Wherever you are in SA these days, you can be sure of great coffee, and maybe a sweet treat to go with it – if, that is, you have your copy of The SALIFE Food & Wine List 2020 with you. Here are a few tips to get you started.

Words Melissa Keogh, Bridget Laucke, Gretel Sneath, Christine Webster and Belinda Willis

Adelaide Hills: FRED Eatery
When asked for a breakfast or lunch recommendation, most Hills locals won’t hesitate to suggest Fred Eatery in Aldgate – a favourite that continues to evolve, with a diverse menu driven by experienced chef and co-owner Todd Langley. There are in fact three menus – early breakfast (until 11.45am), all-day brekkie offerings (until 3pm), and lunch (noon-3pm). The chef himself recommends the signature all-day breakfast options of Malaysian Bang Bang (gluten-free and dairy free) or Happiness in a Bowl (gluten-free).

Fleurieu: Goodness Coffee Co
This Aldinga roastery and espresso bar sources premium green coffee from around the world to roast on-site in its heritage-listed 1870s workshop. The coffee shop has rustic and relaxed vibes, with indoor and outdoor seating options. Sip a quick short black or a frothy cappuccino, best enjoyed with one of the sweet pastries and treats on offer. Goodness Coffee Co products are also available for purchase online.

Fleurieu: South Seas Books
There’s no greater combination than a cup of coffee and a good book. This little coastal book store offers the best of both worlds, with shelves lined with a huge variety of books across many genres and the coffee machine always brewing. This independent book shop in Port Elliot serves takeaway coffee, roasted by Kicco Coffee. Find a quiet nook and spend some time reading, or browse the collection of homewares and gifts before grabbing a takeaway coffee on the way out.

Barossa: Darling’s Cafe
Darling’s Cafe in Tanunda prides itself on using as much locally grown and made produce as possible. Suppliers include The Barossa Valley Cheese Co, Apex Bakery, Eleni Barossa Hand-Made and Linke’s Butcher. The cafe is even supported by home-grown fruits from wonderful community members. Darling’s delicious muffins are made fresh every morning in-house and there is also a wide range of house-made breakfast items such as granola, muesli, baked beans, poached or scrambled eggs or toasted sandwiches to go. The cafe is in its fifth year and is committed to making a great cup of coffee supplied by outstanding SA roaster, Kindred Coffee by David Trotta and Alex Loft.

Riverland: Arrosto Coffee
Founders Callum and Lauren Benda purchased the old Renmark Fire Station from the South Australian government in 2011 and established their coffee roastery onsite. A licensed “coffee cellar door” showcases their best specialty coffee, local Woolshed Brewery Firehouse coffee stout and Arrosto’s Firewater coffee liqueur. The vibrant cafe also serves cakes and other treats daily, and breakfast burgers every weekend. 

Flinders Ranges: Quandong Cafe
Situated in the heart of Quorn is a cafe named after the versatile quandong, a popular bush food also referred to as a native peach. The cafe is a warm and welcoming spot to enjoy a coffee and scones with quandongs and cream. The quandong pie and quandong cheesecake are firm favourites, while breakfast and lunch options are also available. The Quandong Cafe makes the most of this unique fruit, which boasts twice the vitamin C of an orange.

Limestone Coast: Mahalia Coffee
With its eye-catching logo featuring the chief brewer herself, multi-award-winning specialty roaster Mahalia Coffee is a Limestone Coast icon. The roasting house is tucked away on a Robe backstreet and is worth tracking down – enjoy lunch and freshly-brewed coffee surrounded by shelves bulging with mugs, cups and saucers, gift cards and coffee table books. Mahalia Coffee blends and single-origin beans are also available in bulk. 

Limestone Coast: Bliss Kingston SE
A real gem of Kingston SE, stop into Bliss for a coffee, and stay for the multitude of wares on offer. There are beautiful candles, fashion, gifts, jewellery, accessories and all sorts of home decor to browse through while enjoying a Mahalia coffee. Stay for lunch, with locally-made and baked specialities on the menu, including gluten-free and vegan options.

Yorke Peninsula: Wilfred the Van
Black Point has long been a coveted SA holiday spot, with fabulous fisherman’s shacks and swanky beach houses within metres of the sea. Holidaymakers will no doubt be delighted that Lizzie Cane and Jarred Leaney are now a fixture with their retro caravan Wilfred, which serves great coffee and raw treats. When not tucked in off the beach, Wilfred will be beetling around the Peninsula at various events. Walk the dog, have a coffee, chat to the locals and take a pic for your socials – it’s super cute!

Eyre Peninsula: Alicia’s Coffee, Cake and Flowers
Rustic benches are filled with locals nibbling on homemade brownies or tucking into breakfast bacon and egg Turkish rolls. This comfortable spot in the small central town of Wudinna is constantly changing its seasonal menu from dumplings to curries or spaghetti and meatballs. Fresh coffee, baked treats and flowers are all on sale.

This information first appeared in The SALIFE Food & Wine List 2020.

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