City bolt-hole version of popular Eastern Shore cafe opens in Hobart

Popular Eastern Shore coffee shop Abundance on the Quay has expanded its business into the city, opening a second comfy, cosy cafe on Bathurst St – Abundance on the Westside.

Abundance on the Westside is a city bolt-hole version of its sister cafe Abundance on the Quay, in Bellerive. Picture: ZAK SIMMONDS

AS all Hobart west-siders know, the Eastern side of the bridge is basically another country. Despite it being 3C warmer (as all east-siders will proudly proclaim), the 12-minute trek to “the other side” is rarely embarked on unless absolutely necessary.

One of the few exceptions? Weekend brunch at Abundance On The Quay, a cafe and homewares store in one that has garnered a cult following among Bellerive locals.

ON THE MENU Smashed avocado on Pigeon Whole ciabatta with cherry tomato and whipped fetta $12.50; cacao and goji ball, $4.50; mushrooms on toast with walnuts, $12.50; cauliflower and blue cheese soup, $9.50 takeaway or $10.50 eat-in

While a visit to the mother ship is definitely still worth the trip, owner Adrian Collinson has launched a city bolthole version of the cafe inside the Your Hobart Health building on Bathurst St.

Open from 7am Monday-Friday, it’s ideally located for active-wear types exiting their morning exercise classes at the numerous nearby pilates and yoga studios.

At first, it does feel a bit odd walking through the front part of the adjoining chemist to order a latte, but the no-fuss menu that Abundance is known for — and the Villino coffee — are worth moving past the slightly unusual entrance.

The cosy interior of Abundance on the Westside, in Bathurst St, Hobart. Picture: ZAK SIMMONDS

The little nook that makes up the cafe has been fitted out beautifully with oversized black wicker light shades (which are for sale at the east-side store), wooden stools and plants lining the bench at the window — a serene place to sit and sip on a coffee post-sweat session.

At the counter there are the cafe’s signature house-made sweet treats including dense slabs of brownies, scones (served with jam and cream of course), biscuits and bliss balls.

The staff are in the process of writing up the chalkboard menu as I walk in, so they talk me through the available options.

I opt for the mushrooms on toast with walnuts and a latte, both delivered to my table in a timely manner.

Abundance on the Westside’s generous serving of mushrooms served on buttery sourdough piled with avocado, a fist-full of peppery rocket, feta and sprinkling of walnuts on the side. Picture: ZAK SIMMONDS

A generous serve of sautéed mushrooms is piled atop a fist-full of peppery rocket with two pieces of buttery sourdough to the side and a sprinkling of walnuts. There is also a pot of feta and a smattering of avocado as an added bonus.

This is simple, healthy, unadulterated food, the sort that hits the spot in a satisfying and nourishing way.

Being partial to a little sweet something post meal, I order a house-made cacao and goji ball and a second coffee.

Unlike many of the sickly sweet “healthy” treats around town, this is a delightful combination of bitter cacao, nuts, seeds and the slightly tangy/sweet goji berries.

It’s almost lunchtime by now, and thinking ahead to my empty fridge I order a cup of the blue cheese and cauliflower soup to eat later on for lunch. I catch a whiff of blue cheese as it’s being ladled into the cup. Yum.

Abundance on the Westside’s house-made cacao and goji ball, a delightful combination of bitter cacao, nuts, seeds and the slightly tangy/sweet goji berries. Picture: Zak Simmonds

The petite but efficient kitchen space lends itself to the intentionally paired back menu that features a selection of Abundance favourites. Along with the mushies and soup there is a toastie of the week, avocado on toast and a muesli bowl.

A pilates instructor who I recognise is tucking in to the avocado on toast that is also bulked out with a big pile of peppery rocket.

As someone who endeavours to get my daily greens, I appreciate the generous use of them on the majority of dishes, even when it’s not stipulated on the menu. Also, give me some peppery rocket over boring baby spinach any day!

The tasty and wholesome cauliflower and blue cheese soup served with crusty, ciabatta. Picture: ZAK SIMMONDS

Fast forward a few hours and I’m rejoicing in my soup decision. The broth, blue cheese and cauliflower hasn’t been over-blitzed, resulting in a lovely, dense texture.

When eaten in-house the soup is served in a big bowl accompanied by crusty, buttered sourdough toast.

While the Westside cafe space isn’t big enough to showcase the full suite of homewares on offer at the Bellerive cafe, there are a few bits and bobs on offer like Atelier Lumira Candles, some beautiful cards featuring hand-drawn botanical illustrations and little packets of bamboo straws.

Being located right in the middle of the CBD and near a few gyms, Abundance on the Westside, attracts a mix of active-gear wearers and city workers. Picture: ZAK SIMMONDS

Adrian said lovers of the Eastern Shore cafe could expect to see all the similarities of the Bellerive business brought to the streets of Hobart.

ABUNDANCE ON THE WESTSIDE 71 Bathurst St, Hobart Open 7am-2pm, Monday-Friday

“We’ve always been asked when we were going to expand onto the Western Shore, so we jumped at the opportunity.”

Not everyone could get away with opening a cafe that is in the front section of a chemist, but I dare say Abundance On The Quay has made a smart move by bringing their west-side bolt-hole to fruition.

And what’s not to love about a coffee and a brownie while waiting for a script to be filled?

– AMANDA VALLIS