Sunshine Coast Daily readers vote for region’s best coffee

The results are in and the cafe that was voted as having the best coffee on the Sunshine Coast by our readers can be revealed, after more than 120 were nominated.

The search is over for the Sunshine Coast’s best coffee.

After more than 120 nominations of coffee makers from Noosa to Caloundra, the Sunshine Coast Daily reader-voted best coffee shop can be revealed.

Emjays Birtinya won following a call-out for nominations on social media and a seven-day online vote, which closed at 9am on Friday, August 11.

Emjays Birtinya owner of seven years Mark Barton said the staff was proud of the coffee quality and they made about 2500 coffees a week.

“We invest in the very best coffee and the very best baristas,” he said.

Mr Barton said the “wild boar” coffee blend consisted of organic and “specialty grade” beans from Costa Rica, Peru and Brazil.

Baristas Zoey Wooster, front, and Maddie Best, back, on the $25,000 Slayer coffee machine, which is made in Seattle and designed by Australian baristas.

“The blend is bold yet smooth and a slightly darker roast,” he said.

The owner, who has worked in the hospitality industry for more than 50 years, acknowledged his customers who voted.

Emjays Birtinya staff member Lily Wooldrage serves a customer a coffee.

“Coffee is a big part of everyone’s business these days, particularly here on the coast, and to win that is a great, great effort from our staff,” Mr Barton said.

The owner has invested in a $25,000 Slayer coffee machine that is made in Seattle, in the US, but designed by Australian baristas.

Two baristas are on the machine at the same time throughout the day.

Mr Barton has also begun selling the roasted coffee beans whole or grounded for at-home use because some customers are spending up to $2500 on coffee machines in their own homes.

Barista of five years Zoey Wooster said her favourite part of the job was the customers.

“The customers become our friends and we see them every day,” she said.

More than 120 cafes, restaurants and even op shops and retailers were nominated as the finest coffee makers on the Sunshine Coast.

Top 10

1. Emjays Birtinya

2. ShotHouse Brew Bar

3. John Kyle Espresso Buderim, Elliotts Bistro, Fee-ka espresso

4. Cafe Sisily, Virtue Bar & Eats

5. Chill Cafe 89 at Goldenbbeach

6. The Colombian Coffee Co, Sunday Coffee & Designs, Murrays on Sixth, The Coffee Club Beerwah

7. The Pastry Lab, White Picket Fence

8. Wynd Espresso Bar, The Velo Project, Coffee Cat On Kings Beach

9. Classic Espresso Bar Caloundra, Unity College Co-Op, Between the Flags Coffee, Slide Coffee House, Criminal Coffee Company, Flying West Coffee Roasters, McDonalds Currimundi, Lawn Espresso

10. Wax Espresso, Izba Espresso, The Pocket Espresso Bar, Hamptons Espresso Buderim

* The top 10 is calculated based on the number of votes. Rankings with multiple businesses listed received the same number of votes.