Kingswood Coffee

Overview

Regardless of whether you find the block-sized World Square in the CBD more of an eyesore than shopping hub and apartment block extravaganza, you'll be interested to know the six or so-week-old addition, Kingswood Coffee, not only has your coffee needs covered but also offers a little nod to Sydney's past that might just keep those in the former camp happy.

In a nutshell, back in the '80s, World Square somewhat controversially took the place of what was once the largest department store in Sydney (and at one point, the world), Anthony Hordern & Sons. Fifty-two acres of retail space, this back-then gargantuan commercial epicentre sported aesthetics of heritage-listed proportions that sadly went the way of many a lost architectural treasure. Fortunately, Kingswood's owner Mikey Jordan (ex-Manly's Barefoot Coffee Traders) isn't one to let beauty be forgotten.

With an interior designed by Tamsin Johnson (Mr. Moustache, Mr Tipply's), Kingswood is a polished brass and wood delight, offering a small area inside to order from the two-man La Marzocco coffee machine, lit by four dimple-tipped opaque globes all above royal blue hexagonal tiles. Contemporary elements aren't forgotten either, with Sydney-invented Juggler taps automatically pouring out milk quick sharp, as well as saving approximately 80 percent on plastic waste. But of course, the main attraction here isn't the fit-out but the coffee.

It labels itself as a 'specialty coffee shop', and the speciality here seems to be collaboration. The smooth and delicious house blend for dairy-based coffees is from Melbourne's Sensory Lab and uses one Columbian and two Brazilian beans (available to purchase by the bag at $50), while black coffee drinkers can savour the tastes of monthly rotating concoctions: this month is Melbourne-based Proud Mary ($60 per bag), while next month sees Sydney's Sample step up to the plate. Tea drinkers have a number of Tea Craft bags to choose from, Chai-lovers can enjoy an eight-hour brewed homemade creation and, according to Jordan, cold drip will be making its way over in time for summer.

If you're looking for something a little naughty, opt for a mocha, combining milk and espresso with melted Belcolade Belgian chocolate, which, thankfully, is just the right level of sweetness not to overpower the underlining yummy coffee taste. But of course, if chocolate is more your thing, there are milkshakes and waffles all just waiting to be smothered in the stuff.

Food-wise the selection is limited, but again collaboration reigns supreme, with pastries sourced from Leichhardt's Penny Fours, cronuts from Brewtown Newtown and sourdough from Brickfields in Chippendale. Filling for said sourdough sarnies comes from Alexandria's Salt Meats Cheese.

All in all, while this place might only be a tiny takeaway joint tucked away in a monumental modern Sydney icon and surrounded by countless clothing giants and heartless chains, it's this appreciation of the past and, more importantly, a decent cup of coffee that has already made Kingswood a local for residents and business folk alike. Not bad going at all, we say.