The fact that they serve Evil Twin coffee from Brooklyn, New York, is but one of the indications that this new joint in Shortmarket Street is channelling American hipster heaven. Its dark, side-street setting, skinny shape, grungy décor, hip staff and pared-down menu confirm it. Not to mention that it’s partly a custom motorbike shop and a project of the people behind &Union and Bluecollarwhitecollar. Seriously cool.

Food

Currently the eatery-bikeshop-bar is open for breakfast, lunch and snacks, but plans are underway to do Thursday and Friday nights too. It’s also one of the handful of places in the city bowl that serve breakfast on a Saturday and Sunday morning.

Food suppliers include Jason and Frankie Fenner, so the grub is very decent. Breakfast includes sandwiches (like avo and tomato on rye, and toasted bacon and brie) and granola any which way you like it – with hot water, milk, yoghurt, berries, banana, honey or a combination thereof. Lunch brings sandwiches – meat, veg or the day’s special – as well as raw pizza and soup. Bar snacks are meat bowls or bacon strips. Nothing fussy or fancy. You’re here to get your caffeine (or alcohol) injection and talk about bespoke bikes, after all.

Drinks

There’s a good selection of wine, spirits (think fancy bourbons and tequilas) and cocktails. And obviously craft beer. If booze for breakfast is not your thing, the coffee is excellent and so is the The House juice and superfood smoothies (available in green or chocolate).

Service

The staff are remarkably chatty for a hipster locale. Perhaps it was the presence of my MacBook that warmed them to me.

Ambience

Have we mentioned the word “hipster” enough? We think you get it. Also, if you don’t mind working in the dusk (it’s fairly dark inside), it’s a pretty good place to plonk down and get some work done. The music is excellent, too.

By Anelde Greeff

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