Coffee connoisseurs in Clovelly are in for a treat. TopHat Coffee Merchants opened its doors on November 2nd and judging by the influx of customers on a Saturday afternoon, it is set to take the quiet beachside suburb by storm.
TopHat Coffee Merchants, Clovelly
You’ll find TopHat Coffee along Clovelly Road near the roundabout which intersects with Arden Street. The black and white signage makes it easy to spot from the outside along with a peek into its painted mural.
Bare light bulbs, drop-down fluoro green lights, coffee tables made of white painted wooden pallets, mismatched stools on recycled floorboards complete the industrial look that gives this café its character. While the funky décor may draw you in, it is the coffee that will turn your first visit into a regular one.
Mural
Owner Angus Nicol of Swallow Coffee Traders known his beans, and when he or Jessica serves your coffee, you get a little explanation of your brew. Today’s macchiato is a Panamania Single Origin and comes with a shot of cool sparkling water. The coffee is aromatic, rich in chocolate and berry notes. The filtered coffee comes from southern India and has a natural sweetness with chocolate notes that develop as the brew cools.
Macchiato and filtered coffee
Coffee is on rotation, with TopHat Coffee making use of the best that is in season and using various roasts from around the world.
The food menu which is clipped to a white painted timber board offers well priced treats. Choose from the ham and cheese croissants ($5.50) from the Simpletons section, dairy-free burcher ($8) from the Healthy section or opt for poached free-range eggs on sourdough ($9), add another ($6) and you get all the extras. There are jaffles ($5.50), picnic plates ($10) and smoked salmon sandwiches with cream cheese on soy and quinoa loaf ($8) that will have you planning your next brunch outing.
With TopHat Coffee Merchants, Clovelly has finally become serious about coffee. And it’s about time.
Updated November 2013 – TopHat Coffee Merchants is now operating as a small bar in the evenings. Review of the TopHat Coffee bar here.
TopHat Coffee Merchants
315 Clovelly Rd
Clovelly, NSW 2031
www.tophatcoffee.com.au
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