A small space with a whole lot of personality, the Baylis Street café/cocktail bar is owned and operated by Russell Pearson, Yody champions the things he cares about most: great coffee, honest food, local produce, and a vibe that makes people want to linger.

Yody may be compact, but it hums. From the minute you walk in, you’re met with the the thrum of good tunes, and a menu that punches well above its weight. From tradies chasing a 7am kick-start to shift workers grateful for one of the few cafés staying open for a late-arvo caffeine fix. Extended coffee hours are a point of pride here and we’re here for it!

The food offering mirrors the venue’s character: simple ideas executed with serious skill. Russell’s chef background means everything is made with intention, whether it’s the bacon and chilli scramble jaffle, pork belly bánh mì with proper crunch and heat, a mushroom-feta-avo smash layered with hazelnuts, or a Caesar salad built on quality ingredients rather than shortcuts. Cold-pressed juices, shakes, cookies and rotating specials round out a menu that keeps regulars coming back—and newcomers pleasantly surprised.

But Yody is more than a daytime pit stop. As the sun sets, the space shifts on a Friday and Saturday to a relaxed bar into the evening, serving clever cocktails that showcase Russell’s long history in the drinks world. His affection for bold flavours shows up in signature martinis, habanero-kissed creations and an evolving list of boutique regional wines.

Russell’s journey to opening Yody reads like something out of a modern hospitality origin story: born in Albury, trained as a chef in Canberra, stints in Melbourne and Wagga, a pandemic shake-up and an impactful return to the hospitality industry —before taking the leap into his own space in 2023.

Customers will feel valued, the coffee is consistently excellent, the food is cooked with care, and the atmosphere feels like a friend letting you into a place they’re proud of. Reviews tell the story—regulars praising the warmth, new visitors calling it the best coffee in town, and locals raving about everything from the bánh mì to the crumble-topped muffins.

Yody isn’t trying to be the biggest venue in Wagga. It’s trying to be the best version of itself: vibrant, reliable, humble, and full of character. A café that becomes a bar, a bar that becomes a community spot, a place where connection feels easy and the quality never wavers.