Helping small business chart a smart course to success, thanks to the advice of those who have been there, done that.
Marley Ng
November 29, 2024

Advice from the best in the business, at your fingertips.

Whether you’re just starting out or have been in the game for a few years, you can always learn a thing or two from those who have come before you. Founding your own business is a huge undertaking and it can be difficult to know when to stay true to your brand, make a tough call or try something different.

That’s why we’ve teamed up with the business solution specialists at Square to get tips and tricks from longstanding legends of Australia’s hospo scene.

From a checklist for starting a small business to advice for building a loyal customer base and common pitfalls to avoid, we’ve got your back as you pave your way to establishing and growing your own business.

Find out how Square can kickstart your business at squareup.com

We Asked the Experts

Small steps to big growth.
On Evolving the Menu
Lankan Filling Station
Coming Soon

On Baking Their Own Bread
Good Ways Deli
Coming Soon

On Improving Step By Step
Sauce Brewing Co
Coming Soon

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    276-278 Marrickville Road, Marrickville

    A Marrickville taqueria that represents Mexico instead of reinventing it.

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    Kazzi Beach Greek Bondi

    14-16 O'Brien Street, Bondi Beach

    The third arm of this Hellenic-style eatery has set up shop on Sydney's most iconic beach.

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    CLUBHOUSE

    1279 Sandgate Road, Nundah

    A neighbourhood institute for its no fluff or filler approach to specialty coffee, Clubhouse is a haven for Brisbanites who know their caffeine.

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    Sketch Manly

    19 Pittwater Road, Manly

    Hot curries, cold craft beers and a chai-misu, it's all part of the ethos that makes Sketch Manly a Northern Beaches institute.

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    Una Una

    712 Station Street, Box Hill

    The two-in-one offering of this Box Hill bistro means you can grab a specialty whipped coffee by day, or tuck into roast duck and martinis at night.

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    Bakemono Bakers

    273 Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne

    The signature baked goods, including almond and yuzu croissants, blueberry danishes, and honey, sesame and sea salt scrolls, keep customers coming back time and time again.

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    Baker Bleu - South Yarra

    183 Domain Road, South Yarra

    Expect the full range of breads, pastries, pizzas, sandwiches, Market Lane coffee and, exclusively at South Yarra, even soft serve.

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    Re'em Yarra Valley at Helen & Joey Estate

    12-14 Spring Lane, Gruyere

    Refined and reimagined dishes include duck croquettes with Peking sauce and steamed buns with whipped pork fat and chilli.

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    We asked Kahii's director, Matthew Wong, the pros and cons of flexibility in hospitality.

  • Restaurant

    Reed House

    130 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne

    Reed House is found in a historic bluestone building, serving British classics with a contemporary twist.

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    Charrd

    74 Lygon Street, Brunswick East

    These burgers have gone viral for good reason.

  • Restaurant

    Manze

    5 Errol Street, North Melbourne

    Manzé brings Mauritian flavours and cooking techniques to North Melbourne.

  • Restaurant

    Vin-Cenzo's

    174 Liverpool Street, Darlinghurst

    This neighbourhood Italian by the Bar Copains crew transforms into a late-night supper club on weekends, staying open until 2am.

  • Restaurant

    Gina

    33 Barangaroo Avenue

    Take a seat in the sun-washed dining room — or on Barangaroo's largest terrace — for daily house-made pasta and breezy Italian coastal fare.

  • Restaurant

    Bessie's

    111-115 Albion Street, Surry Hills

    Mediterranean share plates emerge from the woodfire oven at the Bar Copains team’s warehouse diner.

  • Restaurant

    Sana Mediterranean

    1 Locomotive Street, Eveleigh

    One part fresh and two parts delicious, Sana brings a Mediterranean spin to the typical build-your-own bowl concept.

  • Cafe

    Good Measure

    193 Lygon Street, Carlton

    The best cafes moonlight as cocktail bars.

  • Restaurant

    Ennui

    461 Pitt Street, Haymarket

    This well-hidden French wine and diner bar inspires anything but a feeling of ennui.

  • Restaurant

    Lankan Filling Station

    58 Riley Street, East Sydney

    This trailblazing Sri Lankan diner is entering a new era of fusion dishes and inventive flavours.

  • Cafe

    Frankie's Woombye

    2 Blackall Street, Woombye

    One of QLD's most popular cafes is hidden in the Sunny Coast hinterland.

  • Restaurant

    Neptune's Grotto

    Bridge Street, Sydney

    Indulge in the hand-crafted pasta dishes and a to-shelf wine list at this newly opened venue from the team behind Clam Bar.

  • Restaurant

    Fabbrica Bread Shop Coogee

    214 Coogee Bay Road, Coogee

    You can now enjoy this fan-favourite bread shop at its new beachside location, complete with new delights and Roman-inspired treats.

  • Restaurant

    Madam Ji

    13 Burton Street, Darlinghurst

    Classic dishes and boundary-pushing fusions are on the menu at a restaurant inspired by the "resilience and freedom" of women in Indian culture.

  • Bar

    Slipstream Brewing Social House

    8 The Avenue, Birtinya

    This Brisbane brewery has expanded to the Sunshine Coast with a 40-tap hangout that's pairing beers and bites.

  • Restaurant

    Amatrice Rooftop Restaurant

    16 Stephenson Street, Cremorne

    Zip away to Italy in the back streets of Cremorne, with aperitivo sips and specialty pasta 10 stories above the ground.

  • Bar

    Portside Social

    39 Hercules Street, Hamilton

    You'll find pints, parmigianas and games of pool at this Hamilton gastropub at Portside — and burgers, ribs and boozy bottomless weekend brunches, too.

  • Restaurant

    Prefecture 48

    230 Sussex Street, Sydney

    This Sussex Street hospitality hub explores the culinary and cultural riches of Japan from every angle.

  • Cafe

    Brunetti Classico Boutique Coburg

    107 Newlands Road, Coburg North

    Drop by Brunetti Classico's Coburg concept store for cake consultations and takeaway bites.

  • Bar

    Code Black Coffee Flinders Lane

    189 Flinders Lane, Melbourne

    Code Black's Morning Bar is home to a stacked lineup of coffee-infused cocktails — both boozy and non-alcoholic.

  • Cafe

    Mork Chocolate Looking Glass

    13 Centre Place, Melbourne

    The site is showcasing the team's unconventional chocolate bars, elaborate drinking chocolates that never made it onto the menu, chocolate cocktail pairings and creative desserts.

  • Cafe

    Toby's Estate Coffee Roasters Brisbane

    33 Longland Street, Newstead

    This brand's Brisbane flagship cafe features an espresso bar, filter bar and training bar — and pours 80 different types of coffee each year.

  • Cafe

    Fonzie Abbott Newstead

    20 Ross Street, Newstead

    This caffeine-slinging chain is now pouring coffees at its fourth Brisbane venue, an espresso bar and roastery in Newstead.

  • Bar

    Kahii Kissaten

    364 Kent Street, Sydney

    Start your day with matcha and croissants and end it with wine and oysters — all at this inner-city spot.

  • Bar

    The Old Rosebud

    654 Darling Street, Rozelle

    Stop in for your morning flat white or arvo takeaway wrap before a walk along the harbour.

  • Cafe

    Splash Coffee

    2A Station Street, Petersham

    The Soulmate team has reinvented the pool canteen with this nostalgic cafe right by Petersham Park and the Fanny Durack Aquatic Centre.

  • Bar

    Doughcraft Mary Street

    181 Mary Street, Brisbane City

    The European bakery and deli has launched a second outpost in the Brisbane CBD — and it's also a wine bar.

  • Restaurant

    La Macelleria South City Square

    148 Logan Road, Woolloongabba

    This gelato chain is now scooping up its artisanal desserts from hole-in-the-wall digs in Woolloongabba.

  • Cafe

    Third Wheel Highett

    493 Highett Road, Highett

    Quality cups of joe and a seriously high-end menu make this Highett gem shine.

  • Cafe

    That's Amore Cheese

    66 Latitude Boulevard, Thomastown

    This deli and producer in Melbourne's north has an enviable fromage cabinet, house-made gelato and a cheese-laden brunch menu.

  • Cafe

    Single O Newstead

    16 Austin Street, Newstead

    Single O has launched its first Brisbane coffee bar in Newstead, complete with self-serve taps.

  • Bar

    HER Bar

    270 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne

    HER's ground-floor residence is a Euro-inspired restaurant and bar serving up lunch, late-night eats and cocktails aplenty.

  • Cafe

    Fruitbowl

    76 Skyring Terrace, Newstead

    Meet Fishbowl's new offshoot, which is serving up acai and froyo snacks in Newstead.

  • Cafe

    Patricia Coffee Brewers

    Corner Lt Bourke And Lt William Streets, Melbourne

    A standing room-only coffee bar that's basically Melbourne cafe perfection.

  • Cafe

    Good Ways Deli Alexandria

    81 Buckland Street, Alexandria

    You'll find kangaroo mortadella sandwiches, Milo mocha and freshly baked loaves of bread at Good Ways Deli's Alexandria outpost.

  • Bar

    Mörk Chocolate QVM

    Shop 51-54 Dairy Produce Hall, Queen Victoria Market, Melbourne

    Mörk has landed in Queen Victoria Market with homemade cinnamon scrolls, made-to-order s'mores and hot chocolates by the gallon.

  • Bar

    Butter

    6 Hunt Street, Surry Hills

    The ridiculous palace of fried chicken, sneakers and champagne Sydney deserves.

  • Bar

    Mary's

    6 Mary Street, Newtown

    A rock 'n' roll Newtown stalwart, with standout Maccas-style burgers and natural wines.

  • Restaurant

    Soi 38

    38 Mcilwraith Place, Melbourne

    With an atmosphere that perfectly mirrors the vibrant hustle and bustle of a Bangkok market.

  • Bar

    Cookie

    Level 1, Curtain House, 252 Swanston Street, Melbourne

    One of the classic 'cool' bars in Melbourne never fails to disappoint.

  • Bar

    Sauce Brewing Co

    1 Mitchell Street, Marrickville

    Sample Sauce's beers fresh from the source.

  • Bar

    Bar Margaux

    111 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne

    A CBD basement bar serving up French bistro food and cocktails until 5am.

  • Cafe

    Falco Bakery

    288 Smith Street, Collingwood

    You'll find sourdough baguettes, chocolate-halva brownies and egg and cheese muffins at the Bar Liberty Team's Collingwood bakery.

  • Bar

    Cricketers Arms Hotel

    106 Fitzroy Street, Surry Hills

    Known more intimately as the Crix, this is the kind of local that will make you want to move into the area.

  • Restaurant

    Nour

    490 Crown Street, Surry Hills

    The contemporary Middle Eastern restaurant has recently been hatted, and is ideal for your next meal in Surry Hills.

  • Bar

    Hickson House Distilling Co.

    6 Hickson Road, Dawes Point

    In the shadow of the Sydney Harbour Bridge lies Hickson House — a craft spirits distillery that offers immersive tours, tastings and private dining experiences.

  • Restaurant

    Mamak

    15 Goulburn Street, Haymarket

    One of the few places in Sydney where you can get exceptional Malaysian hawker food at a reasonable price.

  • Bar

    Piano Bar

    90-92 Little Malop Street, Geelong

    Catch a drag show or make the stage your own at this rollicking live music venue.

  • Bar

    Wildflower Gin Distilling

    486 Scottsdale Drive, Varsity Lakes

    You can now head to Varsity Lakes, sink into leather chairs, sip lamington espresso martinis and build your own G&Ts.

  • Bar

    Fabbrica

    161 King Street, Sydney

    A pasta and natural wine shop by the Ragazzi crew.

  • Restaurant

    Brooklyn Depot

    168 Grey Street, South Brisbane

    A gleeful burger-laden homage to the city that never sleeps.

  • Cafe

    Brown Bagels

    25 Equitable Place, Melbourne

    A long-standing bagel go-to in Melbourne's CBD.

  • Bar

    Bitter Phew

    137 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst

    Craft beer bar upstairs, natural wine bar downstairs.

  • Cafe

    Dutch Smuggler Coffee Brewers

    200 George Street, Sydney

    Home of the famed mi goreng toastie.

  • Shop

    Your Floral Indulgence

    566 High Street, Penrith

    Head here when you want beautifully arranged flowers without the pressure of picking a certain style.

  • Cafe

    Saint Dreux

    08/260 Collins Street, Melbourne

    A futuristic katsu sando and Japanese coffee bar in the CBD.

  • Bar

    The Albion

    172 York Street, South Melbourne

    The historic pub is back with a new rooftop bar and a 5am weekend licence.

  • Bar

    Terminus Hotel

    61 Harris Street, Pyrmont

    After lying dormant for 30 years, this Pyrmont pub is back.

  • Cafe

    Brunetti

    250 Flinders Lane, Melbourne

    A Melbourne cafe institution has a modern makeover on Flinders Lane.

  • Restaurant

    Pazar Food Collective

    325 Canterbury Road, Canterbury

    This Turkish-Mexican hybrid is a rose among the thorns on Canterbury Road.

  • Bar

    Juliet

    37–41 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne

    Punch Lane's basement raclette, jazz and wine bar.

  • Shop

    South Melbourne Market

    Coventry Street, South Melbourne

    A 150-year-old market with some of Melbourne's best coffee, seafood and fresh produce.

  • Restaurant

    The American Doughnut Kitchen

    Queen Street, Melbourne

    A cult classic for a reason.

  • Shop

    Incu

    Shop 19-20, The Galeries, 500 George Street, Sydney

    The elusive mix of high-end and high-street fashion here will hook you in every time.

  • Cafe

    Strauss

    189 Elizabeth Street, Brisbane

    The place for when you’re looking for somewhere quiet to brunch, a salad to Instagram or a coffee with a little heart.

  • Bar

    Malt

    28 Market St, Brisbane

    Wine and dine or have a nibble with a tipple at Malt.

  • Cafe

    Paramount Coffee Project

    Paramount House, 80 Commonwealth Street, Surry Hills

    Paramount to those that surround it, this Surry Hills cafe does ripper coffee and fabulous food.

  • Bar

    Archive

    100 Boundary Street, Brisbane

    Located on Boundary Street in West End, Archive is the people's pub.

  • Bar

    Brew

    Lower Burnett Lane, Brisbane

    Next time you find yourself in the mall, go on a mission, venture down the once foreboding alleyway and step into what it has now become - a gem amongst the strip of fast food franchises and American coffee shops.

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