Coffee lovers have new reasons to smile with big changes to the local café scene.
25mL, on the corner of Squadron Drive and Hobsonville Point Road, opened in late December and its two unique coffee blends, which are roasted on site, are already proving popular.
Owner, Andrew Choi (pictured), says it is his first café after years working in the financial industry.
“This dream started three or four years ago with me wondering about my daily long black. It tasted different every time even though it was made by the same person, and I wondered why.”
That question, teamed with his passion for coffee, led him to complete a year of training with an internationally-recognised specialist coffee trainer and now to the opening of 25mL, which Andrew says has been well supported by the “kind, friendly and welcoming” local community.
Much to his surprise, the café’s most popular dish is its pork dumplings which are made according to his mother-in-law’s recipe.
“We thought we’d only make 100 or 200 but we’re now making about 500 a week,” he says.
Visitors can enjoy 25mL’s coffee and food between 7am and 4pm Monday to Friday (excluding Wednesday), and 8am to 4pm Saturday, Sunday and public holidays.
Meanwhile, 160 Hobsonville Café has opened in what was formerly Roberts Café at the bottom of the Brickworks Apartments on De Havilland Road.
Manager, Junliang Lee, says the space has been completely renovated, with a refreshed area for children, new outdoor furniture and more plants. And there is a new menu to match, featuring free range food, smoothies and Allpress coffee.
“We really want to be part of the community,” says Junliang. “We try and know every customer who comes through the door.”
160 Hobsonville Café is open 6:30am to 4pm seven days a week, and also offers local lunch delivery, catering and a free after-hours meeting space for use by the community.