Golden Cobra Coffee (including the Timothy Dalton decaf). 7/383-387 Princes Hwy, Woonona (down an alley, look for the yellow ramp). I had a conversation with someone I met at a party and found they were opening a cafe south of Sydney, north of Wollongong. A week after their grand opening, and I’m impressed enough to trek back and see what their normal Saturday trade looks like.
One of the challenges at first is to find the place – the street address indicates that you’re looking for a place on the Princes Highway, but you’re actually walking down a lane way in search of a large yellow ramp. Step inside (or sit outside on the garden benches) and you can sample a menu of delicious food, and some of the best coffee you’re likely to sample in the south of Sydney.
There’s a variety of methods of coffee preparation on offer here: the usual espresso variations, but also aeropress, pour-over and filter for those who are interested. For the non-coffee-drinking crowd, there are tea craft teas. Order a beverage, and you’ll be treated to a variety of cups and saucers from a simpler time.
This is counter-balanced with the modern, bright colours of the outdoor furniture, and the indoor seats that are, for want of a better word, reminiscent of old church hall furniture.
Food is of an excellent calibre, well prepared – I’m looking forward to a trip back somewhere around a mealtime so I can sample something more substantial than avocado with olive oil on sourdough toast ($6).
Coffee is really the best news of the place. The best decaf coffee I’ve had in a long time, and delivered consistently. Ask Josh – the man behind the counter – and you’ll receive an education on the nuances of coffee selection: worth the price of the coffee in itself.
Highly recommended.