Scanning Coogee's strip of cafes, it's difficult to make out the differences between the individual shops. So, after flipping through menus and checking for available tables, we ended up at Tropicana.
In case you also find it hard to distinguish between this strip of similarity, Tropicana is the one with Campos plastered all over it. A few years ago I would have seen this as a good sign, as Campos coffee is great - when it's done right. My main problem however is that I have had far too many bad coffees made from Campos beans for these signs to instil me with confidence. Rather, I often shy away from cafes with Campos signage in fear that their displays coax you in on false pretences.
Despite this rant, Tropicana's coffee was good. It looked good, it tasted good and basically, it was good. Tick.
Unfortunately their chai tea was not so. Whilst we appreciated that it came brewed on milk (as it should be, not with a little accompanying jug of it), I get the feeling it's a 50/50 milk to water combo and if not, then that's the worst soy milk I've ever tried. As a plus however, the teapot was very nice. Tick.
Coming from the Inner West, any place where I can sit facing the water is good for me. Tropicana also has free wifi and amazing looking cakes, including ricotta cheesecake topped with toffee bits, a big fluffy pavlova, lemon meringue pie and raspberry layer cake.
Their food menu was extensive and not too pricey. Also, they voiced on more than one occasion their gluten-free friendliness. However, their "Gluten free Breakfast" involved an extremely confusing combination of honey, goats cheese, peanuts, fresh strawberries & gluten free toast ($15). I neither understood it nor felt compelled to order it, settling with my coffee instead.
With giant soccer-ball-looking lights hanging from the ceiling and fluro liquid chalk scrawled all over the joint, there's a bit of a nightclub vibe about Tropicana. Furthermore, it seems like a must for all of Coogee's cafes to be licensed, only adding to the awkward clubbing-come-breakfast scene. read more