Melbourne CBD

[_moby_]

Re: Melbourne CBD

I dropped into Padres latest venture, The League Of Honest Coffee, this morning.

Its on Exploration Lane (but fronts onto Little Lonsdale Street, near the corner of Exhibition Street) and theyve found themselves a lovely open spaced venue and theyve decorated it superbly, right down to a beautiful motif on the roof.

Theyve got a superb looking green Slayer, are running three Mazzers (i think), their house blend and two single origins along with the usual 7-8 other beans for retail sale.

Staff are very friendly, as youd expect from Padre, and theyre even got iPads to take orders.

The CBDs been crying out for another open spaced, airy yet stylish venue so hopefully Padre continue delivering in the cup.

Had a really tasty double espresso here today.  Close to my work which will be convenient.

[jaysonleow]

Re: Melbourne CBD

I dropped into Padres latest venture, The League Of Honest Coffee, this morning.

Yeah, I dropped by this afternoon, it was toasty and warm, good place to escape from the chilly weather today.
Baristas were more than friendly and the two Slayers looked amazing.

[mrseca]

Re: Melbourne CBD

I had breakfast and a double short macc from Degraves Esspresso Bar on Degraves street.
Then went back this arvo for a double short latte.
Both were awesome, made on a Synesso machine by an impressive barista.
pretty sure they roast their own as well, I smelled a very familiar smell when I was outside.

[andreasb]

Re: Melbourne CBD

Went to the "Old Chamber" on the corner of Elizabeth and Collins St in the city yesterday.

Great conversion of the old NZ Bank, a really beautiful location matched by some very well made coffees.

House blend is the St Ali reserve, and they have single origins that change every few days. I think they may roast their single origin.

Food is very good too.

[Zaneus]

Re: Melbourne CBD

I went on a coffee tour of the CBD a couple of days ago. I tried soo much coffee and most of it was fantastic, however because i tried so much i dont really remember exact details of everything.


Dancing goat cafe - First coffee i had in melbourne was here. First was a house blend pic. latte. a little hot but very nice. Then i tried their single origin (not sure what it was). different barista this time. it was the right temperature and tasted amazing, would go here again.

Cafenatics on Flinders - Just had a short black. not very complex but pretty drinkable. i do remember it being fairly acidic but not overly so.

Sensory lab - Only had cold drip here but man was it tasty. Syrupy mouth feel with delicious herbal notes and an almost earl grey like quality to it.

BBB - So busy that i couldnt talk with anyone here. nice short black and the barista was pumping out fantastic looking milk based drinks. Short black was better than cafenatics, more complex.

Naked Espresso bar - Lovely people here. Probably my favorite place i visited. We talked about coffee and cafes in general and the melbourne coffee scene. There was some contention between the two baristas over the single origin. One loved it, one hated it. I thought it was pretty good :P. They also recommended i try out "bons" which is a larger cafe just 10 metres down the street from naked...

Bons - ... great passion for coffee here. The guys wont be known for technical skill in their coffee making or outstanding latte art (my flat white had none) but you immediately notice their passion. The two working at the time were lovely and we also had a nice chat about coffee and about the guys up at naked.

Tobys Espresso Bar in exhibition st - Easily the best coffee i had all day. by a long margin. Costa rican cup of excellence. I got dark chocolate, cherry, bourbon and tobacco, all in perfect balance with each other. It was simply stunning.

Five senses barista academy (300 Rosslyn St) - I was here for some training myself. Andy the head trainer is a wonderful guy and we talked about alternate brew methods for a couple of hours and messed around with some syphon and pour overs. Had an amazing pour over with #18 COE coffee (cant remember what origin it actually was). best pour over ive ever tried. it was absolutely brilliant.

Degraves espresso - Stumbled upon this place as i was wandering around. Spotted a synesso through the window so i thought id give them a try. Sat down and had my short black placed in front of me. Gave it a sip, it was pretty ordinary, very harsh. I saw the barista sip the second shot and wince. He then made some adjustments, pulled a couple of shots then brought me over another short black on his own accord. Told me he hated serving something he wouldnt drink himself. This second shot was lovely. He asked where i was from and mentioned a local roaster he knew was from here, kerry. Its nice to know that us rural boys get our name out! :P. Interstate too! heh

[Bhay95]

1. Sensory Lab
2. BBB
3. Market Lane Coffee
4. Cafenatics
5. Switchboard
These are the top five that I've had in the CBD. Market lane is great if your ever at the vic markets.

[psykitty]

Hello

I have just recently started working in St Kilda Road and have not been able to find anywhere that has good coffee. Please if anybody knows where i can get a good coffee I am desperate.

[Jonathon]

Melbourne CBD

Little King (or maybe it's Little Kings) is under the church on flinders Lane, just up the hill from Swanston st. A really friendly barista is really efficient on her 2 group LM, using padre's padre blend.

They've been open for about a year now and are getting busier as the word gets out, but they still manage to serve everybody really quickly. They do a small selection of food as well, featuring Dench pastries.

As my office is 50 metres from Little King I've tried everywhere in the area (many times) and they're definitely one of the best in this part of the CBD, along with Switchboard and Cup Of Truth.

[Angusw15]

I'll be visiting Melbourne (and Victoria) for the first time from the 25th to the 29th of January. Up here to watch the final of the tennis on the 27th but being a coffeeholic I'll also be browsing some places I can get a good caffeine hit. I'm staying in Little Collins St but that's of little concern since I'll spend at least 1 full day in the CBD. I've read the entire thread and come up with my list:

-The Dancing Goat
-The Sensory Lab
-BBB
-Toby's Espresso Bar
-Swithboard

For coffee+food, what's the best place to go to? I'd be happy getting subways for lunch but my mother (who I am taking with me) doesn't like that idea.

[Jonathon]

Melbourne CBD

I'll be visiting Melbourne (and Victoria) for the first time from the 25th to the 29th of January. Up here to watch the final of the tennis on the 27th but being a coffeeholic I'll also be browsing some places I can get a good caffeine hit. I'm staying in Little Collins St but that's of little concern since I'll spend at least 1 full day in the CBD.

Which end of little Collins? (street number in 100s, 300s or 500s)

[EspressoBrad]

Melbourne CBD

Black velvet on exhibition is great, the will custom roast coffee beans for how you like it! Coffee exchange on little bourke is also great. Fair trader down near exhibition and little Collins is also good.

[Angusw15]

Staying in 22 Little Collins St. however I am happy to do some walking.

[matrat]

Cup of Truth is a winner for mine but it's only a hole in the wall place and hence, food options are quite limited. If you're after a quick and tasty treat I would recommend La Petite Creperie. It's in a converted newspaper stand on the corner of Little Collins and Swanston. Délicieux!

[Jonathon]

Melbourne CBD

I agree with cup of truth. Switchboard is very similar, just slightly more food. Both are slightly hard to find and tiny holes in the wall. Cup of truth probably has the better coffee of the two, especially if the big guy is on, but switchboard has the better setting, and is still excellent coffee.

The league of honest coffee is on little Lonsdale, near Exhibition, corner of exploration lane. They're part of the Padre stable. They do some limited food, it's delicious but limited to hot wraps.

Little king, per my earlier post.

If you like your coffee tasting of lemons, etc then BBB. It's very popular with the hipster crowd, but not to my liking.

Sensory lab is part of the St Ali group. Usually very good, but straying into the tasting-of-lemons category at times.

Instead of Subway for a roll, visit the French guy on Degraves St, right next to the entrance to the subway leading to where Cup of Truth is, corner of Degraves place. The French guy (don't know it's proper name, but it's a red take away joint) makes truly extraordinary filled rolls for lunch. He bakes proper French baguettes fresh each day and uses quality ingredients.

However you really should try to fit in a trip to the inner suburbs if you can, there are so many top cafes there. Just in the inner north east you've got:
Proud Mary, Oxford St, Collingwood - fantastic food, and worth it just to see a 6 group synesso in action.
If you like french pastries, Monsieur on Smith St Collingwood, near Gertrude St, makes awesome croissants. Coffee is a little average though.
Just a few doors north of Monsieur Truffe is Huxtaburger. This place makes burgers that you'll have dreams about, they're exceptional, at least as good as the wagyu burger at Rockpool, and a third of the price.
Triply Tacos on Gertrude St make amazing tacos, burritos, etc.

In the past 2-3 yesrs the area around Smith and Gertrude streets in Collingwood/Fitzroy has become a bit of an epicentre of excellent food, but it's just one of the food hotspots in the inner burbs. Well worth the 15 minute walk from where you're staying.

I'd keep clear of Lygon St in Carlton. With one or two exceptions, almost every place there sells overpriced low quality tourist food.

Enjoy...

[Jonathon]

Also, near the corner of Little Collins St and Russell St you've got 3 great choices:

Famished on Little Collins serves St Ali beans, with great salads

Postal Hall on Russell uses Bristot beans, which I think are a little unusual. Great food there and always a cheery welcome.

Quist on Little Collins is perhaps the oldest coffee shop in Melbourne, they're seriously old and have fantastic old grinders that they still use. They only do take away coffee, and while they're not the very best around, they're definitely the most consistent. I've been going there for about 6-7 years and the same baristas have been there the whole time, hence the consistency. Check out the classic Victoria Arduino machine they use! they also only charge $3.20 for a standard flat white, so super cheap.

Cheers
Jonathon