MELBOURNE | Kōhī No Deshi is the sister venue of Disciple Roasters, located directly next door in the backstreets of Brunswick. Disciple is owner Marwin Shaw’s roastery, and the place to visit for some of Melbourne’s best expressions of black espresso and filter based coffees. Kōhī No Deshi, forms a counterpoint to this, and is the venue to visit if you’re looking for something more playful and experimental.
The small, bright space was built entirely from recycled and repurposed materials from the existing building. White painted walls, light timber, and a row of pink Mazzer grinders lean into the playful aspect of the venue.
Dairy and plant-based milk drinks are the focus at Kōhī No Deshi, leaning into a wave of coffee that’s about showing how coffee can be used in non-traditional ways, with the same consideration and attention to detail that underlines specialty coffee.
Browse the board behind the coffee bar and you’ll see a menu of interesting sounding drinks, along with the suggested ‘milk’ to have with it. Things like a caramel and peach drink using Disciple’s ‘Sakura Blend’ espresso and cow’s milk as a base; and a toffee apple drink made with Disciple’s ‘Chocho Blend’ espresso beans and your choice of Bonsoy or ‘Happy Happy’ almond milk.
There’s also a brilliant affogato – your espresso bean of choice, with a scoop of vanilla ice-cream especially made by Sundae School for Kōhī No Deshi. For non-coffee drinkers, there’s also decaf, hot chocolate, and original and decaf Monk’s chai.
If you want a small bite, there’s a little selection of house-baked pastries on the counter. Things like yuzu shortbread-like cookies and daifuku filled with seasonal fruits (strawberry and raspberry when I visited).
You can buy beans for home, along with hand-made cups, mugs, and pour over equipment from one of Marwin’s other side projects, Disciple Pottery Studio. You’ll notice the beautiful pottery as the vessels in which your drinks are served.
Kōhī No Deshi
18 Black Street
Brunswick
Victoria 3056
Australia
Telephone: n/a
E-mail: n/a
Open
Mon – Sun: 7:00am to 3:00pm