For Change Cafe, Brunswick

Coffee with a purpose - meaningful encounters: coffee started to spread in Europe through coffee houses. These were melting pots where people met, exchanged, discussed ideas and experiences and learnt from each other. Hence, coffee is bringing people together. That is what I love most about coffee. Every morning I pass a tiny little café on my way to the office called “home.one” by For Change Co.. As I have seven coffee machines available in my own lab, I usually do not order coffees on my way to work. Yet, I like the positive vibes and the look of this particular café. The baristas kept greeting me very friendly. Therefore, I decided to change my routine and stopped this week to order a flat white. While waiting for my coffee, I spotted a QR code on a board and started to read the story about this place and the people involved in the underlying project: “home.one is a flagship social enterprise that exist with the mission of eliminating youth homelessness in Melbourne: it is a micro café nestled into a bustling corner of Brunswick that serves coffee all day alongside artisanal porridge, delicious toasties and homemade treats. In addition to its core impact activities, home.one is hugely innovative in its consideration of the environment – the café uses 100% renewable energy, is totally vegetarian, and has a composting partnership for its coffee grounds.” In their impact report you can read more about their five pillars of sustainable change: a) housing, b) employment, c) education, d) confidence, and e) community. I very much enjoyed my flat white: the milk was well textured to the right temperature and the coffee from Five Senses Coffee [Dark Hourse blend] cut very well through the milk. It was a great harmony between the coffee and the milk. I am very happy to see that specialty coffee is also about taking care of each other and our community in general. Thank you for the delicious flat white, the positive vibes, and the friendly “good morning” every time I pass. Should you be around Brunswick, please go and have a look, it is a lovely place, with very nice people (both the baristas as well as the customers). It is absolutely worth it.

We visited the Brunswick store whilst over from New Zealand, by far the best coffee we had when visiting, the Rhubarb Danish was also amazing. The staff are so friendly and knowledgeable of the area. We can't wait to visit again and try one of the delicious looking toastie sammies they sold. Highly recommend this cafe when in Brunswick, right by the train station. Dog friendly as well.

Not only do they have mouth watering veg toasties, For Change are doing great work supporting young people experiencing homelessness. Always a lovely experience and friendly staff Bring your keep cup and take your coffee and tasty treat to the park down the road.. you’ll thank ma later

Some of the best toasties I've had with generous amount of fillings and quality ingredients. The one with mushroom, pesto and sun dried tomato in particular, was outrageously good! All vegan, and for a good cause, too. Definitely recommend!

Love home.one! Wonderful micro cafe, with a brilliant message, and a plant based menu. Sensibly priced quick bites and perfect coffee. Have come back time and time again for the delish porridge

Just had one of the best toasties of my life here! Incredibly affordable and delicious food with great vegan options and a lovely seating area :) Staff are also super nice, would highly recommend!

I come here almost every weekday on my way to work. There are plenty more places about - but none compare. Marmaduke and Paige (pseudonyms but you’ll work it out) are just delightful, and their coffee always spot on.