Once known more for old-school espresso blends than third-wave brews, Kogarah is stepping into the speciality coffee spotlight – and Stay Handsome Espresso is leading the charge. Tucked behind a dental surgery on Montgomery Street, this charming courtyard café brings a breath of fresh air to the suburb’s caffeine scene.
Local barista and owner Tobyn Lind opened the café with a clear mission: to offer something different. “There’s a growing appetite for quality coffee here – people are keen to try something new,” he says. The café’s milk coffees are made using beans from Reformatory Caffeine Lab, while black coffee features a rotating line-up of top-notch roasters like Five Senses, Seven Seeds, and, soon, Edition Coffee Roasters. The single origin menu changes every fortnight, giving locals a reason to return regularly.
The food is unfussy but well-considered. A few sweet treats come courtesy of Little Secrets Bakehouse – think elegant slices topped with cream or ganache – while the sandwiches are made using Luxe sourdough and filled with Italian deli staples like cured meats, provolone, or crisp eggplant fritters.
Plans are underway for a kitchen above the café, which may soon usher in a more expansive, rustic-style menu. “We’re tossing around ideas – maybe something Latin American or a hearty Italian-style breakfast,” says Lind. In the meantime, Stay Handsome hosts pop-ups, including a recent collaboration with Two Guys Burgers. “We’ve applied for a liquor licence, so we’re keen to bring in more casual food and drink events – burgers and beers, that sort of thing.”
Though modest in size, the café’s courtyard set-up – complete with straw-seated chairs and a snug coffee bar – brings to mind a European terrace café. On a sunny day, it’s the perfect perch for sipping something exceptional and watching the world go by.
Stay Handsome Espresso
28 Montgomery Street, Kogarah