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Restaurant

The Reformatory Caffeine Lab

17-51 Foveaux St, Surry Hills NSW 2010, Australia

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Find The Reformatory Caffeine Lab

17-51 Foveaux St, Surry Hills NSW 2010, Australia

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*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

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About The Reformatory Caffeine Lab

A Tokyo-style standing espresso bar in Surry Hills delivering precision single-origin batches and pour-overs. Just up from Central Station, the setup skips chairs entirely in favor of quick-turnaround counters surrounded by comic book scratch art and superhero film screenings. Regulars rely on the baristas for dialed-in filter brews, thick-crema piccolos, and fresh chocolate croissants.

  • Single-Origin Coffee Focus: Baristas pour dialed-in filter, pour-over, and espresso drinks using curated single-origin beans.
  • Standing Room Bar: A compact, chair-free space built around fast standing service reminiscent of a Tokyo espresso bar.
  • Pop-Culture Character: Walls covered in comic book hero scratch art with superhero films running on screen.
RestaurantCoffeeRestaurant

What's On at The Reformatory Caffeine Lab

Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.

No events or specials listed right now.

Key Advantages

Why Surry Hills coffee lovers and commuters choose The Reformatory Caffeine Lab.

  • Acclaimed Pour-Over and Single-Origin Brewing

    The baristas focus on high-grade filter and pour-over brewing using rotating single-origin beans prepared to exacting standards.

    The best pour over coffee in Sydney.

    Zahra

  • Convenient Commuter Access Near Central Station

    Located on Foveaux Street just moments from Central Station, the venue offers an effortless stop for commuters seeking top-tier coffee.

    Close to Central Station.

    張朝勛（Frankie）

  • Tokyo-Inspired Standing Espresso Bar Culture

    The standing-room-only format fosters an energetic, fast-paced atmosphere reminiscent of compact Tokyo espresso bars.

    Seriously good, albeit standing room only, feels like Tokyo.

    Jeffrie Trika

  • Distinctive Superhero Art and Pop-Culture Setting

    Comic book superhero scratch art sets the lab apart from conventional minimalist cafes, creating an unconventional visual identity.

    The awesome art and good coffee sets the place apart from other Surry Hills cafes.

    Rattan Muttoo

  • Precision Extraction and Bean Batch Curation

    Meticulous milk texturing, extraction temperature control, and freshly curated bean batches ensure consistent cup quality.

    My piccolo was good, temperature and creama was perfect and I like the batch of todays coffee beans.

    Ferdinand

Signature specialty brews and crafted coffee selections

  • pour over coffee

    The best pour over coffee in Sydney.

    Zahra

  • filter coffee

    If you like drink filter coffee, you definitely love this place.

    張朝勛（Frankie）

  • piccolo

    My piccolo was good, temperature and creama was perfect and I like the batch of todays coffee beans.

    Ferdinand

  • white coffee

    I’ve also tried white coffee here and it’s amazing.

    Zahra

Beyond the menu

Memorable aesthetic quirks and hospitality touches that define the visit

  • Personal Recognition by Name

    Baristas build genuine rapport with visitors, personally remembering the names of regulars standing in the queue.

  • Hand-Drawn Comic Book Wall Art

    The interior is decked out with custom scratch art drawings of comic book superheroes covering the walls.

  • Screening Classic Superhero Films

    Patrons can watch classic superhero cinema playing on the internal screen while awaiting their espresso.

  • Tokyo-Inspired Standing Espresso Format

    Rather than conventional cafe seating, patrons sip filter brew standing at high tables, evoking a vibrant Tokyo coffee bar feel.

Before you head over

Practical tips for visiting The Reformatory Caffeine Lab

  • Plan for standing room only

    Prepare for a Tokyo-style standing-only setup; the venue features a few standing tables with no seated dining, tailored for quick espresso and filter coffee stops.

  • Ideal transit stop by Central Station

    Positioned very close to Central Station on Foveaux Street, it serves as an ideal quick commute stop for morning filter and pour-over coffee.

  • Grab a croissant with your brew

    Pair single origin batches, pour-overs, or piccolos with fresh plain or chocolate croissants before stocks run low.

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