Every time COVID strikes with another lockdown, I always make sure to have my caffeine dose sorted. I like going out for a walk to get my takeaway coffee and even when I try to vary my options, the usual suspects like Ray’s, Lobbs, A minor place, Wild Life Bakery or Padre are part of my usual repertoire.
And don’t get me wrong, all of the above are great options and they also need our support during these tough times, but I also want to bring to light those smaller, newer and more discrete cafes.
The following list is far from exhaustive, these are five places that may be hidden away from the main roads, they just made their entrance into the hospitality scene, or they might be new just to me.
- Lucy Lockett. Taking its name from the nursery rhyme’s character, Lucy Lockett is located at 140 Barkly Street just a few meters off west from Lygon St. Jaimee and Adrian will welcome you with a smile and a wide variety of coffee, hot drinks (I had a Matcha Latte), and vegan-friendly breakfast and lunch options with quirky names (The Brocodile Dundee and Carnitas Chick jump off the page right away!).
Adrian and Jaimee 🙂
- Clinker. This is a fairly new option for espresso lovers. Clinker is a modern-looking espresso bar (with a covid-friendly automatic door) located at 5 Edward St, not too far from all the action on Sydney Road. Damian runs the bar and he offers pastries prepared by his not too far located french neighbour, Choukette (another amazing option for coffee btw).
Damian at Clinker espresso bar
- Kines. As Brunswick as it can get, Kines makes you wonder if you’re about to have coffee or if are in a wharehouse. With a factory-looking natural design, Kines offers homemade pickles, ferments, preserves, oh! and they also make great coffee. Pablo will smile at you behind his mask when you come by to say hi at 11 Hope St.
Even with a mask, you can tell Pablo is smiling 🙂
- Three hands cafe. This is the first on our list located on one of our main streets. 446 Sydney Road is home to Three Hands Cafe and these guys have a lot more to offer than just coffee. And when I say a lot more I mean it, they make good coffee, good food and they also run comedy shows, yes comedy shows (when not in lockdown). Swing by and say hi to Vincent, he’ll welcome you with a smile.
Vincent welcomes you for takeaway orders behind Three Hands Cafe window on Sydney Road
- Paninoteca. Strictly speaking, these guys are not a coffee shop but they do sell it from their front window on 43 Glenlyon Rd. The main course is obviously Paninis, and I feel already in Italy just by looking at their menu. Prosciutto, Mortadella, Porchetta, and Melanzane are just a few Panini options that will always go well with a coffee before or after. Say hi to David when you drop by.
David hands me his favourite Panini, Sausage with marinated peppers.
So now you know, have your takeaway coffee within your 5km radius and support as many local businesses as you can in Brunswick.