The Umbrian - Newcastle

AI knew when I peeked through the doors when the shop was under construction from the elegant clean lines of the polished concrete bench and the exposed brick wall that I was going to love this place. Finally I have made it in and met the owner, Olivia. Wonderful lady with Umbrian (Italian region) background. She was welcoming, polite and full of life. She really is meant for hospitality.So, I tried the piadina (flat bread) made by Olivia, and it was delightful - perfect, and I must say, thank god there wasn't a smashed avocado on sourdough in site. Not that I don't mind a good one, it's just...c'mon let's do something different folks.Then I had a decaf coffee (unfortunately I can't have caffeine anymore) with a ricotta cake. I wasn't expecting much, honestly, because I'm a pastry cook, but I was very surprised. It was better than mine, and of course it reminded me of Papa's in Haberfield, Sydney.The décor is minimal and rightly so. I am looking forward to when other people discover this place and it's pumping. What a welcome delight for Newcastle it is to have Olivia here. I wish her well and I am sure she will add more interesting temptations as she establishes her new business.*****NOTE**** there is a person that has reviewed here and it seems that she has a bug up her bottom and something against Olivia. I can tell that from my perspective (Italian/Australian) and a pastry cook that I was very happy with what The Umbrian has done. Please disregard a blatant bias.

In Hunter Street, not far from the new Law Courts, and my wife and I had a delightful mid morning breakfast here with excellent coffee and a great selection of interesting breakfast choices.My wife had the Morning Piadini which is an Italian style flatbread filled with truss tomatoes, mozzarella and basil, she loved it; and I had the Morning Run which was a piadini filled with egg and bacon - delicious. And our coffees were perfect.We sat on stools at a table on the footpath with our dachshund puppy at our feet and watched the passing parade of people and cars.Very friendly and helpful staff also made this a very pleasant experience.Not sure why the first review here was such a negative one as everyone raves ( word of mouth) about this place. We were told about Umbrian and decided to go and try it, and we were very glad we did. We'll definitely be back.

Offering Italian food, but that isn't real Italian food. Still they have to study a lot to present Italian food. Disgusting cappuccino, Sicialian cannoli flavorless, what are these? Really bad experience. Maybe in a few years they will cook, yet are not able.

Gorgeous space (can't wait to see what they do with the back space!) The piadina I had was the caprese special, and it was disappointing.

We stumbled upon Umbria by chance while exploring Newcastle and were immediately impressed by the staff and owners. We ended up visiting twice, once for morning coffee and later for lunch. The coffee was excellent and the homemade lunch was delightful. We even indulged in dessert. Umbria is a charming café that offers a blend of Italian flavors and Newcastle hospitality.