Commonfolk cafe opens in Beaumaris (and there's edible Rolex on the menu)

Eaten a Rolex lately? The timing is right at Commonfolk Beaumaris, a new cafe from Commonfolk Coffee Company, the ethical importers headquartered further down the bay in Mornington.

To increase awareness and connection to distant coffee growers, Commonfolk serves dishes from the equatorial countries where the bean flourishes. Among them is Uganda, home of the edible Rolex.

"In Uganda, there's a traditional breakfast street food called Rolex," explains owner Sam Keck. "A misinterpretation of 'rolled eggs', it's an omelette with whatever you want, maybe onion, carrots, greens, rolled up in a fresh chapati. We've done a cafe version with smoked capsicum and coriander that's easy to grab and go."

When Commonfolk Beaumaris took on the old GateKeeper cafe space on Balcombe Road, Keck started by surveying the community.

"They wanted a space where everyone is welcome, where they feel comfortable bringing their children and they want great coffee and food," he says. "They also want nightlife, so we are hoping to open soon as a wine bar as well."

For now, Commonfolk is aiming to offer the "best brekkie and lunch in Beauy". The Rolex comes out like clockwork but it's also worth considering the Godmother Eggs, a chilli scramble with edamame and pickled mushrooms, and the Avo Spring Pea Smash with shaved asparagus on grilled cornbread.

Commonfolk is aiming to offer the "best brekkie and lunch in Beauy".

As well as lattes and batch brews, there are coffee tasting boards showcasing the day's single-origin roasts and blends.

Since its founding in Mornington in 2013, 20 cents from every cup of Commonfolk coffee has been channelled to The Cup That Counts, a fund that assists coffee farmers in Uganda's Mt Elgon region.

So far, more than $280,000 has been raised for this and other projects, efforts that now extend to Beaumaris.

"Most people want an opportunity to do something good," says Keck.

"Choosing to buy coffee from ethical cafes is an easy way to do it. All our customers contribute to getting the coffee in the cup, whether they're just grabbing a takeaway latte or sitting down and learning some of the stories."

336 Balcombe Road, Beaumaris, 0492 879 253, commonfolkcoffee.com.au