Called SML Cafe (after small, medium, large) the tiny 18-seater space is home to a few big surprises.

“Willoughby already has quite a lot of cafes so it was important to us that we brought something new and different to the area,” says Josh Edwards, one of the cafe managers.

Those looking for a completely new way to start the day are invited to try the jet-black activated charcoal muesli ($16) which is made from coconut, oats, muesli, nuts, charcoal and black tahini, topped with matcha gelato, fresh berries and edible flowers.

Despite the eye-popping colour, the activated charcoal has little effect on flavour, while the creamy and cooling matcha gelato will have you wondering why you didn’t think to put ice-cream on your cereal sooner.

Other original dishes dreamt up by head chef Yoshi Usami include the paleo banana and prune loaf with espresso coconut yoghurt ($10) and the avocado on sprouted rye toast with smoked garlic oil and dried jalapeño dust ($10).

One of the menu’s most distinguishing features is its many Japanese flavours.

“The final menu did end up with a quite few Japanese brushstrokes.

“This wasn’t intentional, we weren’t trying to be a modern Japanese cafe, it’s just worked out that way,” says Edwards.

Japanese influences can be seen in the pork katsu sandwich ($12) made with tonkatsu, mustard kewpie and cabbage, and the nourish bowl ($20) which contains brown rice, wakame, edamame, wasabi crusted avocado and miso-baked cauliflower.

SML also serve a green matcha latte, iced latte and smoothie. Unsurprisingly, coffee remains the cafe’s most popular beverage with SML using the same custom coffee blend as sister cafe Calibrate.

“The flavour profile of the coffee is set around a Toblerone with notes of milk chocolate, malt and caramel,” says Edwards.

“We’re also planning to introduce filter coffee in the next few weeks, we’re the only place in the area to offer it.”

Those lucky enough to nab one of the highly coveted tables will appreciate the venue’s sleek new monochrome interiors.

They extend from the facade and furniture all the way down to the matte black cutlery.

“We opted for a design that was really clean and simple, it’s such a small space, we didn’t want it to feel crowded,” says Edwards.

Those who don’t wish to wrestle for a seat are invited to put in a takeaway order via the online ordering app, Hey You.