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Since opening its doors in 2001, Taste Espresso has become a home away from home for Collaroy locals. For over two decades, this gorgeous coffee shop has been a solid gathering place for friends, families, groups and neighbours, fostering connections and creating lasting memories. Co-owner Cindy Attanasio is joyfully at the helm, welcoming new customers and regulars alike with a beaming smile.
Taste Espresso is a beloved family-owned café and proud community hub on Collaroy beachfront. Opened by Rob and Cindy Attanasio, the roots in hospitality run deep, dating back to the 1960s when Rob's father owned a fruit shop in the area. “Growing up, hospitality and community were part of our daily lives. We learned the importance of connection and care at an early age, and it’s in our DNA to create a welcoming environment for everyone who walks through the door,” says co-owner, Rob. “This was at the heart of the shop when we first opened. Whether people bought something or not, we wanted them to leave having had a positive experience. What started as a dream of jumping off the corporate treadmill to spend more time together as a family became so much more. We found our happy place, and in a funny way, our purpose.”
This spirit to serve the community has shaped the family's values and instilled a passion for hospitality that’s been passed down through generations, with other family members owning iconic establishments including North Steyne Emporio and Belgrave Cartel.
The food offering has changed over the years, from a full-service deli with homemade pastas and salads, catering, freshly made sandwiches and wraps. The GFC and COVID changed routines and lifestyles and had a major impact on hospitality. “Coffee has always been our mainstay and our love,” explains Cindy. “We opened at the beginning of the espresso coffee culture, when plant-based milks were a rarity. Adam and the team from Little Italy, our roasters, have been an amazing partner for a long time. What we offer now is a simple and uncomplicated brunch menu – we keep costs down so we can focus on value for money.”
Cindy and Rob have raised three children in Collaroy, and the eldest, Claudia and Noah, were active members of Collaroy Surf Club. Today, along with dad Rob, they proudly serve as firefighters with Fire + Rescue NSW. You’ll still spot them regularly in the café. Then there’s the baby of the family, Lucia, now 16; first in the café in Cindy’s tummy, and now working there herself.
Taste actively supports school fundraisers, the Collaroy SLSC, the Head Above Water Swim for mental health, and the Firies Beat The Burn initiative for Westmead Children’s Hospital Burns Unit. One of their most memorable local events was the “Save Collaroy” Clearway Campaign in late 2018.
“We’ve become a gathering place for many groups, and we love it; from our favourite gym owners at The Cube Gym to the swimmers from Head Above Water, the Men at 10, the long boarders from Reef Riders and the Oysters from the surf club after a training session. They all bring big energy and at their core, they’re just like us. They gather to share and support, and we’re happy Taste is a safe place for that to happen,” smiles Cindy.
After 24 years, Cindy and Rob still look forward to each day—greeting the first customers, Collaroy royalty Ted and Hilary Linden—the smell of the first coffee and the hilarious early banter and chaos. “At the end of the day, we’re a coffee shop, but it’s always felt like so much more. It’s been a madhouse and a sanctuary all at once, where people can meet, make friends, share their stories, be themselves and feel welcomed,” grins Cindy.
“And mostly, it’s knowing the couple of minutes someone spends in our place might be the best part of their day,” smiles Rob.
Rob and Cindy agree that it’s a privilege to be let into the lives of their customers, to share in their joys and their sorrows. “We’ve seen births, deaths, marriages and everything in between, and while the happy times are the best, the sadder moments are when our little community is at its strongest.”
