Rubia Coffee.
21 Alex Ave Moorabbin, vic 3189
Rubia has something for everyone - We came for the cars, stayed for the coffee and enjoyed the vibes.
Preface.
Welcome to our first ever feature on ATELIER. – a series that explores the workshops of mechanical artisans and passionate hobbyists who have created a space dedicated to their craft. We’re starting off ATELIER. with a coffee roaster who blends both cars and coffee into a unique space, befitting the distinction of an atelier.
We were introduced to Rubia Coffee by one of our followers, who thought that we’d enjoy what Daniel was doing over at his space and he was right (thank you Jarrod). We popped into Rubia for a coffee, met Daniel and explained the concept of what we wanted to do – tell his story in an authentic way. Naturally as we’re a new publication with no body of work to show, Daniel was a little hesitant - it is a lot of trust to put into somebody you just met.
But we had a vision, he saw the passion and thankfully agreed to let us tell his story.
Niche.
Rubia Coffee isn’t your typical coffee roaster or café, it’s got a combination of elements that make it a unique spot to enjoy a cup of coffee. Melbourne is a city whose identity is rooted in speciality coffee, and as a result you have some heavy hitters in the industry and great coffee all around – so how do you stand out?
Have a niche.
Being a café with a niche can sometimes be a difficult balancing act – too over the top and it feels trivial, too subtle and it ceases to exist. Rubia’s niche strikes the perfect balance and feels largely authentic, as everything in this space feels like an extension of owner, Daniel’s passions.
Let’s quickly talk about the coffee, so we can get straight to the beans: It’s Melbourne, Rubia roasts their own speciality beans, and the coffee is… GREAT (obviously).
Rubia Coffee is tucked away in the industrial area of Moorabbin hidden amongst the factories, which is both a blessing and a curse:
Being in a factory gives you a large floor plan to tune to your liking which is exactly what Daniel has done. Being tucked away adds an air of mystery to the business and if the customer enjoys discovering hidden gems, it will reward their efforts greatly.
The drawback of being a hidden gem is that you’re well… hidden. Which as of writing this, I feel is a shame, because Rubia is such a cool spot that I wish more people get to experience it (which I’m sure will happen soon enough).
Rubia’s got a bit of everything for everyone. We were initially drawn to Rubia for its cars - as that’s kind of what we do around here. But if you’re into coffee, design, carpentry or music, you can experience that at Rubia too.
Cars.
Daniel’s got some fun automobiles in the space that serve multiple purposes: a beautiful backdrop on the weekdays, and a boys bonding experience with his sons on the weekends.
Featured in the space are:
- BMW E28 525e
- Toyota AE86 Trueno
- Honda Acty Kei Truck (Coffee Cart)
- Suzuki LJ80
- Land Rover Discovery TD5
Space.
The cars are cool, but it’s the space that makes them even cooler. The most amazing fact about Rubia is that most of what you see has been hand-built by Daniel, who also happens to be a wood-working wizard alongside an expert coffee roaster. As we found ourselves coming back, there would always be a new addition to the space. If you visit today, you’ll be greeted by a large wooden door, which of course Daniel hand-built from scratch.
You would think that lots of planning went into designing the space, as everything feels so intentional and cohesive – that damn bagel display case fits perfectly around the tile squares of the coffee bar!
“To say that there was a vision is being a bit generous.” – Daniel Cano.
Daniel didn’t really have a ‘vision’ when fitting out Rubia. He might’ve drawn inspiration from the hangar in Top Gun Maverick, but otherwise the theme of Rubia is quite simple: a collection of objects that Daniel enjoys and finding them a place within the space.
To everyone else it looks like a thoughtfully curated space, to Daniel it’s another Sunday scrolling on marketplace to find something a cool new addition.
Theme.
Daniel has a retro theme running throughout the business, and we love the 70s vibe of the space. It feels warm and cosy, and the furniture really works to contrast the ‘cold’ of the industrial space. While on the couches our ears are blessed with vinyl records playing from a Klipsch x McLaren speakers (that also fits the theme) powered by McIntosh 352 amp, all while comfortably enjoying a cup of coffee brewed from a stunning custom Kees van der Westen Spirit 2 machine that reminds us of a classic Porsche 911 with its dials and knobs.
Rubia is the hub of Daniel’s interests, and it reflects his soul: a man who’s found a way to enjoy his hobbies by creating a space that fosters the exploration of creativity.
Circling back to our thing on niches: Rubia’s niche is Daniel.
End.
Thank you for welcoming us into your space Daniel and being so hospitable every time.
We can’t wait to see what’s in store for the future and how the space evolves. Who knows, we might even host something there one day…
RUBIA COFFEE
///ATELIER. is a series exploring the unique workshops of mechanical artisans and passionate hobbyists who have created a space dedicated to their craft. #fuelledbyobsession
