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Cakeboi’s Reece Hignell opens new cafe in historic Mayfield building

The Mayfield community has been abuzz since locals recently noticed movement at the historic Coliseum Antiques cafe, which has reopened as Sonny & Betty, under the reins of none other than Cakeboi himself, Reece Hignell.
Reece Hignell outside his new cafe Sonny & Betty in Mayfield

As a Mayfield local for the past 10 years, Reece is excited to bring new life to the space on Maitland Road, offering a classic brunch menu with a focus on fun flavours, local ingredients and a relaxed, community-centred atmosphere.

“The Coliseum Antiques building is an iconic part of Mayfield, but the attached cafe space has been quite transient in recent years,” explains Reece. “With mine and my team’s experience running Cakeboi for the past few years, as well as our restaurant Acacia Dining, I feel we’re in a good place to be able to revive the cafe and highlight this beautiful building.”

“Nothing on the menu will be quite as it seems. For example, our chef is using his Latin background to introduce fun additions to the menu items, such as a chilli salsa macha or Spanish pan con tomate bread. Our cafe manager has a love for all things bread-making, so there’ll be plenty of bakery-style offerings too.”

The menu will feature all your favourite brunch items like avocado on toast or bacon and egg rolls, but with a unique flavour-packed twist. Coffee will be thanks to Floozy, while plenty of other local suppliers have jumped on board too.

“Nothing on the menu will be quite as it seems,” says Reece. “For example, our chef is using his Latin background to introduce fun additions to the menu items, such as a chilli salsa macha or Spanish pan con tomate bread. Our cafe manager has a love for all things bread-making, so there’ll be plenty of bakery-style offerings too.”

Reece has leaned into the vintage antique style of the building, with mismatched tables and chairs as well as a collection of vintage saucers and plates. As for the name? It’s a nod to his grandparents, Arthur and Elizabeth, who were more commonly known as Sonny and Betty.

“I’ve tried to name all of my businesses after things that are important to me, and I just think the names Sonny and Betty are so cute,” says Reece. “The businesses are my legacy so it’s important that they reflect a bit of me too.”

Sonny & Betty will be open Wednesdays through to Sundays with doors officially open on Saturday 1 February 2025. Drop in to the Coliseum for a browse of the antiques before settling in for a relaxed brunch among like-minded locals

Sonny & Betty
116/122 Maitland Road, Mayfield, NSW 2304
Wednesday – Sunday 6.30am – 3pm
Instagram: @sonny.and.betty

Words: Hannah Mills | Photography: Hannah Mills

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