A Cafe Called Kevin

Take one heritage building on a leafy street, give it a sleek, modern makeover, add two seasoned hospitality veterans and a creative kitchen team and what do you get? You get Kevin, New Farm’s cosy new brunch spot. Whether you’re in need of takeaway caffeination or a filling breakfast, this relaxed cottage cafe has you covered, and your doggo is welcome to come along too. 

Yolanda van Houtte (of Newstead’s drip) and and Sam Holman (of Dibs—who’s coffee beans are in the kitchen, Noir, If You Say So and formerly The New Black) are the duo behind the venue which has taken over what was a burn out husk on Brunswick Street—a casualty of the fire that took out the old Taj Mahal next door. It’s taken them almost 10 months to restore the cottage to its former glory, but with the help of JH Dixon they certainly have. A white picket fence hides a new wooden deck filled with sage furniture, while inside is a coffee nook dotted with brass tables and a large oval communal table. 

Utilising produce source largely from van Houtte’s own hobby farm in north Brisbane, Kevin’s first menu is a banger, with creative feeds sure to wow New Farm’s discerning brunch crown. Sweet chai semolina porridge comes topped with blood plums, elderflower, coconut crumbs and lemon honey; avocado on toast is spruced up with zucchini ribbons, goats cheese and yuzu gel; while the labneh, pickled cherries, shaved almonds and chilli honey on rye is something a little different but worth a try. 

Everything used here is pickled, dehydrated or otherwise turned into a delicious ingredient in house, with all of the scraps and leftovers sent back to the farm to be recycled or turned into compost—sustainability at its best. Executive Chef Holman is also inspiring a little bit of competitive creativity between the chefs in the kitchen by having them take it in turns to come up with weekend specials. Whoever’s dish is most popular wins himself a case of beer—so be sure to check out their weekly entries.

Image credit: Ranyhyn Laine