Meet Eugene’s Café: Where Good Coffee and Good Vibes Come Together
Tucked away at Wantirna’s Mall is Eugene’s Café - a bright, welcoming spot known for great food, friendly faces, and consistently excellent coffee. Behind Wantirna's favourite cafe are Mitch and Ash, since opening their doors in 2022, this community-focused café has become a go-to for locals looking for quality, comfort, and a good laugh to go with their latte.
We caught up with Mitch and Ash, the couple behind Eugene’s, to chat about how it all started, what keeps them going, and why choosing the right coffee supplier made such a difference in building their café.
From an Idea to a Full-Blown Café
Before opening Eugene’s, Mitch and Ash had spent more than a decade working in hospitality.
“We were always working for other people,” they said. “Learning everything we could, always dreaming about opening our own place, but life just kept rolling on.”
Then the pandemic hit.
“Covid gave us a bit of a shake-up. We had the classic ‘if not now, when?’ moment. Within a month we’d sold our house, and we were deep in reno mode.”
They found a vacant shop in Wantirna and got to work. “We laid the floors ourselves, tiled the kitchen, painted everything, designed the menu - it all came together during lockdown. We just poured everything into it.”
What’s the Vibe at Eugene’s?
It’s the kind of place where you walk in and instantly feel at ease. A bit cheeky, a bit warm, very Melbourne.
“We’re a casual café that doesn’t take itself too seriously,” says Ash, “but we care a lot about what we serve. Coffee’s got to be good, food’s got to be fresh, and the experience has to feel good.”
The menu changes with the seasons, but a few favourites have earned a permanent spot: Salmon Crumpets with house-made crumpets, dill cream cheese and smoked salmon; and the Breakfast Tacos - crispy chorizo, fried egg, avo and chilli oil, always a hit.
“And we’ve got Niccolo cold brew on most of the year - and people come in asking for it specifically,” adds Mitch.
Starting from Scratch (Literally)
Eugene’s opened not long after lockdowns ended, which meant they had to work a bit harder to get on people’s radar.
“We weren’t an established name, we didn’t have foot traffic like the city cafés. But we kept showing up, kept the quality high, and word started to spread,” says Mitch.
They remember the first time the café filled up completely.
“We had a full house, a line out the door, and we just looked at each other like—this is actually happening.”
Why Niccolo?
Melbourne’s café scene is competitive - people know their coffee. For Mitch and Ash, the choice of beans was never going to be an afterthought.
“If the coffee isn’t great, people just don’t come back. It’s that simple.”
They already knew a few of the Niccolo team from previous jobs and had always liked the brand. “Once we tasted the coffee again, we knew it was the right fit. It’s clean, consistent, and our customers love it.”
For a small, independent café, having a wholesale coffee supplier that’s easy to work with really matters.
“There’s a sense of trust,” says Ash. “We know the product’s solid, and the team’s always been supportive without being pushy. It feels like a good match.”
A Café Built on Community
More than anything, Eugene’s is about connection. Yes, they serve top-notch coffee, but it’s the laughs, chats and everyday moments that keep people coming back.
“We want people to feel seen when they walk in—like they’re part of it, not just grabbing a takeaway,” says Mitch. “That’s what hospitality’s about.”
Visit Eugene’s Café
If you’re ever in Wantirna, drop by Eugene’s for a coffee, a chat, and something delicious to eat.
📍 30 The Mall, Wantirna, VIC
📱 @eugenescafe on Instagram