Tucked away in a cosy alley off Bargara’s main drag lies a hidden gem: Unknown Specialty Coffee. This is the second venture for Mat Grills, the man behind The Journey, in a suburb known as the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, where turtles, whales and stunning wildlife make their home.
Matt's journey in hospitality began as a side hustle during his time in the police force — a "tattoo money job," if you will. While he wasn’t exactly a brew guru at first, the daily chats with customers sparked a love affair with the coffee scene. Fast forward a bit, and with a little nudge from his wife Teagan, the first café was born — fueled by a passion for health, adventure, and making a difference.
From humble beginnings (including a coffee caravan that’s since moved on) to opening a second store in Bundaberg, Matt and Teagan had a mission to bring specialty coffee to the area and provide a space to make sure everyone leaves feeling better than when they walked in. Unknown Specialty Café is small, but it’s mighty. It’s like stepping into a 1950’s cigar bar — minus the cigars. Think black, walnut timber and concrete textures, all bathed in moody, cave-like lighting. Dark, intimate, yet undeniably inviting. Throw in some skulls and you’ve got a setting that’s as unique as the coffee itself. With just 20 square metres of space (plus some sweet laneway seating), this café is all about intimacy and style.
‘Five Senses is the coffee that helped me fall in love with the specialty world. I've known about them from some time before, but we went to MICE a number of years ago and LOVED the stand. It was the year they created a maple infused nitro coffee. I sampled it and fell in love. Every since I have loved all that Five Senses have done and enjoyed their coffee at a number of cafes. The branding, vision, training offered and people working there helped make the decision to choose to change to Five Senses easy.’
On the bar, Crompton Road reigns supreme as the house blend with rotating singles on espresso as well as batch brews, pour overs and cold drip. When it comes to the menu, it’s all about letting the coffee do the talking. Stripping back the frills, it’s all about delivering the best brew possible. Matt’s summer favourite is the coffee soda — sparkling water, ice and a double ristretto. And yes, takeaways are a big deal here, especially with the beach just a stone’s throw away. When it comes to equipment, it’s all black everything. From the Mahlkoenig E65S and EK43S to the custom matte black La Marzocco GB5 X AV, this café is decked out in sleek, sophisticated style. The brew bar? Twin black origami brewers take center stage.
So, if you’re ever in Bargara, head down that alleyway and step into the Unknown!
Unknown Specialty Coffee
Center Point 13b / 5 Bauer Street, Bargara, Queensland, 4670
Hours
Mon-Sun - 6AM-1PM
Website: https://www.thejourneyalliance.com/our-story
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thejourneyalliance/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unknown_specialty_coffee/
