Geelong's Cartel Coffee Roasters Has Finally Opened Its First Melbourne Outpost

Geelong's Cartel Coffee Roasters is a much lauded operation that's made a name for itself for continually sourcing some of the finest coffee in the world. Now, it's finally bringing its top-notch brews to inner-city Melburnians, opening a cafe down Somerset Place in the CBD.

It's the first local outpost for the ten-year-old roastery, which is committed to both quality and traceability, knowing the origins, story and supply chain of every single cuppa. And coffee is just as serious a game at the new Melbourne store.

"The point is about getting people to experience coffee in a different way," explains Melbourne General Manager Lex Clayman. "We want to be an educational space without forcing it, to give people the idea that there's no such thing as just coffee." To that end, expect an interactive, approachable set-up, with lowered coffee machines and a wraparound brew bar giving customers a close-up experience.

Sure, the basic espresso option clocks in at $5 a cup, but it's made on a rotating single origin bean, carefully selected to either shine through milk or sipped black. The baristas also have the know-how to chat you through the options and help you pick something you'll like, based on your favourite flavours.

There are always a few new things to sample at various price points — perhaps the $5 batch brew of the day, a single origin cold brew extracted over 24 hours ($6), or the weekly changing 'exotic' coffee showcasing something high-end from one of the top international producers ($10).

While space is too tight for a full kitchen, you can match your caffeine infusion to a number from the jaffle menu, featuring combinations like spicy barbecue pulled pork with jalapeños, or the classic bacon, egg and cheese.

Stretched across one wall is a selection from Cartel's extensive online store, running from equipment, to take-home packs of beans. A mini roasting outfit is set to be installed upstairs soon, and keep an eye on the cafe's Facebook page for an upcoming program of interactive masterclasses and cupping sessions, for both baristas and the coffee curious.

Find Cartel Coffee Roasters' new CBD outpost at 19 Somerset Place, Melbourne. It's open from 7am–4pm Monday to Friday, 8.30am–3.30pm Saturday and 9am–1pm Sunday.