Ginger Monkey gets new groove

TORQUAY coastal café haven Ginger Monkey has a reinvigorated menu and layout following a change in ownership.

Local couple Linda and Dan have taken the reins of the Baines Crescent establishment, following previous owners Jayne, Cath and James stepping away after nine years at the helm.

Ginger Monkey 2.0, as the new owners like to call it, still has the “same good food, great coffee and top company”.

“A massive thanks to Jayne, Cath, James and team. They’ve made Ginger Monkey so much more than just a café. It’s a space where friendships are made, mornings are brighter and regular days feel less ordinary,” they said.

 

“For us, we’re here to serve up your favourite coffee and meals, but also create a space where you feel at home.

“We want Ginger Monkey to keep being the place that makes your day a little bit better.”

The biggest changes to Ginger Monkey are a new all-day menu and the addition of meat food options.

Sangas and wraps are a big feature, as are salad bowls that include daily fresh ingredients.

“The biggest change is we are not vegetarian anymore; we’ve introduced meat to the menu,” Linda said.

“Still about 60 per cent of the menu can however still be made vegetarian. We’ve kept this in mind for our customer base who like these options. We also know we’ve made many people happy with introducing meat.

 

“The beef brisket has been selling very well so far, it’s a favourite, as is the ham and cheese toastie.

“The Turkish eggs are another highlight!”

She said the decision to shorten the menu and make it all day will help cater to a larger audience.

“During the weekdays we have lots of people coming for sandwiches at lunch, as well as weekends visitors.

“We plan on updating the menu regularly to keep it interesting for the locals who come all the time.

“It will also be most seasonal.”

 

Linda said a change has been made to the layout of the venue to allow for better workflow.

“If you’ve been here before, sometimes with the takeaways it gets a bit crowded at the front.

“By moving the front serving desk, it’s easier for staff to handle the rushes.”

Ginger Monkey has shifted to using Torquay’s Mikro Coffee Roasters as its coffee merchant.

“They are the best coffee roasters around here,” Linda said.

 

“We’ve also leant on them to help us speed up our service of coffee and workflow behind the coffee machine with new equipment.

“We have kept the great quality but made it quicker. With the new equipment, we have cut down about 20 seconds from making each coffee.”

 

Ginger Monkey are also now making the flavours for their milkshakes in house and are doing matcha thickshakes, which have been very popular.

Linda said the business was also in the final stages of getting a liquor license, allowing the venue to stock local wines and beers.

 

The café is open six days a week – 6am to 3pm Monday to Friday, and Saturday 7am to 3pm.

The kitchen will close at 2pm each day.