St. Ali is one step closer to conquering not only Yarra Place, but the entire coffee culture of Melbourne. The addition of St. Ali East (located directly across the lane from the original) has re-birthed Yarra Place into a sprawling bazaar devoted to all things caffeinated. People spill out from both factions of the café, some clutching coffees, others waiting for tables, with little regard for the rare car that dares to squeeze past.

St. Ali East is not a separate café but rather a holding pen of sorts. Despite St. Ali’s efficiency (and creativity) in finding you a table, a café of this quality is bound to have a wait in busy periods and for those of you who can’t function without your coffee St. Ali East gets you the quick fix, instead of being banished to the pavement to wait.

While for some St. Ali East may act as a purgatory between you and your brunch, for others it is the final destination. If all you’re after is a coffee, it provides the quickest route from bean to belly.

St. Ali East takes up a garage space in front of a hand made furniture studio. Through the windows you can see a woodchip clad pair of overalls with a dusty man inside them. The lone barista in East sculpts each shot with the same care and craftsmanship as the furniture maker behind him.

St. Ali East is yet another example of Melbourne’s ability to create something out of nothing, once again turning an unassuming nook into a unique and cosy cranny.