Once newcomers to the owner-operator cafe scene the Dead Man Espresso crew (led by Kylie Mackinlay and Luke Mutton, both ex-St Ali and owners of west-side newcomer Common Galaxia) first opened the ceiling-to-floor shutters to their expansive, light filled venue in 2009. It’s all groovy Dutch inspired design, a wide expanse of sleek honey toned polished wood and a killer balcony area.
Coffee is the main event, with high quality blends by North Melbourne’s Seven Seeds (and the odd guest star from the likes of Market Lane) pumping out of a four group Synesso, as well as pour-over and filter too. Food-wise the focus is on quality, local produce (on the roof there’s a herb and veggie garden alongside a bee hive). Dead Man cater well to the office dwelling lunch crowd - think avocado with chevre, blood orange and radish on organic sourdough or a plump pastrami, sauerkraut and pickle Ruben sandwich. A recent move into night time trade has been a success, with Friday night ‘burgers, beers and brews’ hitting off after the arrival of a long sought liquor licence.