Any caffeine-dependent denizen of Brisbane will tell you that coffee was a blessed constant throughout the toughest moments of last year’s extended lockdown. Even though we were cooped up inside, takeaway coffee spots were considered an essential lifeline – a great excuse to (safely) pop outside and enjoy a brief moment of human interaction. Home-brew coffee also saw an uptick – those that preferred to stay indoors stocked their kitchens with AeroPress coffee makers, V60 pour-over vessels, boxes of filter papers and bags of specialty beans from their favourite roaster. Last year seemed to cement Brisbane’s need for grab-and-go coffee spots, which have proved to be COVID-proof businesses in the wake of successive lockdowns. Yonder Espresso in St Lucia is the newest hole-in-the-wall joint to spring up on the scene, injecting the character-filled riverside suburb with a dash of streamlined specialty service – the kind that has been missing from a part of town typically flush with sleep-deprived students. Even though Yonder Espresso inhabits a small shopfront, the dispensary (which sits on Hawken Drive directly across the road from KaiKai Chicken) offers pours that are a notch above your regular cuppa, a comprehensive retail section and knowledgable staff who can wax lyrical about the newest feature roasts and also educate newcomers on the merits of every brewing method.
Yonder Espresso’s house blend comes courtesy of Sydney’s Single O, selected for its conscientious approach to bean sourcing and the direct partnerships and long-term relationships it forms with its supply farms. In addition to the essential espresso pour, Yonder also serves batch coffee, filter and cold-brew drinks – expect fresh cups showcasing a rotating roster of beans from Australian roasters and select producers from around the world. Yonder’s coffee showcase extends into the retail sphere, with a large shelf at the venue’s read stocked with beans from roasters like Brisbane favourites Neighbourhood Coffee Roasters, Almanac Coffee and Cavalier Coffee Roaster, plus Reuben Hills in Sydney, Melbourne’s Proud Mary and Newcastle’s Floozy Coffee. A sizeable range of brewing equipment is also available, so those that love to start the day with a home-brewed pick-me-up can expand their apparatus collection here. Despite its diminutive size, Yonder endeavours to make as much of its offering in house, including its own almond milk, chai syrup, hot chocolate mix, salted-caramel syrup and tepache (a fermented pineapple soda). A small selection of bites encompass croissants (baked on site), vegan quesadillas, hash browns and house-made cakes and brownies. Yonder’s 22-sqm space boasts a shabby-chic decor, courtesy of the team’s use of recycled and reconditioned materials like wooden sleepers and pieces salvaged from demolition yards, while footpath seating is available for those that want to linger over their cup for a while longer.
Yonder Espresso is open now! Head to the Stumble Guide for operating hours and social links.
