Merlo Torrefazione
Fortitude Valley
Merlo knows coffee. First there was Papa Merlo and his little trattoria in Tirano, Italy. Then Gino Merlo migrated to Australia and introduced the espresso machine to Queensland.
Following in his father’s footsteps, Dean Merlo, opened Merlo’s first torrefazione (Italian for roasting house) in the mid 90s. Standing on the corner of McLachlan and James Streets, in the Valley’s fashion and foodie hub, the roastery still stands - roasting and selling beans by the bagful including Merlo special blends and single origins from countries like Kenya, Columbia and Costa Rica.
Beans are roasted fresh daily and can be custom ground to suit your coffee machine. While your beans are being prepared, you can enjoy a complimentary coffee at the communal table or have a wander round the shop where you’ll find everything from the latest gadgets and grinders to coffee cups, machines and more.
In another first, Merlo has just introduced the Shakerato, a trend that has been sweeping Italy for the past year. This delicious drink combines a shot of espresso with a dash of sugar and a heap of ice shaken with milk in a cocktail shaker. The result is a refreshingly cool concoction that’s a perfect pick me up on a warm afternoon. Shakeratos are available at all Merlo locations from noon onwards.
