Founded in 2005 by Paul Geshos, Mecca Coffee was never about being the busiest cafe on the block. It was about setting a new standard in how Sydney understood coffee. At a time when latte art was the pinnacle of cafe culture, Mecca Coffee started telling deeper stories: who grew the beans, how they were processed, what flavours emerged in the cup. Transparency, not trend, became the brand’s foundation.

Today, that ethos still shapes Mecca Coffee. Their approach to sourcing is deeply relational, and the tools they choose for their many cafes, play a key role in this philosophy. On the coffee bar at Mecca Coffee’s newest cafe offering in Paddington, Sydney, sits a La Marzocco Leva, and Swan grinder, both designed for accuracy and workflow.

In conversation with Paul, we asked more about what lead design and operational choices for the new Paddington cafe addition, and why choosing a Leva and Swan was key to ensure an open and connected space for customers.

How would you describe the brand/ethos of Mecca Coffee?
We believe good coffee starts with good people. For us, it’s always been about curiosity, craft, and community – connecting people through thoughtful hospitality and consistently excellent coffee. We’re driven by a genuine love for the process, from sourcing and roasting to sharing each cup across our cafés and wholesale partners. Twenty years on, that same spirit of connection and discovery continues in everything we do. We are the last in a long line of people who have nurtured the coffee we place in your hands. We pride ourselves and our business on being responsible and active in understanding and respecting the whole system. Our coffee is about a good life for those who drink it and those who grow it.

Tell us about the location and lifestyle of the area you chose to open a new venue. What lead that choice?
Our new Paddington space sits on Glenmore Road at The Intersection is an iconic fashion, food and design precinct. The area is a mix of heritage and new energy which felt like a natural fit for us. We wanted to create something that felt local and lived-in, a place where people could pause, chat, and enjoy something beautifully simple: a great coffee made with care.

Why did you choose the Leva and Swan grinder as the equipment in this store?
We’re drawn to tools that honour craft and design in equal measure. The Leva reflects the kind of tactile connection we love: It’s mechanical, intuitive, and invites baristas to be hands-on. The Swan grinder complements that perfectly being precise, efficient, and built with both form and function in mind. Together, they create a workflow that feels seamless and human, not clinical.

“The design of our venues is minimal and intentional, so every piece of machinery has to earn its place, not just for how it performs, but how it feels in the room.“
Paul Geshos, Founder/Owner

 
How has the equipment influenced the flow of the venue (or vice versa)?
The layout was designed around the ritual of making coffee with everything in reach, everything with purpose. The Leva and Swan setup allows the bar to stay open and connected; customers can see, hear and feel what’s happening. It’s an elegant rhythm: Fast when it needs to be, calm when it should be, which reflects the kind of hospitality we want to offer.

What factors were most important in your decision when choosing grinders and espresso equipment?
We look for speed, consistency, reliability, and beauty in motion. The equipment has to deliver on taste and efficiency, but also complement the aesthetic and energy of the space. The design of our venues is minimal and intentional, so every piece of machinery has to earn its place, not just for how it performs, but how it feels in the room. 

Have you noticed improvements in extraction, flavour or workflow compared to your previous grinder?
Absolutely. The Swan has brought a level of precision and ease that’s noticeable in every cup, especially during busy service. It handles volume without compromising clarity, allowing our team to focus on engaging with customers rather than managing workflow. The cup profile feels cleaner and more defined which is something we value deeply. 


How has your experience been with La Marzocco’s support or servicing?
La Marzocco has always been more than a supplier, they’re part of the Mecca Coffee story. Their support is thoughtful, responsive and personal, which mirrors how we like to work. There’s a shared respect for quality, craft and longevity and that makes all the difference.

What would you say to other roasters considering the Swan Grinder?
For us, the Swan has proven to be a thoughtful balance of precision, workflow, and design. In a busy cafe environment, it handles volume with consistency and clarity, meaning our baristas can spend less time managing the grinder and more time engaging with customers. The workflow feels seamless, grind adjustments are intuitive, dosing is reliable, and it integrates beautifully into service. From a cup quality perspective, we’ve noticed cleaner, more defined extractions, especially when pushing high volumes. It’s a tool that doesn’t just perform technically but also complements the craft-driven ethos we value at Mecca. If you’re a roaster considering the Swan, we’d say it’s worth looking at not only for its precision and speed but also for the way it helps create a more connected, human flow behind the bar. 

To line up a demonstration for the Leva or Swan, our Sydney and Melbourne showroom teams look forward to welcoming you. Secure your showroom visit here.