Geelong locals looking to fuel up on caffeine enroute to the office should make a pitstop at Fuel Coffee & Food in central Geelong, a mere five-minute drive from the waterfront.
“Our focus on consistency and speed is what makes Fuel Coffee one of the best places in Geelong for delicious coffee and great service,” says Owner Jon Katos.
Pre-COVID-19, Jon was a regular customer of Fuel Coffee & Food. Having run a café in Westfield Geelong for years, Jon saw the café’s potential and in 2022 purchased the business, taking on the risk and challenge of transforming it into a coffee shop that prioritises specialty beans. A partnership with Campos Coffee now sees the café serving its Superior blend as standard.
“The Superior blend is a fan favourite and works really well with milk. For black coffee, we have rotating single origins every couple of weeks. We like to mix it up and give our customers something different to try every so often,” says Jon.
The coffee, which is extracted on a La Marzocco KB90 espresso machine and ground in a Markibar Izaga W or Mahlkönig EK43 grinder, is paired with a simple but delicious food menu focused on fresh and locally sourced ingredients. The café offers a range of breakfast and lunch options, as well as sweets and pastries.
“Our food is tailored towards grab-and-go options, such as pastrami sandwiches, smoked salmon and chicken avocado bagels, plus yogurts and juices,” says Jon.
Officegoers and local foot traffic can be seen heading down the cobblestoned Gore Place to find the hidden-gem café. The space is small and cosy, adorned with exposed brick walls which give it a unique vibe.
Jon says its specialty coffee, modest menu, and peaceful atmosphere make it a must-visit for anyone in the area.
“We memorise everyone’s names to make them feel comfortable and welcome. Seeing returning customers every day, especially post-COVID, is really rewarding and makes me happy I took on this adventure,” he says.
Fuel Coffee & Food
2 Gore Place, Geelong, Victoria, 3220
Open Monday to Friday, 7:30am to 3pm
This article appears in the June 2024 edition of BeanScene. Subscribe HERE.