Play Coffee - Lidcombe

Shop 14/36/44 John St, Lidcombe NSW 2141, Australia
+61 494 318 627
$$$ Cafe
(94 Reviews)
Price Range $1–20

Welcome to Play Coffee, a delightful cafe nestled in the heart of Lidcombe, NSW. Located at Shop 14/36/44 John St, this charming spot offers not just great coffee but a cozy atmosphere where you can savor every moment.

Upon entering Play Coffee, the inviting ambiance instantly draws you in—the aroma of freshly brewed coffee fills the air, promising that each sip will be a treat for your senses. The cafe boasts a limited yet intriguing menu featuring various beverages, including a selection of expertly crafted poured-over coffee, hot and cold drinks, and their delightful desserts.

Let’s talk about the coffee! According to patrons, the long black at Play Coffee has become a favorite, celebrated for its rich flavor that fuels your day. Customers have mentioned that even though it cools down quickly, it offers a satisfying taste that lingers on the palate, making each visit worth your while. If you're feeling a bit adventurous, don’t miss out on their signature strawberry match croiffle, which is described as a delightful concoction sure to make your taste buds dance with joy.

Real customer experiences further underline the charm of this cafe. For instance, one reviewer mentioned their ham and cheese croissant and madeleines as perfect snack companions to the coffee, highlighting how the seasoning in their food is just right—not overly greasy and perfectly balanced. Similarly, while some drinks like the signature strawberry latte have received mixed reactions, the avo kiwi smoothie has captivated other customers with its refreshing taste.

The atmosphere at Play Coffee fosters a sense of community; with seating for around eight small tables, it’s an excellent spot for a chill outing or a quick catch-up with friends. Although it may lack power points for those looking to work on laptops for a long time, the welcoming staff and cozy vibe more than make up for it. Whether you're stopping by for a quick coffee or looking to enjoy a leisurely meal, you’ll be greeted with friendly service that makes you feel right at home.

In a world filled with cafes, Play Coffee stands out as a unique destination for coffee lovers and foodies alike. Whether you’re after a quick caffeine fix or a warm meal served with a smile, this cafe definitely deserves a spot on your list!

Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Service options
Offers kerbside pickup
Offers delivery
Offers takeaway
Serves dine-in
Popular for
Popular for lunch
Good for solo dining
Good for working on laptop
Offerings
Serves coffee
Quick bite
Dining options
Serves breakfast
Serves lunch
Serves dessert
Atmosphere
Casual
Crowd
Good for groups
Payments
Accepts credit cards
Children
Good for kids
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Openings Hours

Monday

5:30 AM - 2:30 PM

Tuesday

5:30 AM - 2:30 PM

Wednesday

5:30 AM - 2:30 PM

Thursday

5:30 AM - 2:30 PM

Friday

5:30 AM - 2:30 PM

Saturday

5:30 AM - 2:30 PM

Sunday

5:30 AM - 2:30 PM

94 Reviews
WY S

31 Aug 2025

Nice food and coffee. I thought the seasoning is just right, and the dish is not greasy. While it was a bit hot inside.

Saoirse J

26 Aug 2025

The sandwiches were delish - simple yet done well. Got the mushroom and prosciutto. Their ‘signature strawberry latte’ was quite disappointing. I didn’t even finish it cos it was that bad… just tasted like water and strawberry syrup (it was compote but not executed well)?! Defs need to improve that or at least take it off as a signature drink… The avo kiwi smoothie however was surprisingly refreshing and good. Overall despite the initial disappointment with the drink, the food made up for it

Justine Lau

20 Aug 2025

Nice and cosy little cafe. There are around 8 small table for dine-in. (Didn't see any powerpoints for those intending to do some prolonged laptop work, though). Food wise: ham and cheese croissant, madeleines, banana bread. Drink wise: basic coffee selections. They also have matcha latte, which was my reason to visit. I asked for no sugar, but it was still sweet - so the powder cane sweetened. Good thickness. The matcha taste was there, but not strong enough for me. Quantifying my preference for it, it'd be 7.5-9/10. (As on first sip, I rated it 7/10. Subsequent sips, it was 8.5-9/10. When I tasted it again after a while of not drinking it, it went back to 7/10. So, there was something there that I had to get used to - maybe the sweetness. But it's not overly sweet, I'm just used to minimal (or none at all) sugar in my food/drink.)

L Lee

13 Aug 2025

First time to come to new cafe, usually I won't hv high expectation. Unexpectedly my long black is really great, only thing it gets cool down quickly and I reckon is the cup they use. Apart from it, my coffee and special egg tart plus their signature dessert - strawberry match croiffle is absolutely delicious. My taste buds have been happily dancing.... Friendly barrister is always there to get my coffee done my way. To ensure to hv special dessert menu, please come every Friday to Sunday as special pastry chef only works with his skills and menu of the week on Friday morning. Special desserts sometimes won't last till Sunday. Thank you again for great afternoon tea!!!

Mark Mc Laughlin

02 Aug 2025

Very welcoming staff here, I was attended to the moment I arrived at the counter, despite it being a busy time for this venue, around 1:30pm on a Wednesday. I ordered a small flat-white, a cheeseburger and fries, and a slice of Tiramisu. All this for $28. Having ordered, I claimed one of the few remaining tables and waited. I would describe the seating area here as somewhere between compact and cosy. The coffee and Tiramisu were on my table within a minute or two. The coffee tasted nice, smooth, and not excessively hot. I thought I'd have a small taste of the Tiramisu while I waited for the cheeseburger. It was so nice, I ate the whole thing. It tasted fresh, with a velvety texture. The cheeseburger arrived shortly afterwards. A simple menu item, but done well, as it was here, it can be outstanding. Nice, fresh and soft buns, a thick and tasty meat pattie, with just the right amount of tomato sauce and mustard for extra flavour. Not so much that it oozes out all over the place. None of that here. The fries were fried for just the right amount of time, nice and crispy, with a soft interior. As good fries should be. To sum up, I was very happy with my food and experience here. The owners of this coffee shop have managed to create a venue with a friendly and happy vibe in a rather compact space. Recommended.

Michelle Ngo

07 Jul 2025

First time visit here. The espresso con panna (their signature drink) is so so good i decided to order another latte, which is equally impressive. The note came thru as nutty and chocolaty, like almond and it’s very distinctive. Their service is attentive and prompt. Street parkings are available but only for half an hour (free). The only thing i would mention is that the ventilation is not working so well. I only sat there for 15 mins but the food smell got into my clothes.

Tash A

02 Jul 2025

Whilst they did not have all the coffee varieties available, the coffee they had was velvety, milk was excellent froth and the taste of coffee beans lingered on my palette up to 5 minutes after I finished my drink! The food was OK, eggs were great, but mushroom and hashbrown were soggy from not getting oil hot enough. Stick with the coffees and small cakes/treats that look delicious. Reasonable prices!

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