We’ve all marvelled at those intricate designs baristas weave into the froth on the top of our lattes.
It’s likely that latte art emerged simultaneously in different countries, however, it is generally agreed that it shares roots with the espresso in Italy.
Its real boom in popularity came from Seattle, thanks to David Schomer and his coffee shop Espresso Vivace. In the late 1980s, Schomer started experimenting with different shapes and by 1989, he had perfected the heart-shaped rosetta pattern, based on a picture he saw from an Italian café called Caffe Mateki.
After honing his techniques, he opened a course called ‘Caffe Latte Art’ and the concept quickly spread through Seattle, the rest of the US and the world.
Today latte art has become a marker of an experienced and skilled barista and is appreciated by coffee lovers as a more personalised touch to their café visit.
Here are six cafes to visit where you will be amazed at the art on the top of your brew:
Bringing the Cammeray community fun and enjoyable dining experiences, Sydneysiders head to The Alchemist Espresso on Carter Street for specialty coffee and café fare with flair. Sunny days guarantee the patio will be full of guests enjoying a drink and bite to eat, or head indoors where you can cosy up by the fireplace in Winter and peruse an all-day menu showcasing the freshest local produce.
Start the day the right way with a latte topped with intricate designs from Easter bunnies to dragons, alongside plates such as sweet corn, broccoli, carrot and onion fritters, stacked with halloumi, smashed avocado, poached egg, sesame, red salsa and Greek yoghurt for dipping.
Sunday in Canberra on Ernest Cavanagh Street in Gungahlin is a cosy, casual dining venue bringing you ultimate comfort dishes in Canberra’s bright Northern suburbs. After a stroll around the lake head to this café to chill out in rustic surrounds of recycled wood, stacked stone, glowing Edison bulb lighting and potted greenery while wall slogans such as ‘easy like Sunday mornin’ set the scene for lingering over a delicious meal with family and friends.
Check out the patterns decorating the top of your latte while enjoying a chimichurri croissant filled with poached eggs, avocado, beef Kransky, cheese, pico de gallo, Hollandaise and mixed sesame; or crispy chicken on a Belgian waffle with cream cheese, fried basil, maple syrup and buffalo butter.
Find something to lark about at The Laughing Lark Café in Clyde Street Mall in Frankston. This fun and funky Melbourne café is the place to hang out with family and friends in visually delightful surrounds of a vibrant wall mural of a kookaburra, potted greenery and aqua-coloured banquette seating, as you ponder an all-day menu sure to tempt all tastes.
Early risers tuck into eggs royal – poached eggs on toasted Turkish bread with smoked salmon and housemade Hollandaise – paired with an artfully decorated latte; or visit and chow down on posh fish and chips with fried breaded salmon, chips, salad and chilli mayo dip.
Look on the upside of life with all-day breaky at locally-loved The Upside café on Prospect Road in Prospect. Dine alfresco on the patio and people watch with a creatively decorated brew of choice, or head indoors where bifold doors bring the outside in and cabinets overflow with all manner of temptations to satisfy all tastebuds.
For breaky, perhaps devour shakshuka poached eggs in spiced tomato sauce, pork, chorizo and capsicum sauce with char-grilled ciabatta, or join a lively lunch crowd for a grilled BBQ steak wrap with red onion, tomato, cheese, lettuce and aioli, while sipping a latte topped with a dragon.
All-day Filipino fare with flair has Canberra foodies salivating at Northside Garden Café on O’Hanlon Place in Nicholls. A sunny alfresco area with thatched umbrellas and an oasis of potted greenery awaits on balmy days, or head indoors where polished wood, glowing globe lighting and cosy tables beckon as diners peruse a menu delivering Filipino and Western dishes sure to tempt all tastes.
Stop in early for a smoked salmon breaky roll with beetroot hummus, poached egg, spinach, quinoa, sun-dried tomato and honey lemon vinaigrette; or espresso your love for dishes like bangsilog – crispy milkfish, fried egg, garlic fried rice, cucumber, tomato and house spiced vinegar.
Albion foodies find an industrial coffee oasis at Neighbourhood Coffee Roasters on Sandgate Road. Nestled in Albion Fine Trades, this Brisbane specialty roaster and café delivers delicious fare along with coffee beans and brewing gear in funky surrounds of exposed and polished concrete, trailing greenery and shelves groaning with products.
Pair your lovingly decorated latte with dishes like avocado on toast, with jam, Bloody Mary ketchup and celery salt.
