A new chapter for this Wickham coffee spot
Photography courtesy of Business Brother
Tucked away in the industrial heart of Wickham, Dark Horse has long been a hidden gem for locals, tradies, and coffee lovers alike. Now, with new owner Julia Busquets at the helm, the cafe is embracing a fresh chapter – one that stays true to its roots while slowly evolving into an even more inviting community space.
Originally from Orange, Julia, a nurse by trade, has called Newcastle home on and off for the past 13 years and took over this long-standing Newcastle coffee spot in October last year.
Still home to excellent coffee thanks to Newcastle-based roastery, Darks Coffee Roasters, you can expect the quality of your daily brews to be just as top-notch as they always have been.
“We really love our coffee and people still often comment on the quality of the coffee,” Julia said.
When it comes to the food offering, Julia is staying true to the venue’s roots with a simple yet hearty menu featuring smashed avo, breaky wrap, ham and cheese croissant, acai bowl, gluten-free granola bowl, and three toastie options.
“We’ve started working with Sonoma in Sydney for our bread and pastries. With our bread, we can only use the bigger pieces for our toasties. So, the end pieces we take off and make these mini loaves that you can purchase. They’re only $3 and they’re so popular for those people who may not finish a whole loaf.”
Another addition to the Dark Horse Wickham offering is the growing sense of community Julia is trying to bring to the space.
“I want Dark Horse Wickham to be a meeting space for the local community. I’ve filled the space out with some fresh plants and have created a little community library.”
Whether dropping by for a quick coffee, setting up for the day with your laptop, catching up with friends, or booking a relaxed business meeting, Dark Horse Wickham should be on your to-visit list.
Not even six months into taking over the space, Julia has no plans to make any major changes to the venue just yet, instead, just slowly evolving the space.
Situated on Wickham’s Greenway Street and is rubbing shoulders with a thriving mix of businesses including Lot 19 Wickham, Wickham St Studios, Inner City Winemakers, and Masa Madre.
With Julia at the helm, Dark Horse Wickham remains a go-to for quality coffee, simple but delicious food, and a warm and welcoming space for the Wickham community. Open Monday to Friday from 6am-2pm, and Saturday from 8am-1pm, drop by and experience it for yourself.
