Intro
Ka~fé
85 Montague St,
North Wollongong, NSW
(02) 4254 1422
open daily from 7:30am till 3:30pm
Ka~fé is a specialty coffee house nestled away in North Wollongong.Coffee is the forefront of the business and the Barista’s pride themselves on being the only venue in the area that offer a wide range of award winning coffee blends and seasonal single origins, specially selected and roasted by Delano Coffee. The focus on seasonal coffee means the blends of coffee offered at Ka~fé change throughout the year so that the customers experience is always new and exciting.
Ka~fé allows the customers to view Delano’s coffee roasting as it takes place through a large window into the coffee roastery, enjoy a coffee cupping experience where they can learn about different coffees and preparation methods, or to visit the barista school for an introductory barista class or to hone their barista skills.
Customers can have their coffee prepared in a variety of methods; from the classic espresso based milk coffees, to filter coffee and the unconventional like cold drip and syphon. Freshly produced and seasonally selected cafe food is on the menu and the staff will impress with their charm and customer service. Ka~fé is bringing something completely new to the
café scene in Wollongong.
The Favourite Child
163 Glenayr Ave,
Bondi, Australia
(02) 9300 8845
open daily from 7am till 5pm
When the name Bondi is mentioned most will think of sun-soaked beaches, tourist buses, attractive locals, white pointers and a few different cliche summer anthem songs. Speciality coffee house is not what would come to mind, however The Favourite Child is bringing a wholly different flavour to what is probably the most famous beach setting in the world.
Modelled after the classic basement New York bar meets the trendy bohemian setting of east London, you will find The Favourite Child a succinct mix of designer class and street attitude. Childhood collectables line the walls, a signed Hanson guitar acts as a doorstop and in the corner sits an original arcade table, featuring none other than Pac-Man, where you can sip away at your latte and try to best the locals high scores.
In addition the finest speciality coffee the café offers a food menu comprised of pastries and seasonal hand crafted café style dishes that are fresh, flavourful and unpretentious. Ben the manager and his staff are approachable and knowledgable coffee enthusiasts, with an eye for detail and service and a relaxed Australian charm iconic of the Bondi area.
5th Season
Cronulla Mall, Cronulla, NSW
Open daily from 7:30am till 3:30pm
Take an iconic kiosk in the centre of Cronulla beaches bustling outdoor mall, give it a stylish facelift, pop a couple of young industry groomed enthusiasts with charismatic charm, an eye for detail and great service and you get 5th Season, the word on every Shire based coffee aficionado’s tounge.
Tristan and Simon (the owners/operators), have created a unique space where well prepared, speciality coffee can be experienced beachside. The boys pride themselves on offering a variety of blends and single origins that they prepare via the best methods for the specific bean, including espresso based drinks and filter coffee. Besides coffee the cafe offers a generous range of house made pastries, baked goods and baked sandwiches.
As coffee drinkers become more discerning, 5th Season are ensuring that speciality coffee is readily available, so Cronulla residents (and visitors) can grab their coffee and enjoy the beautiful seaside.
Youeni Provides
379B South Dowling Street, Darlinghurst, NSW
(02) 9368 0220
Nestled in an idyllic corner-store in Sydney’s leafy Darlinghurst, Youeni Provides exists to deliver a tailored coffee and food experience. The rich flavours and generous plates of delicately prepared foods are daily offerings in this European-inspired atmosphere.
These guys love change – and they bring it seasonally. As farms naturally produce different foods at different times, they adopt the same principle for their menus and shelves.
With a culture that promotes good community, you’ll find at least one communal table in their stores – encouraging customers to retire their inhibitions and share some bench and banter.
It’s the company’s personable approach and education for a healthier lifestyle that causes many locals frequent the doorstep.
The Sharing House
35 Dukes Walk, South Wharf, VIC
(03) 9245 9800
If there’s one thing we’re reluctant to share it’s our Lego. But in true Paul Mathis style, you’d be childish to keep The Sharing House and its Lego-tiled bar a secret. Positioned centre stage, between a turf-grass ceiling and recycled south wharf timber, it’s like a sophisticated pirate ship-cum-eatery that begs to satisfy the inner child in every foodie.
Head chef Mark Briggs (formerly of Vue du Monde) has created a menu that offers colour and variety in every dish, to suit every palate. From the parmesan crumbed rabbit and cauliflower popcorn to moules mariniere made from Port Arlington mussels, pay attention because you’re about to get schooled.
Concentrating on the modern, Australian philosophy of fresh, high-quality ingredients, The Sharing House is simple and fun. But with a fresh, contemporary interior and perspective, it’s still the coolest kid in class.And we’re best friends, so there.
Goldilocks
Stanley Place (Behind Firechief),
Hawthorn East, VIC
(03) 9831 1799
At Goldilocks, the coffee is not too hot, not too cold, but just right.
We reserve our finest private-label blend for this lil’ lady and all her bear mates. She’s pretty cute. Propped up behind neighbouring restaurant, Firechief, her bright, yellow trim matches the café’s upbeat menu and an always-sunny disposition.
Stop for some sous-vide eggs, teamed with a slender fillet of tender, crisp-skinned Tasmanian salmon. You’ll be so satisfied, you’ll want to have a post-food nap in a stranger’s bed.
But for safety reasons, we suggest you try the coffee instead. It’ll be Delano private label, crafted with the prestigious ‘Slayer’ machine and promises to be ‘just right’ every time.
Coffeehead
8 Railway Parade, Camberwell VIC
(03) 9831 1400
Damn you, Mathis, you’ve done it again. This beanchild- I mean, brainchild of gastronomic genius Paul Mathis, is like the chocolate sprinkle on top of a diverse and divine cappuccino. Specialising in all things caffeinated, Coffeeheads brings a whole other flavour to the bottomless, long black that is the Melbourne bean scene.
Tucked away behind Camberwell station like a back-street bandit, Coffeehead will stop you in your tracks and rob you of all you coffee-drinking dreams. Yes, they thought of it before you did, try and not love it. You can choose the bean, add your roasting method and then brew it whichever way you can imagine. After which, you drink the coffee while you watch more of it being roasted. Then you can buy the beans wholesale before you float home on a cloud.
Coffeeheads vibe is educational, informative and above all fun. So if you have a passion for coffee and a thirst to learn more then this is the place for you.
Specc Café
344 Clovelly Road, Clovelly, NSW
(02) 9664 7888
Like any Clovelly local, Specc likes her coffee amongst the elements. And like a more relaxed cousin of Bondi you actually want to hang out and get to know her. In other words this café actually gives a Specc.
By 8am, seven days a week she opens her expansive, French doors and lets you sit and ponder the passers-by til your heart’s content. Do yourself a favour and feast on a big breakfast while Dan-the-man works his magic behind the coffee machine. This man knows his craft; with over thirteen years experience making coffee, we don’t trust anything less.
They’re known for their friendly and attentive service as well as their simple and quality menu and coffee. So needless to say, you won’t ever have to see that other side of the family again.
