It’s not procrastinating if you are drinking coffee… it’s procaffinating!
Most of us wake up craving that caffeine fix that makes everything right in the world - from setting the mood for a productive day at work, to dealing with household chores and child-minding.
It would be hard to find a coffee drinker who disagrees – coffee has become the petrol of modern society, fuelling millions every day with wakefulness and purpose. Hand in hand with your favourite latte or cappuccino comes the café circuit scene that abounds on city and suburban street corners all over this country.
Grab your keep cup and appetite and check out our favourite
coffee and café haunts…
Heirloom roasted beetroot, Meredith’s goat curd, pickled radish, baby herbs, textured olive oil and a poached egg at Copper and Spoon.
Café Spots in Melbourne:
If you find yourself in the trendy Melbourne suburb of Essendon, take a stroll down Fletcher Street where the bright red front door of Copper and Spoon catches the eye in the front courtyard of an old period Victorian house, surrounded by relaxed seating and flourishing flower beds, ideal for coffee and catchups.
Passionate about what coffee they pour into your cup and food served on your plate, prepare for a leisurely brunch of creative temptations such as brisket Benny, with shaved brisket, poached eggs, hollandaise and onion dust, on sourdough toast with crispy potato skins.
For fare with flair and a good dose of Kiwi humour, head to Hairy Dog Café on Main Street in Gembrook. Perhaps the hairy dog himself – aka Craig – will be front of house to take your order in this light, bright and airy venue, where a rustic red brick façade welcomes guests to linger alfresco over a Merlo coffee and brunch bite.
Chow down on the potato chorizo grill with kale, soft poached egg and lemon oil; or wrap your hands around a housemade beef burger on a charcoal brioche bun, with salad, oven roasted tomato, bacon, cheese, relish and sweet potato crisps.
Café and Coffee Stops in Sevenhill and Walkerville:
Work up an appetite strolling through the indigenous Australian bush food garden, at Bush DeVine Café nestled within Paulett Winery in Sevenhill. After exploring the Clare Valley, take a sensory detour to find this hidden gem which sources inspiration and produce from the garden for its café menu of adventurous fare.
Soak up serene views alfresco while contemplating sharing a
specialty platter of chutney, bushie meats, olive tapenade, marinated
mushrooms, labneh, feta, chorizo and crusty bread; while those thinking outside
the box may be enticed by kangaroo striploin, carrot and wattle seed confit,
asparagus and pomegranate sauce.
Waffles at Coffee Institute.
Coffee Institute, on Walkerville Terrace in Adelaide’s northern suburbs, delivers dishes to please the palate, appetite and eye. Residing on a cosy corner block, guests enter through the front courtyard to discover a modern fit out of polished concrete floors, timber furniture, splashes of turquoise blue and ambient pendent lighting, making for an ideal spot to sip a smooth cup of coffee.
Harissa smoked salmon bruschetta with avocado salsa on charcoal ciabatta may tempt, or perhaps an all-day brunch plate of lamb salad, quinoa, kale, rocket, feta, spiced chickpeas, pine nuts, pepitas, poached egg and beetroot pachadi will hit the spot.
Café Favourites in Lismore and Zetland:
Offering a signature coffee blend from Espresso Botero noted for rich nutty aromas, Café Cappello on Carrington Street in Lismore is a much loved linger-worthy local destination. A welcoming family ambiance invites locals and those travelling from afar into a dining room, where tables are adorned in chequered cloth and the room overflows with a soundtrack of cheery music.
Sip an Italian caffe corretto – a shot of espresso with a nip of liquor - and twirl a fork around fettuccine pollo e funghi, chicken, porcini, field mushrooms, cream, white wine and shallots; or perhaps grab a slice of prosciutto, goats cheese and fresh rocket pizza.
From freshly roasted Cicco coffee to egg pasta, everything on the menu at Café Vite on Elizabeth Street in Zetland is homemade, embracing the Italian concept of ‘fatta in casa.’ Café goers can expect to taste fresh local ingredients in dishes blending authentic flavours with Australian produce and dining culture, as they chill out in the courtyard, where overhead grapevines provide shade on sunny days.
Choose to dine indoors where seating options include high benches and tables, intimate corners and cheery window spots and tuck into a breakfast bowl of quinoa, kale, mushrooms, avocado, poached eggs, cherry tomato, farro and lemon dressing; or ricotta pancakes, berries and maple syrup.
Brunch and Brews at Palmwoods and Agnes Waters:
Relaxing aromatic coffee, hearty breakfast and delicious lunch await Sunshine Coast locals and visitors at The Cocoa Tree Café on Margaret Street in Palmwoods. This small, intimate café entices with options to dine indoors, or outside in the alfresco area under market umbrellas while watching the world go by and savouring all-day brunch options like sourdough toast, topped with smashed avocado, feta and micro herbs.
Don’t forget to check out the constantly changing range of delectable sweet treats on offer in the display cabinet, like an Oreo slice topped with half an Oreo cookie.
The picturesque coastal town of Agnes Waters is home to Mod Oz inspired Café Discovery on Heights Entrance. A modern interior is styled with a Scandinavian feel of exposed timber floors, pine chairs, chocolate walls and pendent lights for a chilled-out ambiance to enjoy a meal with family and friends.
Early risers may opt for a roasted sweet potato and feta breakfast frittata served with poached egg, bacon and grilled tomato; while lunchgoers wrap their hands around a gourmet chicken, sun-dried tomato, aioli, pesto and baby spinach toasted panini.
Café and Coffee Haunts at Stirling and Denmark:
Sip an alfresco coffee beside the koi pond at Blue Lotus Café, a popular hotspot with Stirling locals and visitors, with its warm and welcoming environment, children’s play area and water features. Nestled inside Waldecks Garden Centre on the corner of Hamilton Street and North Beach Road, lattés can also be enjoyed indoors amid potted palms, or dine under market umbrellas to the zen-like sounds of gurgling water.
Pancake lovers won’t go past the Canadian version with real
bacon, maple syrup and ice cream; or perhaps a toasted blueberry bagel with
caramelised poached fruit, citrus cream cheese and berry compote will appease
rumbling hunger pangs. Lunch choices include burgers, salads, gourmet rolls and
quiche of the day with salad and a side of chips.
Pancakes at Mrs Jones Café.
Serving fresh, honest food with a healthy dose of charm, Mrs Jones Café on Mount Shadforth Road in the idyllic Western Australian seaside town of Denmark, lures both regulars and newcomers passing through. A beautiful garden bursting with lush green ferns and violets in bloom leads diners up to this weatherboard café, where wooden ceiling beams and white French doors set a relaxed beachy vibe inside.
Those who like spice may decide on shakshuka, with tomato, capsicum, onion, spices, eggs, feta and coriander; while later guests can devour sticky ginger and chilli pork belly, grilled eggplant salad and coconut rice.
Café and Coffee Haunts in Burnie and Hobart:
Guests drop by to pick up a takeaway coffee and quick snack, or catch up with friends and steal a seat to refresh with a vibrantly hued smoothie at Europa on the corner of Wilson and Cattley Streets in Burnie. Join a lively crowd indoors where a warm and inviting ambiance abounds with a charming fit out of crisp black and white tones further adorned with playful splashes of colour, cosy cushioned lounges and green fernery.
From a menu designed with big international flavours in mind, find everything from housemade falafel wraps with hummus, seasonal salad and relish, through to potato Massaman curry with roasted peanuts and rice.
A high glass ceiling and feature windows let in natural light at destination-worthy diner Headroom Café on Barrack Street in Hobart’s CBD. Guests escape city hustle and bustle to linger over an aromatic coffee away from the office, amongst wood feature walls and polished timber floors in spacious surrounds, while in balmier months alfresco dining tempts as an option.
Grab a scrambled egg, smoked salmon and hollandaise breakfast panini, alongside a berry bliss smoothie; or for those with heartier appetites delve into battered fish, salad and mayo served in a crispy baguette with lemon and chips.
These are just a few of our recommendations! Find more near you HERE.
