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

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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

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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.

Hard to reach and harder to forget, East Arnhem offers something rare in modern travel: the chance to slow down and experience Country on its own terms.

The sky feels bigger in East Arnhem . It stretches wide and uninterrupted above rouged earth, stringybark woodland and beaches so empty they seem to belong to another era. The coastline curves for kilometres without a footprint and the horizon runs on forever.

For comedian Lou Wall, the scale of the place was the first thing that hit them.

“The sheer openness,” they say. “The sky feels infinite and the land stretches out endlessly. It’s pretty breathtaking visually.”

But the physical landscape is only part of the story. The real reward isn’t only the scenery but the shift in perspective the journey brings. Visitors stop trying to tick off the destination and a real engagement takes over.

“It made me never want to travel again,” Wall jokes. “In that I never wanted to leave East Arnhem.”

Getting there

Aerial shot of East Arnhem’s coastline as cars trace the curve of the shore. — Sail along the remote coastline on an expedition cruise.

Reaching East Arnhem is part of the adventure. Travellers typically fly into Gove Airport near Nhulunbuy via Darwin or Cairns, or arrive by expedition cruise along the remote coastline. Others make the journey overland along rutted dirt roads that cut through East Arnhem’s small pockets of monsoon forest.

However you arrive, there’s a distinct feeling of crossing into somewhere different. Permits are required to visit the region, reflecting the fact that this is Yolŋu land where communities and traditional owners maintain deep cultural connections to Country.

The extra planning becomes part of the experience. By the time visitors arrive, they understand they’re entering a place not just of respect, but also patience and curiosity.

At one with nature

East Arnhem’s landscapes leave a strong imprint. For Wall, one place in particular still lingers in their memory: Ngalarrkpuy , also known as Lonely Beach, near Bawaka Homeland.

“I genuinely felt like I was living inside an Instagram filter,” they say. “One of the most stunning feats of nature I’ve ever seen. The water was so clear I swear I could see even the fish smiling.”

Across the region, natural experiences unfold at a slower pace. Fishing, beachcombing and island hopping reveal the rhythm of the coastline. The tides shape daily life and the vastness of the landscape makes even simple moments feel downright cinematic.

For visitors with limited time, Wall says the Bawaka Homeland experience is unmissable.

“I just left and I’m already planning when I can get back there.”

The sense of remoteness is part of the appeal. In a country where many beaches are crowded and well-trodden, East Arnhem’s coastline still feels wonderfully wild.

Immersing in local culture

A visitor spends a meaningful moment alongside Yolŋu guides, gaining insight into their deep cultural knowledge and connection to the land. — Experience authentic moments with the locals.

Culture is woven through every experience in East Arnhem. Visitors have the opportunity to spend time on Country with Yolŋu guides and knowledge holders who share stories and traditions that have been passed down for generations.

For Wall, one of the most powerful moments came during a conversation with a Yolŋu elder.

“I got to meet a traditional elder, Mayalil, in Nhulunbuy,” they say. “Listening to her talk about her home made the land feel alive in ways I couldn’t have imagined.”

The region is also home to internationally recognised Aboriginal art centres where artists shape works deeply connected to land and family knowledge.

Music carries the same cultural energy. East Arnhem has produced globally recognised artists such as King Stingray and Baker Boy, blending Yolŋu language, storytelling and contemporary sound.

Wall experienced this musical spirit first-hand.

“A jam session around the fire was it for me,” they say. “Letting the deep joy and history of their music wash over me… and meeting a few of the King Stingray musicians was unreal.”

These moments of human connection often become the most memorable part of a visit.

Spotting local wildlife

An aerial view of the beach shows tiny figures lined up across the white sand, moving as if in a rhythmic dance. — Step into a world where nature reigns.

The wildlife of East Arnhem adds another layer to the experience. The region is home to an extraordinary range of animals, from waterbirds and turtles to dugongs, dolphins and the formidable saltwater crocodile.

Wall admits they didn’t actually spot a croc during their visit.

“Devastatingly, I didn’t see one,” they laugh. “But with all the stories from the locals I definitely gained a healthy respect for caution.”

Some of the most memorable wildlife encounters can be surprisingly small., At Banubanu Beach Retreat on Bremer Island, Wall remembers walking along the beach one morning and watching it come alive.

“As you walk through the sand you see hundreds of crabs scurrying into their holes as you pass by,” they say. “Such a small thing, but it was completely magical.”

Moments like this reveal the quieter rhythms of East Arnhem, where even the smallest creatures seem to play a part in the landscape.

Visitors who make the journey soon learn the most important travel tip of all.

“Go in open-minded with a sense of curiosity,” Wall says. “Be prepared to ditch your plans. The land and the locals will guide you on an adventure no spreadsheets could ever compete with.”

And most importantly, they add, don’t rush.

“The land and people deserve your time and attention. You’ll be all the better for slowing down.”

For more information on visiting East Arnhem, head to eastarnhem.com.au .

From hipster hangouts to breezy beach brunch bars, we’ve got your caffeine covered while you’re on Kaurna country.

1. My Kingdom for a Horse

2. Peter Rabbit

3. Karma and Crow

4. Dutch Coffee Lab

5. Joe’s Café

6. LUMA Coffee Club

7. Bloom

8. INC Café

9. Yuna Restaurant and Café

10. My Grandma Ben

11. WORK

12. The Pear

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

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This new coastal walk connects two of Adelaide’s most popular beaches

Discovering East Arnhem: Australia’s most unique and rewarding corner

Getting there

At one with nature

Immersing in local culture

Spotting local wildlife

From hipster hangouts to breezy beach brunch bars, we’ve got your caffeine covered while you’re on Kaurna country.

1. My Kingdom for a Horse

2. Peter Rabbit

3. Karma and Crow

4. Dutch Coffee Lab

5. Joe’s Café

AI Prompt

6. LUMA Coffee Club

7. Bloom

8. INC Café

9. Yuna Restaurant and Café

10. My Grandma Ben

11. WORK

12. The Pear

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

This new SA luxe glamping experience allows you to wake up with zebras

Adelaide’s corpse flower is about to bloom – and thousands are expected to line up for the smell

This new bathhouse in Adelaide is focused on community

This new coastal walk connects two of Adelaide’s most popular beaches

Getting there

At one with nature

Immersing in local culture

Spotting local wildlife