The Alternate Root in Uralla has officially been crowned Best Coffee in the New England, and it’s more than just top-quality beans that earned them the title.
For those who haven’t yet stepped through its doors, The Alternate Root is far more than a coffee stop. Housed in a beautifully preserved historic building, the café is a welcoming hub for locals and travellers alike. At the heart of its success is a simple ingredient: passion.
Co-owners Andy Neary and Berdine Warne strive to set their coffee apart from the crowd by creating unique house blends and prioritising small-farm single-origin beans.
“We really love coffee,” Neary said.
“We put so much time, effort and energy into making sure we’re at the top of our game. We invest in the best equipment and source a variety of beans with sustainability in mind.”
That dedication shines through in every cup.
“We want to serve our customers a drink we’d be just as happy to have ourselves.”
Once home to Trickett’s General Store, the building carries stories from decades past.
“We’ve had young staff members tell us their grandparents used to work here, loading feed and grain out the back.”
The transformation of the space began in 2015 when locals Dean and Rachel Doran renovated the building with a vision to create a café that felt magical to both locals and passersby.
During COVID, Warne took on the café and its potential after the business had closed a few months earlier. Neary joined the business a year later after a stint working the coffee machine.
That sense of connection and community proved vital during the uncertain days of the pandemic. Alternate Root could easily have gone under, but the Uralla community had other plans.
“The community was absolutely paramount. People rallied not just for us, but for all local businesses,” Neary said.
“Some would get a takeaway coffee from us on Monday, someone else Tuesday, and so on. They really shared the love and it helped us survive.”
Now, as life returns to a new normal, the community’s support hasn’t wavered. It was a stunning display of Uralla pride that saw the call go out early on the socials yesterday morning for locals to vote for their beloved coffee spot in Best in the New England.
And it’s a good thing too – the same call went out to Glen Innes to support Crofters Cottage, an equally beloved coffee spot near the standing stones, who came second to The Alternate Root by just two votes.
The Alternate Root has become what Neary calls “an extension of people’s living rooms”, a place to relax, catch up with friends, or just simply enjoy great coffee.
And there’s more brewing.
With a new events coordinator on board and regular themed nights (including an Italian feast and a 1920s murder mystery night), the café is buzzing with activity. A rustic shed space behind the café is being renovated into a boutique event venue for weddings, parties and private functions, all in keeping with Alternate Root’s signature charm.
As for what’s next on the coffee front? That’s under wraps – but expect big things.
“We’ve got some exciting coffee ideas we haven’t tried before,” Neary said.
“It’s definitely a watch-this-space kind of year.”
With heart, heritage and hospitality all under one roof, it’s easy to see why Alternate Root is at the top of the leaderboard and winning over coffee lovers, one cup at a time.
For more information on the café or upcoming events, visit https://www.alternateroot.com.au/ or @thealternaterootcafe on Instagram and Facebook.
Best in the New England is an annual promotion run by New England Times. Find out more here.
See who won last year.
Read the terms and conditions of the promotion.
See all the stories about Best in the New England including winner profiles.