Photo: Derek Swalwel
If you live around Melbourne or are visiting Melbourne, why not join the queues at one of these trendy cafes to experience a great coffee and soak up the atmosphere? Personally, I prefer to take control of the espresso creation and enjoy it in the peace and quiet of my own garden - but that's just me.
Eftpos best cafe: Auction Rooms, North Melbourne
One of the coolest fitouts in town, excellent coffee, a tight brunch menu and smart service.
Best coffee: Axil Coffee Roasters, Hawthorn
We've had plenty of ''ah'' moments this year from Axil's seasonal blend, and their single origins, too.
Best new cafe: Top Paddock, Richmond
So many good cafes opened this year: Top Paddock is the best, with a sharp fit out, good food, great coffee and passionate service.
Best food cafe: St Ali Coffee Roasters, South Melbourne
With chef Andrew Gale in charge of the kitchen, St Ali's creative riffs on cafe food just got better.
Latorre & Dutch best boutique roaster: The Maling Room, Canterbury
The Maling Room's blends and single origins are popping up at coffee-smart cafes all over town. Owner and head roaster Andrew Lew has been producing excellent coffee in Canterbury's lovely old post office since 2006.
Best brew bar: Dukes Coffee Roasters, Melbourne
A lovely new space with a friendly team serving quality espresso and filter coffee.
Best small cafe: Cheerio, Richmond
Small and perfectly formed, from the single-page menu to the Seven Seeds coffee and the chilled service.
Bonsoy best barista: Courtney Patterson, Cup of Truth, Melbourne
There's nowhere to hide at the former ticket booth that Patterson has called home for the past four years, pulling shots for the Flinders Street commuter crowds.
Local hero: The Resident, Ashburton
Every suburb deserves a bright-and-breezy cafe with inventive food, ace coffee and a friendly vibe. That's The Resident in a nutshell.
Hall of fame: Giancarlo Giusti, Grinders
Fifty years ago, Giancarlo Giusti opened Grinders in Lygon Street. He also created the original Mario's blend in 1986.
Eftpos best cafe: Auction Rooms, North Melbourne
One of the coolest fitouts in town, excellent coffee, a tight brunch menu and smart service.
Best coffee: Axil Coffee Roasters, Hawthorn
We've had plenty of ''ah'' moments this year from Axil's seasonal blend, and their single origins, too.
Best new cafe: Top Paddock, Richmond
So many good cafes opened this year: Top Paddock is the best, with a sharp fit out, good food, great coffee and passionate service.
Best food cafe: St Ali Coffee Roasters, South Melbourne
With chef Andrew Gale in charge of the kitchen, St Ali's creative riffs on cafe food just got better.
Latorre & Dutch best boutique roaster: The Maling Room, Canterbury
The Maling Room's blends and single origins are popping up at coffee-smart cafes all over town. Owner and head roaster Andrew Lew has been producing excellent coffee in Canterbury's lovely old post office since 2006.
Best brew bar: Dukes Coffee Roasters, Melbourne
A lovely new space with a friendly team serving quality espresso and filter coffee.
Best small cafe: Cheerio, Richmond
Small and perfectly formed, from the single-page menu to the Seven Seeds coffee and the chilled service.
Bonsoy best barista: Courtney Patterson, Cup of Truth, Melbourne
There's nowhere to hide at the former ticket booth that Patterson has called home for the past four years, pulling shots for the Flinders Street commuter crowds.
Local hero: The Resident, Ashburton
Every suburb deserves a bright-and-breezy cafe with inventive food, ace coffee and a friendly vibe. That's The Resident in a nutshell.
Hall of fame: Giancarlo Giusti, Grinders
Fifty years ago, Giancarlo Giusti opened Grinders in Lygon Street. He also created the original Mario's blend in 1986.
