The League of Honest Coffee
With a name like that you cant help but take it seriously and, predictably, its airy interiors have been attracting coffee aficionados in droves. Its an offering from the same stable that gave java drinkers Padre Coffee South Melbourne Market and the Brunswick East Project. Thats an impressive lineage. Given the ample selection of single origin coffees, the coffee is expectedly great, to be downed with flaky French croissants. But if nothing else, go there to ogle their pair of custom-painted Slayer espresso machines, said to one of the worlds best. 8 Exploration Lane, CBD padrecoffee.com.au
Di Bella Coffee Roasting Warehouse
Di Bella is Australias leading coffee chain and their Melbourne Roasting Warehouse is a must-stop for every serious coffee drinker. Hidden away from the crush of Melbournes CBD, its set in one of the citys oldest suburbs. The rustic interiors feature a giant roaster occupying centrestage and the eclectic menu pairs beautifully with their top-notch coffees. Just in case you cant get thee to Melbourne, Coffee by Di Bella operates several cafs in Mumbai and Hyderabad (and hopefully expanding to other cities soon). 19-21 Levenson Street, North Melbourne, 3051 dibellacoffee.com
East Elevation
Thibault Fregoni, the proprietor of this Brunswick-based chocolate factory-cum-caf, makes his own chocolate from scratch. If that is not going to give you superlative chocolate, nothing will. There is a local, seasonal food menu (think pork belly with roasted pears) and the fame of its hot chocolate has spread far and wide. You can also purchase blocks of chocolate, segregated by country of origin. 351 Lygon St, Brunswick East eastelevation.com.au
Ganache Chocolate
In an earlier avatar, Arno Backes, the proprietor of Ganache Chocolate, was a biker so passionate, he rode east from Germany and did not stop until he reached Melbourne. Here, he promptly grew roots and is arguably the top chocolatier in town. Helpfully, he has also toured South America in search of chocolate varieties. The cheerful Backes was in Mumbai recently, showcasing Melbournes caf culture, and paired some of his creations with quintessentially Australian Di Bella coffees (more about which below). At his Melbourne salon, exquisite pralines and truffles are made daily on site, not to mention a hefty Melbourne Freas Shake. 245 Collins St
Mrk Chocolate Brew House
The heavens must have smiled when Mrk Chocolate, well known around Melbourne for supplying its delish dark chocolate drinking blend (cocoa content 70%) to cafs around town, decided to set up its own retail venture. Now, you can sample their handcrafted speciality hot chocolate blends made with all-natural ingredients in a minimalist setting where the focus is purely on chocolate (so no coffee is served). There are two taps, however, one dispensing soda water infused with vanilla pods, the other sparkling chocolate soda. Amen. 150 Errol St, North Melbourne morkchocolate.com.au
