It’s always great to come across a new place, especially when its aroma reaches you way down the street and literally drags you inside. 

In inner-city Sydney’s Holt Street, this coffee warehouse is so much more than it sounds. Yes, there is the roasting operation (source of those great smells) but you can pop your head in from the street through the open servery window and order a sensational coffee to drink here or take away.

Wander in through the wide doors and you can buy everything from a toothbrush-like group head cleaner to great gleaming espresso machines - the sports cars of barista-world – and everything in between.

There are bags of coffee to take home and make your own. Or, if you want to linger (and why wouldn’t you choose to absorb the perfumed surroundings a little longer) there is a simple menu prepared by the bustling brigade in the open kitchen at the rear of this cavernous room.

We meet Gemma (ex-Bentley’s Bar) recently adding the role of manager to her initial one of head chef. Did we mention this place is brand-new? It opened in November 2010, so there’s plenty of time for her to implement lots of new ideas and offers.

Already there’s a relaxed area behind the warehouse in an open space shared by office workers from upstairs and those at tables enjoying light meals – and of course their coffees!

Reckon I’d be happy working upstairs, with a place like this so close.

Coffee Roasting Warehouse, Di Bella Café, Shop 2/50 Holt Street, Surry Hills, (02) 9699 9556. Open 7am-4pm Monday to Friday, 7.30am-4 pm weekends. 

(Sally Hammond)

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