After nearly a decade in the café business, Andrew Liu has shifted from city-based takeaway-focused shops to a sit-down establishment that offers a full menu, combining quality coffee with an inviting dining experience.
Located in Waverton, New South Wales, Bay Brew Café opened its doors in September 2024.
“About 90 per cent of our customers in the city were takeaway. At Bay Brew, we wanted to create a space where people could sit down and enjoy their meals,” says Andrew.
“I love food and have enjoyed discovering different cafés over the years. I wanted to bring my passion to this community.”
Stepping into the venue, customers are welcomed by warm and inviting modern aesthetics. The café’s interior features a heritage green colour scheme that Andrew says resonates with the area’s traditional vibe.
At the heart of Bay Brew is its coffee. The café serves a dark roast blend from Toby’s Estate, known for its strong, chocolatey flavour.
“We’ve used this blend since the beginning and it’s my personal favourite,” he says.
Andrew’s relationship with Toby’s Estate has been long-standing, dating back to his initial café days.
“Their quality has always been consistent and I believe our customers appreciate it as much as I do,” he says.
Andrew has partnered with an Italian chef to infuse traditional European ingredients into the menu. This Italian flair has been brought to life in pasta dishes such as pork sausage maccheroncelli, orecchiette, and cacio e pepe. Meanwhile on the lighter side, café goers can enjoy the likes of fig bruschetta, burrata caprese salad, and prosciutto pesto panini.
Above all, for Andrew the most rewarding aspect of running Bay Brew Café is enjoying a slower pace than the city has to offer, where he can build connections with customers.
“I love getting to know our customers and also the team. It’s a different dynamic compared to the city where speed is key,” he says.
Bay Brew Café
97 Bay Road, Waverton,
New South Wales, 2060
Open daily 6.30am to 3.30pm
This article appears in the August/September 2024 edition of BeanScene. Subscribe HERE.