Kickaboom

Overview

To those whose days don't truly start until there is caffeine in their system, take note. Kickaboom, a cheery cafe in Glenbrook, lives up to its quirky name putting a pep in your step with premium brews and tasty bites.

On appearance alone Kickaboom is a far cry from the 'greasy spoon' eateries that populate the lower Blue Mountains area. The venue is sleek and modern, with polished concrete floors, white tiles and indoor greenery. It would not look out of place in a trendy inner west suburb.

The similarities don't end there, either. The drinks menu is a lengthy affair featuring Mörk hot chocolate; a turmeric, ginger and honey latte; and a Speculatte (a hot milk beverage made with a Dutch spiced biscuit). But coffee is the main game here. For milk-based coffees, expect the OG blend by Reuben Hills. Meanwhile, black, filter and single origin offerings change regularly, often featuring roasts from Seven Seeds, Wood and Co and Sample.

The cafe also hosts regular events for coffee fiends including Aeropress tutorials, latte art competitions and talks on coffee sourcing and farming. And with an award-winning barista at the helm, you'd expect nothing less. Kickaboom owner Dylan Johnson has been in the coffee game for 15 years. Most recently, he was head barista at Paramount Coffee Project during which he nabbed the Australian Aeropress Champion in 2014.

A lifelong Blue Mountains resident, Johnson chose to stay local for his own venture but he brought with him the boundary-pushing energy from the city. And, in fact, even further afield, with inspiration from his travels dotted throughout the menu.

Herein lies another element that sets Kickaboom aside — the food is not your run-of-the-mill cafe fare. Southeast Asian influences are evident in the black sticky rice bircher and sticky pork bibimbap. The fried chicken waffle brings the American vibes (via Paramount Coffee Project). There's plenty of choice for vegan and gluten-free diners, too, with the miso eggplant toastie with vegan béchamel and house-made harissa proving to be one of the most popular menu items.

The quality is there too — the kitchen staff have lengthy stints at fine-dining establishments, such as Darlinghurst's now-closed Onde and Ester, on their resumes. Produce is locally sourced from the Hawkesbury region and many ingredients are made from scratch, including soft serve, syrups, butter, almond and macadamia milks and baked treats. 

Whether you're a local or day-tripper, Kickaboom will certainly set your day on the right track.