Espresso Organica

Hessian coffee bags cover the wall, beans scatter the window display and grinding machines line the rear cabinets.

One glance at the decor reveals the main attraction at this intimate, buzzing cafe on Concord's restaurant strip.

Owners Tom and Sophia Labrakis and their children opened it a year ago. They roast their own beans and sell a rotating range of specialty single-origin coffees and blends from around the world, most certified organic, Fairtrade or Rainforest Alliance.

A friendly, efficient waitress serves our coffees - a full-bodied cappuccino ($3.50) made from a house blend of seven beans and a long black ($3.50) made from an Italian blend. "Arctic Fire" loose-leaf tea ($4.50) is fruity and floral, with a hint of peppermint.

For a fresh, light lunch, there's Caprese salad ($13) with tomatoes, bocconcini, basil and oregano. Spaghetti pescatora ($28) comes with a handsome pile of prawns, fish, calamari, scallops and mussels, while the Angus steak burger ($19) is tender and juicy. Afterwards, we pore over rows of decadent cakes, settling on a dainty fig pastry ($3.60) and a syrupy nut and semolina slice ($2.50).

Espresso Organica

Address: 49a Majors Bay Road, Concord, 9736 3222

Open: Mon-Fri, 5.30am-5pm; Sat-Sun, 6am-6pm