G'Day Tiger

G’Day Tiger sits on the corner of Cowes’ main thoroughfare, less than a minute’s walk from Cowes Beach. And while the sleepy location feels like a world away from the city, owner Jonathan Bentley and his business partner Claudio Fumagalli are on a quiet mission to give locals a taste of the Melbourne’s vibrant coffee scene.

You can tell they’re on track just by looking at the place. Concrete bench tops and plywood walls set it apart from Phillip Island's long-standing shops and restaurants. But what really sets G’day Tiger apart, hands down, is what’s happening behind the sleek La Marzocco PB at the counter.

Bentley was born on Phillip Island, but he’s worked with some of the best names in Melbourne coffee – St ALi, Auction Rooms, Brother Baba Budan, Traveller and, most recently, Seven Seeds. With a resume like that, you can be sure the coffee here is on-par with any of those heavy-hitters. You can also bet the single origin of the week was probably roasted by a name you know and perhaps love, available as espresso or filter. For something milk-based, Seven Seeds’ tried-and-true house blend runs daily.

In addition to its mandate of “great coffee” (check), G’day Tiger also spruiks some “sensational sandwiches”. Try the house favourite Tuna Melt with American cheese, pickles and chilli, or the “Chicken Schnitta” with thigh-fillet schnitzel, fennel, onion and dill slaw, jalapeno, and honey-mustard mayo. Only available from 11am until 2pm.