Coffee-loving residents of up-and-coming southern suburb Salisbury rave about the buzzy atmosphere, specialty coffee and all-day brunch at lively locale Cups and Wells, and now South Brisbane gets to sample a slice of the same considered hospitality. For owner and die-hard coffee lover David Kurniawan, cafes are a place for locals to congregate and relax, eat, drink and, if they are so inclined, learn. As David personally attests, there is an incredible amount of depth within a simple cup of coffee, from the origin of the bean, the preparation method, texture and flavour profile. Cups on Melbourne is David’s new hospitality concept that places coffee right in the spotlight, where a simple fit-out and menu of grab-and-go eats keeps attentions focused on what’s in the cup, rather than what surrounds it. The allure of South Brisbane’s bustling density and insatiable thirst for good, consistent coffee made the neighbourhood ideal for the concept, and in December 2019 David unveiled his stylishly spartan and relaxed coffee shop on the corner of Melbourne Street and Edmondstone Street – the former home of Kiss the Berry. Within the cosy street-front space exists a crisp and breezy interior, which boasts a palette of white, sky blue and blonde timber, with a central coffee counter, stool seating at the windows and a scattering of outdoor tables comprising the much of the cafe’s furnishings.

Compared to its Salisbury sibling, the offering at Cups on Melbourne is stripped back and targeted towards convenience. Although served in an express manner, great care has been taken to ensure the menu is a notch above your regular fast-casual fare. The ambient cabinet is stocked with a collection of fresh salads, pastries and gluten-free treats from The Bake List, while the menu boasts acai bowls and a variety of signature jaffles, with mouth-watering fillings including ham and cheese with caramelised onion and rosemary butter, and truffle, garlic and thyme mushrooms. As for the brew, David has recruited Industry Beans as Cups on Melbourne’s primary bean supplier. Impressed by the roaster’s understanding of the coffee experience and dedication to being a contributor to Brisbane’s coffee scene, David has selected the locally-roasted Newstead Blend as the cafe’s go-to, with espresso, cold brew and filter coffee available. Served alongside each cup is a tasting card with notes on the brew in front of you, while the skilled baristas are more than happy to wax lyrical about any kind of jumping juice. Beyond coffee, Cups on Melbourne also serves a selection of refreshing beverages, including specialty teas, summer-berry fizzes, sparkling wet chai from Cha-i, and HRVST ST cold-pressed juices.

Cups on Melbourne is now open! The cafe will be hosting its grand-opening celebration at the end of January. Keep your eye on the cafe’s social media pages for more details, found via the Stumble Guide.