The team behind the ever-popular, oft-photographed Grounds of Alexandria, and its smaller sibling The Grounds of the City, has finally opened its grandiose third location in South Eveleigh.

First announced back in 2019, and in development for six years, The Grounds Coffee Factory is a sprawling cafe and roastery located in the historic South Eveleigh buildings formerly home to railway workshops. The venue’s locomotive history is reflected in the industrial fit-out, overseen by design firm Acme, and a retro-futuristic coffee transport system you can watch while sipping on a house-roasted Colombian brew.

You can also watch the roastery, and Head Roaster Nick Ferguson, in action – or join him for coffee cuppings (the industry lingo for tastings), brewing workshops and latte art classes. No smock needed for this one.

If you’re here to dine, take your pick of one of the many (many) seats – spread across banquettes, booths, tables and bar stools – for breakfast or lunch six days a week. The menu is inspired by the site’s former life as a cafeteria for railroad workers.

Until 11.30am, dig in to the likes of sourdough crumpets with macadamia butter, eggs Florentine croissants, sausage and egg muffins or fluffy pancakes with maple syrup (and bacon, if that’s your vibe). After a morning tipple? From 10am, you can also grab a martini, available three ways; mimosas; or a twist on a pina colada made with matcha.

Lunch kicks in from 11.45am with the usual suspects – sandwiches, salads, burgers and steak – plus vodka pasta and an even longer list of cocktails, wine, beer, smoothies and oh-so-nostalgic ice-cream floats. If you’re there for the hotcakes, fear not: they’re available all day.

The coffee offering isn’t shy, either. A giant sign red and white sign proclaims the options of the day – not three, not four, but 12 different beans and roasts to pick from.

If that wasn’t ambitious enough, there’s also an extravagant new event venue, The Eveleigh located next door. The historical site boasts high ceilings and grand open spaces highlighted by vintage chandeliers and touches of marble, with a capacity of up to 600 people.

The Grounds Coffee Factory is now open from Monday to Friday, 7am – 4pm and Saturday, 7.30am – 4pm at 4A/8 Locomotive Street, South Eveleigh. To make a reservation and more information, head to The Grounds website.

Related story: Australia is officially home to the most Instagrammed restaurant in the world