Reuben Hills

Russell Beard opened Reuben Hills on Albion Street in 2012, after selling his earlier cafe The Source in Mosman, with a simple aim of making coffee approachable for anyone curious about it. Exposed cement walls and long tables set the tone, with brewing tools laid out on the benches so conversations about how a coffee is made start naturally.

The team buys direct from farmers it has visited, favouring lots from Central and South America, and the current lineup includes single origins from Peru, Bolivia, Colombia and Brazil alongside a house blend and a decaf. Roasting recently moved to a bigger warehouse in Marrickville, while the Surry Hills cafe keeps its baristas and its place as the neighbourhood's easygoing spot to try the beans.