Fuel Espresso Brookvale: Northern beaches’ best cafe revealed
The saying that “if you look after your customers, they will look after you” has helped a funky cafe at Brookvale to be named the Best Cafe on the northern beaches.
Manly
Don't miss out on the headlines from Manly. Followed categories will be added to My News.
After chef Matt Preston put out a call for nominations to name the northern beaches’ Best Cafe, the winner can now be revealed.
Thousands of readers across the region had two weeks to vote in our special online poll for their favourite neighbourhood cafe.
And the winner is the super funky Fuel Espresso, on the edge of the industrial section of Brookvale.
From the day it opened in mid-2013, on the corner of Pittwater and Chard roads, co-owners Mark Howlett and Shak Blitz say they have always put their customers first.
Mr Howlett, who lives on the northern beaches, said if you treat your customers well, they will give their loyalty in return.
The business partners picked Brookie because of its high worker population and population density.
“Brookvale was always our target (location) because we felt there was a gap then between Manly and Dee Why for any good coffee establishments,” Mr Howlett said.
“There are a lot of people in the area who would like a nice cup of coffee.”
Mr Howlett said they set up Fuel Espresso — which opened another outlet at Narrabeen 12 months ago — with a difference.
They used Mr Blitz’s Israeli background to pepper the menu with some Israeli-influenced dishes.
“We sort of blended it with what Australians like and we haven’t really changed the menu in seven and a half years to tell you the truth because people just keep coming back.”
The partners are also community minded.
Back in March last year, with a contribution from a good Samaritan member of the public, Fuel Espresso handed out free coffees to people lining up outside the nearby Centrelink office for financial assistance after losing their jobs due to the COVID crisis.
“We always try to look after our customers, and it flows both ways.”
Matt Preston said the search for Best Cafe was just the start of the Delicious Local push to help drive a food-led rebound from the effects of COVID.”
“It’s clear from the vast number of nominations and votes we saw come in that local communities are rallying around their favourite eateries; supporting those food businesses who have done it tough over the past 12 months,” he said.
“That is exactly what we set out to achieve.”
Preston said that “this is just the beginning”.
“Our local cafe winners are soon to appear in a statewide battle of the postcodes where the cream will rise to the top – as it always does! Don’t forget to have your say by checking out your state finalists and voting for your favourite.
“Make sure you keep following this fantastic search and supporting your local winners – next up we’ll be on the lookout for best pizza, so get thinking …”
Aussie quartet make sailing history with win in women’s America’s Cup
For the first time in 174 years Australian women have set sail in an America’s Cup. How the quartet on Andoo Australia are faring as the Pool B Racing begins.
Future Olympians! Try-fectas, close calls in Next Gen 7s battles
There were blowouts, close calls, a hot boot and multiple try-fectas in the opening round of the Next Gen Sevens rugby series in Sydney. Stars, great photos and Rd 1 result wrap.