The North Spoon is located at 165 Blues Point Rd, McMahons Point NSW 2060. Open weekdays, 6:30am-3:30pm, and weekends 8:00am-3:00pm. Check out their website or follow them on Instagram to keep up with their rotating menus and special events.
You’ll find fewer places in Sydney more picturesque than McMahons Point, but the charm of this harbourside suburb goes beyond the postcard-worthy views. It’s also home to a beautiful community, which is why hospitality stalwarts Gareth Naar and Alessandro Sciaccaluga decided to take over The North Spoon cafe in 2020, with hopes to continue that sense of community within the cafe, making locals and visitors from afar feel right at home.
“We’re in a bit of a fractured world, and community is extremely important when we’re going through these times and challenges,” says Gareth. “Community is everything, and we feel that at McMahons Point.” You’ll feel that at The North Spoon, too.
Using their combined 40-plus years of experience, the pair has created something truly special in The North Spoon – a casual, light and airy community hub where customers feel welcome to stay for hours. “It always comes down to customer experience,” says Gareth. “We wanted to create something that makes memories for our customers and gives people a sense of being looked after.” Not to mention a place offering restaurant-quality food and drink that stands worlds apart from what Gareth describes as “Sydney’s stock-standard, same-same offering”. And, dare we say, top-notch specialty coffee.
Speaking to Gareth, who was surrounded by food from a young age thanks to his mum and aunty being “tremendous cooks,” you can immediately feel and see his passion. The rotating menu is homely, wholesome and creative, featuring classic dishes with a spin (“we like to doll it up,” he says). Think porridge with caramelised rhubarb and lavender poached pear; pork and pineapple toasties; and barramundi with fennel puree. No “same-same” here, that’s for sure.
“We definitely level-up when it comes to product,” says Gareth. “We take our time to select every product that comes into the cafe. A loaf of bread isn’t just a loaf of bread. The same goes for fruit, meat and coffee.” That’s where the importance of suppliers comes in, note Gareth. Of course, he and Alessandro are the driving force of the business (you’ll find Gareth back-of-house and Alessandro front-of-house), but they say they couldn’t do what they do without strong supplier partnerships. “In hospitality, you see big supermarkets taking over while farmers and local producers are struggling, but there comes a time when we all need to back each other up and support each other,” says Gareth. “We’re pushing hard to deal directly with farmers and local businesses, to hold that ethos.” There’s that commitment to community again.
Much like Will & Co, The North Spoon aims for longstanding partnerships. These days, Gareth can jump on an app at any time of day and order from 16 suppliers, he notes, but that’s something he and Alessandro wholeheartedly disagree with. “For us, it’s not about the dollars. It’s about the building of relationships and an understanding of what we’re trying to achieve on both ends. To be able to pick up the phone and talk to somebody – those things are vital to our business.”
Gareth’s words sum up exactly why we at Will & Co are stoked to work with The North Spoon – we’re not into supplier relationships being purely transactional either. “Any great business needs great partnerships with shared philosophies,” says Gareth. “Will & Co came along and showed us that that’s what they’re all about. Then we tasted the coffee, and it was another big tick. When you’re dealing with like-minded people, things are simple – and that’s what it’s always been with Will & Co. It’s a beautiful thing.”
When asked what the most important part of hospitality is, Gareth doesn’t explicitly say “community,” but that much is clear given how often the word comes up in our conversation – and in how strongly you feel that sense of community at The North Spoon. “Food, drink or service, it’s not one of those things but a combination of all,” he says. “Making a difference to somebody’s day and putting smiles on people’s faces is what it's all about. Whatever we can do to make your day easier and to support the community, we’ll go over and above to do it.”
Together, Gareth and Alessandro have not only created a stunning cafe, they’ve also crafted a welcoming space where customers can visit and feel a sense of community. Plus, we can’t go past the delicious menu, and impeccable coffee and cracking location that all adds to the experience.
