Little Wish

Walking down Little Collins Street, you are bombarded with street side cafes and coffee shops, providing you with a plethora of choice for your caffeine fix. Well, in the nature of TRM, I am imploring you to take a few extra steps off the beaten path, if you're in this neck of the woods.

Little Wish Specialty Coffee is their name, and special coffee it is. A tiny little shop, tucked out of sight, on the ground floor of Exchange Tower. With minimal space in which to operate, and a fine array of quality equipment, this is a place that indeed takes coffee seriously. They know that coffee is a personal thing, so if you want it made a certain way, just ask and they’ll oblige. For me, there was no need, my macchiato was perfect. Made short, strong and creamy, it was from their Kenyan coffee of the day.

The wonderfully friendly couple that own and run the store are passionate about what they do, this is no boring day job for them. They use delicately roasted coffee, supplied by Seven Seeds, and support their beverages with a selection of pastries and sandwiches, which are baked and prepared fresh, onsite.

There are a couple of small tables in front of the shop, shared with adjoining retailers, and a small, enclosed seated area backing onto a laneway, allowing a place for smokers to enjoy both drugs simultaneously. It’s not glamorous, but rather than the lack of intimacy being a deterrent, it is a good opportunity to get a quick takeaway, or stand at the shopfront and have a chat to the proprietors. A short amount of time watching and talking to them, will have you understanding why the product they produce is high quality.

So, next time you're looking for your caffeine fix, and a light sandwich or pastry, duck inside the Exchange Tower and head around to the left of the elevators, it's the last little shop tucked in on the right hand side. If you love your coffee, you will love Little Wish.

Seven Seeds

With subtle branding on a painted wall and a feature timber door being all that is used to signify the location of this cafe, it would be easy to miss it. Make no mistake, your trip inside Seven Seeds will be rewarded.

Once inside, you are greeted by a generous bike parking space, with floor and wall racks to park your steed, should you have chosen that as your mode of transport. The interior has an industrious, open, yet inviting feel. Although premium fixtures are not a feature of this cafe, it is comfortable, warm and gives a sense that you are here for something far more important. Coffee.

These guys source their own green coffee from around the globe, concentrating on estate, micro lot and single origin coffees. With onsite roasting facilities, they mean business when it comes to a caffeinated beverage.

The workspace is open, clean and visible. The baristas and staff are friendly, efficient and make the experience pleasant, without being overbearing.

You can take your choice of seats at the bar, smaller tables of 2’s and 4’s, or pull up a seat at the communal table and share the space. Ceiling gas heaters provide ample warmth on what was a cool day for this visit. Even with the concrete floors, high exposed ceilings and hard fixtures, it was a very pleasant temperature inside.

Their food menu is simple and uncomplicated. Assorted pastries, pressed sandwiches, quality grain toasts and accompaniments, that all support a casual, relaxed theme. The food looked and smelled great, unusually for me, I didn’t eat, as I was there for the coffee. Needless to say, food service was handled quickly and without fuss, again providing the feeling that their concentration was directed towards the bean.

The coffee was magnificent. All brews that left the service area were made with consistent care, and a subtle flair of coffee art. This particular day, I had a short macchiato and hands down, it was the best coffee I have had in Melbourne. Strong, smooth and rich, a perfect temperature and combination of espresso and creamy milk. I followed this by a staff recommended Aricha espresso, their coffee of the day. It was also excellent.

Upon paying the bill, I was told of the regular Saturday morning cupping sessions they hold on premises, educating their customer on their coffee selections and characteristics. Now I must confess, I like coffee a lot. I’m sure I’ll get along to a cupping session, although I am in no hurry for that.

The most important thing I look for, is a place that will deliver a consistent, high quality brew. At Seven Seeds, I am confident of enjoying the experience every time I step through the door.

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