Coal Coast Magazine

hey brew – hamish & tamara

At Manning Street Local in Kiama, Hamish and Tamara have created more than just a café—they've built a community. Serving ethically sourced Reuben Hills coffee alongside fresh, seasonal dishes, this local favourite is a morning sunlit haven for coffee lovers and food enthusiasts alike.

How did MSL come about?
We have both dreamt of having a space of our own and upon settling into this pocket of the South Coast we were keen to create a space of which we could share our passion for coffee, food and wine.
Having an existing network of gorgeous locals calling for a space they could consider their local, we jumped in head first and are loving the journey it’s taking our family on.

How long have you been operating?

Two years in November

What is the best thing about your location?

The two big ones for us is the morning sun and our community, a coffee shop is nothing without its customers and we are lucky to have found a beautiful group of locals who we get the pleasure of seeing every morning.

Tell us about your delicious menu – how do you create it?
Everything is made in house, we love to get away and explore with our kids and are always seeking new inspiration. Our menu is reflective of the season and we thrive in creating new menu items based on experiences we have had. These are accompanied by the staples like the choc chip sea salt cookie, house made focaccia and fresh daily baguettes with cured meats, brilliant cheeses and fresh market produce.

What brand of coffee do you serve, and why?

Reuben Hills, the perfect coffee company in our opinion. They champion coffees that truly express the region in which they come from along with offering a transparency report which allows the consumer to see exactly how much the farmer is paid to ensure an ethical cup. They’re small enough to feel like family but big enough to ensure they can offer a great product 

What’s the secret to a perfect brew?

Care, if everyone along the supply chain cares then you’re going to get a good cup. The farmer to the roaster, the roaster to the barista, and most importantly barista onto the consumer. Each step needs to be cared for in order to get a great coffee

If you buy coffee from another spot in the Illawarra, where do you go?

We love getting out and about, we often head up the coast and love to pop into places like Opus, Moore Street General and Finbox.

43 Manning St, Kiama

@manningstreetlocal

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