Padre Coffee Brunswick East

Marinus Jansen had a background in just about everything but coffee. The software engineer started Padre, a coffee roaster with a down-to-earth approach, in 2008.

Since then Jansen has collected a number of like-minded business partners. Together they’ve opened a string of successful stores at the South Melbourne Market, in Noosa and in Paddington in Sydney.

The East Brunswick Project (Padre’s original name) is where it all began. The stark, white-tiled roaster and cafe is responsible for about half of Padre’s roasting efforts. The rest happens at a warehouse around the corner.

The team sources green coffee from up to 30 different estates all over the coffee-growing world, including Indonesia. The cafe typically carries a number of single origins, as well as the house blends – Daddy’s Girl for espresso and Hey Buddy for filter.

The experience is designed to be accessible and friendly. Questions and experimentation are encouraged. When in doubt, just ask one of the exceptionally well-trained staff. They’ll walk you through the whole process from field to cup. Their only distractions from the coffee are a few takeaway sweets and savouries (we can recommend the bacon and egg tarts).

Over at a separate counter, there’s a wall of take-home brewing equipment and beans to match. The East Brunswick store also offers barista, roasting and cupping (tasting) courses.