T2 Tea Cafe of the Year: Commonfolk

Frankston

The newest cafe from 12-year-old coffee roaster Commonfolk is the complete package. Whether it’s dawn coffees in hi-vis, laptop lunches or an afternoon matcha made in heaven, this multitasking cafe is defining for Frankston.

A dynamic menu twists the classics: your chilli scramble comes with Ugandan spice crisp, avo is smashed with chickpeas and green tahini, and the Benny comes with salmon pastrami.

Coffee beans are directly sourced from small farmers, roasted locally in Mornington, and turned into day-making espresso and filter drinks. Proceeds from every cup help fund projects in the coffee industry, such as social enterprises among Ugandan producers – more than $510,000 has been raised so far.

Back in Franga, service is on-point and the corner site hums, proving that this underloved outer suburb is more than just a gateway to the Mornington Peninsula: it’s got its own culinary cred.