ᴄᴏꜰꜰᴇᴇ & ᴄᴀꜰᴇ ɢᴜɪᴅᴇ

Melbourne's greatest 'cellar door' experience for coffee. Disciple Roasters affirm their values and ethos day after day. Their commitment to showcasing the incredible work of coffee farmers is second to none. Swipe across for their current menu, which has an exceptional coffee I've been enjoying with a heart filled with generosity- the Sidra. Say hi to Marwin and the team. Always welcoming guests with open arms. The only downside... They're not closer to my home in the outer South East! I do miss the days when their HQ was at Monk Bodhi Dharma in Balaclava.

Fun fact: Lan 岚 is a Chinese character, joined by a mountain on the top and wind at the bottom. In Melbourne, ‘Lan’ embodies the beauty of the land where coffee is grown, and symbolises a special place in our collective caffeinated hearts. Being a Chinese Calligraphy fan, the owner of @lan_coffee_thornbury (Neal) chose this name to represent his passion for crafting the perfect cup of coffee. Set in a relaxed space on High Street Thornbury, Lan Coffee affords us coffee lovers the opportunity to sample single origin brews, as well as their daily cup of milky happiness. #tesspresso

As someone who wakes up before the crack of dawn, I felt right at home with the crew from Dawn Patrol. Another top coffee spot in Rads. Their filter selection is pretty impressive. Panama Bonita Springs Wush Wush lured me in. Find them in Rundle Place.

A hop, skip, and a jump across the border for a football match permitted a quick visit to Elementary Torrensville. Love this space, and their coffee. Filter coffee was a naturally processed Yellow Bourbon from Oscar Restrepo, Colombia. Tropical fruits and chocolate. Espresso was from Espigao Farm in Brazil. #tesspresso

It's usually this time of year I dream of a holiday in Greece! Next best thing..... HelleniCo Deli! Melbourne's very own slice of the Mediterranean, in the leafy eastern suburb of Balwyn. It's thanks to Anthony and Michelle Rigogiannis that we have the opportunity to travel via our senses. The couple spent years dreaming of opening a contemporary Greek inspired deli that sources high quality Greek and Cypriot produce. Much like I've spent many years dreaming of a Mediterranean holiday! Unlike me though, Anthony and Michelle turned their dream into a reality at this corner spot on Bulleen Road. It's at HelleniCo that they are re-emphasising the value of the Mediterranean diet. It’s just like stepping into a deli in a local Greek village. The walls are lined with shelves that offering a plethora of ingredients, refrigerated cabinets festooned with an array of olives, and cheeses, and the back wall is decorated with cured meats which hang behind a glass cabinet. Anthony takes great pride in sourcing his porchetta locally from Andrews Choice. Now this is no ordinary deli, and the coffee counter is festooned with woven baskets that are suspended from the ceiling. You can opt for an authentic Greek coffee made in the briki heated over sand, or an espresso-based brew made on the customised White and Blue Racer. They’re currently running the Black Mamba blend for espresso, and Symmetry’s House Blend for milk-based coffee. . Anthony has even cordoned off the back room as the BBQ Zone, where you’ll find all the essentials to create the traditional gyros experience at home. It’s a return to the simple pleasures, with basic ingredients that make for a simply delightful experience. Where? 121 Bulleen Road, Balwyn North.

Gather with a Grateful Heart 💛 Since moving from Oakleigh, I've spent some time familiarising myself with the Outer South Eastern Suburbs, and have slowly uncovered all the wonders of this area. I've recently been appointed to a Leadership Program in the City of Casey, and started exploring the historic sites of this vast area! I managed to find a coffee shop at the Historic Wilson's Botanic Gardens in Berwick. It's a great spot to walk your dog, and gather with family and friends. No surprises, this coffee shop is called Gather. Fun fact: Wilson Botanic Park Berwick is home to a significant plant fossil site. Fossil plant material has been uncovered in several forms. Macrofossils form tree trunks, leaves, fruits and seedpods. There's 39 hectares of land to explore here, which used to be a quarry site! Enter through the oak lined driveway that's just a skip and a hop from the M1 freeway. 🐾 Dog friendly #tesspresso

Introducing Lumos Bakery: Where Creativity and Tradition Illuminate Every Bite! Calling all foodies and pastry enthusiasts! Prepare to be spellbound by the enchanting delights of Lumos Bakery, where Carina La Delfa, Head Baker & Pastry Chef, will guide you on a mouthwatering journey of flavors and craftsmanship. Featured in the prestigious Melbourne Food & Wine Festival 2022 as part of the esteemed 30 under 30, Carina has emerged as one of Melbourne's brightest pastry talents. With an impressive background that includes renowned establishments like The Press Club and Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, she has honed her skills and expertise over a decade. This week, Carina's dream has become a reality, with the opening of Lumos Bakery, a place where her passion and creativity will shine through sustainable ingredients and traditional techniques, preserving the rich history of sourdough and pastries. Lumos Bakery is more than just a bakery. It's a haven of home comforts, creative new flavors, and your go-to place for exceptional coffee in McKinnon. As a devoted Harry Potter fan, Carina found inspiration in the spell "Lumos," which illuminated the wand tip, revealing hidden wonders in the darkness. Lumos Bakery brings that same magical light to your culinary adventures. Open Wednesday to Sunday, you'll find Lumos on McKinnon Road, McKinnon.

Where's the best coffee experience in Sydney? The Grounds is popular, with great High Tea.... I wonder, where is the best coffee these days? #tesspresso

Design goals 👌 Just over six months old, and also home to Little Cardigan Bakery. 📍 Bench, Brunswick.

Imagine waking up to this every morning 🤗 Just when I thought he couldn't impress me any more than he already has! Dan, your craftsmanship is impeccable. So much love for this machine, which weaves together Italian engineering, brushed brass and walnut. 👉 @specht_design

When in Thornbury 👉 L A N. May I say- I had one of the best decaf experiences of my life at Lan. Incredible Colombian from Jairo Arcila! Neal has some great full caffeine options on the menu, and a retail section that includes beans from @fourkilofish @criteriacoffee.bycraig and @mantaraycoffeeroasters to name a few. Big love for Neal and the team at Lan.

Which coffee machine do you use at home? I've been testing the Barista Touch Impress by Breville, and can say it's an ideal model for plant based milk coffee drinkers. It has an easy to navigate display, with a guided step by step process from grinding right through to milk texturing. Would love to hear what machine you're using at home....