Colquhoun’s Café

“Strange name, great coffee!”

That’s the catch-cry of Colquhoun’s Coffee, located on Winnellie Road, Winnellie.

Owner Sam completed his chef’s apprentice at Robertson Barracks 20 years ago and spent 10 years in prison . . . that is, working as a chef instructor teaching prisoners how to cook!

Leaving Western Australia in 2017, he cashed out his long service and holiday pay to open a café in Darwin, after seeing a distinct need for healthy options at a reasonable price.

To combat the deep-fried offerings elsewhere, Colquhoun’s Coffee does a Weber-cooked roast dinner and fresh chicken lasagne every day, as well as fresh salads, cold-pressed juices, milkshakes and açai bowls. The café is a favourite for tradies in the Winnellie area as well as admin ladies and government workers who all enjoy Sam’s home cooking.

“I’m proud of surviving my first wet season without going bankrupt and that I gave my dream of owning a café a go,” said Sam. “It’s all my favourite dishes that I cook, so everything is made with love. The prices are also good compared to other healthy cafes. For me, the challenge is getting people to swap the toasty for chia and the dim sim for a quinoa salad.”
As a self-confessed “mad 80s child”, the café has a unique 80s theme going on.

“I like to think when you come in, you feel welcome, enjoy my cafe and strike up a conversation with me,” said Sam. “It’s important to support local business because business is hard in Darwin right now. We also lose a lot of people over the Christmas period.”

Colquhoun’s Coffee is expanding into meal preparation packs for busy people and growing the catering side of the business to outside events and functions, all while enjoying the journey!

Colquhoun’s Café
0416 784 968 •  FB:colquhouns84