One of the best things about working in Cremorne is that you are never too far from a good coffee, a quick lunch or something sweet when the 3pm slump hits. But with so many options around Swan Street, Balmain Street and the surrounding pockets, knowing where to actually go can be a little overwhelming. So, rather than tell you where we think you should go, we asked the people who actually work here.

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We took a lap around the collective_100 community and asked everyone to vote for their favourite spots for coffee, lunch and sweet treats nearby.There were a few clear winners, a couple of very close calls and one result decided by a single vote.

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Here is what the C100 community had to say.

Coffee: Decjuba X St Ali takes the crown

1. Decjuba X St Ali – 16 votes

The community's clear number one, with double the votes of anyone else.

It is not hard to see why. Decjuba X St Ali is close to the office, serves St Ali beans and is one of the more affordable coffee options on the strip, making it an easy choice when you are trying to get your morning caffeine fix without disappearing for half an hour.

And there is one small detail that earned them some serious community points: there is no extra charge for oat, soy or almond milk.

In a world of surprise alternative milk surcharges, that goes a long way.

2. Fuga – 8 votes

A newcomer to the Cremorne coffee scene, Fuga has already made itself very comfortable on the C100 favourites list.

Members particularly love the customer service. It is the kind of place where you feel looked after, rather than simply served.

When the weather is on our side, there is also a great spot out the front to stand with your coffee and soak up a little of the Cremorne morning buzz.

3. Baker Bleu – 7 votes

Just one vote behind Fuga, Baker Bleu rounds out the top three.

It is a little more of a treat-yourself option and a favourite when you want your coffee to feel like a moment rather than simply fuel for the day.

It is also a solid option when you are taking a client out and want somewhere that feels a little more special.

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Our coffee takeaway

If you are new to the area, you really cannot go too wrong with these three. Start with Decjuba for your everyday coffee, Fuga when you want great service and a bit of atmosphere, and Baker Bleu when you are treating yourself.

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Lunch: T&L narrowly takes the win

1. T&L – 12 votes

The bahn mi legends of Swan Street have taken out the lunch category, but only just.

T&L has been a Cremorne favourite for years, and clearly our community is not ready to let it go anywhere anytime soon.

It is quick, close and reliable, which is exactly what you want when you have 30 minutes between meetings and still need to eat something good.

Some things probably do not need improving.

2. Balmain Takeaway – 11 votes

One vote behind T&L, and possibly the biggest surprise of the entire poll.

Also known around the office as the hole in the wall, the corner shop and, for reasons we will not investigate too closely, the suspicious kitchen.

It might not look like much from the outside, but it is cheap, close and, according to our community, very, very good.

Sometimes the unassuming places are the ones that win you over.

3. Baker Bleu and Hector's Deli – 7 votes each

We have a tie for third.

Both are great options when you want something a little more substantial or are willing to spend a little more on lunch.

Baker Bleu brings the bakery credentials, while Hector's Deli is a solid choice for a good sandwich.

Are they slightly more expensive than your average Tuesday lunch? Maybe.

Are we still going back? Absolutely.

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Sweet treats: Tarts Anon wins by a mile

1. Tarts Anon – 10 votes

If you have not been to Tarts Anon yet, consider this your sign.

It was the clear winner in our sweet treat category and the one our community could not stop talking about.

There is something about a good afternoon treat that can completely change the trajectory of a workday. The 3pm slump becomes considerably more manageable when you know there is a tart waiting for you.

And apparently, once you have tried them, you start bringing them back for everyone else too.

We are not saying it is team bonding.

But we are also not saying it is not.

2. Cremorne St Bakers – 8 votes

Coming in second, Cremorne St Bakers is particularly loved for its brownies.

Rich, indulgent and definitely more exciting than the emergency packet of biscuits sitting in the office kitchen.

They are also a great option when you need to bring something back for the team.

3. Baker Bleu – 7 votes

Baker Bleu makes another appearance on the podium, this time thanks largely to its Portuguese tarts.

A little more luxurious, a little more indulgent and a very easy way to turn an ordinary afternoon into a slightly better one.

Making the top three in all three categories is no small achievement.

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But perhaps the best part of this little experiment was seeing just how many different spots our community nominated.

There was no single answer for everything. Some people have their loyal coffee order, others have their regular lunch run, and someone will always know exactly where to go when a team meeting requires pastries.

That is part of what makes working in Cremorne so good.

You can grab a quick coffee before your first meeting, walk down Swan Street for lunch, pick up something sweet for the office and still be back at your desk without spending your entire afternoon doing it.

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So, if you are new to Cremorne, start here.

And if you have been around for a while, maybe it is time to try somewhere new.

Just do not blame us if Tarts Anon becomes your new 3pm habit.

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Learn more about collective_100 here.