Our Story
A little cafe with
a lot of heart
How The Lantern started
In 2011, Sarah Lin and her husband David opened a tiny espresso window in a Paddington terrace. The idea was simple: serve exceptional coffee to people who appreciated it. No fuss, no pretension — just good coffee and a smile.
What they didn't expect was how quickly the community would embrace them. Within a year, they'd taken over the entire terrace, added a kitchen, and Sarah — a trained chef — had started cooking the food she'd always wanted to make: seasonal, honest, and genuinely delicious.
Thirteen years later, the espresso window is still there (now inside a full cafe with a sunny courtyard). The team has grown, the menu has evolved, but the philosophy hasn't changed: make everything with care, hire people who love what they do, and treat every customer like a regular.
"We wanted to create the kind of place where you feel like you belong the moment you walk in. Thirteen years in, I think we got there."— Sarah Lin, Co-founder & Head Chef
What We Stand For
Our values
Made In-House
Our bread is baked fresh, our cakes made daily, our sauces and dressings all house-made. If we wouldn't make it at home, it doesn't go on the menu.
Local First
We source produce from Queensland farmers whenever possible and roast our own coffee. Knowing where our food comes from matters to us.
A Place for Everyone
We have options for every diet — and we mean real options, not an afterthought. Our kitchen takes dietary needs seriously.
The Team
The people behind the coffee
Sarah Lin
Head Chef & Co-founder
Marco Torres
Head Barista
Jamie Beale
Front of House Manager
Come say hello
Walk-ins always welcome. Book ahead for groups or special occasions.