A local's guide to the best coffee in Adelaide

From the city to the sea, get caffeinated at Adelaide’s best coffee spots

Searching for that cup of liquid gold to kick start your day? Thankfully, with a coffee shop on just about every block, you don’t have to search far for a good cup of coffee in Adelaide. While Australian’s take coffee very seriously, Adeladians are notorious for being coffee snobs. What can we say, we have been spoilt thanks to some of the country’s best roasters and baristas setting up shop in our boutique capital.  From flat whites to piccolos and every drink in between, here’s your guide to the best coffee in Adelaide.  

1. Summertown Studio, Somerton 

Tucked away in the back streets of Somerton, Summertown Studio is a seaside hotspot known amongst  locals for its delicious coffee.  While an old warehouse, surrounded by car dealerships, is not the obvious place for a coffee shop - Summertown’s laid-back ambience and vintage décor makes it feel as though you’re simply stopping by your mates place for a cuppa. In addition to a great cup of coffee, the crew at Summertown also have coffee table books, vinyls and espresso related gifts available to purchase.

2. Coffylosophy, Adelaide

Tucked away on the tree-lined, inner city hub of Hutt Street, Coffylosophy is an award-winning café serving up some of the best coffee Adelaide has to offer. Set amongst the boutique cluster of cafes and restaurants in the south-east of Adelaide, the intimate atmosphere of Coffylosphy paired with its friendly baristas makes for a welcoming space to enjoy your morning, or afternoon, cup of joe. With a variety of food options available, including gluten free and dairy free options, stop by for a coffee and sweet treat, or eat in for a slower start to your day. 

3. Peter Rabbit, Adelaide 

For the west end locals and visitors alike, hop on over to Peter Rabbit to get your caffeine fix. Situated across from the University of South Australia, Peter Rabbit welcomes you into its homely backyard atmosphere. Constructed out of a shipping container and recycled materials, you can escape the concrete jungle when you step through this rabbit hole – the café boasting lush gardens filled with lemon and avocado trees. Pair your coffee with something sweet thanks to the daily pastry selection baked in-house, or linger a little longer and experience one of the best breakfasts Adelaide has to offer. 

4. Bloom, Adelaide 

Set within a former tram barn, overlooking the River Torrens and surrounding ghost gums, Bloom Café is one of the most aesthetically pleasing spots for a sip in town. The baristas at Bloom are serving up locally roasted coffee from 1645 Coffee Roasters, that pairs perfectly with a house-made pastry. For locals and visitors looking for a weekend activity, book in for self-guided ‘brunch, bike and beach with Bloom’ and start your day with breakfast, before cruising along the River Torrens towards Henley Beach on your very own e-bike.

5. My Kingdom For A Horse, Adelaide 

Just a short trot from the iconic Adelaide Central Market is the breezy, colourful and retro-Danish style café My Kingdom For a Horse. Emulating Melbourne’s coffee roasting scene, you’ll find a team of experienced baristas running the ‘brew bar’, where you can try and buy from a revolving selection of coffee that is roasted on-site. From espressos to filtered coffee to a good old-fashioned flat white, this bespoke café is a must-visit for any true coffee freak. 

6. Cafe Troppo, Adelaide

Built using natural and reclaimed materials, such as corrugated iron and aged wood, the eco-friendly values of Café Troppo are clear from the moment you step foot inside. Creating a community built on great food, coffee, wine and music - this green space on the edge of the city allows visitors to take a moments breath from the bustling city life. With coffee sourced from local roasters De Groot, this little green space tucked away from Whitmore Square/Iparrityi is the perfect place to stop and savour coffee in Adelaide. 

7. Exchange Specialty Coffee, Adelaide 

Adelaide’s iconic east end boasts a handful of cafes and niche retailers, with Exchange Specialty Coffee among the best of them. A frontier in Adelaide’s specialty coffee scene, Exchange Specialty Coffee is supplied with bespoke house blends and single origins from Melbourne’s own Market Lane Coffee – from fruity batch brews to rich, clean espressos. Open seven days a week, get your caffeine fix whenever those 2pm blues hit, or be your own barista with a selection of retail beans to take home.

8. Kinetto Coffee and Kitchen, Adelaide

Located a short walk from Victoria Square/Tarntanyangga, Kinetto Coffee and Kitchen makes for the perfect place to get coffee in the heart of Adelaide’s business district. Growing up in Athens, Fred Sayedis is an old school coffee maker - bringing a taste of Europe to the streets of Adelaide.Slinging quality coffees daily, Fred’s passion for coffee shines at Kinetto - making for the perfect place to get your coffee to go, or enjoy it at a more leisurely pace. 

Hungry? 

Need some food to pair with your coffee? Check out our guide to the Adelaide central markets, best restaurants in Adelaide, or for evening sipping, discover the best hidden bars in Adelaide.