Highest Rated Cafe

Cartel (Breakwater), Geelong, Australia

Sun, 16 Jan 2011 15:13:38 -0600

Location: Geelong, Australia
On the way to the Great Ocean Road, we popped into Cartel. I've been a few times before and they do great coffee.

As always the location confuses (in an industrial estate) and the fitout is more conducive to its surrounds. That said the staff are still lovely and helpful.

I went to order two magics. I checked with the waitress if they made them. She said they did and then the barista asked 'what is a magic?'. Most unfortunate. I hadn't seen her there before and I don't think she was as experienced as the others there.

I explained what it was and they said they'd make it. I also asked for them to be made with single origin beans as Cartel roast their own and they are quite good.

What came out were two different drinks. Different cups, different beans. Bit of a fail really.

So I asked our waitress about it and she said they had probably changed baristas between drinks and that she'd sort it out. Then one of the roasters / baristas came over and checked as well.

He went back and sorted it out. Bought out two magics with the house blend. He explained how he had roasted it and where the beans were from.

He then bought out a sample of siphon coffee as well. That was quite a saving as I was going to order some anyway.

So while our original order wasn't handled very well, they recovered well. Excellent coffee.

Glee Coffee Roaster, Tuggerah, Australia

Mon, 23 May 2011 21:13:36 -0500

Location: Tuggerah, Australia
Coffee was smooth, not over bitter... Quite enjoyable.. See you next time i am up the coast !

Dandelion & Driftwood, Brisbane, Australia

Sun, 10 Oct 2010 18:41:07 -0500

Location: Brisbane, Australia
So heard the hype, read all the reviews and this morning I had to go to Clayfield, so I thought....time to check them out! Nearly drove past the little shop, but noticed the coffee cart on the footpath and did a u turn. I thought wow this place must hum to have a coffee cart and two people working that, then another machine and a two people working inside! The staff were all really friendly and it is the cutest little cafe inside. Sort of place you would expect high tea, not kick a espresso. But I got told they now have the #3 Barista in Australia working one machine and the #1 in Qld working the other. Impressive.

The coffee, was silky smooth, perfect temp, lovely rounded flavour. Not super strong or robust, but quality flavour and notes. Very well made and a pleasure to drink. I think next time I would try a Piccolo or Mezzo Mezzo....but it was a nice 'introduction' to D & D.

Dead Man Espresso, Melbourne, Australia

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 04:09:04 -0500

Location: Melbourne, Australia
Walked in and the cafe was clearly the inspiration for 'Blackboard' on the Gold Coast.
Expecting good things I was impressed by a house blend latte but a slightly bitter single origin left a little to be imagined. Service and atmosphere are impressive and coffee is probably 8/10. Definately worth travelling for.

Nabiha, Melbourne, Australia

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 19:33:16 -0500

Location: Melbourne, Australia
Awesome

Low Down, Perth, Australia

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 00:28:35 -0500

Location: Perth, Australia
Great coffee and atmosphere. Staff remembered my order on the third trip. Great service.

Proud Mary, Melbourne, Australia

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 04:44:32 -0600

Location: Melbourne, Australia
Firslty, the atmosphere, layout and vibe from this place is electric. 10/10.
Having visited all of the top 10 coffees in Melbounre over the coffee expo weekend I rate this as probably the nicest. First off the latte was smooth and rich and having watched the guys churn out 30+ coffees while I was there, it became apparent that they are very consistent.

Short black single origin was then well prepared, hot off the machine and flawless... Couldn't put a thing past it. Service is a little bit slow but thats just coz they were so busy!!!

Coffee Alchemy, Sydney, Australia

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 19:19:12 -0600

Location: Sydney, Australia
I'll be out of the country for a few weeks so this visit would have to last me a while.
I ordered my usual flat white and some beans to take home to get me through the week until I leave.
Will I find any decent coffee overseas, survive and make it back?

C.o.T. (Cup of Truth), Melbourne, Australia

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 21:43:52 -0600

Location: Melbourne, Australia
From my experience in Melbourne I think that CoT was least impressive. Coffee was reasonable, but the atmosphere whilst unique is less that impressive. Latte was luke warm, no real chance to talk to the guys working and really just a bit embarrassing considering the filthy subway that surrounds it. Compared to the big guys in Melbourne, CoT was unimpressive.