Cafe Review: Dirty Red [Glebe, Sydney]

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Dirty Red 41 Glebe Point Rd, Glebe, NSW 2037

I absolutely adore checking out new cafes over the weekend. Dirty Red is this cute little cafe in a baby blue terraced building that is literally 30 seconds from the Glebe markets. (which you know is exactly what I did after this)

There’s something so nice about eating out for breakfast or lunch on a Saturday. For a few hours, everything seems slower paced and relaxed and it makes me not want the day to end. As someone who works in corporate, some working weekdays can be really stressful. I definitely don’t take the weekend for granted and really enjoy and saviour these simpler moments.

In line with coronavirus safety guidelines, all people are required to scan and register to dine in. This is in place just so they can take your details in the case you were in direct contact with an infected individual.

I was pleasantly impressed with the price range of this menu. I was also very impressed with the wide offering of vegan and vegetarian meals. Dirty Red is a great choice if you are vegan.

I also really liked the branding behind the cafe having it named after a local football club that has been established in the 1900s. I find that the inner west such as areas including Glebe as well as Newtown, Enmore, Chippendale, etc are so rich in history but recently have become so gentrified.

Gentrification can have serious societal impacts as it uses discriminatory behaviour to displace working class and poorer people in favour of wealthier people and making the area newer and nicer. It also has a cultural impact in destroying the ‘soul’ of a neighbourhood due to a changing demographic so I really liked how the cafe paid homage to the area and history.

Anyway let’s go back to the food. I ended up getting:

I ended up going for smashed avo because I’m basic like that. I’m glad I did because I was wowed by the presentation and it tasted delicious.

There is a lot of open space in the cafe. There is outdoor seating by the road and also at the back in the courtyard. The courtyard is beautiful with really open space and so many plants. It is a really nice atmosphere to eat and chat.

Apologies for my half eaten meal but I just really appreciate a runny egg. Yum.

There’s also a cute sign on your way out. Overall, I really enjoyed the atmosphere of the cafe which honestly can make or break your experience. The waiters were all super nice and the service was excellent. I would definitely come again.

I’m just looking at this sign again and I’m definitely coming in the afternoon to take advantage of espresso martini happy hour (ugh).

Like I mentioned, Dirty Red is just across the road from Glebe Public School which is where the weekly Glebe markets are held. If you’re ever free and in the area, it’s a lovely place to check out with some pals and check out the lovely stalls, maybe eat something to eat and bask in the sun on the grass and just have a chill weekend. My absolute favourite kind of weekend.