No doubt there’s heaps of coffee spots in Adelaide. While some excel for coffee connoisseurs with a focus on the speed beans, they lack in aesthetics – which is more than A-okay for some guzzlers. But others may be looking for the whole shabang – the visuals, if you will. And blessed be, Adelaide has a number of Instagrammable cafes where you can snap and sip amongst the likes of old-world charm or green gardens. So without further ado, here are ten of Adelaide’s post-worthy cafes.
1. Curiositeas
A recent-ish addition to the Rundle Street digs is Curiositeas – a quaint tea room with an old-world charm. Perched on the second floor over-looking the busy street, Curiositeas is a place to forget the fast-paced world on the other side of the window. Elegant vintage couches and bodacious floor lamps are scattered about the floor, and dainty artworks and antiques line the room. Drift into another era while enjoying a petite sweet. Read all about Curiositeas here.
Where: Level 1/240 Rundle Street
Hours: Tuesdays to Saturdays, 10:30am – 4:30pm
2. Ciao Adelaide Arcade
Although the Adelaide Arcade has cafes aplenty, Ciao sits smack bang in the middle of the throughfare where you can take in the Victorian-style design from yesteryear. Attention to detail does not go astray in the entire arcade and it’s the perfect spot for people watching too. During Christmas, the length of the arcade is adorned with elegant ornaments, where a coffee beneath the magical lights could bring a tear to the eye.
Where: Inside Adelaide Arcade, stall C1, Shop 14 Ground Level
Hours: Not provided
3. Hey Jupiter Brasserie Francaise
French, in all its glory with a bright green and white colour palate, heavy on the external subway tiles. This old-timey establishment takes you to Paris, minus the passport with their street-facing French bistro tables and chairs. Enjoy a coffee or a fine wine in the sunshine or inside the small, but fabulous cafe and restaurant. Hey Jupiter has a thing for gold-gilded mirrors, mood lighting, and French tunes which play subtly from behind the intricate, wooden bar.
Where: 11 Ebenezer Place
Hours: Sundays to Wednesdays 7am – 4pm, Thursdays to Saturdays 7am – 10pm
4. Lucia’s Pizza & Spaghetti Bar
Serving since 1957 from inside the energetic Adelaide Central Market, Lucia’s offers everything Italian – not only with the authentic coffee and food, but right down to the black and white checkered, aged vinyl flooring. Lucia’s is homey, to say the least; it’s old just like nonna’s house and that’s just how we like it. The institution offers seating inside the cafe and right on the thoroughfare where market stalls line the strip. Watch mushrooms fly off the shelves, the fashionistas of Adelaide, and absorb the market atmosphere.
Where: Shop 1-2 Central Western Mall Adelaide Central Market
Hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays 7am – 4pm, Wednesday 7am – 3pm, Fridays 7am – 8pm, Saturdays 7am – 2:30pm
5. The Guardsman
You’d think it a busy spot considering its Adelaide Railway Station location, but no, during the day, before city workers pop in for drinks, The Guardsman is a fabulous cafe and eatery where you can step back in time. The space, originally known as the Overland Dining Hall is a historic 1928 venue which was refurbished in the latter part of 2021. The 20s ambience and vast hall will have you awe-inspired with the mammoth entry columns, original jarrah flooring, green and gold leather booths, and brass finishings.
Where: Inside the Adelaide Railway Station, 125 North Terrace, Adelaide
Hours: Mondays and Tuesdays 7am – 2pm, Wednesdays to Fridays 7am – 8pm, Saturdays 12pm – 8pm
6. Cafe Troppo
The corner cafe with the most. Surrounded and built with a whole lot of natural materials, Cafe Troppo looks over the green Whitmore Square expanse. The airy cafe has an eco-friendly ethos, for simple, seasonal food and is adorned with indoor plants – hanging from the ceilings, the walls, you name it. With huge windows letting in heaps of natural light, you’ll feel like you’re outside all whilst being inside – perfect for those cooler days ahead of us.
Where: 42 Whitmore Square
Hours: Tuesdays to Sundays 7:30am – 3pm
7. Veggie Vie
Being a plant-based cafe, plants and earthy tones can indeed be sat amongst at Veggie Vie cafe. Located down a CBD side street, the quiet locale is a paradise for vegan and non-vegans alike. The open kitchen is inviting, as is the al fresco seating on the street. It’s a little Bali-esque, if we may say, with the cane lampshades, fern wallpaper, and what not. Oh coffee is lovely too.
Where: 16 McHenry Street
Hours: Weekdays 8am – 2pm, with Thursdays and Fridays additionally from 5:30pm – 8pm
8. Bloom
Okay so not quite in Adelaide city centre, but it’s just on the outskirts in Thebarton and deserves an honourable mention. Bloom is aesthetic as all heck, with clean-cut curves, a pastel colour palate to boot, and super high ceilings. It’s real modern, but manages to exude relaxation vibes, none of that ultra-sleek stuff. It’s rustic. Bloom also backs onto the River Torrens and its backyard is home to gumtrees, plenty of herbs and a grassy area which doesn’t scream ‘right next to the city’ at all.
Where: 38 Winwood Street, Thebarton
Hours: Wednesdays to Mondays 8am – 4pm
9. Cafe Bonython
You could probably make a day of out Cafe Bonython. It’s all about location, plonked aside the River Torrens with views of the city and neighbour to the Bonython Park Play Space – it’s a home among the gumtrees, make of stone. Ride your bike to the cafe and park up with ease or stroll along the river; but make sure to read our guide on how to protect yourself from the devil’s spawn (swooping magpies) first. Oh they do high tea and delicate cakes too!
Where: Bonython Park, Port Road
Hours: Weekdays 9:30am – 4pm, weekends 9am – 4pm
10. Peter Rabbit
A magical garden and an oasis in the city of Adelaide, Peter Rabbit. It’s exactly where you would image the character himself to reside. Pretty flowers and vines encompass a space on ‘the quiet side’ of Hindley Street with not a club in sight. Pretty well completely open-air, it’s a sight for sore eyes if you’re sick of looking at the concrete jungle. The largely mulch ground really ups the farm atmosphere along with the fire pits turned tables and piles of firewood.
Where: 234-244 Hindley Street
Hours: Weekdays 7:30am – 3pm, weekends 8am – 3pm