When a good mate of mine (Miner Boy) mentioned there was a new coffee place in town that was so hidden away that I would have to squint to see it, I knew I had to pay it a visit.
Tucked in a little street in between the Douglas Menzies Chambers and 500 Bourke Street (Earl Canteen, NAB Building) sits Patricia Coffee Brewers.
I argued with Miner Boy.
“There is no such street known as Little William Street!”
“Yes, there is, I was just there!”
“Well fine, take me there. But I still think you’re crazy. Making street names up.”
Fortunately, for him, he was right. Was I embarrassed? Not at all. Takes a bit more than that to make me blush 😛
There is only standing room available in this narrow coffee bar.
Three large open window spaces provide sunlight and makeshift booths that you can stake out if you are lucky.
The concept behind Patricia’s is simple.
And everyone knows I love simple. The less complicated the better. And it doesn’t get any less complicated than this.
You have a choice of Black, White or Filtered coffee.
This Zen like notion by Bowen Holden (formerly of Seven Seeds) is fantastic and fits really well with this fast-paced corporate end of the city.
Quick, fast, efficient and great quality.
Coffee beans are sourced from all major and exciting coffee hot spots with their house blend from Seven Seeds.
They also serve guest coffee on different days from their sources (Seven Seeds, Proud Mary, Market Lane, and Small Batch).
I have had lattes, piccolos and a cold drip, all which were smooth and rich.
Coffees I’ve had in Patricia Coffee Brewers include Seven Seeds seasonal blend, Small Batchs’ Cowuncher Blend (my favourite so far), Proud Mary’s Honeysuckle Blend (which is a little fruity and less acidic), Proud Mary’s Exploding Heart Blend, and a cold drip from Market Lane’s Finca Suiza.
My favourite part of Patricia’s? They provide you with a glass of sparkling water if you choose to have your coffee within its premises! I find the sparkly effervescence cleanses my palate (just like when you are wine tasting) and keeps the coffee breath at bay (Hooray!).
When to visit?
Avoid lunch hour crowd by visiting during the early morning or mid-afternoon, they open Monday to Friday from 7am to 4pm only (with plans for the weekend sometime soon).
Additional items at Patricia Coffee Brewers:
They also provide Machete cold drips in a bottle or cold drip specials (ask to find out what is in store) served from a hip flask 🙂
*Disclaimer: All food ratings & review are purely based on my own experiences and how I feel about the service, food and quality at the time of visit
Food/ Cuisine: Coffee
Dining Style: Cafe
Overall Food Coffee Rating (Based on the Dining style): 8/10
Cafe Restaurant ambiance: 7.5/10 (I like the funky style to this cafe)
Service/ Attitude: 8/10 (Very friendly and welcoming. Plus they know their coffees)
Value for money: 7.5/10 (Pretty standard pricing)
Opening Hours:
Monday to Friday, 7am – 4pm
Address:
Cnr Little Bourke & Little William St
Melbourne VIC 3000
Website: http://www.patriciacoffee.com.au/
Twitter: @PCoffeeBrewers
How to get there:
Dear I-Hua,
Although I’m not a coffee drinker, I think the whole business of coffee is such a fascinating art form just like wine making. I do enjoy the aromas of fresh coffee being brewed though 🙂
It is an art unto itself 🙂
Ooh how cute! I love the idea of the place, very Italian. Such pretty pictures too, your coffees are gorgeous! Don’t spose they do any other options for non-coffee drinkers? I’d totally swing by if they did a chai… 🙂
I don’t think so. This is strictly coffee only 🙂
Another cute little coffee place! I’m in love with them. I wish I lived or worked closer to the city 🙁 The coffees look gorgeous. I was just recently at Seven Seeds and the coffee was great there so I can imagine it would be good here too. 😀
It doesn’t seem like they do food is that correct? I usually like a few nibbles or actual meal along with my coffee..
They have some croissants and cakes, but as it is only standing room, there aren’t any seats. People seem to just buy and take away snacks 🙂
Ooooh, another little awesome little coffee shop for Melbourne. Some days I just wish I worked in the city! Gorgeous pictures as always!
Yayy! I’m always happy when a new one pops up and this one is so much easier for me to get to!
damn, i work on the other side of the CBD, i wonder if its worth tramming across…hmmm or i can wait for them to open on the wkend.
Definitely worth tramming. Do what I do. Take a train and stop at Flagstaff and then enjoy a good coffee before walking 2-3 blocks into work 🙂 Works a treat 🙂
I must drop in – I keep sticking to places around the corner from me. Great to catch up on Tuesday.
You should! Get out of your comfort zone that is Proud Mary’s and visit a few new spots 🙂 Likewise!
there’s no little william street but if there’s good food, forget about the streets! hahaha.
LOL.. There is! And I just noticed a Little Queen Street today… OMG!
I almost shrieked out loud when I read the bit about the sparkling water! As Ashley said, so very Italian. I was never much of a mineral water drinker before but I fell in love with the palate cleansing-ness of it when it Italy and have been hoping to find a cafe in Melbourne that offers it (without having to pay $3+ for a bottle, I want a palate cleanser not a whole drink). Bonus – it’s metres from work 🙂
Seriously the sparkling water is amazing. Not the water. The novelty and the palate cleansing. *sigh*
Unfortunately I missed the important ‘if you choose to have your coffee within its premises’ part and missed out on the mineral water this morning 🙁 Oh well, I’ll just have to try again next week …
There’s always next time 🙂
It’s so annoying when places are only open for a couple of hours a day 🙁 I hate crowds sighh but nice for you to find a new little place~
Aawww… technically they open from 7am-4pm so it’s more than normal (same as a 9-5om work hour) so I’m cool with it 🙂
The place and coffee looks great! There are coffee shops that are meant to be as “the places to be” and this one should be one of them. How about food, do they serve?
Thanks!
Hollis
They only do pastries and cakes, nothing major, and only take-aways I think!
Really love the simple menu concept. Pity they don’t open weekends, we have to pop by next time we brunch together mid-week!
Yes yes yes! We go We Go We go! We should have gone after Earl the other day. It’s right next door!
“Cowuncher” makes me want to yell “Cowabunga!”, which really doesn’t make sense but makes me happy, so there. *sticks out tongue*
Oops… I think I spelt it wrong! It was meant to be Cowpuncher… I think?
I love, love, love the standing room only sign and agree with you that a glass of mineral water is a great idea. I used to work right near here so am annoyed it has only just opened.
Are u still within the CBD location though? You could still visit? 🙂
Brilliant idea! No fuss, no mucking about, just great product that speaks for itself!
Quick and easy. That’s the best!
Nice little cafes. Do miss the Melbourne cafes.
You seem to be finding quite cute ones up in Sydney as well 🙂
This rocks! I head up to EARL pretty frequently as it’s only a short walk from work (and an easy place for me and fiance to meet). Must have been blind as I’ve never noticed this place.
Thanks for the inspiration – fiance will LOVE it. You’ve given us a new place for a post-lunch date 🙂
You will love it!! Yayy for post-lunch dates!
What an adorable little place! I love little spaces as they have to get really creative with decor 😀
It’s really cute isn’t it?