A simple sign out the front of BLOOM Coffee x Bites sets the tone before customers even step inside: “Great Coffee. Tasty Snacks. Free Smiles.” For owner Manni Khosa, it’s a daily reminder as to why he took the plunge and opened his own venue in Hobarts CBD.
“I’ve always focused on making people’s day slightly better before they walk out the door,” he says.” The name BLOOM represents our ethos. A conversation over coffee blooms into new friendship. It
makes us happy to play small parts in our customers’ journeys.”
Manni moved to Melbourne from India in 2007 and entered hospitality a couple of years later. His breakthrough came at Cafenatics, a regarded Melbourne café that employed multiple Australian Barista Champions while he worked there.
“I didn’t know anything about coffee before that,” he says. “I just happened to be around the right people, and I fell in love with coffee.”
From there, Manni built an impressive résumé across Melbourne, progressing from barista to head barista, then into management roles overseeing multiple venues.
“By the time I thought about opening my own place, it felt like the only logical next step,” he says. “Otherwise, I’d be short-changing myself.”
In 2017, visa requirements brought Manni to Tasmania – a move that would eventually lead to opening BLOOM in 2022 with his partner Rosie. A few steps from the Hobart Bus Mall, the café quickly became a morning touchpoint for city commuters.
“Rosie loves baking and I love the intricacies of coffee brewing. We both have genuine love for the service industry. That’s what sets us apart in Hobart – having two people sharing the vision and driving the business.”
BLOOM’s offering centres on specialty coffee at accessible prices, with rotating single origins, batch-brewed filters, and a focus on precision. Food is equally considered, with pastries baked in-house and a growing brunch menu led by BLOOM’s own chef.
“We focus on balancing specialty coffee standards and making great coffee approachable and less intimidating for everyday customers,” Manni adds.
Small business ownership has come with its challenges. Long hours, tackling rising costs, and constant problem solving are the name of the game, but the vision remains intact.
“Hobart’s coffee scene is still young compared to Melbourne and I see tremendous room for growth for high quality coffee. It feels similar to being in Melbourne 15 years ago. I see BLOOM as a place for the community to hangout and not just a café.
BLOOM Coffee x Bites
102 Collins Street, Hobart
Tasmania, 7000
Open Monday to Friday 7am to 4pm, Saturday 8am to 2pm
This article appears in the February 2025 edition of BeanScene. Subscribe HERE.
