To find this cafe, you walk down a laneway past a servo in Carlton and step into an old converted stable. Then everything changes.
The cafe is Atelier Enso, and it belongs to Alicia Feng, one of the more respected people in Australian specialty coffee. Everything in it is automated, which is why it has people talking.
I went to see it for myself, and I came away with a lot of respect for the decision.
Who is behind Atelier Enso
BeanScene describes Alicia as a World Coffee Championship Certified Sensory Judge, Australian Brewers Cup Head Judge and licensed Q Grader. She previously opened Calere Coffee in Fitzroy in 2019 and Chiaki in Collingwood in 2023. Atelier Enso is her third venue.
That background matters. This is someone who learned to make coffee by hand and came up through specialty. Her choice to automate comes from experience, not from a lack of it.
What is automated, and what isn't
Alicia has opted for automatic espresso machines and pre-batched long blacks. BeanScene reports that the setup includes an Eversys Cameo for the house blend and decaf, LinkBar dispensing equipment, and two xBloom automatic pour-over brewers. Broadsheet notes that seasonal blends are still made on traditional espresso equipment.
Both publications describe the concept as automated brewing with barista oversight. The aim is consistency in the cup, and more time for the crew to talk with guests.
Why she did it
The reason is people. Alicia wants her crew to connect with guests, bring a better sense of energy to the room and lift the whole experience. BeanScene and Broadsheet also mention that the approach is meant to reduce burnout.
Most cafes use technology to move faster and pump out more cups. Alicia is using it to buy time for conversation.
What I took from it
What I like is that it takes courage. Someone with her credentials is saying that automation is here, and that she won't use it to be more productive. She'll use it to let guests come to the forefront.
I think that's a useful question for any hospitality space, including a workplace. A good coffee moment is rarely only about the drink. It's about who made it, whether they had a moment to say hello, and whether you felt looked after. If you're planning an workplace coffee setup, that's worth asking: where does your crew's time go, and how much of it reaches your people?
Atelier Enso is a very recent opening. Broadsheet listed it in late July 2026 and BeanScene published its feature in August, so it's worth visiting soon to form your own view. You'll find it at 8 Raffa Place, Carlton, behind the petrol station.
Before you go, decide what you want to notice: the coffee, the pace of the room, and how much time the crew spends talking with guests.
