Madison Coffee & Corner Store

From the outside, Madison Coffee & Corner Store is a little bit nostalgic. It might be the corner shop’s white shingled facade, which nods to its past as life a milk bar. Or it might be the takeaway window, where neighbourly baristas hand out hot coffee, malted milkshakes and pastry-filled paper bags.

Yet inside, it’s decidedly contemporary. Owner Monique Moussi (also behind cafes Miss Frank, Ivy Lane, and Meister) did some of the renovations herself: adding in warm timber shelves and a burly concrete counter.

Atop that counter, a La Marzocco machine is put to use with beans from Inglewood Coffee Roasters. Cold brew and cold drip are also available. Or, for something lighter, go for freshly squeezed juices, soft drinks by Karma or refreshing iced chai.

Food-wise, the focus is on easy grab-and-go pastries, which come from Noisette. But you’ll also find plenty of satisfying lunch options: from bagels loaded with salmon, capers and cream cheese, to hefty egg and bacon muffins with chipotle mayonnaise, to a panini lined with chicken schnitzel, slaw and more.

Madison even doubles as your local specialty grocer. Long shelves behind the counter showcase loaves of bread, including olive baguettes and sourdough loaves. Plus, a few corner shelves are lined with pantry staples such as pickles, olive oil, long-life milk, cookies and bags of beans. Whether you’re sitting in for brunch, getting a quick coffee from the takeaway window or grabbing something for your pantry, the friendly folks here have you sorted.