At Neutral - Food (NSW)

5 /5 Lucas Rodrigues: Just want to say how much I miss this place. I moved out of Cremorne and it’s been so hard to find a good coffee which is not bitter and a decent muffin (which so far you guys have the best one I have tried). The waiters and the little guy are absolutely legends and super professionals. Will have to drive 35min just to visit you guys now.

2 /5 M Wang: The Cesar salad wrap is completely different! It used to be so good! They don’t put croutons inside and use premade chicken cutlet chunks (I could see the plastic packaging imprint on the meat when I picked it out. The pieces of bacon are super tiny and the dressing just tastes off. I’ve been ordering the wrap on and off for years now. You can’t convince me that corners aren’t being cut and costs are trying to be met!

1 /5 Dom DeMinaur: 1★ – A brutal way to lose loyal locals To the management at Neutral — specifically Bruno, We live within 200 metres of your café. Until today, it was our favourite place. Between my wife and I, we’re usually in daily. When my wife comes, she often brings our two girls — yes, they’re two tiny Pomeranians — and they remain in their pram, not taken out, not wandering, not barking, not bothering anyone. They sit there quietly the entire time (happy to show the photo). Today, my wife was told she is no longer allowed to sit inside because there have been “complaints.” Let that sink in. A loyal customer — a local regular — effectively banned from sitting inside… because two silent, contained dogs in a pram apparently offend someone. Since early December 2025 (about 6.5 weeks), we’ve spent $1,557 at Neutral — roughly $220 per week. That’s not “we drop in occasionally.” That’s consistent support. And this is how you choose to treat us. Here’s what makes it worse: Bruno, we’ve spoken to you while seated in your café and you said nothing then. Instead of having a respectful conversation, you sent Juan to deliver the message that my wife is “no longer welcome” inside. While this was happening, people were still bringing their dogs into the café to order — and at least one person even chimed in publicly that she “agreed,” adding humiliation to the insult. So what exactly is the rule here? Because from where we’re standing it looks like this: Dogs are acceptable in the café… unless they’re ours, contained quietly in a pram. If this is genuinely a policy issue, say that clearly and apply it consistently. But “complaints” is not a reason to single someone out, embarrass them in front of others, and quietly exile them — especially when we’ve never caused a problem. You didn’t just set a rule — you made my wife feel unwelcome. This wasn’t just disappointing — it was disrespectful. I’m posting this because I want a response, not silence. I want you to explain: What exactly is the policy? When did it change? Why wasn’t it communicated directly and respectfully? Why is it enforced against a pram, but not against dogs being allowed in to order? Right now, it feels like Neutral has decided that appeasing “the odd complaint” matters more than the locals who actually keep the doors open week after week. If you want to fix this, you can. Start by contacting us directly, apologising to my wife for how this was handled, and clarifying a fair, consistent policy. Because as of today, Neutral went from “our local” to a place we won’t recommend to anyone. — Dom

2 /5 Catherine Chivers: Awesome staff as always - thanks guys!! - but things have changed. Now its really quiet - nobody sitting outside and no real vibe like it used to have (and I’ve been a customer since the place opened many years ago). Bringing back the umbrellas so there’s at least some shade would help a lot, nobody wants to have them or their kids sitting in hot direct sun. Its not ideal. I didn’t stay beyond breakfast for this reason - normally I would have had another coffee or juice. Also, the food. Truffled eggs, fab (as always). But I bought a muffin to take home. They used to be so good! Different flavours daily and really delicious. This one was apple hazelnut - a flavour I’d not seen there before, so thought I’d give it a go. It crumbled as soon as I cut it open and it had zero flavour. Had to throw it out. Really disappointing. Can you bring back the old ones? Please don’t bait n switch. Locals who’ve supported the place for years - we notice when that happens. Also, whats with the prices now? $26 for a salmon bagel? Similar for the chilled oats. How does that work? Two very different meals but the oats would logically seem to be significantly cheaper to make. I get things are more costly now in running a business, but maybe pricing is why less people are there. Its WAY more expensive than it ever used to be. A much loved neighborhood place that hopefully can find its mojo again. PS. I noticed the recent review about the dogs in the pram. They are adorable and caused no trouble, I saw them there a lot. Kids absolutely loved them too. A huge shame they have been told they aren’t welcome. I do not know their owners, but it always made me smile seeing them there.

5 /5 Philip Lim: Doing a walk by on a Saturday morning , we did not expect to get a table at this popular cafe in Neutral Bay. If there was a free table, then it was meant to be. We quickly sat down at a table for four, and ordered from a menu with lots of good but difficult choices. The Ham and Cheese toasted sandwich is a must, said my daughter who just lives around the Corner. We also ordered a couple of burgers, and banana bread with caramel butter as well. Service was prompt, the food was delicious, and we devoured the food in record time, in order to allow the next waiting customers to sit down.