I left Newcastle 8 months ago and I am still pining for this place. They gave me the taste for Ristretto style coffee that i carry with me today and the passion for Mexican food which will see me opening my open cafe along similar lines in the future.
The menu is really well balanced, and they mix it up with the seasons, adding a few items to compliment the perennial favourites. The Spinach and Pumpkin polenta loaf is sumptuous, complimented with avocado and fresh chopped salsa, it is my idea of a perfect breakfast. The Semi-Sweet carrot loaf with Cinnamon Pistachio Ricotta is mind altering, i can't look at banana bread ever again without thinking "you could be so much more!"

More often than not the place will be packed, and on occasion we've had to wait to be seated and served, so if you've got time constraints or small children it can get a bit much during the busier times.
Prices have gone up a little in the time that I've been away, but it's still within mid to low cafe prices. As with it's other 'third wave coffee' cousins you are paying for the ethical treatment of animals and the sustainable practices.
Their roster of single origin coffee's have been brilliant over time, showcasing some really interesting flavours. Once the barista refused to serve the single origin because the beans hadn't had the time to warm up and they couldn't be relied on to produce quality espresso. That attitude towards their standards is reflected in all they do.
The best Cafe in Newcastle.

Approximate cost: $13 - $15

We were new to Victoria when our car died, coming from elsewhere we only had Luis's local newspaper AD to go by. He projected himself as open and honest and that is exactly what he is. Luis runs the shop by himself and has plenty of time to explain, doing his very best to communicate peoblems and their consequences to those of us with limited knowledge of cars.
We had a bastard of a time finding a new car we could afford that wasn't going to implode and he looked at 2 cars, finding fault early enough to terminate the inspection without incurring too much time for himself. For these first 2 he did not charge at all, not even for the hours. As a young couple starting out, in a new city no less, I cannot emphasise enough how much that meant to us.
With our latest service he fully itemized the job and it's respective costs before he started and saved the parts he replaced to demonstrate why they needed replacement.
The only down side is that his shop is geographically remote but there are buses to Greensborough that leave right outside the shop.
I have put 3 stars for the quality because as a layman I am not qualified to make an assessment as to the quality of the repairs, but we have not had any problem fixed reoccur and Luis always goes to great lengths to explain the necessity of the repairs undertaken.
A proper, old fashioned family mechanic.

Even with a long queue the staff at BBB do their very best to make everyone who walks in feel like a regular, informal and competant, these are some truly wonderful staff.
the decor is stripped back, deep browns and beige, which is pretty much par for the course in melbourne cbd, but they wear it well here. with very few tables this is predominantly take-away territory, though the installation on the ceiling lends a surreal edge to the simple act of ordering a coffee (no hints, go check it out!)
Superlative coffee, and I didn't have to explain what a double ristretto latte was. Their house blend makes excellent latte style coffee, can't comment on straight espresso but with the attention to blends on their menu i get the feeling they will cater to your idea of a perfect cup.
It costs what it costs, no more no less, but hitting all the "third wave coffee" targets on the head (sustainable, fairtrade, environmentally conscious) means you'll never pay $2.50 a cup, thats what 'cappucino' machines in office blocks are for, come here for ethics and taste.
Couldn't recommend it enough.

Approximate cost: $3.50

Came in on a quiet early afternoon on a saturday, no struggle for a seat, though the tables are tiny along the wall. Food is so very tasty, the Crispy Chocolate Taquitos is an absolute sensation, miss it at your peril. perfect combinations of flavours and textures, would move suburb to be closer to it!

Approximate cost: $9