12 of the best cafes in Adelaide

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.

the cafe interior of My Kingdom for a Horse, Adelaide — My Kingdom for a Horse has an on-site roastery with a coffee menu to cater to caffeine-conscious connoisseurs. (Image: Raven Mead Pty Ltd.)

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.

al fresco umbrellas outside the Peter Rabbit cafe in Adelaide — Settle into a garden oasis at Peter Rabbit.

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.

an al fresco dining setup at Peter Rabbit cafe in Adelaide — Sip a gin and jam cocktail in the garden.

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.

a breakfast and brunch meal at Karma and Crow in Adelaide — Power through the day with a hipster boozy brunch at Karma and Crow. (Image: Kelsey Zafiridis Photography)

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.

people dining at Karma and Crow in Adelaide — The pastel-hued Karma and Crow cafe is a chic spot for coffee (Image: Kelsey Zafiridis Photography)

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.

the dining interior of Joe’s Café in Adelaide — Soak up ocean views at Joe’s Café.

A midday mimosa with slow-cooked pork benny might kickstart your weekend after a long week.

a close-up shot of a seafood dish at Joe’s Café in Adelaide — Refuel yourself with fresh seafood.

You’ll find plenty of tables outside for four-legged friends and if you look up you’ll also spot the resident rooftop dachshunds.

the exterior of Joe’s Café in Adelaide — Take a seat outside and enjoy the sunshine.

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.

a hand holding a toastie at LUMA Coffee Club, Adelaide — Start your morning right with a toastie at LUMA Coffee Club.

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.

acai bowls at LUMA Coffee Club, Adelaide — Enjoy refreshing acai bowls at LUMA Coffee Club.

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.

the entrance of the Bloom cafe in Adelaide — Step into the Bloom cafe for a lazy brunch. (Image: Bloom)

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.

the light-filled interior of Bloom cafe in Adelaide — Once a former tram shed, Bloom has been transformed into a light-filled space. (Image: Bloom)

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.

a hand holding an egg sandwich with coffee at Yuna Restaurant and Café — Dine casual Asian flavours at Yuna Restaurant and Café.

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.

a hand pouring a bottle of sake at Yuna Restaurant and Café — Share some sake over lunch.

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.

a hand garnishing a meal at My Grandma Ben cafe, Adelaide — Sample vegan delights at My Grandma Ben. (Image: Josie Withers)

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).

a staff walking inside the My Grandma Ben cafe, Adelaide — My Grandma Ben slings delicious vegetarian brunch options. (Image: Josie Withers)

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.

a hand holding a hot pastry at WORK, Adelaide — Grab a WORK pastry and coffee. (Image: WORK)

At lunchtime, you can build your own sanga or keep up your carb intake by ordering a WorkBurger.

breakfast and brunch at WORK, Adelaide — Fuel up with a satisfying brunch. (Image: WORK)

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

Need a dinner spot? Check out our list of the best restaurants in Adelaide.

Aussies might think they know what Port Stephens is all about – but it’s time to take another look.

You might’ve driven through this NSW coast town. Maybe even stopped for fish and chips or a quick dip. But spend a long weekend in the new Port Stephens , and you’ll seriously regret not doing it sooner. We’re talking treks across beaches, reef dives and up-close time with rescued koalas.

All in all? It only takes a day before you see Port Stephens in a whole new light, and not much longer until it’s locked in as your favourite family destination.

1. Stockton Sand Dunes

Port Stephens incredible Stockton Sand Dunes are the largest moving sand mass in the Southern Hemisphere. They shift like an endless magic trick across the Worimi Conservation Lands , a 4200-hectare coastal co-managed by the Traditional Owners.

Tear over them in a 4WD. Rev through valleys soft as melting ice cream on a quad. Carve down 30-metre slopes on a sandboard. However you choose to cross them, you’re guaranteed a seriously wild ride.

Four rugged 4WDs kick up trails of golden dust as they charge across the sweeping desert landscape. — Chase thrills across shifting sands. (Image: Destination NSW)

2. Scale Tomaree Head Summit Walk

A short climb through bushland opens up to the coastal drama of Tomaree Head . Spot Zenith, Wreck and Box Beaches. See the Fingal Island lighthouse and offshore rookeries where Australia’s rarest seabird, the Gould’s petrel, nests.

History buffs can’t miss the WWII gun emplacements. And if you’re hiking between May and November, bring binoculars. Travelling whales might just be breaching below.

Friends enjoying a scenic walk along the Tomaree Head Summit Walk in Tomaree National Park, Port Stephens. — Climb Tomaree Head for jaw-dropping coastal views. (Image: Destination NSW)

3. Watch out for whales

You’ve seen the spouts of migrating humpbacks and southern right whales from shore. Set sail from Nelson Bay to see them up close. Cruise straight into the action, with tail-slaps, barrel rolls and all.

And they’ve got competition from the local show-offs. Port Stephens bottlenose dolphins leap and play. Some tours even spot pudgy fur seals, spending lazy days soaking up the sun on Cabbage Tree Island.

A whale’s tail on the sea’s surface. — Watch for ocean tails. (Image: Destination NSW)

4. Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary

Pop into the Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary to learn about the rescued koalas who climb, nap, snack and heal in this natural patch of bushland. Wander the immersive Sanctuary Story Walk to discover more about their habits, then head to the SKYwalk – a treetop platform constructed for spotting these eucalyptus-loving locals. Peek into the hospital’s viewing window, where sick or injured koalas may be resting in their recovery enclosures.

Not enough time around these adorable marsupials? Stay overnight in silk-lined glamping tents.

Koala sleeping in a tree at Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary, One Mile — See koalas in their natural habitat. (Image: Destination NSW)

5. Diving Port Stephens

Port Stephens has some of NSW’s best dive spots. At Fly Point, float through sponge gardens and coral castles thick with nudibranchs (AKA sea slugs). Halifax Park has blue gropers and crimson-banded wrasse, while Shoal Bay’s seagrass meadows hide pipefish, cuttlefish and octopus.

Accessible only by boat, Broughton Island is home to a vast array of marine (and bird) life. Snorkel with blue devilfish and stingrays at sites like The Looking Glass and North Rock. More experienced divers can head out with one of the many PADI-certified operators.

At nearby Cabbage Tree Island, expect to see shaggy-faced wobbegongs cruising along.

A couple suited up and ready to dive into adventure. — Suit up and dive into Port Stephens’ vibrant marine life. (Image: Destination NSW)

6. Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters

Not quite ready to dive in? Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters is the perfect way to spot local marine life without getting too deep. But there’s no obnoxious glass tank tapping here. Instead, this interactive aquarium allows guests to wade into natural-style lagoons that mimic the real thing.

Gently pat Port Jackson and bamboo sharks, hand-feed rays, and feel their sandpapery skin with your fingertips. It is all under expert guidance. If you want to go deeper, pop on a wetsuit and swim alongside tawny nurse sharks, white-tipped reef sharks and zebra sharks in the lagoon.

Family enjoying an animal feeding experience at Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters, Anna Bay. — Meet the ocean’s friendliest faces at Irukandji. (Image: Destination NSW)

7. Fish the estuaries

Fishing fanatics will fall for Port Stephens hook, line and sinker. Here, one of the largest estuary systems in the whole state sees tidal rivers and mangrove ecosystems. Waterfronts are thick with oysters, and residential fish that might include anything from bream, whiting and flathead, to blue swimmer crabs, kingfish and longtail tuna.

If you prefer to choose your own adventure and fish offshore, you can hire a boat from one of the marinas and set your own course.

three men fishing on a boat in port stephens — Join a tour or chart your own fishing trip. (Image: Destination NSW)

8. Taste new Port Stephens flavours

With plenty of activity to fill your days, refuelling on delectable cuisine becomes equally important. And Port Stephens answers the call.

Pop into Holbert’s Oyster Farm for fresh-farmed Port Stephens rock oysters and Pacific oysters, Australian king and tiger prawns, as well as a variety of tasty sauces to try them with.

Take a group to Atmos for an authentic Greek experience over large shared dishes and Greek-inspired cocktails. Or feast on sea-to-plate, modern Australian dishes at the pet-friendly Restaurant 2317.

A plate of fresh oysters. — Slurp your way through the region’s best oysters. (Image: Destination NSW)

Start planning your Port Stephens getaway at portstephens.org.au .