Tucked away in the storied laneways of Melbourne’s top end, Palace Coffee is creating a sculptural, social, and sensory coffee experience. This Melbourne espresso bar blends carefully crafted architecture with intentional hospitality, featuring a La Marzocco Strada S on the bench. A vision rooted in European coffee traditions and a design approach that redefines the modern espresso bar, Palace Coffee is fast becoming a benchmark in Melbourne’s evolving café culture.
“We wanted to create a minimal focused space that was not only beautiful but could also serve as a destination and social hub. The communal nature of the layout lends itself to connection between patrons.” – Jon, owner, Palace Coffee
Palace Coffee stands apart with its minimal footprint and standing-room-only service, with the aim to offer efficient, high-quality coffee paired with genuine human connection. Designed by Kerry Kounnapis Architecture Practice (KKAP), the space draws inspiration from Melbourne café icons like Pellegrini’s and the Nicholas Building. Every element, from materials to spatial planning, works to create a sense of both openness and intimacy.
“It’s about fostering connection and creating an experience that draws people together, even if just for a brief moment in their day” – Kerry Kounnapis, director, KKAP



The design language is evident in the details – a back-lit fibreglass ceiling bathes the room in a soft glow, hidden service elements maintain a visual purity, and the combination of warm, the La Marzocco Strada S sits central in the space with its clean lines, grey body, and red logo complimentary to the design of the space. The exposed group heads allow for seamless workflow and temperature stability maintains consistency in every cup, supporting the team to focus on creating genuine connections.
“The Strada S is the perfect machine to produce delicious coffee while maintaining reliability and speed. The ergonomics and clean lines give us more time to engage with customers and friends.” – Jon, owner of Palace Coffee
Palace Coffee is an espresso bar with intention, reflected in its design, its choice of La Marzocco equipment choice and seamless customer flow. It is a space designed for interaction, for brief but meaningful connections in a fast-paced urban environment. Consider this an invitation to pause and connect and see the evolution of coffee culture at Palace Coffee at Ridgway Place, Melbourne.
Find out more about the La Marzocco Strada S and get in touch with our sales team.
