Axil Coffee Roasters - Happy to Serve You

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322 Burwood Rd, Hawthorn, 3122. Ph: 9819 0093

Coffee: Axil Coffee
Roaster on site: It is called Axil Coffee ROASTERS isn't it?
Machine: La Marzocco

Melbourne's newest coffee roaster has opened today ( I know, im such an early adopter) in the good old commercial precinct of Burwood Rd, Hawthorn. Axil coffee has been the worst kept secret in the industry for a while now and this latest offering from David Makin and Zoe Delaney was already a winner before it's doors even opened. Twitter has been abuzz for a while and the fact that this area (filled to the brim with commercial office buildings and residential towers) is starving for some good coffee means that success should be a sure thing for the Axil team. And from what I saw today, I wasn't wrong. For a first day it was pretty damn busy. The first thing you will notice is that the place is massive. The canteen-like layout allows for shit loads of tables and shit loads of tables it has.

The roaster sits in the back room, visible through a strip of glass. I like that the roaster is visible, but would have loved for it to be incorporated more into the design. (i know it's not practical, but i don't care)

The design is quite nice, but also expected: polished concrete, plywood tables, hanging cage lights etc. It ticks all the boxes of a Melbourne warehouse-style cafe.

Now, this isn't a bad thing, as the standards for a Melbourne cafe are quite high, but i would have loved to see something a little more different. However, one thing that is different compared to most of the other roasters is that they have a huge kitchen with a big f*** off menu.

This is not just a wraps and bircher cafe. They have a kick-arse all day breakfast, lunch, rolls, cakes, you name it. And going by the chorizo and egg roll that I devoured, im guessing that every dish is as extremely delicious.

And for all you pork-belly snobs out there, yes they also have a pork belly dish on the menu.

Now to the most important part. The coffee. Opening up a roastery is in Melbourne is a big deal, and if you dont get it right, you will most certainly be chased by pitchfork wielding hipsters. So, does Axil get it right? Well, considering that I (cruelly) came here on opening day, usually filled with Murphy's law moments, im going to say that they have got it right. I ordered a double ristretto, but was advised that the ristretto's weren't coming up too well today and that i should opt for a double espresso instead,

so I did and it came to me in the form of a dark, rich extraction that was just sublime.

(however it did lack that depth that a double ristretto usually gives me, but considering it was opening day, ill let the no ristretto fly).

Next up was a latte, constructed of velvety milk and a dark chocolate flavours. It was a very nice latte indeed, in fact I probably enjoyed the latte more than the espresso, but I have been in a milky mood of late.

Overall the coffee at Axil is very good. And considering the paint was still wet, I can only imagine that on second and third visits it is only going to keep getting better. And I will definitely be going back.

They also have what seems to me will be a very thourough retail section. Although it was not completely ready for opening day, It looks to be quite big and from what i can see will be very impressive when ready, and should cater for all your coffee needs.