The Australian dream of a Tuscan barista. In Florence, there's a new and young specialty coffee shop to try

Manly is a suburb north of Sydney: to watch the sunset here, there's no better place than The Office beach, and Maykol Martino is convinced to the point of having dedicated his first establishment to this corner of paradise. A true Florentine, after four years spent in Australian specialty coffee shops, the barista returned home to open a small and welcoming bar in the San Frediano area.

From Australia back to Florence

The desire to create his own place had always been there, "but then Covid stopped everything, and I had to pause." However, on July 12, 2023, he opened his Manly The Office. A bar mostly frequented by a local clientele, a small and cozy space, tastefully furnished, where you can sit and enjoy an excellent espresso or a filter coffee, made with beans from the Florentine roastery D612: "The blend was specially made for us, tailor-made, called The Australian, 80% Brazil, 20% Ethiopia, with notes of dark chocolate, hazelnut, and red fruits, for a light and well-balanced acidity."

Brunch and aperitifs, in addition to coffee

Maykol is the only one working at the bar along with an employee, the menu is slim but well thought out, "due to the limited space, we can't do big things." For food, there are pancakes, homemade gluten-free banana bread, various brunch options such as salmon bagels or chicken wraps, and many gluten-free and vegan options, "we try to accommodate everyone, dietary needs are so diverse today." Apart from coffee, they serve organic juices and then craft beers and drinks for the evening aperitif, although the focus remains on black gold, the true passion of Maicol, who started his journey at the Mercato Centrale in Florence.

Australia vs Italy

His work experience actually started as a bartender, then he ventured into the world of coffee thanks to the training of Simone Guidi, a specialized trainer and founder of the La Sosta roastery: "I became passionate, continued to study, especially Latte Art, then in 2016, I left for Australia with my partner." A journey that changed him and made him discover another way of conceiving coffee: "The coffee culture in Sydney is incredible, the bars are of a very high standard, and even in most restaurants, you find excellent products, professional and niche espresso machines; there is a huge difference with Italy, which is growing but still lags behind other countries."

The value of hospitality

When he left, Maykol didn't even know the language, "I thought I knew how to make good coffee and believed that would be enough. I was wrong." So, in the different coffee shops he visited, he learned a new art, "I started practically from zero, questioned everything I had learned. The experience enriched me a lot, which is why I felt ready to open my own place." Manly The Office is now a bar made up of many loyal customers who return knowing they will find good drinks, but above all, great hospitality, "the relationship with the customer is the most important aspect of my work, dialogue is fundamental, and for many people, the bar is a reference point."

This is evident as soon as you enter the place, where, in addition to a focus on raw materials, there is a strong desire for sharing. "How are you?" Maykol asks as soon as you cross the threshold. Genuine smiles and good listening skills join naturalness, creating an unparalleled atmosphere. The counter is his element, you can perceive the happiness with which he serves each drink: "When you work in a bar, for me, joy must be part of the experience. I love explaining what I'm doing, the characteristics of a drink, it comes naturally to me. After all, this is the most beautiful job in the world."

Manly The Office – Firenze – via Pisana, 48 r - @manly_the_office