Tazza Coffee

Good music, fun activities (colouring in for grown ups), a groovy menu, interesting specials (pumpkin hotcakes), delicious coffee. Bookcase, Avant cards, games. Inside or outside (under cover). Roadside parking. Close to the bus stop. This place obviously has a lot going for it. Very relaxed atmosphere.

A west end hole in the wall!
I came here on the recommendation of another whom had a good experience dining here in days prior. So I was immensely looking forward to my visit.
I ordered the eggs how I like (that’s what it’s called), with bacon and an iced coffee. The eggs and bacon were cooked well, served on a piece of wood in lieu of plate, your standard hipster affair…
My meal had a rocket garnish. However, in this rocket garnish was an actual blade of lawn grass. I’m not a plant biologist or expert but I know lawn when I see it and it was carelessly mixed into my rocket garnish, a great big long blade of grass (see photos). I’m not sure if I can be completely forgiving of being served lawn in my meal. Was the garnish rinsed before serving, why didn’t anyone see this? Feeling anxious about that, what else am I unaware of regarding my meal…
The iced coffee was like strong coffee watered down with a lot of cold water until only the essence of coffee remained a la coffee homeopathy. I sort of though ice coffee would retain the usual creamy features of a classic coffee, just iced.
Not sure if I will ever come back, hipster or not, lawn in my food is not ok.

Compared to its competitors (there’s a lot of that going on in West End), Tazza Coffee is one of the least appealing. Located off Boundary Street, where all the action happens, it looks like a garage. My first impression, almost literally, was that it looked like a place where you get your beverages while somebody works on your car in the back.
Anyway, I got a Scoopon for brunch for 2 at this place. It was $ 19 and no big deal, except for booking. Two weekends in a row I tried to book, and was eventually told «there’s only 1 spot available on Saturday at 12pm.» Fine, I guess they’re busy. But when my boyfriend and I entered the café, not only was it not busy — there were literally only 2 tables occupied, and all of the customers have finished their meals. But we were hungry so we didn’t make a fuss.
We were told we could choose anything on the menu. My boyfriend as usual ordered an ice mocha and I ordered an ice chai latte, which were disappointing. They took it literally — it was just the hot drinks, cooled down and served with ice. Not great. But then our food came. Healthy servings of food, perfectly flavored and cooked. I was insanely happy to find out that my bagel was made of dark rye (growing up with a German grandmother made me very critical of bread types). My boyfriend rolled his eyes every time he took a bite out of his «dome» and wouldn’t even let me taste it.
⁵⁄₅ for food
⁴⁄₅ for location & décor
³⁄₅ for service

Tazza recently changed hands — used to be Cup, which was a favourite venue for coffee and breakfast. The new owners still use Cup roasted beans and everything on the outside looks the same but the $ 4 Regular size (8oz/​341ml) Latte I had recently was nothing short of foul and undrinkable. To me it tasted like the milk was off and my coffee sidekick insisted on letting the staff know I wasn’t happy Although the staff had no issue with my complaint to our amazement they didn’t re-​make the coffee but merely added another espresso shot in the hope of salvaging the repulsive liquid masquerading as coffee in my cup — needless to say it didn’t work but I felt too embarrassed to complain again so suffered in silence and re-​bought elsewhere later. My mistake I should have done them (and me) a favour and let them know they, doh !
Regular 8oz (227ml) takeaway is $ 4, which is what you should be paying for a 12 oz.

I’m marking this place more harshly than I should because I want to throw out the challenge to the new owner to really hammer it. Ie. rise to the challenge of being just as cool as its predecessor Cup.
I want him to improve the speed of the food service (the guy next to me had to complain how slow his banana bread was!) and I want him to employ hipster quality dudes/​hipettes. My waitress pronounced quinoa phonetically and admitted she hadn’t heard of it before hearing it was on the menu. Let ME interview prospective employees! They need to pass my 10 Qs on hipster coffee and food. Finally I want the new owner to travel to Syd and Melbs to research the latest food trends and coffee vibes. I want him to bring it all back, and surprise us with challenging awesome menu items.
Tazza do you accept my challenge?

When a café becomes a part of a community’s fabric it’s always going to be difficult when the owner sells and a new troupe arrive. Such is the case for the much loved Cup Coffee on Russell St which is now Tazza Coffee. The robot artwork remains but I’d be lying if some of the atmosphere has gone (perhaps momentarily).
I’ve stopped in twice since the change over and on outward appearances it might still be Cup. They’re still pouring Cup coffee beans and the menu is similar although I’ll be honest the Tazza menu is a little more focused on food. On my second visit I had a wholesome and filling smoked ocean trout with poached eggs and avocado. The avocado on toast I had on my first visit, topped with lemon salt (I think), is already up there with some of the best «avo on toast» I’ve had. The coffee hasn’t changed in quality.
It’s early days for the new team and with time there’s little doubt they’ll iron it all out and earn themselves a spot in local’s hearts.