Haven Cafe Lets You Customise Your Coffee's Sweetness, Aroma and Aftertaste

If you’re one of those picky coffee connoisseurs whose beverage requires roasting by a particular machine, milk from a certain cow, frothing at the hands of a special barista and ritualistic dances by the full moon, there’s now a place for you. It’s called Haven Café and you’ll find it at 30-34 Chalmers Street, Surry Hills, right near Central Station.

Regardless of how fussy you are, your specifications will be embraced with open arms — because Haven’s bringing tailored coffee to Sydney. Its chief mission is to provide every single customer with a drink designed around their set of taste buds. Not only are milk type and brewing styles taken into consideration, you’re also asked to outline what you like in terms of acidity, sweetness, aroma, body, even aftertaste. Yep, for not one microsecond are you to experience a lack of personalised satisfaction.

The coffee heavy behind this operation is one Mr Bruno Koo, ex-judge of the sensory section at the Hong Kong station of the World Barista Championship. He wants Sydneysiders to think of our coffee as more than just a desperate morning hit. "Through our coffee tailoring, we are redefining how [they] treat their coffee, from a routine drink to something with higher expectations," he said in a media statement. "We dare to remind coffee lovers that they deserve a better cup of craftsmanship, prompting them not to limit their coffee experience."

To match the experience, Haven has an all-day menu on offer, inspired by "rustic elegance". Expect healthy ingredients, big flavours and influences from both East and West. Head chef Thomas Taylor said, "We can’t wait to see the surprised faces from our customers who try our food. The Drunken Chicken Kale Caesar, Pork Belly Kimcheese Burger and Masfogato (an upgraded affogato) are the must-try dishes — along with my baked sweets."

Haven Café is open at 30-34 Chalmers Street, Surry Hills with a full menu Monday to Friday between 7am and 4pm, and on weekends for pastries and drinks only between 8am and 4pm.