The Grocer's Shed

Overview

There's a new player on the coffee scene in Island Bay, and it's a cute one. Located opposite Shorland Park and two minutes down the road from Island Bay beach is The Grocer's Shed — a quaint little cafe serving Good Fortune coffee, Carello gelato, and a small selection of baked goods. 

Originally, the building served as a storage space for the local green grocer, and it's this history that has given The Grocer's Shed its name. More recently, it was the studio of local Island Bay artist, Michael McCormack. Since moving his studio, Michael and his wife Rachael have slowly converted this space into a cafe which provides the perfect refreshment pitstop for those going to the park or the beach. The Grocer's Shed offers both indoor and outdoor seating, depending on what the weather calls for. The back of the cafe hosts a delightful garden scene, where customers can enjoy their coffee or gelato in the sun, surrounded by flowers and greenery.

On this occasion, I tested out the coffee and cabinet selection with a flat white and a cheese scone. The coffee was well made, and cheese scone was on the smaller side, but nonetheless very delicious. There was also a wide selection in the Carello cabinet which will be very popular on hot days. The food and drink range may be simple, but it is done well and is a welcome addition to this end of Island Bay.

Before The Grocer's Shed came to the neighbourhood, the closest caffeine fix was a 15-minute walk away. Now, parents can quickly pop over for a coffee and snack while their kids are at the playground, and those heading to or from the beach can also grab a hot drink or cold ice cream on their way. There are plenty of nice walks around the area and this would be a great place to meet and start from, or come to afterwards as a treat.  

The bright red exterior makes The Grocer's Shed hard to miss and with its friendly staff, location and menu offerings, it really is the perfect addition to a day out in the suburbs.