Kanteen - 150 Alexandra Parade Sth Yarra. VIC Australia

This recently renovated café has a prime location overlooking the Yarra River. The building originated as a public toilet block. As appealing as that sounds, with the newly done refit, you would never know. This café caters for a young market, while maintaining a kiddy friendly atmosphere. The renovations took into account all weather conditions, with an entire inner wall of sliding doors, allowing a variable environment. This café has only reopened recently and is already a steadily busy location. Imagine what summer will be like. The coffee used is Genovese Super Brazil blend, which has a cult following, due to places like ‘The Wall 280’. Kanteen, unlike ‘the wall’ have chosen not to pour a 40ml shot in 20 seconds, but have decided to discard the first 1 or 2ml of the espresso, taking away that full on, almost sour taste, while adhering to the 30ml in 30 seconds method of proper espresso extraction. This makes for an easy drinking style of coffee, with milk served at a tepid temperature, as stated on the menu. The milk-based coffees don’t look special, as the milk texturing is up and down, depending on the barista on duty. The food menu is over minimalist with a choice of only four or five pides and a few basic breakfast options. Having said all of that I believe that Kanteen is a great café due to its relaxed atmosphere, and secluded location perfect for a 5 minute getaway from the hustle and bustle of Melbourne’s CBD. Give it a shot!





SUBMISSION By: Andy Gelman