Steamlab Coffee & Tea Specialist — Restaurant in Applecross

TLDR;

In summary if you're looking for good food or good service then don't get your hopes up.

Came here at 11am on a Friday and it wasn't too busy as there was still about half the seating left. All patrons before me had their meals and were served promptly.

I came to Steamlab as it had good reviews and as it's name suggests, they're coffee and tea specialists. I also wanted to try their food items on their website menu which are served all day only on Fri, Sat and Sun.

Food: One of the first things I asked when I came in was if they had a menu. In response the woman at the counter said no, just what's on display.. well that goes the Cilbir I wanted to try out from their online menu. It's only the basic bagels and pastries that usual brunch cafes serve. The most different item on display was the butter chicken pastry. No fancy Kransky. Maybe Saturdays and Sundays are different but going with their website, Friday foods are meant to be like the weekend.

I opted for the egg and mushroom wrap. It was average, nothing fancy about it. Just did its job and filled my tummy. Also had a flat white with oat milk. That was ok too, nothing to rave about.

Service: I felt like the woman at the counter didn't want to serve me the moment I walked in. I felt like she just wanted me to hurry up and order so she can go back to do nothing. Like I said, all patrons were served so it's not like she was under the pump to get our transaction over and done with. Also I came here to see the tea, however, since I felt rushed and there was no menu, I didn't have time to wander my eyes to see what teas they had on offer.

When I received my food, she placed it down and said "here". No eye contact, no smile under the mask, no enjoy your meal or even the minimum of here's your egg and mushroom wrap. So just didn't feel very welcomed at this place.

Seating: Outdoor seating only, probably because of covid but their indoors probably can't seat 4 people anyway. Outdoors could probably seat 20 people. It was 39 degrees so quite uncomfortably warm. Probably go here on a cooler day if you do end up going.

I wouldn't go back here, not even to try their tea. Sorry for those who do love the place, it may have been good in the past but...

If you are near canning bridge and like tea and/or coffee, you really need to visit.

This is a lovely spot, they have some nice foods, already a good enough reason to check it out.

But they excel with tea and coffee! Their (coffee) blend is very pleasant in a milk coffee, and they always have a couple of single origins on, often one running through the cold drip for you to try while you wait. And they have more teas than I have taken the time to count, which they take great care in brewing.

But, why call you place "steamlab" ... Well, finding out is one more very worthy reason to come by (You can probably get some clues from their pics)

Finally, and importantly, its run and operated by nice peiple. I'll...

Views: Lovely suburban setting in Applecross. I went in winter in the early morning and felt quite cosy in the "lab". Atmosphere: Small cafe floor and space to work on your laptop/iPad if you wish. Simple decor, good theme. Service: Lovely people served me and were friendly and quick. Products: Great coffee I recommend the cold brew. If you want to try something different from your usual Flat White etc. this is a good place...