169 Chapel St
Windsor VIC 3181
Oh No! I thought to myself………………….not another coffee shop, great, that’s ALL we need!
Well at least the rumour has it that they roast in store, better head down and see for myself what all the fuss is about, it’s time for some serious caffeination!
Put up your DUKES guys, the CaFFiend is in town 
This brand new addition to Melbourne’s vibrant cafe scene is on Chapel St, near High St, it looks absolutely fantastic, a rustic feel, lots of open space, a BIG communal table, smiling faces, burring grinders and a shiny new MISTRAL adorning the bench space, what a statement, what an expectation, Oh! What a feeling!!!
Bring it on!
My ristretto arrives promptly, I am captivated by the aroma, the dense crema concealing 15-2o mls of pure nectar, thick, rich and viscous; clear floral tones with a big finish, exactly the way to impress the CaFFiend, as they say it’s all about first impressions.
My cafe latte arrives, delicately adorned with a rosetta, but at this point in the game I’m well and truly over latte art, it’s all about what’s in the cup, and boy is this a cup full of goodness!
Velvety milk, well combined espresso and milk, thick and creamy; truly delightful, my palate would thank me if it could speak, I can feel the joy in my very being.
It’s always great to get that rush, that excitement of a new addition to the scene, and these boys, spearheaded by Peter have got it all going on. The only thing that rivals the coffee here is the delicious menu, WOW! I was extremely impressed at the overall performance of these new comers who are definitely serious about their business, and by all accounts business is GOOD!
Three beans for the DUKES of Coffee, true royalty, a great start by all accounts, keep it up you impressed the hell out of the CaFFiend!!
Till next time…………………… Keep on caffeining on!!!!
Coffee: DUKES
Hey! I am the Barista at Malt cafè, Beaumaris concourse. I am Very happy to see that Dukes kept its reputoir to the caffeind!
We started serving dukes coffee at our cafè, and hell am I impressed!!!!!
Peter provided me with 2 BRAND new grinders! delivered in the box! Cups designed to my taste!!! and to top it all off…an IMPRESSIVE blend of Peter’s finest with a weekly change over of single origins, this enables me and my clientelle base to discover all the origins of his killer blend!
a education in coffee I have always dreamed of!
Thanks to he guys at Dukes!!!
Heyns Ferreira
Malt Cafè
Very disappointed.
I have had a coffee here before that was very impressive so decided to take the family there for breakfast.
Went at 8am. There were two other customers there only. Coffee arrived with burnt milk and was cold (please explain?).
Breakfast arrived 45 minutes later. When it arrived, my poached eggs had raw egg white and were cold. The raisin toast was buried in a cup of maple syrup that seemed to be a mistake, but we were advised was actually as intended.
All in all, overpriced, tasteless and disappointing food.
Amazing place!!!
Don’t agree with the previous post, Dukes is down right amazing. The coffee is one best in Melbourne, both in flavour and consistency….trust me I’m there at least twice a week. Their service is always quick and I’ve never waited long for a meal, even when it’s a full house.
They have a great variety on the menu and the quality of the food is outstanding. The raisin toast is one of my favourites. It’s made in-house and served with labne and thyme honey. I’m not sure where maple syrup came from. Also for six dollars I think its great value.
That’s my two cents worth….thanks guys you’re doing a great job!
Finally, a place near home where I can read the paper, enjoy my breakfast and get a perfect cup of coffee.
Im a regular at Dukes and the guys down there have a knack for remembering my order! Love that!
I’ve enjoyed raisin bread on many occasions and can vouch for the fact that maple syrup is definitely not on the menu. In fact im pretty sure its not on the pancakes either.
Personally, I have yet to get a bad cup of coffee at Dukes.
Good job boys!
YOU might first notice the guy behind the counter with the pirate-worthy tattoos or the chromed-out espresso machine he’s operating. Your attention might be momentarily drawn to the name of the beans he’s using Guatemelan, Ethopian,or Tanzianian. But at the best cafes in Melbourne — like Dukes Coffee Raosters in Windsor it’s the coffee itself that will grab you.
Most espresso drinks in this country are made with over-roasted blends on “super automatic” machines that leave little control to the person operating them and turn out anonymous brews.
At Dukes Coffee Roasters they are part of what some call the artisanal coffee movement, the drinks reflect an obsession with each detail of the journey from farm to cup and an almost cultish pride in the results.
Those results are apparent as soon as you pick up the cup. The crema that crowns these espressos is a ruddy, alluring come-on that persists as you decide whether it’s closer to the color of terra cotta or burnt sienna. It’s not the pale froth that quickly dissipates on lesser espressos. And it’s evidence that the sugars and oils in the coffee have been properly emulsified through careful brewing.
The aroma will be more nuanced — with suggestions of scents like jasmine and orange — reflecting the pedigree of the beans it’s made with, and the care and precision with which it was brewed.
It will feel richer, fuller and more viscous in your mouth. The acidity of the coffee will be balanced; the tannins will contribute shape, not sting.
If you take milk, it will be steamed to order just for your drink — a top-quality cafe never uses the same milk twice. And it will be poured to create a pattern in the crema — a heart, a leaf — that not only makes the drink more appetizing, but demonstrates the attention paid to it.
The craftsmanship and artistry are largely in the hands of the baristas, those who make the coffee, like our pretty boys Pete & Shri.
* Impressive space and design
* Leading the charge of the gourmet coffee roaster’s
* Friendliest staff
“…the ultimate no-nonsense espresso bar.”
Keep up the hard work guys !
Dear lord how I love thee, Dukes!
Far and away the best coffee in the triangle-of-death that is South Yarra/Prahran/Windsor…
Great fit out – edgy and minimalist but still welcoming and comfy
Excellent food – I’m addicted to the rosti/salmon/dill/beetroot combo!
Sensational coffee – I’ve never had a bad experience here, always balanced, always hot, always complex in flavour, never bitter, and always quick!
You guys are awesome…
Fantastic coffee at an expert speed, great service & pleasant atmosphere. I’m here 4-5 times a week and it is always consistent. Keep up the brilliance dukes!