This is How We Brew It – 6 Venues Where Latte Art Rules the Cup

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 venues to find your cup of happiness:

 

Find the first coffee roasting business to be located on the Mid-north Coast at Peak Coffee Brew Lab & Roastery on Jambali Road in Port Macquarie. The brainchild of global coffee entrepreneurs, Sean and Kristine Edwards, this crop-to-cup venue provides expertly-roasted wholesale coffee, along with a range of online beans, merchandise, brewing equipment and barista courses.

Come into the brew lab to learn about the range of espresso, filter and single-origin coffee on offer; treat your taste buds to brews such as top-of-the-shelf blend, Wild Child with a sharp fruit punch, ordered as a latte, expertly decorated by the barista; or take home a bag of Guatemalan El Boqueron Roasters Choice for your morning cuppa Joe.

 

Drop in and perk up at Burleigh Heads café and brew bar, Social Espresso Coffee Roasters on Fremantle Street. Open every weekday morning for good brews and good times, drink coffee and get social over an artfully decorated latte and savoury vegetable muffin; or a chicken and pesto toastie with aioli, avocado and cheese.

Perhaps order your coffee, equipment, cold brew and much more online for delivery; think signature blends and single origins, crafted for the coastal palate, like medium to dark roast Voyager blend with rich, dark chocolate, hazelnuts and figs; or light to medium roast Sweet Bambino blend with flavours of milk chocolate, dried berries and stone fruit. The Social Espresso team can also train staff so that no matter who is behind the machine, every cup of coffee is consistently delicious.

 

With a modern take on Melbourne brunch classics, Bellboy on Nicholson Street is the hippest café on the East Brunswick block. Named after owner Emilio’s first job in the industry, you will find subtle nods to bellboys and hotels throughout the café, where a chic interior vibe of mature tones, stone, polished floors and solid timbers sets the scene for leisurely dining.

A spacious outdoor terrace, complete with a ‘check-in zone’ for your furry friends, is ideal for relaxing and reconnecting with family over a latte decorated with a teddy bear and breaky plates such as lamb sausage, verde beans, Swiss chard, Persian feta and fried egg, on seeded sourdough; or devour a smoked salmon and cream cheese bagel with capers, red onion, tomato, dill and lemon.

Those seeking café fare with flair in Rochedale head down Lorisch Way to find Dabang Coffee House. Located in Rochedale Central, this charming café has a lovely leafy outlook from the alfresco dining area, while indoors has a modern, minimalistic feel, ideal for lingering over a Campos coffee and delicious breaky and lunch plates.

Start your day the right way with a matcha latte topped lovingly with a heart and a spinach, mushroom, tomato, mozzarella and Parmesan omelette, served with sourdough toast, sliced almond and salad; drop by later for a prawn panini on Turkish bread with spinach, cream cheese sauce, mozzarella, Thousand Island dressing and almonds, or a bulgogi beef burger, cheese, mesclun, tomato, red onion, aioli and chips.

 

Synonymous with Geelong for many years, Soft Café on Minerva Road in Herne Hill is renowned for great quality food, drink and friendly service in a comfortable and relaxing atmosphere. Pumping out amazing Inglewood coffee and brunch seven days a week, there are multiple spaces to chill out with a children’s play area, meeting room, dog-friendly alfresco and plenty of room for large groups.

After a morning stroll, stop in to refuel on plates of crispy sweet potato and quinoa fritters, with green goddess dressing, whipped feta, soft fried egg, charred corn and spring onion, washed down with an artfully delivered latte; or opt for a braised pork brunch burrito with avocado-edamame smash, spinach, aioli, chipotle black beans, bacon and egg, wrapped together in a toasted tortilla.

 

Serving specialty coffee, tasty food and a vibrant ambience every day, Gretel Coffee Roasters on McLeod Road in Carrum is the place to head for catch-ups with friends and family. Order a coffee brewed to perfection and served with affection as you chill out alfresco behind the picket fence, or head indoors where a lively buzz of conversation fills the air and whitewashed walls are filled with colourful artwork creating the ideal vibe for leisurely brunching and lunching.

Get the day started with magic mushrooms, poached eggs, pesto oil, feta, truffle paste and spinach, on sourdough with beetroot hummus and an expertly decorated barista latte; or join a lively lunch crowd for a smoked salmon and avo salad, with cos lettuce, cherry tomato, cucumber, onion and housemade dressing, with a side of chips.