Best of Melbourne 2019: Melbourne's top five hidden coffee gems revealed
You can find a good coffee shop on just about any Melbourne street — but what about those secret spots tucked away in corners of the city where you wouldn’t always think to look? Here are Melbourne's top five hidden coffee gems.
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Coffee shops and Melbourne go hand-in-hand — and there are plenty of hidden gems.
While you might have your favourite local spot to pick up a brew, what about those quiet achievers — the funky cafes tucked away in areas you might not always think to look?
Melbourne’s coffee scene is buzzing with places to get your caffeine fix, in suburbs and streets where you might not normally venture.
Here’s our pick of five of the best, as part of our Best of Melbourne series.
And check out Melbourne’s top 10 coffee spots HERE.
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COMMONFOLK
16 Progress St, Mornington
Anything but common, this Mornington Peninsula gem is hidden in an industrial estate — but it’s making waves for its excellent coffee, which is roasted on-site.
Susie Beard, whose go-to order at the cafe is their ham, cheese and tomato toasties, said she appreciated that they went the extra mile.
“They go all the way to Colombia themselves to choose and bring back coffee beans, roast them on-site, for me,” she said.
For Nathan Marshall, variety was the key to their success.
“(The coffee is) roasted in-house and seasonal roasts mean you can get something different every day,” he said.
For something a little different they even serve broccoli lattes, using a nutrient-rich powder developed by the CSIRO and Hort Innovation and made from vegies that would otherwise have gone to waste.
This quirky cafe also partners with artists, galleries and local business to run events such as urban garden event Plantella, night markets and fundraisers.
They use free range, seasonal, local ingredients, including herbs from their courtyard garden.
More: 5902 2786
OUTER CIRCLE SOCIAL CLUB
1/299 Arthur St, Fairfield
This new kid in town opened earlier this year with “the intention to bring a taste of the inner circle warehouse conversion brunch scene” to Fairfield.
Sitting alongside Melbourne’s old Outer Circle train line, this cosy coffee community not only uses the Nowhere to Nowhere blend, developed specifically for OCSC, but also features guest roasters every month.
Foodwise, customers listed their churros and Reuben sandwiches as highlights.
Tanya Jane says: “The rotating guest roasters for their single origins means there is always something — and delicious — different to try.”
Meanwhile Deb Murray says their coffees are “made with passion”.
More: facebook.com/Outer-Circle-Social-Club-253222952018618
9486 3119
YELLOW LEDBETTER
71 Moreland St, Footscray
The name may be best known to the world as a song by grunge rockers Pearl Jam, but in Footscray it’s a much-loved eatery overlooking Grimes Reserve.
Recognising that caffeine fixes aren’t just about espressos, the cafe showcases Small Batch Roasting Co. blends and a range of filtered coffees from as far afield as Colombia and Kenya.
Customer Ana Tsirtsakis says she loves the peanut butter choc chip cookies.
“The coffee is so smooth and spot on each and every day, overlooking a beautiful park,” she said.
More: facebook.com/yellowledbettercafe
WILD WOMBAT CAFE
2/784 Heidelberg-Kinglake Rd, Hurstbridge
Just a stone’s throw from the railway station, this hidden gem is Hurstbridge’s home of hospitality.
Established in 2008, the cafe and function centre — which also made it onto the list of Melbourne’s top 10 coffee spots — has amassed a cult following for their friendly service and delicious coffees.
“It’s all in the finer details,” customer Andrew Drossinis says.
“The freshly ground beans, the perfectly frothed milk, poured to perfection.”
Katrina Mannix, Shea Giordimaina and Kylie Banbury also highlighted the superior service offered by staff.
“The coffee is not just a coffee it’s accompanied with a great conversation. It’s served with love,” Ms Giordimaina says.
More: 9718 0011
CAPRA COFFEE
Factory 1, 6 Horne St, Hoppers Crossing
You wouldn’t expect to find quality coffee nestled in a Hoppers Crossing factory building, but luckily Capra Coffee is defying those expectations.
This cool and colourful spot in Melbourne’s west recently introduced a play space to keep the kids occupied while you mull over your macchiato.
The praise poured in from our readers.
Customer Gerda Probst says: “It’s not just the coffee that draws us here. It’s the beautiful service and sense of community.”
Meanwhile Fiona Adams extols the selection of coffee for sale, and that staff grind the beans for you.
“The nicest coffee and staff. Love the lounge area and it’s great for parents, with a play area,” Ann Cook says.
More: 8360 8837