Travel/business plans are taking me to Melbourne and Sydney soon, and I am wondering if any of you have advice for good cafes, roasters, or cuppings (I can bring my own spoon). Thanks,

Anthony

Ask at:
http://coffeesnobs.com.au

Mecca in Sydney.

I have just returned from a quick trip to Melbourne. Prior to leaving I was advised by some very kind local HB'ers places for good coffee in both Melbourne and Sydney. Unfortunately I was so busy that I did not get to any of these places. But while in Melbourne I did enjoy some excellent and varied foods. One place in Melbourne you should visit is the Queen Victoria Market which sells all types of incredible food. Chat with the vendors and ask for a taste of this and that and you may not need lunch. Also I am told that there is some good coffee to be had near the Market.

Sydney is a magnificent city. If you like seafood take a water Ferry from Circular Quay to Doyles on the beach at Watson's Bay. It is an old family seafood restaurant a bit expensive now but worth the experience. My favorites are Barramundi and Morten Bay Bugs. Bugs taste like a cross between lobster tails and blue crab back fin meat.

Back to coffee. Unlike the U.S. espresso and cappuccino is served almost everywhere with most places serving at least a good cappuccino and tasty food to go with it.

Recommended places for exceptional coffee in Melbourne:
Seven Seeds apparently roast great coffee and it can be had at:
Baba Budan - Little Burke St.
Little Wish
Other places in Melbourne:
First Pour - in Abbotsford
Dancing Goat
St. Ali - in South Yarra

Recommended places for exceptional coffee in Sydney:
Tobys
Gold Bean
Mecca - King St.
Freepour - Marrickville
Single Origin - Surry Hills
Toby's Estate - City Rd near Sydney University
Campos - in Newton

I hope this helps
Geoffrey

Fantastic. Thanks very much. (Chris also mentioned Mecca in Sydney). If I am fortunate enough to make the rounds, I will try to give a report. In the meantime, it's very helpful.

Anthony

I would second Mecca in Sydney as a top pick, and also add as a suggest these http://www.vellanero.com.au/main/ as fairly good, and a short walk from Mecca.

Melbourne, go to St Ali's and see Slayer No 0001 in action http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_4pWXuI3Jc.



Brother Baba Budan is also great, owned by the St Ali crowd I believe.

Some comments on the Sydney recommendations: I keep forgetting Vella Nero, but they are often worth the visit, Mecca is simply very good. Freepour in Marrickville is not as good as it was when they started, and Gold Bean should be on the list for the combination of food and coffee rather than the excellence of the coffee (they are becoming more variable as time goes by). Most of the others I would agree with (except I can't seem to generate the enthusiasm for Campos that other people do, but there is no question that they are good).

You could also try 'The Source' in Mosman, Sydney and 'The Maling Room' in Canterbury, Melbourne.

I can happily 2nd Mecca in SYD and St. Ali, BBB, Seven Seeds in MEL.

I really liked Campos some 4 years ago <my last visit > but can't comment as to what they're like now.

Have a great trip and hope to hear what you thought

Thanks again to all of you for your recommendations! I'll do my best to hit all these places , but at the very least, I'll plan to report back regarding the places I was able to visit.

Anthony