Haven is an absolute gem in the world of coffee shops. From the moment I walked through the door, I was greeted by a warm and inviting atmosphere that instantly made me feel right at home. The decor is tastefully done, with beautiful seating areas that are perfect for both chilling alone or catching up with friends.
The coffee at Haven is truly exceptional. Every sip is a delightful experience, as the baristas craft each cup with precision and care. Their selection of beans is impressive, offering a range of flavours and origins that cater to all tastes. Whether you're a fan a bold espresso, Batch brew or prefer a smooth and creamy latte, Haven has got you covered. They have it all!
The menu extends beyond coffee, with a wonderful assortment of pastries and snacks to accompany your beverage. We had their cream cheese smoked salmon bagel and their Bacon and egg roll Today!! Hands down amazing! The staff is very friendly and knowledgeable, always ready to offer recommendations or answer any questions you may have.
What sets Haven apart is their commitment to quality and consistency. I've visited numerous times, and each visit has been consistently outstanding. They pay attention to the small details that make the a difference, such as latte art, fusion in flavours with their menu and presentation ufffffff amazing!!! The mugs..... the plates.... everything! It's evident that they take pride in their craft and strive for excellence.
The ambiance at Haven is perfect for both work and relaxation. They have cozy seating, for those looking to work, study or meet a friend. The soothing background music and complimentary sparkling and still water create a crisp and calming atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.
Lastly, I want to mention the exceptional customer service at Haven. The staff goes above and beyond to ensure that every customer feels valued and well taken care of. They are attentive, friendly, and always wear a welcoming smile. It's evident that customer satisfaction is their top priority.
If you're a coffee lover or simply seeking a "haven" to escape the crazy world, I highly recommend visiting Haven. It's a true home for coffee enthusiasts and everything in between. You will indulge in top-notch coffee, savour delectable treats, and enjoy a serene and inviting "Haven" on earth. Trust me, once you've experienced Haven, you'll keep coming back for more!"
Thank you team for you consistency all these years from central to...
Read more(3.5 stars) As we gear up for the holidays, spare a thought for those businesses impacted by Gladys Berejiklian’s terrible mishandling of the Sydney Light Rail project. Venues like Haven Specialty Coffee are staring down the barrel of another peak season impacted by construction noise, dust and ugly barricades. With their outside tables made completely redundant, and their door (by necessity) closed, their semi-industrial dining room with its concrete floors and exposed fittings feels like a relative oasis of calm inside this war zone.
Faced with such an intense environment, I crave soothing more than stimulation, so I skip over their curated coffee mainstay in favour of Milky Oolong Tea ($5). Of Taiwanese origin, this tea (also called Jin Xuan) is named because it has a light, almost creamy flavour that is sometimes compared to milk. To me it tastes and smells like white flowers, somewhere in between gardenias and jasmine. The flavour is naturally occurring and comes from allowing the tea leaves to ferment and partially oxidise. Green tea by comparison is not fermented and oxidised, while black tea is fully fermented and oxidised which changes its colour. While milky oolong drinks gently and appealingly without the addition of sugar or milk, if you’re keen for something sweeter, try it as Dragon’s Breath Iced Tea ($6). Here the milky oolong has been teamed with apple and honey into a pretty summer drink.
The menu, which has had regular updates since my initial visit in 2015, still tends towards wacky fusion. Kimchi-Ken ($17) teams a Hong Kong style egg waffle with Korean-style fried chicken. The kimchi is integrated into the waffle batter itself, with large chunks of cabbage combining with the crisp waffle. The fried chook is dusted some snow cheese-like sweetness that is countered with the chilli bite in the rest of the dish. It’s definitely a dish that strokes all of your palate.
Billed as “a bit spicy” the K-Pork Steak Sandwich ($16) gives you a classic ciabatta bread sanga stuffed with Korean-style marinated pork neck steaks, pickled apples, pickled radishes and purple cabbage ‘slaw. The hot stuff isn’t actually on the sandwich, so you’ll have to deconstruct to add the sauce, which I reckon is required to make this dish tasty. My only complaint is the kitchen didn’t drain the accompanying kimchi, which made my second half sanga soggy on the sharply...
Read moreWe love Haven, and had visited a number of times at their Surry Hills location. We’ve not been to the outlet in Darling Harbour, but when we heard the Surry Hills store was relocating to Rosebery, we got excited, for this is in our local area.
Whilst the cafe in Surry Hills was huge, this is on a far smaller scale but we love the layout and styling. With a few benches outside so you can bring your pup, and a communal table and wall seating inside; it reminds us of a few CBD cafes. The space boasts simplicity with its white and grey colour palette, hanging magazine, wall of coffee products and a coffee machine which dominates the front counter.
The cafe is a specialty coffee shop which also has an Asian influenced breakfast and brunch menu. Whilst the old location had quite a wide menu and plenty of eggette waffle dishes, this menu is shorter but has a number of really quality choices to select from. Whether it be a Reuben or Cauliflower sandwich, house toasted muesli, bacon and egg roll, they’ve got your favourites sorted. In addition, some amazing Asian dishes, from daikon cake to a HK French toast with a peanut butter brioche cube!
It’s all about the coffee too, with the brand tailoring the coffee’s Aroma, Acidity, Sweetness, Body and Aftertaste to brew a good cup of coffee. High quality baristas are serving up a damn good cup of coffee which has seen this cafe become one of our favourites in the area. They’ve got all your favourite milk based coffees, batch brew, filter, cold drip and pour over. If you’d prefer a hot tea or iced tea, they’re on the menu too.
We thoroughly recommend paying a visit and taking time to enjoy a...
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