The north and the south sides of our fine city are two very different places. The cafes have a similar vibe to them depending on the side of the river that they pop up on, the staff and the clientele too. But Drugstore Espresso, which opened back in 2011, on Toorak Road in South Yarra is an enigma. It’s very much in the heart of the south side, but you’d be forgiven for thinking you’d stepped into a café in Fitzroy or Brunswick.
Tucked neatly into Toorak Road, find a spot on the street, or make your way into the 1920’s Drugstore inspired venue filled to the brim with greenery and friendly faces. The staff have an incredible ability to make you feel like you’ve simply made their day by showing up, even when there’s a wait for a table on the weekends.
The food and coffee will make you feel just as good as the staff manage to. The coffee is serious business. The house blend is custom by Rosso Roasting Co, a boutique Melbourne based roaster, while you’ll also find a range of other options from the smooth cold drip slowly dripped over 10 hours or the cold brew, made in a similar way to tea and brewed for 24 hours.
When it comes to the menu, they offer something for the health nut in all of us, as well as the weekend indulger. If you’re more of the former go for the berry beetroot acai bowl with berries, dates, Brazil nuts, coconut milk, banana, and beetroot, topped with coconut, chia seeds, strawberries and blueberries, or the divine coconut husk bowl with fresh coconut, banana, cacao, chia seeds, sesame seeds, Brazil nuts, and dates, served in a coconut with the coconut water in a chilled glass beside it.
If you’re feeling the need for something heavier, maybe to combat the previous evening’s sins, the grain fed wagyu beef burger with saffron aioli, bacon, corn, and onion jam, served with avocado salsa and fat chips might do, as would the spicy kimchi pulled pork roll with honey mustard apple slaw, chives, and caramel miso mayonnaise. There is also pretty much anything in between including a cabinet of rotating salads, sandwiches, and sweets.
This isn’t a new venue, and we know how much we all love new things, but we assure you, you won’t regret making a trip to this south side local.
Drugstore Espresso
194 Toorak Road, South Yarra VIC 3141
(03) 9827 5058
www.drugstoreespresso.com.au
