Home Espresso

Few stumble across Home Espresso by accident. The unassuming exterior couldn’t be less on trend; it’s at the ground level of a corporate high rise, with not a Scandinavian birch bench top or mod-industrial light fitting in sight.

This relaxed aesthetic is perhaps a clever front. Already, peak times can mean battling with a long line of coffee connoisseurs to get your caffeine. Any busier and it would need a third Synesso machine.

Whether you’re a local or not, give it a couple of visits and the baristas will probably remember you by name and coffee type. From the humble flat white to a high-intensity double ristretto 3/4 latte, the priority here is not only knocking out orders at high speed, but also maintaining an excellent standard. There may be a line out the door, but you can be sure every pour will be consistent, and the grind regularly checked.

The ever-changing menu might feature quinoa porridge with vanilla bean and cinnamon poached apple and maple syrup. Or maybe scrambled eggs with truffle oil and fresh fennel salad on brioche. For lunch, try Korean fried chicken bao with chilli sauce and Asian slaw, or a salad of grilled haloumi and chicken, pumpkin and shaved fennel.