Laika Coffee

Popular West Leederville cafe Hylin was coffee-passionate architect Josh McGinnity’s first hospitality venture. He sold it in 2017 and then opened Laika Coffee (named after the famous Soviet space dog) in early 2018 with his brother Ryan in what was a washing-machine workshop.

Laika’s key point of difference is its in-house coffee roastery, jointly owned by McGinnity, roaster Seb Huigens – formerly of Mano a Mano – and barista Ru Teow. The roastery is single-origin only and will not produce blends for milk coffees.

The cafe is the flagship for the Laika brand – something like Melbourne’s Seven Seeds – the owners envision it as a cellar door for coffee.

The cafe’s batch brew is an unusual offering from Norwegian roasters Talor &Jørgen.

The all-day brunch menu shows familiar inspiration. Offerings range from expected egg and granola dishes to toppings-on-toast and a brunch pasta. Chicken and veggie burgers are available from mid morning.