morning coffee Hobart style....in a tunnel...down a park lane...

tunnel vision coffee

People take their morning coffee seriously here in Hobart. Just ask someone who hasn't had theirs yet. I saw a huddle of them this morning and I’d dare not step in line before them. But this was no ordinary coffee queue on a 2-degree morning. As I walk down the steps, Barista David Osborne looks eerily God-like; a silhouette with blinding light at the end of a tunnel, steam rising up in swirls of delicious coffee aroma. Commuters rub their chilled hands with anticipation, drawn like moths to a flame (or at least like heater-hoggers to a small electric heat-giver David has tucked alongside his formal dining table).

Cheery chatter fills what’s typically a dull, cold, tile-walled tunnel and I can soon understand the appeal. David not only serves up a great coffee but injects such enthusiasm into each cup that I see folk wander off with a new spring to their step….disappearing into that strange light.

David says hello to everyone. It doesn’t matter if you’re pushing a lawn mower, pedalling an infant through the blistering cold or walking at a ‘I’m late for work pace' that better resembles a comical Kath and Kel powerwalk. He’ll still afford you a generous smile. 

It seems David believes in more than just a coffee, he’s created in his own words, “a little place in a beautiful space for the human race at a Hobart pace.” That means you can pull up a pew and listen to David’s jovial chatter all morning in his quirky makeshift living room, view artwork beautifying the grafitti-ridden walls and listen to live music of a Wednesday….let’s just say you get your $3.50 worth.

Further info: 
Tunnel Vision is located in the Rose Garden Tunnel of the ‘ABC roundabout.’ 
Vist Tunnel Vision on Facebook

from builder to barista - parklane espresso

It's tiny. It's humble. And it's beautifully Tasmanian. The unassuming coffee stop is tucked away near the lane-way to a car park, from which it owes its simple name. Step inside Parklane Espresso, and the sweet
charm continues.

It's cosy enough to notice that the Mum rocking little bub is popping in to see 'Barista Daddy.’ It's friendly and warm enough to strike up a conversation straight away with most of the coffee goers. It's easy,
it's pleasant, it already feels like coffee-home.

And like most innovative Tassie locals, it turns out Barista Joe Ware hasn't always been a boutique cafe owner. In fact, he's spent many a hardy day as a builder and as I glance around the handsomely crafted space I begin to see his handiwork.

"This striking Myrtle was all salvaged from the Upper Florentine," Joe tells me frothing the milk as passionately as he's looking down at the rippled markings of the Myrtle countertop. "Tallest hardwood on the planet comes from there. This Myrtle and Black Heart Sassafras was collected from the forest floor by my mate. Beautiful isn't it?"

I nod appreciatively, running a hand over the smooth Tasmanian piece, hundreds of years my senior. It certainly is beautiful. And it's as Tasmanian as the couple bringing Parklane Espresso to life. Just as the 
tea is local and the coffee beans are from the neighbourhood too.

"We want to have a really nice local feel," he continues, sliding my coffee towards me. "Zimmah Coffee- this man knows how to roast beans. I tried beans from all over the country and yet the guy up the road had the finest."

So engrossed by the experience I fail to ask for sugar. Those who need it in their cup will know..without it... potentially your morning is all but ruined. My anticipation flounders in bitter fear. I take my first precarious sip. I pause. It's heavenly.

I'm not sure if it's the big proud smile from Joe just a few weeks into his new venture, or the sweet glow of the Myrtle, but today my coffee needs no sugar. 

In fact it never will from Parklane.

Further info:
Parklane esppresso is located in Salamanca Square and also offers coffee beans, Tassie tea and delicious treats. 
For more information find them on Facebook.

coffee on the run with a smile- Cuppa Coffee

Coffee on wheels? Now there’s a thought. Coffee that can come to you…with a big complimentary smile? Now we’re talking. If you have employees that work much better with a dose of caffeine, Cuppa Coffee’s owner Bella Hart has you covered.

Bella’s gourmet coffee van begins its morning tending to commuters at Midway Tavern 6.30-9am then trundles its way happily through the suburbs of Hobart brewing for businesses in the know….bosses who understand the productivity value of a latte.  

Bella also offers muffins, biscuits and wait for it…icy poles. But let’s stick to the toasty items for now. If you’d like Cuppa Coffee for an event, a meeting o to perk up those bleary-eyed non-morning folk you’re trying to motivate, get in touch with Bella.

Visit on facebook or also stop by the Cuppa Drive Thru in Newtown.

*Those who have your own treasured coffee stops, we'll be covering more soon. Alternately share your local favourites with us.