Elisa Mercurio and Juan Londono are behind this specialty coffee joint near Henley Square. It is sophisticated, modern and minimalist, with a touch of the Mediterranean. The fit-out is clean and textural; white tiles are offset by lush emerald seating and a flourish of glossy palms.

The entire fit-out was designed to match the ultra-sleek La Marzocco ModBar espresso machine. Its tap-like system creates an easy flow between customer and barista. The modular system allows complete control over each extraction.

Beans come from Kangarilla roaster Dawn Patrol Coffee; there’s single-origin or blended espresso and filter options, including carbonated cold filter and espresso tonic. Non-caffeinated options include freshly squeezed juices and smoothies made in-house, tea by The Tea Catcher, and hot chocolate from Melbourne’s Mörk Chocolate. Pastries are delivered daily from The Flinders Street Project.

Colombian-born Londono creates flavour profiles centered on coastal botanicals, citrus, coriander and paprika. The menu fuses South American influences with a Mediterranean feel echoed in the Tuscan-style arch windows peeping into the kitchen.

With the ocean just steps away, the cafe’s location is ideal for a slow breakfast or takeaway for a beachside picnic. Breakfast includes smoked kippers with egg, salsa and potato rosti; patatas bravas; and guacamole toast with feta, mint and chilli. Beans and Greens is the “salad for breakfast” popular with the active Henley Beach community.

The lunch menu includes fresh market fish with pickled cucumber and preserved lemon; pork belly; grilled baby octopus; and haloumi and grain salads. Linger longer on Fridays and Saturdays; the dinner menu features Mulloway ceviche with lime pickled cucumbers and caviar; saganaki with pickled red onion, honey, lime and pistachio; and squid ink paella with chargrilled octopus, Coorong pipis, chorizo and chicken as well as cocktails and wines.