Coffee by the Beans

In a neighbourhood dominated by drab delis and stodgy snack bars, the simple-looking Coffee by the Beans offers a level of service that far eclipses its facade. This isn’t your standard corner store coffee shop. CBTB celebrates coffee across its many forms, albeit in a pokey suburban setting.

One of only a handful of cafes rocking La Marzocco Strada hardware, this is clearly a venue striving for quality. Syphon, Chemex, V60 and cold brew are all offered, brewing beans roasted in CBTB’s own wholesale wing.

There’s even a small but well-stocked retail space towards the rear, dispensing coffee and brewing equipment. Owner Vincent Leonardis’ philosophy is based on preserving the romance between people and coffee.

Over a few years, this approach has amassed a faithful following of local coffee-loving regulars alongside those who have travelled to see what all the fuss is about. The latter group is growing steadily in number.

Customers are happy experimenting with seasonal specials or loading-up with takeaways, as the team switch between casual chat and thorough explanations of origin characteristics with well-honed aplomb.