By Marie-Antoinette Issa.
There’s a new hare-raising addition to Sydney’s Saturday morning avo-toast-and-athleisure scene…and this one embraces its rusty edges!
The Rusty Rabbit, the cheeky cafe known for brunch with bite, has officially opened its third burrow, settling into the leafy suburb of Concord and it’s already thumping with locals and food-focused fans from further afield.
TRR’s Inner West outpost is the latest cafe from brothers Josh and Jamesray Khoury and brings their signature flavour-filled feasts and playful personality to a brand-new 100-square-metre space at 58 Mortlake Street.
Named after James Dean and his grandfather, Jamesray is himself the perfect metaphor for the brand that is equal parts rebellious and charismatic – but with all the warmth you’d expect from a Lebanese jidou. It is a duality that freely runs through the venue too: bold, a little mischievous, but always grounded in heart and hospitality.
By way of background, a decade ago, the brothers launched the original Rusty Rabbit in Darlinghurst - a cafe that dangled a carrot in front of local hipsters and earned its stripes as a beloved neighbourhood institution.
A second outpost followed in St Leonards and now, with Concord, they’ve pulled another rabbit out of the hat and officially completed their cafe trilogy. It is a location which feels especially meaningful, given their first Inner West venture in Burwood in 2017 closed before it could really find its footing due to COVID.
"Concord is our second shot,” says Josh. "It’s a redemption story and a homecoming all in one.”
They’re not hopping into this new chapter empty-pawed. With 10 years of hospitality know-how, a diehard following and a fully formed brand identity that’s part chill, part cheek, this latest warren is primed for success.
For all the upgrades, the bones of the brand haven’t changed. Built from the ground up with the help of their parents, The Rusty Rabbit is still a family-run operation that puts hospitality first. One where warmth, whimsy and well-crafted dishes never disappoint.
Beyond the brunch staples, the menu reflects the Khourys’ Lebanese hare-itage with spice-driven dishes like lamb eggs with labneh, kafta and za’atar oil, or shawarma tacos with pickled peppers and garlic yoghurt. It’s classic Aussie cafe culture - with a little extra kick.
Josh nominates the hearty steak and eggs as his favourite - a dish which started life as a special but proved so popular it became a permanent fixture. Jamesray’s pick is the pumpkin patch – a plant-based take on toast that he mischievously tops with chorizo.
Other standouts include The Rabbit’s Choice juice (a secret concoction where carrots are King), signature pancake stacks - both sweet and savoury varieties - and the freshly-made-by-grandmother-and-mum-Carol falafel, which, although not always on the menu, are beloved by regulars and gone in a flash.
Be sure to leave a spot for super-sized cookies from Bite Bakery – they’re spectacular.
In true Rusty Rabbit style, there are no rules. If you want to go half-half, swap something out or mash two dishes together, the kitchen won’t glare like angry Chefs in other venues – they’ll go down the rabbit hole to make it happen.
Inside, the walls pump with personality too. Jamesray created the artwork himself, spotlighting his staff in bold, colourful portraits that give Andy Warhol-Pop-art vibes. Pair that with quirky signage, rustic-industrial touches and a wall packed with branded merchandise and you’ve got brunch, but better.
Perhaps the sweetest addition to the Concord site is what’s happening out back: a dedicated pop-up space for collaborating with local brands and small businesses. It’s a natural extension of the Rusty Rabbit’s community-first ethos - and just another reason why this cafe is more than just a pretty plate of pancakes.
"It feels like Darlinghurst all over again,” says Josh. "Only this time, we’re not the wide-eyed newcomers. Now, we’ve got 10 years of lessons behind us. It’s a completely different ballgame.”
Don’t let us rabbit on! Whether you're a local Concord critter or a brunch bandit from further afield, it's time to hop to it. After all, a new Rusty Rabbit location means a new excuse for pancakes, pastries and plenty of punny (or should that be bunny?) - filled Instagram captions!
The Rusty Rabbit Concord is open Monday-Friday, 6.30 am-3.30 pm, Saturday-Sunday, 7 am-3 pm. The kitchen is open until 3 pm.
