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[title]Located in the heart of Palermo, right across from Plaza Armenia, Casa Dingo started out with specialty coffee at its core, but today its offering goes far beyond a cup of coffee. This spot combines Australian café and pub culture with culinary influences from around the world, creating a menu that invites you to stop by for breakfast, lunch or a delicious afternoon snack. The atmosphere is relaxed and laid-back, with a large window offering a great view of the neighborhood and its vibrant surroundings.
The project is led by Germán González, a chef with professional experience in Australia and England, and Gonzalo Krenz, an architect and food enthusiast. Australian inspiration can be found throughout the menu, with flavor combinations and preparations that go beyond what you'd typically expect from a coffee shop.
We visited and started with two of the house classics, both featuring eggs as the star ingredient. First up were the Eggs Benedict, served on English muffins with arugula, gravlax trout, lemon hollandaise sauce, seaweed caviar and caper berries. We also tried the Turkish Eggs, which combine poached eggs with garlic yogurt, spiced brown butter, 'nduja, fresh herbs, chili oil and focaccia.
Next, we moved on to one of the crowd favorites: the Carrots. This dish features carrot hummus topped with goat cheese, crispy chickpeas, onion, parsley and herb oil. It's a more substantial lunch option that puts vegetables front and center, offering something far more interesting than a typical salad or toasted sandwich.
Then it was time for the "mains," if we can call them that. We went for the Steak & Eggs, the house specialty, featuring a 250-gram steak served with French fries, fried eggs and a sauce that blends chimichurri with hollandaise. We also ordered the Aussie Pie, a dish that takes you straight to the heart of Australian pub culture, featuring beef slow-braised for 12 hours, wrapped in puff pastry and served with gravy. Both dishes perfectly showcase another side of Casa Dingo, with plates designed for a proper sit-down lunch rather than simply something to accompany a coffee.
Of course, there's plenty of room for something sweet. We tried the Basque Cheesecake, served in its classic version, although you can also order it with dulce de leche. We also sampled the Honey Butter Brioche, a toasted brioche topped with whipped honey butter and muscovado sugar, orange cream, red berry coulis and toffee sauce. Absolutely delicious. It's the perfect way to finish lunch, but it works just as well as an afternoon treat.
The extensive menu also includes specialty coffee, cold drinks, pastries and options for different times of the day. The idea is simple: the experience isn't defined by the time of day, but by sitting down and enjoying great food in a comfortable setting. And the menu will continue to evolve, with new dishes set to arrive soon.
Good to know: Casa Dingo is open Monday to Friday, from 8am to 8pm, and on weekends and public holidays, from 9am to 8pm. Explore the full menu and offerings here.
Where: Armenia 1908, Palermo.