to Fri 7 am – 3 pm
Sat to Sun 8 am – 3 pm
(kitchen closes at 2:30 pm)

Find more recommendations for travel to Sydney and NSW here and stay up-to-date with the latest gourmet and travel recommendations for Malaysia here and here.