We love ourselves a good local spot, and this newcomer makes the drive to Devonport worth it. Located prominently on the corner of Vauxhall Road, just a few espadrille-wearing steps from Cheltenham Beach, this is a dairy with a difference.

Taking over what was once a dark, cooped up neighbourhood store that had seen better days, the new owners, Tam and Jimmy Macken, have done wonders with the space, faithfully turning it into the light-filled community hub it always had the potential to be. Nostalgia trippers will appreciate the sloped sign writing and the merry cartoon milk bottle, local tide times are scrawled on the glass for the benefit of beach goers and there are a few chairs outside, positioned to catch the all day sun. The mellow, good ol’ days vibe is continued indoors with a small wooden bar, jam jars stuffed with fresh wild flowers, and three prominent chalk boardS displaying the dairy’s beverage offerings.

If childhood memories serve us right, a good dairy should stock all the essentials. Cheltenam Dairy does this and more with the usual pantry mainstays as well as buckets of fresh flowers, icy gelato, Allpress Coffee, free range eggs, fresh juices, quality smoothies and shakes, as well as a small offering of fresh fruit and vegetables which sit in wooden crates at the entrance. For the rug rats, there are enough fantastically hued sweets to last a lifetime and Tam makes sure there are plenty of hot homemade pies, Texan breakfast burritos and other fill up options available.

This new community hub is already a hit, and it means that any days spent lounging at Cheltenham beach can be topped up with a few treats. A slice of local perfection.

For opening hours, check out Cheltenham Dairy’s Facebook page here.