Hamilton’s old favourite has been revived
On the corner of Beaumont Street right across from Hamilton Station, an iconic spot has been revived. Welcome back to Hamilton – Rolador.
Having been closed since late 2018, the nostalgic spot on our iconic Beaumont Street has been collecting dust, with locals waiting to see what exactly the former bustling café spot could become.
Five years later, on Monday 26th February, Rolador was reopened – but not quite as some of you would remember it.
The venue has been subdivided into two separate spaces, with the front-facing spot waiting for a tenant, and Rolador opening towards the back of the venue with its prominent roller door coffee window looking towards the station.
The venue will be managed by Maitland-born hospitality whizz, Emma Smith – bringing with her over 15 years of experience in the local restaurant and cafe scene.
Whilst the space is smaller than the OG Rolador, the offering still packs quite a punch. With the hole-in-the-wall coffee window perfect for those on the run, the space flows out onto the path with a few outdoor seats, as well as a cosy inside area, perfect for those rainy days.
Both the food and drink menus are where Emma showcases her skills, with some of the food items paying homage to the venue’s original offerings.
“When I was a Rolador customer all of those years ago, I was vegan at the time. We’ve got things on the menu that are similar to the original including the veggie and vegan burritos. I always appreciated having that variety of vegan offerings.
“As time goes on, there will be more things that I bring back to the menu too. For now, I’ve kept the offering simple whilst we find our feet, but we will be expanding.”
Some of the current grab-and-go selections include the Brekkie Turkish, Chipotle Chicken Wrap, and the Veg/Vegan Burritos. The dine-in menu currently features the Avocado Bruschetta, Jackfruit Sliders, and Açai Bowl.
Unsurprisingly, coffee and drinks are at the forefront of Rolador’s revived offering. Working with Melbourne-based roastery, Grinders Coffee, they’re running two blends; one specifically for black coffee and the other for milk-based coffees.
“If you’re a black coffee drinker, definitely come to us. We have a special blend just for you.”
Rolador’s drinks menu also features turmeric and beetroot lattes, as well as a selection of iced coffees, milkshakes, thickshakes, and four flavours of smoothies to choose from.
Next time you’re on Beaumont Street, take a stroll down memory lane and revisit this old haunt to see how it stacks up!
