About us

Saint Florian licensed cafe is a local treasure nestled in Castlemaine’s historic fire station. Owners Al and Jess Stanley have a shared love of artisanal produce, coffee, music, and art, in equal measure - evident in the cafe’s ambience. The north facing sunny aspect under the gorgeous plane trees, and the comfortable cosy interior provide the perfect setting for relaxed dining (takeaway also available). Offering exceptional coffee, breakfast, lunch, and cakes ’n’ bakes, made with exceptional local produce, including Barth Lane Coffee, Sprout Bakery, Istra Smallgoods, Fords Dairy, Goldfields Free Range Eggs, Boomtown Wines and Shedshaker Brewing Co.

Our namesake

In searching for a name, we came across the story of Saint Florian. Florian was a commander in the Roman Army (circa 300AD), who had risen up the ranks to lead an elite group of soldiers whose sole duty it was to fight fires. The powers that were decreed it was high time he burn and destroy his brethren, citing religious differences and an unsavoury penchant for wearing their sandals without socks. But Florian stuck it to them and refused, offering himself at the stake instead. This confused his persecutors no end, so they drowned him in the river instead. And so a legend was born, and the man who defied death by fire became the patron saint of firefighters. A fitting namesake for the old fire station we call home, and a respectful nod to the firefighters that graced this building in the past. We are also partial to a little tongue-in-cheek irony, and found it fitting for our style of cooking that harnesses flames and chargrill to imbue our dishes with delicious smokiness and caramelisation.

Our cafe stands on the unceded land of the Dja Dja Wurrung. We acknowledge and pay our respects to the Dja Dja Wurrung people, as the traditional custodians of this land, and to their Elders past, present and emerging. We extend that respect to all First Nations people. We acknowledge that Aboriginal sovereignty has not been ceded.