From the Kitchen & the Archives

Stories from
21 Espresso

Over 67 years of food, family, and a corner of Double Bay that has stayed the same while everything around it changed. This is where we write it down.

History

The History of Hungarian Cuisine in Sydney

After the 1956 revolution, thousands of Hungarians arrived in Australia carrying recipes, techniques, and a love of food that would quietly reshape the way this city eats. 21 Espresso is part of that story.

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Heritage

How Alfresco Dining Came to Australia

In 1958, almost nobody in Sydney ate outside. One Hungarian immigrant noticed this, set up some tables on Knox Street, and changed everything.

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Local Guide

A Guide to Dining in Double Bay

Double Bay has one of the most concentrated stretches of good restaurants in Sydney. Here is how to make the most of an evening in the neighbourhood.

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The Kitchen

What Makes a Proper Schnitzel

Most people have eaten a schnitzel. Very few have eaten a great one. The difference comes down to a handful of decisions made before the pan is even on the heat.

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Heritage

How Espresso Coffee Came to Sydney

In the late 1950s, John Schiffer set up one of the first espresso machines in Australia. Before the restaurant became what it is today, there was the coffee. This is that story — and why the name means what it does.

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Recipe

Classic Cherry Strudel

Thin pastry, tart cherries, warm spices. A recipe that has been on the 21 Espresso menu since the beginning. Here is how to make it at home.

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