Coffee Branch

Coffee Branch has been pouring coffee on Leigh Street since 2010, back when the narrow laneway near Hindley Street had few other reasons to stop. The bar itself is small and unfussy, a tight run of counter seating and wall benches under a large mural, built around the idea of doing espresso well rather than chasing trends. It has changed hands since it opened and moved through more than one roasting partner over the years, but the format has stayed the same, a straightforward menu built on a house blend and a rotating single origin.

Food keeps to what works for a narrow, standing room heavy space: waffles, brioche rolls and a simple smashed avocado, all built for a quick sit or a takeaway on the way past. The crowd is a genuine mix of nearby office workers and longtime regulars, some of whom remember the shop from its earliest days on the street. It keeps city hours only, closing on weekends and finishing mid afternoon on weekdays.