{{notability|date=September 2022}}{{Company | name = ST. ALi | type = Private | founded = 2005 | hq_location_city = Melbourne | hq_location_country = Australia | website = https://stali.com.au }} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}} '''ST. ALi''' is an independent specialty coffee roaster, retailer and group of cafés founded and based in Melbourne, Australia in 2005.<ref name="The Age Beans">{{cite web|url=http://www.theage.com.au/national/melbourne-life/mr-full-of-beans-20110323-1c6rj.html|title=Mr Full of Beans|work=The Age|date=24 March 2011|accessdate=29 December 2014|last=Carbone|first=Suzanne}}</ref> As of October 2009, ST. ALi was credited with being a contributor to the third wave of coffee movement in Melbourne.<ref name="The Age new wave">{{cite web|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/entertainment/epicure/2009/10/12/1255195738731.html|title=The new wave is brewing|date=13 October 2009| publisher= |accessdate=29 December 2014|website=The Age|last=Ross|first=Annabel}}</ref>
Lachlan Ward is the current CEO of ST. ALi, having succeeded long-standing CEO Salvatore Malatesta in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ralph |first=Hayley |date=19 September 2022 |title=St Ali discusses its refocused goals |url=https://www.beanscenemag.com.au/st-ali-discusses-its-refocused-goals/ |access-date=25 May 2026 |website=BeanScene |language=en-US}}</ref> Ward was previously a barista and later general
manager of ST. ALi.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lam |first=Karrie |date=16 December 2024 |title=ST.ALi’s CEO Lachlan Ward On Aussie Coffee Culture And The Secret To Good Coffee |url=https://www.voguehk.com/en/article/art-lifestyle/st-alis-ceo-lachlan-ward-on-aussie-coffee-culture-and-the-secret-to-good-coffee/ |access-date=25 May 2026 |website=Vogue Hong Kong |language=en-US}}</ref> Ward is currently leading ST. ALi's retail expansion into Southeast Asia.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Co |first=Ryanne |date=14 October 2024 |title=ST. ALi Melbourne CEO Lachlan Ward on Diversity & Teamwork |url=https://thebeat.asia/manila/venture/profiles/st-ali-ceo-lachlan-ward-diversity |access-date=25 May 2026 |website=The Beat Manila |language=en}}</ref>
ST. ALi roasts all coffee in-house<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=8 January 2024 |title=ST. ALi |url=https://business.vic.gov.au/learning-and-advice/faces-of-small-business/st-ali |access-date=25 May 2026 |website=Business Victoria |language=en}}</ref> at its Port Melbourne roastery.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=3 January 2023 |title=ST. Ali – Pioneers of the Melbourne Coffee Scene. |url=https://www.threethousandthieves.com/blogs/news/st-ali-pioneers-of-the-melbourne-coffee-scene |access-date=25 May 2026 |website=Thieves Coffee |language=en}}</ref> The company is privately held,<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 June 2013 |title=Current details for ABN 38 164 131 408 |url=https://abr.business.gov.au/ABN/View/38164131408 |access-date=25 May 2026 |website=Australian Business Register}}</ref> owned by employees within the ST. ALi family.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Rychter |first=Tacey |date=7 November 2016 |title=Auction Rooms Sold to St. ALi |url=https://www.broadsheet.com.au/melbourne/food-and-drink/article/auction-rooms-sold-st-ali |access-date=25 May 2026 |website=Broadsheet |language=en-AU}}</ref> For example, Lucy Ward, the sole green coffee bean buyer for ST. ALi, is a shareholder.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ryan |first=Chris |date=20 September 2019 |title=10 Minutes With Lucy Ward: Part One |url=https://www.baristamagazine.com/10-minutes-with-lucy-ward-part-one/ |access-date=25 May 2026 |website=Barista Magazine Online |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ralph |first=Hayley |date=6 March 2023 |title=St Ali discusses the growth of its people and culture |url=https://www.beanscenemag.com.au/st-ali-discusses-the-growth-of-its-people-and-culture/ |access-date=25 May 2026 |website=BeanScene |language=en-US}}</ref>
==History== [[File:Magic (coffee) at St Ali South Melbourne.jpg|thumb|A magic (coffee) served at St Ali, South Melbourne in 2013]] ST. ALi derives its name from Ali ibn Umar al-Shadhili, a 14th-century Sufi cleric who introduced coffee to Yemen.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cadwalader |first=Zac |date=8 June 2015 |title=5 Cafe Names That Have UNIMAGINABLE Backstories…#2 Will Melt Your Face Off! |url=https://sprudge.com/5-cafe-names-that-have-unimaginable-backstories2-will-melt-your-face-off-77829.html |access-date=25 May 2026 |website=Sprudge |language=en-US}}</ref>
ST. ALi's South Melbourne café was founded in 2005 by Mark Dundon.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.broadsheet.com.au/melbourne/food-and-drink/directory/cafe/st-ali |title=St ALi |work=Broadsheet |accessdate=29 December 2014}}</ref> It was bought by Salvatore Malatesta in 2008.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Hurst|first=Matthew|date=2 August 2012|title=Caffeine High: Aussie baristas taking over London|work=news.com.au|url=https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/food/caffeine-high-aussie-baristas-taking-over-london/news-story/3e5fd4e1f4b41f93a637362fa9495652|access-date=18 January 2022}}</ref> A second café, St Ali North, opened in December 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/goodfood/eating-out/go-north-coffee-pedallers-20121127-2a4rg.html|title=Go north, coffee pedallers|work=Good Food|date=20 November 2012|accessdate=25 May 2026|last=Hart|first=Bob|first2=Hilary|last2=McNevin}}</ref>
From January to September 2014, ST. ALi operated a pop-up location on Collins Street, Melbourne alongside other restaurants.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Kotsimbos|first=Iro|date=7 May 2014|title=Rue & Co {{!}} The Verdict|work=Urban List|url=https://www.theurbanlist.com/melbourne/a-list/rue-co-verdict|access-date=18 January 2022|url-status=deviated}}</ref>
In February 2014, ST. ALi set up a pop-up café and coffee masterclasses at Coffee Workers in Seoul, Korea.<ref>{{cite web|author=Bernson|title=We Talk Korean Coffee And St. Ali Pop-Ups With Matt Perger|url=http://sprudge.com/st-ali-korea-2.html|work=Sprudge|accessdate=29 December 2014|date=3 March 2014|first=Alex}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=St Ali heads overseas|url=http://www.hospitalitymagazine.com.au/beverage/st-ali-heads-overseas|work=Hospitality|accessdate=29 December 2014|url-status=deviated}}</ref> Also that year, ST. ALi ran a pop-up café at the London Coffee Festival.<ref name="BeanScene Magazine">{{cite web|title=St Ali on tour in the Northern Hemisphere|url=https://www.beanscenemag.com.au/news/article/st-ali-on-tour-in-the-northern-hemisphere|work=BeanScene Magazine|accessdate=29 December 2014|url-status=deviated}}</ref> This was followed by a café installation in Milan at the design festival Ventura Lambrate as part of an Australian design contingent called ‘The Other Hemisphere'.<ref name="BeanScene Magazine" /><ref>{{cite web|title=The Other Hemisphere|url=http://www.theotherhemisphere.com|publisher=|accessdate=29 December 2014|website=theotherhemisphere.com}}</ref>
ST. ALi established a pop-up café in Jakarta, Indonesia in September 2014.<ref>{{cite web|title=Melbourne in Jakarta – Common Grounds x ST ALi, Sept 11-17, 2014|url=http://vehandojo.wordpress.com/2014/07/03/melbourne-in-jakarta-common-grounds-x-st-ali-sept-11-17-2014/|work=ve handojo|accessdate=29 December 2014|url-status=deviated}}</ref> A permanent Jakarta location was opened in 2015.<ref>{{Cite news|last=O'Malley|first=Rebecca|date=6 November 2015|title=St ALi to Open in Jakarta|work=Broadsheet|url=https://www.broadsheet.com.au/melbourne/food-and-drink/article/st-ali-open-jakarta|access-date=18 January 2022}}</ref>
In November 2016, ST. ALi purchased North Melbourne café Auction Rooms from its founder Andrew Kelly.<ref name=":0" />
In November 2017, ST. ALi partnered with Mercedes-Benz to open 'Mercedes me' at the Rialto Towers, joining six other concept stores in Tokyo, Hong Kong, Moscow, Beijing, Hamburg and Munich.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=5 November 2017 |title=Mercedes me Melbourne |url=https://www.timeout.com/melbourne/restaurants/mercedes-me-melbourne |access-date=27 May 2026 |website=Time Out Melbourne |language=en-AU}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=28 November 2017 |title=St ALi launches partnership with Mercedes me store |url=https://www.beanscenemag.com.au/st-ali-launches-partnership-mercedes-store/ |access-date=27 May 2026 |website=BeanScene |language=en-US}}</ref> ST. ALi and Mercedes-Benz engineers collaborated to develop a custom coffee roaster for the store.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shanasy |first=Kate |date=14 November 2017 |title=Mercedes-Benz Team with ST. ALi on new CBD Concept Store |url=https://www.broadsheet.com.au/melbourne/food-and-drink/article/mercedes-benz-team-st-ali-new-cbd-concept-store |access-date=27 May 2026 |website=Broadsheet |language=en-AU}}</ref> In March 2019, Mercedes me Melbourne hosted Melbourne Design Week events.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Misso |first=Richard |date=18 February 2019 |title=Melbourne Design Week 2019 |url=https://designaddictsplatform.com.au/2019/02/18/melbourne-design-week-2019/ |access-date=27 May 2026 |website=design addicts |language=en-US}}</ref>
ST. ALi opened its first Melbourne Airport venue in April 2019 at Terminal 2 (International Departures).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Agathos |first=Kyra |date=24 April 2019 |title=Now Open: St Ali, Melbourne Airport |url=https://www.broadsheet.com.au/national/travel/article/now-open-st-ali-melbourne-airport |access-date=27 May 2026 |website=Broadsheet |language=en-AU}}</ref>
In September 2020, ST. ALi partnered with Palace Cinemas to become the new Principal Partner of the Italian Film Festival.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rudenko |first=Liz |date=21 November 2020 |title=The Italian Film Festival finally lands in Melbourne |url=https://www.coffeesandstyle.com/2020/11/21/the-italian-film-festival-finally-lands-in-melbourne/ |access-date=27 May 2026 |website=coffees & style |language=en-AU}}</ref>
In January 2022, ST. ALi offered two free rapid antigen tests for COVID-19 with orders over $159.99 as part of a promotional offer during shortages of the tests in Melbourne. The company apologised after backlash.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Rizzo-Smith|first=Julian|date=17 January 2022|title=A Melbourne Cafe Has Apologised For Offering Free RATs To Customers Who Spend $160 Or More|work=Pedestrian.TV|url=https://www.pedestrian.tv/news/melbourne-st-ali-rapid-antigen-test-rat-offer/|access-date=18 January 2022}}</ref>
In March 2022, ST. ALi was announced as the official Coffee Partner of the Australian Grand Prix.<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 March 2022 |title=ST. ALi announced as Coffee Partner of the F1® Heineken® Australian GP |url=https://www.grandprix.com.au/fan-zone/news/st-ali-announced-as-coffee-partner-of-the-formula-1-heineken-australian-grand-prix-2022 |access-date=2026-05-27 |website=Australian Grand Prix |language=en}}</ref>
ST. ALi's second Melbourne Airport venue, ST. ALi Kiosk, opened at the Qantas domestic departures terminal in 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ST. ALi Kiosk Melbourne Airport |url=https://archello.com/project/st-ali-kiosk-melbourne-airport |access-date=27 May 2026 |website=Archello |language=en}}</ref>
In 2023, ST. ALi also opened 'St Ali & the Queen' at Queen Victoria Market,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cohen |first=Gideon |date=24 August 2023 |title=Now Open: Cafe by Day, Cocktail Bar by Night, St Ali & the Queen Arrives at the Queen Vic Market |url=https://www.broadsheet.com.au/melbourne/food-and-drink/article/now-open-cafe-day-cocktail-bar-night-st-ali-queen-arrives-queen-vic-market |access-date=27 May 2026 |website=Broadsheet |language=en-AU}}</ref> with a cocktail menu designed by World Bartender of the Year 2022 winner, Orlando Marzo.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McDonald |first=Elizabeth |date=31 July 2023 |title=ST. ALi has opened a bar at the Queen Victoria Market (and yes, there's coffee cocktails) |url=https://www.delicious.com.au/eat-out/article/st-ali-opened-cocktail-bar-queen-victoria-market/nkja9zlk |access-date=27 May 2026 |website=delicious}}</ref>
ST. ALi opened its second Indonesian location in 2024 at the FURTHER HOTEL in Pererenan (Canggu, Bali).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stephens |first=Rick |title=Caffeine Dream: Melbourne Coffee Authority, ST. ALi, Has Opened Up In Bali's Sublime Pererenan |url=https://www.theurbanlist.com/a-list/st-ali-pererenan |access-date=27 May 2025 |website=Urban List |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Darlinghurst |title=Melbourne’s Favourite Coffee ST. ALi Hits Bali’s Shores |url=https://eatdrinkplay.com/melbourne/melbournes-st-ali-hits-bali-shores/ |access-date=27 May 2026 |website=EatDrinkPlay |language=en-AU}}</ref>
In October 2024, ST. ALi entered the Philippines with its first branch at the OPUS Mall in Bridgetowne Estate, Quezon City.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=10 October 2024 |title=ST. ALi Coffee Brings Melbourne’s Laneway Coffee Culture to Manila |url=https://rankthemag.ph/st-ali-coffee-brings-melbournes-laneway-coffee-culture-to-manila/ |access-date=27 May 2026 |website=Rank Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref> A flagship store in Bonifacio Global City (BGC) was then opened in October 2025, featuring an omakase-style coffee experience.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gonzalez |first=Pilar |date=30 October 2026 |title=ST. ALi Opens Its Second Manila Cafe In BGC |url=https://lifestyleasia-onemega.com/dining/st-ali-opens-its-second-manila-branch-in-bgc/ |access-date=27 May 2026 |website=Lifestyle Asia |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Miranda |first=Pauline |date=31 October 2025 |title=Melbourne’s specialty coffee pioneer ST.ALi opens flagship in Manila |url=https://lifestyle.inquirer.net/553948/st-ali-manila-flagship/ |access-date=27 May 2025 |website=Lifestyle.INQ |language=en-US}}</ref>
In 2025, ST. ALi released a limited-edition coffee blend, in collaboration with Porsche.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lu |first=Garry |date=11 April 2025 |title=Porsche's Limited Edition Coffee Blend Will Get Your Motor Going |url=https://www.bosshunting.com.au/lifestyle/drink/porsche-exclusive-blend-st-ali-coffee-australia |access-date=27 May 2026 |website=www.bosshunting.com.au |language=en-AU}}</ref> The small-batch roast was released alongside a customised La Marzocco machine and Martini Racing merchandise.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Porsche x ST.ALi Coffee |url=https://store.porsche.com.au/collections/porsche-st-ali-coffee |access-date=27 May 2026 |website=Porsche Online Store Australia |language=en}}</ref>
In April 2026, ST. ALi was announced as the Official Coffee Supplier for the Australian Commonwealth Games Team.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=13 April 2026 |title=ST. ALi Named Official Coffee Supplier for Australian Commonwealth Games Team |url=https://ministryofsport.com/st-ali-named-official-coffee-supplier-for-australian-commonwealth-games-team/ |access-date=27 May 2026 |website=Ministry of Sport |language=en-US}}</ref> The partnership will enable a dedicated café at the Australian HQ during the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.<ref>{{Cite web |date=13 April 2026 |title=Melbourne’s St. Ali unveiled as supplier for Australian Commonwealth Games Team |url=https://www.worldcoffeeportal.com/news/melbournes-st-ali-unveiled-as-supplier-for-australian-commonwealth-games-team/ |access-date=27 May 2025 |website=World Coffee Portal |language=en}}</ref>
==Philosophy and sourcing== ST. ALi coffee beans are sourced through direct trade with the coffee growers themselves.<ref name="Good Food">{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/good-food/food-news/coffee-pioneers-grow-with-the-flow-20130725-2qlo3.html#ixzz2gRbRX5SU|title=Coffee pioneers grow with the flow|work=Good Food|accessdate=29 December 2014|date=26 July 2013|last=Holden|first=Matt}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7wBH27puek|title=St Ali in Colombia|work=YouTube|accessdate=29 December 2014|url-status=deviated}}</ref> ST. ALi's coffee beans are all purchased green, and small batch roasted in Melbourne using Brambati roasters.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.brambati.it/index.php?page=HomePage&lang=en_US&PHPSESSID=4hfc6lr36s9e37nief40krsrm52fe5np|title=food plants, coffee, plastic, industrial roasters -- Brambati S.p.A.|publisher=Brambati.it|accessdate=29 December 2014|url-status=deviated}}</ref>
As well as engaging in direct trade coffee sourcing, ST. ALi is a supporter of local and community initiatives, including a barista challenge run in conjunction with Melbourne City Mission, to teach disadvantaged youth work experience and barista training.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.au.timeout.com/melbourne/restaurants/events/8271/the-brew-crew-barista-competition#picture0|title=The Brew Crew barista competition|author=Time Out Melbourne|work=Time Out Melbourne|accessdate=29 December 2014|url-status=deviated}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hospitalitymagazine.com.au/beverage/industry-heavyweights-team-up-to-assist-disadvanta|title=Top baristas team up to assist disadvantaged youth|work=Hospitality|accessdate=29 December 2014|url-status=deviated}}</ref>
==Recognition== ST. ALi has been nationally and internationally recognised for the quality of its coffee and locally for its food. ST. ALi South was awarded "Best Food Cafe" in Melbourne in 2013 by The Age Good Cafe Guide.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/goodfood/eating-out/auction-rooms-named-melbournes-best-cafe-20130617-2oe7h.html|title=Auction Rooms named Melbourne's best cafe|work=Good Food|date=17 June 2013|accessdate=29 December 2014}}</ref> In 2016, ST. ALi won the People's Choice Award at the Time Out Food Awards for Best Takeaway Coffee in Melbourne.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shanti |first=Delima |date=20 September 2016 |title=Mastercard presents People's Choice: Best Takeaway Coffee |url=https://www.timeout.com/melbourne/restaurants/time-out-food-awards-takeaway-coffee |access-date=25 May 2026 |website=Time Out Melbourne |language=en-AU}}</ref>
ST. ALi's head of coffee, Matthew Perger, won first place at the 2012 World Brewers Cup, and has won two Australasian Specialty Coffee Association (AASCA) Detpak Australian Barista Championship titles, and also placed third at the 2011 World Barista Championship that took place in Colombia and the second place in 2013 World Barista Championship.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.beanscenemag.com.au/news/article/matt-perger-wins-2013-aasca-detpak-australian-barista-championships|title=Matt Perger wins 2013 AASCA Detpak Australian Barista Championships|work=BeanScene Magazine|accessdate=29 December 2014|url-status=deviated}}</ref>
Representing ST. ALi, senior barista Ben Morrow won the 2016 Coffee Masters tournament for the second time at the London Coffee Festival.<ref>{{Cite web |date=13 April 2016 |title=Ben Morrow Of St. Ali Wins The 2016 London Coffee Masters |url=https://sprudge.com/ben-morrow-of-st-ali-wins-the-2016-london-coffee-masters-98036.html |access-date=25 May 2026 |website=Sprudge |language=en-US}}</ref> Earlier that year, Morrow placed sixth in the World Latte Art Championship finals in Shanghai.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=3 April 2016 |title=South Korea wins World Latte Art, Greece wins World Coffee in Good Spirits |url=https://www.beanscenemag.com.au/south-korea-wins-worlds-latte-art-greece-wins-world-coffee-in-good-spirits/ |access-date=25 May 2026 |website=BeanScene |language=en-US}}</ref>
Shinsaku Fukayama of ST. ALi place runner-up in both the 2016 and 2017 Australian Specialty Coffee Association (ASCA) Southern Region Latte Art and Australian Latte Art Championships, before winning both titles in 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Miller |first=Ethan |date=22 June 2020 |title=Shinsaku Fukayama shares the secret to his success |url=https://www.beanscenemag.com.au/shinsaku-fukayama-shares-the-secret-to-his-success/ |access-date=25 May 2026 |website=BeanScene |language=en-US}}</ref> Fukayama then went on to represent Australia in the 2018 World Latte Art Championships, placing fourth.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Miller |first=Ethan |date=4 February 2019 |title=2018 Australian Latte Art Champion Shinsaku Fukayama: the samurai barista |url=https://www.beanscenemag.com.au/2018-australian-latte-art-champion-shinsaku-fukayama-the-samurai-barista/ |access-date=25 May 2016 |website=BeanScene |language=en-US}}</ref>
ST. ALi warehouse dispatch manager, Jae Kim, won the 2022 ASCA Southern Region Latte Art Championship and placed second in the ASCA Cup Tasters competition.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ralph |first=Hayley |date=11 July 2022 |title=Jae Kim of St Ali wins ASCA Southern Region Latte Art Championship |url=https://www.beanscenemag.com.au/jae-kim-of-st-ali-wins-asca-southern-region-latte-art-championship/ |access-date=25 May 2026 |website=BeanScene |language=en-US}}</ref>
In 2026, ST. ALi's green bean buyer, Lucy Ward, was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Melbourne International Coffee Expo (MICE)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kennedy |first=Meg |date=26 March 2026 |title=Coffee Industry Heroes celebrated at MICE26 |url=https://www.beanscenemag.com.au/coffee-industry-heroes-celebrated-at-mice26/ |access-date=25 May 2026 |website=BeanScene |language=en-US}}</ref> for her long-standing contributions to the industry and coffee community.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=10 December 2024 |title=Introducing the Coffee Industry Heroes awards |url=https://internationalcoffeeexpo.com/introducing-the-coffee-industry-heroes-awards/ |access-date=25 May 2026 |website=International Coffee Expo MICE |language=en-US}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}
Category:Companies based in Melbourne