Dukes Coffee Roasters on Flinders Lane

Sometimes...wait let me start again. All the time, I want a good coffee. So when I find a place in the city that can churn out a consistently great shot each and every time, it's a place I'm sure to return to.  Located down bustling Flinders Lane beneath a sign displaying a simple coffee cup, lies Dukes Coffee Roasters - a place where I have come to expect consistently great coffee.

The magic all began at the original cafe in Windsor before Dukes expanded to it's CBD sister store, where it has been fuelling the corporate crowds for over a year now. Like clock work each morning an ominously large queue of suits form, all itching for their morning fix of caffeine, before a merry barista sends them on their way with a short black under their belt and a take-away flat white in hand. Coffee is the main focus here (there's no menu, but food comes in the form of a great selection of cakes), with a sweet, fruity and creamy house blend taking center-stage and keeping the punters happy. You can also hit up filter coffees for only four dollars a pop, which is the cheapest Iv'e found in Melbourne thus far. Seating space is limited, but don't be fooled, the turnover here is quick so if you're patient you're bound to nab a table before you can say 'one strong flat white please'. And really, why wouldn't you want to sit back and soak up the atmosphere in a space like this? The fit out, created by Chris Connell, is light and spacious, featuring recycled tiles and reclaimed timber, which makes you feel like you're chilling out in a Nordic ski lodge.

 

So next time you're in the city and you want a darn good coffee, head to Dukes, where you can sit back and watch the hustle and bustle of the city pass you by as you sip on some sweet caffeinated deliciousness.