From hipster hangouts to breezy beach brunch bars, we’ve got your caffeine covered while you’re on Kaurna country.
Coffee culture is a serious business in Adelaide and there are an abundance of world-class cafes for you to sit down and enjoy a top-notch brew. Whether you’re catching up with a friend or looking to refuel before exploring the city, here is our guide to the best cafes in Adelaide.
1. My Kingdom for a Horse
Best for: Locally sourced dishes
Southwest of the city, this family-friendly cafe is still going strong after nearly a decade on the scene. An on-site roastery allows the ever-evolving coffee menu to cater for even the most caffeine-conscious connoisseurs. You’ll be spoilt for choice with the seasonal menu, but don’t miss the Kingdom Huevos Rancheros with smokey house-baked beans.
Address: 191 Wright St, Adelaide
2. Peter Rabbit
Best for: Secret city escapes
Escape the grittiness of Hindley Street in Adelaide’s West End at this dreamy garden oasis serving generous brunches and lunches to those in the know, as well as the best puppuccino in town.
Winters are spent cosying up to the fire with a plate of Nonna’s gnocchi, while summer is the ideal time to sip a gin and jam cocktail in the garden while you disappear down the rabbit hole for an hour or two.
Address: 234 Hindley Street
3. Karma and Crow
Best for: hipster boozy brunch
Inner west favourite Karma and Crow recently unveiled a new location in Brooklyn Park that shares space with onsite brewery Yellow Matter.
The pastel tones and curved lines juxtaposed with industrial chic make for an Instagrammable interior and if you’re too early for a schooner of the house ale, try the lemon ricotta hotcakes with matcha labneh.
Address: 18/108 Marion Rd, Brooklyn Park
4. Dutch Coffee Lab
Best for: Carb-loaded cheese toasties
Run by Dutch expat Tom de Flaart, The Dutch Coffee Lab brings European shabby chic to Port Adelaide, all the way down to Oma’s authentic beef and veg soup. If you’re after a sweeter start to the day, try a stroopwafel with your freshly roasted De Groot coffee while you browse the vintage clothing racks for a bargain.
Address: 255 St Vincent St, Port Adelaide
5. Joe’s Café
Best for: Ocean view
You can’t beat the views from this popular seaside beach cafe established over thirty years ago.
A midday mimosa with slow-cooked pork benny might kickstart your weekend after a long week.
You’ll find plenty of tables outside for four-legged friends and if you look up you’ll also spot the resident rooftop dachshunds.
Address: Corner of South St and Esplanade, Henley Beach
6. LUMA Coffee Club
Best for: Health-conscious foodies
Located on a suburban strip just a minute’s drive from Henley Beach, Luma Coffee Club attracts an image-conscious 20-something fitness crowd.
So it’s no surprise that you’ll find a healthy menu of acai bowls, toasties with ‘good fat mayo’ and coffee from ethical Mclaren Vale coffee supplier Octeine.
Address: 60-62 Mitton Avenue, Henley Beach
7. Bloom
Best for: Cast iron baked pancake, poached quince, house vanilla ice cream, orange syrup, macadamia
This family-friendly cafe with inside/outside dining offers an appetising seasonal breakfast and lunch menu. The clever design by Sans Arc Studio has transformed a former tram shed into a light-filled space perfect for a lazy brunch.
Choose the Bloomin’ banquet if you can’t decide, then cycle to the city or the sea along the nearby River Torrens to burn it off.
Address: 38 Winwood Street, Thebarton
8. INC Café
Best for: Working
As a social enterprise employing people of all abilities, INC café has inclusivity in its DNA. With a bright space full of natural light and sofas, the simple menu delivers value for money, with $10 avo on toast. Perfect place to work for a few hours with enclosed gardens for our four-legged friends
Address: Jack Fox Drive, North Brighton
9. Yuna Restaurant and Café
Best for: Casual Asian flavours
Matcha lattes and milk bread are the vibe in this unassuming Japanese-inspired cafe in the western suburbs. The traditional breakfast set with shiozake (salted) salmon, tamago, miso soup and a house-made pickle will start your day with a bang.
Visit a bit later in the day and you might be able to persuade owner Mia to share some sake over lunch, or wash your ramen down with a list of local small-batch wines including Yetti and the Kokonut.
Address: Shop 7 34 Henley Beach Road Mile End 5031
10. My Grandma Ben
Best for: Sustainable vegan and vego brunches
My Grandma Ben is an ethical eatery offering an impressive range of vegan and vegetarian brunch options with sustainability at its core.
Omnivores will be tempted by the roo crumpet stack, an Aussie take on traditional breakfast fare, but you can’t go wrong with the stracciatella on garlic grilled sourdough sourced from the adjacent Lost Loaf Bakery (which attracts epic lines on weekend mornings).
Address: Plant 4 5 Third Street, Bowden
11. WORK
Best for: Midday grab-and-go
Owner Matthew Raymond’s background in design is evident in the slick look and feel of this CBD cafe , where office workers fuel up with his signature coffee blend.
At lunchtime, you can build your own sanga or keep up your carb intake by ordering a WorkBurger.
Address: 100 Pirie St, Adelaide
12. The Pear
Best for: crafting with locals over cake
This is a small space with a big impact run by Alberton locals Christie Anthoney and Joost den Hartog in the front room of their 100-year-old house. From crafting to fruit tree grafting, a daily program of workshops welcomes locals and visitors to connect over coffee and cake. And the location next to the Alberton train station makes it easy to reach from the CBD or Port Adelaide.
Address: 49 Sussex Street, Alberton
