For those looking for a stylish blend of Australian and Asian cuisine, residents of the Gold Coast should look no further than Robina’s own Kooco Espresso Bar and Kitchen.
The Kooco brand dates back to 2017 when Owner and Director Ken Koo, along with his wife and brother, opened the café’s first location in Gold Coast. It wasn’t until earlier this year when the team expanded to Robina.
“We’ve brought the lessons we learned from the last six years into the new area that we’ve moved to,” says Ken. “The warm welcome we’ve received from the local community has been truly heart-warming.”
The café boasts a wide range of menu items, fusing both east Asian cuisine with classic Australian fare.
“People are loving the new salads and barbeque bowls we’ve added to the menu,” says Ken.
Located at the heart of Robina Town Centre, Kooco is a stylish and modern addition to the shopping district. The café seeks stylistic inspiration from the high-end outlet stores that surround it.
Kooco have partnered with roaster Campos Coffee since 2022, and Ken says the relationship has been great for his business.
“We were almost shocked with their level of support and the help they provided,” Ken says. “The developers and roasters are always in communication with us, and we are happy to demonstrate the good value of Campos beans to the people of Gold Coast.”
Ken adds that Campos provides training programs in Brisbane which has been helpful for himself and the Kooco baristas.
Campos has also helped the café with its ‘Coffee of the Month’ selections.
“We are able to keep up with the latest beans and techniques thanks to Campos,” Ken says. “It’s how we’re able to keep up the quality of service to our customers.”
For its coffees, Kooco uses the La Marzocco KB90 machine, which Ken says has been easy to maintain with a noticeable quality increase.
“It’s built for baristas, and our baristas love it,” he says.
Ken says he hopes to expand the business across Gold Coast and Queensland, but in the meantime, he hopes to give back as much as he can to the Robina area.
“Our mission is to help the local community and to give a better experience to the people,” he says. “After all, who doesn’t deserve it?”
Kooco Espresso Bar and Kitchen
3/19 Robina Town Centre Drive, Robina, Queensland, 4230
Open Monday to Saturday 8am — 5pm and Sunday 9am — 4pm
This article appears in the October 2023 edition of BeanScene. Subscribe HERE.