The Greenest Coffee Shop in the World?

Take one shell of an old warehouse in a suburb on the outskirts of Sydney. Add a lush, rambling kitchen garden—yes, chicken coops too—and a sunny patio, and baristas who elevate coffee to an art form. (But keep the crumbling brick walls.)

Result: an innovative indoor-outdoor coffee shop that’s attracting crowds in Australia. Before The Grounds opened its doors a few weeks ago in an industrial neighborhood of Alexandria, photographer Katie Quinn Davies headed over for a look. “When I walked into the building early in the morning with all my gear, I was blown away,” says Davies. “The exterior garden area is utterly lush with an abundance of veggies, flowers and fruit, which is a perfect play area for kids.” (N.B.: For more of her photos, visit What Katie Ate.)

Photography by Katie Quinn Davies.

Above: The Grounds has a custom built reconstructed La Marzocco espresso machine (circa 1971).

Above: Indoor seating, with the doors open to the garden.

Above: Take it seriously. The coffee roasters sit behind floor-to-ceiling glass windows. In a back room, more “coffee research” is underway.

Above: On the menu, at the formerly deserted warehouse at the corner of Bourke Road and Huntley Street, is food from inthe cafe’s garden, artisanal breads, and coffee made from beans roasted on site.

Above: Heirloom seeds and edible flowers; a full-time horticulturist works with the chef.

Above: “There is a fabulous feeling of perfected attention to detail, with a great contrast between the old and new,” says Quinn.

Above: Owner Ramzey Choker and coffee wholesaler (and latte foam artist) Jack Hanna teamed up to create what the Sydney Morning Herald described as “a post-industrial aesthetic.”

Above: On the menu: really, really fresh eggs. (N.B.: To read about more things to do in Sydney, visit the Sydney City Guide.