On a cul-de-sac street in Ashfield, Outfield is cafe in a post war brick building situated on outskirts of Yeo Park overlooking a rolling lawn. Locals can casually dine at the sun drenched outdoor café area or comfortably on the lawn on picnic blankets. The menu is different as it’s a modern take to picnic food. The owner Caleb Maynard runs the cafe and you will often see him greet you at the door. The produce on their menu is fresh, interestingly creative but familiar, wholesome and delicious.
I headed to Outfields cafes on the weekend to have a picnic lunch. You have the choice of either dining inside the café, outside the alfresco dining seated area or order takeaway and sit on the park. Picnic blankets are provided or you can bring your own. On one of the days I went, it was nice to sit outside under the large trees for lunch as it wasn’t too hot. It’s a perfect spot if you want your own quiet time in the park to eat, have coffee and read a book. You order the food and drinks at the counter and wait for the drinks but the food will be served to your picnic area. This definitely is a unique experience in Sydney suburbia.
There was something therapeutic in picnicking versus dining at the seated tables. You feel you can just let go, kick your shoes off without the restrictions of dining at a table.
I grazed on their Park Bowl, which is a bowl with seasonal and fresh produce of broccoli, three peas salad with pickled fruits and leafy greens on hummus (the vegan and gluten free option) with the addition of crumbed chicken, dropping a few crumbs onto my blanket and watching ants whisking it away. I loved the zoodles and the raisins that add a tinge of sweetness. This bowl was healthy and packed full of flavour. I washed down my lunch with their refreshing homemade pineapple, passionfruit soda.
Their full toss made with pumpkin wedge salad, cashew butter, roasted beets and dukkah is the perfect brunch dish as its packed with great selection of fresh veggies that are well seasoned and work harmoniously well together. For something light, I also love their open avocado smash, furikake, fermented chilli and lemon, washed down with a refreshing fresh classic lemonade. For something sweet, their warm pumpkin loaf with pepita praline, whipped ricotta and blackberries would be my pick.
Outfield Café supplies you everything you need for a perfect picnic and they even let you borrow a picnic blanket. This is a great use of space in Sydney suburbia, the food is fresh amazing and the coffee excellent. And don’t worry about parking – there’s plenty of it.
Outfield cafe
Yeo Park
230 Victoria St,
Ashfield NSW 2131
https://www.outfield.com.au/