Damn, this is a good Reuben sandwich. Here at Taste of Europe, this is no copycat attempt at the American classic - it's the real deal. The dark rye bread, made in-house, is soft and yeasty, stuffed with loads of shredded salt beef, salty, sour sauerkraut, housemade 'special sauce' (like a mayo) and two layers of cheese (pickles are served on the side). Get it toasted so that everything melds together. Sydney might be rocking fancier Reubens across the city, but we’re yet to find one as balanced – and as delicious – as this.
Go rogue and try a Romana coffee. It's an espresso with fresh lemon segments popped in to boost the freshness factor. The European waiter shows us how to stir the sugar in, for optimum balance. It tastes sort of like a hyper-caffeinated lemonade – odd, but we're actually loving it.
Taste of Europe is surprising like that. It isn’t the sort of café you’d really notice – it’s small, a bit tatty, and not into showing off. It feels like a lot of neighbourhood cafés on the Continent – a place for locals to pick up their coffee and bread from nice staff who know their names.
No time for a full lunch? The bougatsa sees layers of cinnamon dusted puff pastry stuffed with semolina custard and topped with honey. It's not the best example we've had, the pastry is a bit chewy (it's spent too long in the fridge or the microwave) but this place is so charming, and the service so friendly and welcoming that you feel like you're eating at your nan's, so best just eat your food and keep schtum.