Bench Espresso

BENCH ESPRESSO IN WEST END HAS CLOSED.

Bench Espresso is one of West End’s best kept secrets – a funky little outpost of a coffee bar/art gallery reached via a laneway between Otello Trattoria Pizzeria and Ouzori Greek restaurant.

And it’s well worth the detour off the main stretch for what is arguably the best coffee in an inner city neighbourhood where there’s no such thing as a bad coffee.

For Bench are in the business of great coffee, made with their own signature blend of beans and promoting emerging artists, whose works are rotated monthly. Pull up a chair on the little patch of astroturf garden outside or in the cosy interior where works of art for sale adorn the walls and a bookshelf contains books, card games, a sketch book and coloured pencils.

Along with coffee in various incarnations by the cup or mug, Chai Latte and Hot Chocolate, Bench Espresso serves an interesting range of teas Rosella Rose (hot and iced), Citrus Bliss (iced) and  English Rose, Chilli Chai, Gourmet Earl Grey and Double Mint (hot).

In the fridge are an assortment of Cold Pressed Juices from Hrvst such as Orange Sky (orange, pineapple, turmeric root and lemon), Endless Summer (lemon, pineapple and cayenne pepper) and Little Green (kale, cucumber, green apple and ginger) and ginger beer.

And to accompany there’s a small range of pre-packaged gourmet cookies.