In the land of Brisbane City, we have really become spoilt with options when it comes to good coffee.
Contessa uses Blackstar coffee, which I believe is great in taste (particularly the ever changing single origin beans) and is definitely one of the better coffees around. But coffee beans is only half of the equation. The baristas here are pretty consistent, efficient and friendly, and therefore, is what keeps me coming back every morning (plus it's conveniently located to Roma Street Train Station, so less excuse not to go...). Prices are average for coffee in the City, which further makes it worthwhile to try.
To be fair, when Contessa first opened, there really wasn't much to look at. It was pretty much a "pop-up store" (one day the shop was empty, and the next day there was a coffee shop). There were no seats, no food, dim/dark, uninviting...
Well, the past is the past. And while the shop has improved (there are plenty of seats towards the back of the shop, some foods such as danishes and muffins), nothing has changed in terms of coffee quality. It is excellent and consistently so.
Therefore, if you were put off from trying previously due to the appearance of the shop, well come in and try. I have really noticed the ramp up in clientele in the past month or so, which is good to see and means there are many others who think the same (that this place makes great coffees). read more