The Post-Covid Cafe Scene in Australia

Well, it's been over 2 years since the emergence of COVID-19 into Australia. Brunch dates, nights out and picnics in the park were changed forever when open cafes and restaurants became a rare sight to see throughout the area.

Until recently, cafes who successfully adapted to takeaway, delivery and contactless services became the only places where Aussies could get their hands on fresh barista-made coffee and eats.

Like most businesses, cafes and restaurants were forced to sink or swim. While heartbreakingly, some of the cafes we’ve known for years closed down, many remained open providing innovative service options for their loyal regulars. Some of these innovations included switching to digital ordering, contactless delivery, and making sure to roster the exact right amount of staff.

This year however, struggling bar and restaurant owners are hailing the welcome return of their customer bases and demand is skyrocketing once more for experienced baristas and staff.

What does this teach us about the future of our cafe and restaurant scene in Aus? We might start to see the interior of cafe spaces designed differently, to make entering and exiting easier, and to prioritise personal space and air filtration. 

One things for certain; staffing looks different. As cafes adjust to fluctuating demand, owners may find benefit in staffing partners such as Need a Barista to ensure they’re neither under or over staffed.

You might find cafes getting more creative (and more permanent) about their digital offerings! From QR Code table ordering (my local in Melbourne has committed to keeping this), to contactless delivery, to placing an order from the comfort of home, cafes have been forced to adopt new technology. And post-Covid, it’s not going anywhere.

As well as the above, I’ve seen Aussie restaurants and cafes become more creative with their menu offering, to make sure it reaches the customer in perfect condition, whether on a plate, or in a bag. 

Of course, we’ll (hopefully) all continue to observe a greater focus on health and safety in the cafes we run. Customers all around the globe are demanding a higher standard of hygiene, and for good reason. 

Are the days of the relaxed coastal barista grabbing a muffin out of the cabinet with her bare hands gone? You might have even noticed the return of single-use cutlery, napkins and straws to many cafes due to their sterility (at the cost of the waste it creates).  

The writing is on the wall though, cleanliness, effectiveness and attention to detail are going to be extremely important factors moving forward in a world shared with coronavirus.