There are a wide range of Adelaide Hills’ cafe and restaurants dotted throughout the region filled with familiar local faces and friendly staff chatting over good coffee and delicious local food.
Set in quiet, tree-lined streets, these quaint street-side cafes and restaurants are growing in popularity as word gets out about the talented chefs, locally-grown produce and idyllic settings of the local eateries.
Whether it’s lunch with family, brunch with friends or that 3pm coffee pick-me-up, there’s something to suit all tastes in the Adelaide Hills.
Cosy up with hot chocolate by an indoor fire on cooler winter days, or relax with friends in a picturesque outdoor garden setting for a feed on lazy sunny days.
There are family-friendly cafes like The Olive Branch at Balhannah, Stirling’s iconic Patch Kitchen and Garden and Acai & Protein Bar Delicia, for the health conscious. There are destinations for chocolate lovers like Red Cacao in Stirling and Cocolat in Balhannah, and a whole host of delicious and award-winning coffee shops, bakeries and restaurants in between.
Here’s our guide to the Adelaide Hills’ cafes, restaurants & eateries putting the Adelaide Hills on the map for delicious local cuisine and even finer coffee (and chocolate!).
ALDGATE
FRED Eatery
There is a reason everyone’s heard of FRED. FRED has become an institution among the community, visitors and people who come to Aldgate especially for this café. All food is locally sourced and produced for all-day breakfast, casual lunch, sweet treat or twilight dinner. The setting is contemporary with elegant dining areas, outdoor tables in the courtyard, private dining and the option for group bookings. This would have to be up there in the ‘top 3’ Adelaide Hills’ must visit eateries.
Find it: 4/220 Mount Barker Road, Aldgate
Follow it: www.facebook.com/fredeatery
Espressoholics Cafe-Guy
Espressoholics in Aldgate provides a calm, relaxing environment to enjoy a tasty coffee or smooth cup of tea and a quick bite to eat. While you’re there, pick yourself up a sandwich, cake, cookie or even some coffee beans so that you can make your morning energiser yourself at home.
Find it: 202 Mount Barker Road, Aldgate
Follow it: www.facebook.com/Espressoholics
BALHANNAH
The Olive Branch
The Olive Branch in Balhannah is a family-friendly café which comes complete with a children’s play area and regular children’s craft mornings. They specialise in foods that cater to all dietary needs, and also offer healthy and fun kids meal options. Haven’t thought about dinner tonight? There’s even a range of tasty, home-style frozen meals to take and eat at home. The perfect spot for families and friends.
Find it: Shop 11 & 12 Balhannah Junction Shopping Centre, 84 Main Street Balhannah
Follow it: www.facebook.com/OliveBranchBalhannah
HAHNDORF
The Haus
The Haus is spacious yet cosy, and caters to everything from a quick coffee catch up to fine dining. The alfresco area is a lovely spot to watch the hustle and bustle of Hahndorf over a meal or coffee in summer, or head indoors on cooler days to one of the many dining and café ‘nooks’ within the restaurant itself. The food is delicious, the coffee and hot drinks too. It’s a lovely setting that makes the most of a large space but in a comfortable and private way.
Find it: 38A Main Street, Hahndorf
Book it: haushahndorf.com.au
VERDUN
Udder Delights Cheese Cellar
Udder Delights Cheese Cellar began in Hahndorf late 2006 to showcase Udder Delights and all things cheesy. Since moving on from the making of Udder Delights Cheese, the Sullivans’ now educate all things cheese at a microbrewery at Grünthal Brew in Verdun, Adelaide Hills. Linger longer at Grünthal and enjoy the Udder Delights Cheese Tile as the perfect accompaniment to a Beer Paddle, Gin Experience or Wine Flight.
Find it: 827 Mount Barker Rd, Verdun
Book it: grunthal.com.au
Somerled Wines
This isn’t a typical café but it stocks delicious artisan produce, regional platters and, of course, their amazing Somerled wines with an fascinating backstory. In a lovely intimate shaded setting for wine tastings, stay a little longer and enjoy a platter and good times with friends.
Find it: 89 Main Street, Hahndorf
Follow it: www.facebook.com/SomerledWines
LITTLEHAMPTON
Honey Bang Bang
Recent to the drive-through precinct of Little Hampton, Honey Bang Bang now gives us a very good reason to stop. Offering modern South-East Asian Fusion beautifully plated and on point for the freshest mouth-watering flavours, it’s actually hard to put in words. The salt & pepper squid and salt & vinegar eggplant both covered with salted seaweed delivered, and the unusual hot sauce on the side provided a ‘bang’! This gem is going to become very popular, if travelling to the hills, then consider booking alfresco or a seat in their funky well-lite interior. Welcome to the hood, Honey Bang Bang!
Find it: 82 Princes Highway, Little Hampton
Follow it: www.facebook.com/honeybangbanglh
The Original Food Co.
The Hills is home to some truly delightful bakeries, including The Original Food Co Mount Barker. The products are all baked on site and tends to change quite often based on local seasonal products. They stock some delicious cakes, Danish and yeasts and offer daily specials too. A tasty option for a bite to eat and a cuppa.
Find it: 70 Gawler Street, Mt Barker
Follow it: facebook.com/originalfoodco
MOUNT BARKER
Rock Sugar Thai & Asian Restaurant
This small dine-in or takeaway Thai & Asian Restaurant, located in the Mount Barker Central Shopping Centre, was bought to our attention by our residents during the recent lockdown. A call out from one of our longest residing residents noted “Hey neighbours of Newenham, if you cannot be bothered cooking or picking up a takeaway, we could not recommend Rock Sugar more! Fresh fragrant food and great delivery service as well!” Amazing flavours and huge portions – the Penang curry, Red duck curry and the minced fish cake starters were honourably mentioned – life during lockdown felt a whole lot better for having it.
Find it: 13 Hutchinson Street, Mount Barker
Book here: rocksugarthaicuisine.com.au
The Mustard Seed (orginally called Oleaceae Restaurant)
Having recently moved from the top of Main Street in Mount Barker to a new home in Aston Hills, and having opened two more locations in Hahndorf and Murray Bridge, the expansion is a testament to its popularity as a Indian-Mediterranean-inspired, casual family restaurant chain in the Adelaide Hills. Known for an excellent brunch menu, it also serves as a destination for lunch and dinner. The zucchini fritters, hot mezze mini beef pies, fattoush salad, vegan bowls, gnocchi, and the steak sanga come highly recommended. We’re convinced that it’s a must-visit culinary experience, and now, with three locations to choose from, it’s more accessible than ever!
Find it: Aston Hills, 485 Heysen Bvd
Book here: themustardseed.com.au
Sazon Espresso
This place is a must-visit for lovers of fine coffee. The coffee is prepared by baristas who know their stuff – and care about what they make for you. This café has a Mexican flair, from its brunch dishes to the relaxed café décor and street-side eating on Mount Barker’s prettiest street. It can be busy at lunch time, because it’s so popular – but food comes out quickly and it’s worth the line up!
Find it: 1/24 Gawler St, Mount Barker
Follow it: www.facebook.com/Sazón-Espresso
Gawler Street Café
This café is a great stop for your much-needed caffeine fix and your daily tummy grumble needs. Named after the street it’s situated on, their quirky décor and their smooth and creamy coffee keeps locals and visitors coming back for more. Whether you’re feeling a big breakfast, a casual lunch or a wood-oven pizza, their menu certainly doesn’t disappoint. If your taste-buds are tingling, Gawler Street Café is the place to go.
Find it: 46 Gawler Street, Mount Barker
Follow it: www.facebook.com/gawlerstreetcafe
Kitchen Farm Pantry
The Kitchen Farm Pantry is located next to the Newenham Sales & Information Centre (lucky us!) open seven days a week Monday – Friday: 8am – 3pm and Saturday & Sunday: 8am – 3:30pm. Created with the intent to support good quality, locally sourced food and producers, the Pantry offers hot coffee, light brunch, fresh-pressed juices, handmade cakes, sweet and savoury tarts, pies and pastries. The space is open yet incredibly warm and inviting with plenty of room for families & friends to relax, children to play & dogs (on leash) to socialise.
Find it: 162 Flaxley Road, Mount Barker
Book it: kitchenfarm.com.au
MYLOR
Verte Kitchen
In the main street of Mylor is Verte Kitchen, a gorgeous little shopfront offering Adelaide Hills’ produce, fresh coffee and cake in a lovely setting. Enjoy all-day breakfast, lunch from noon or a coffee and snack. Harvest focuses on locally-sourced food and healthier options like butter and coconut oil, organic produce and limiting the use of bleached flours and sugars. From local bacon and meat, to the honey, milk, cream, jams and sourdough – the local produce is a delight for the tastebuds.
Find it: 240 Strathalbyn Road, Mylor
Follow it: vertekitchen.com.au
STIRLING
Red Cacao Chocolatier
Red Cacao is the award-winning destination for hand-made, boutique, artisan chocolate that will have you coming back again and again. The shop/café is quite small, but spills outside and onto the garden lawn area in the warmer weather (or cosy up under a blanket in the cooler weather). Inside the shop you’ll linger at the chocolate display cabinet filled with decadent, hand-made chocolate and discover why this place keeps winning awards. We recommend you stay a while and enjoy one of their Belgian Hot Chocolates – the Aztec Hot Chocolate with cinnamon and chilli is oh-so-warming on a chilly winter’s day. Or, try the unique Chocolate Coffee Experience, where your choice will be served with two chocolates on the side, matched by the Chocolatier. There are tasting plates and café fare. If you love chocolate you won’t be disappointed.
Find it: Shop 3, 41 Mt Barker Rd Stirling
Follow it: www.facebook.com/RedCacaoChocolatier
The Organic Market and Café
The Organic Market and Café was famous for organic, locally-grown and produced, clean food – before those food types became a ‘thing’. Experience fine organic food, juice, smoothies, beer and wine indoors on the verandah or in the garden under the trees. The café oozes calm and is a friendly atmosphere for lovers of nourishing, flavoursome food and delicious home-style meals. The Organic Market and Café is a mecca for organic and Hills produce, in the pretty Stirling village.
Find it: 5 Druid Ave, Stirling
Follow it: www.facebook.com/organicmarketandcafe
The Essence Foods
The Essence is a little hidden gem, with nutritious, healthy and delicious lunches to suit all taste buds. The café is renowned for its friendly service, and its delicious meals, juices, smoothies and coffee.
Find it: 7/49 Mt Barker Rd, Stirling
Follow it: www.facebook.com/theessencecafe
Patch Kitchen & Garden
Any café with a cubby house and chooks is a must-visit for the family! Whether you’re dining with a friend, or with children in tow, there’s lots of little ‘nooks’ in the historic Patch indoor and outdoor dining areas. The menu is delicious, wholesome food cooking inspired by the region’s organic foods. The chefs cater to all dietary needs. Their approach is a real ‘kitchen garden’ – complete with veggie patch, chickens, an outdoor cubby and play toys. There are spaces for group bookings and functions, in a quaint setting all year round.
Find it: 143 Mount Barker Rd, Stirling
Follow it: www.facebook.com/PatchKitchenAndGarden
The Stirling Cellars & Patisserie
This is the place to go for a truly unique gourmet food and wine experience. The Cellars and Patisserie located behind the Stirling Hotel combines wine, beer and spirit with fine food and great coffee to eat in or take away. They pride themselves on their coffee almost as much as they do the wine list. For those after a bite to eat, try one of the pastries made in-house by the pastry chef. Linger over a glass of wine and speak with the expert staff or winemaker themselves at a regular tasting night.
Find it: Behind the Stirling Hotel, 52 Mount Barker Rd, Stirling
Follow it: www.facebook.com/stirlingcellars
Miss Perez Kitchen & Bar
Miss Perez Kitchen & Bar is located on the beautiful tree-lined street of Druid Avenue in Stirling. Unwind on the balcony overlooking the comings and goings on the main street of Stirling, or warm up in front of the fire inside in winter. Miss Perez offers contemporary Australian cuisine, cocktails, wine and coffee. Whether it’s a dinner party with friends or a coffee and paper on the balcony, Miss Perez is a lovely location.
Find it: 2 Druid Ave, Stirling
Follow it: www.facebook.com/missperezkitchen
STRATHALBYN
Appleseed on High Street
Appleseed is another Hills-family-owned café, with a family-friendly feel. There’s an area for children to play, lots of cosy little spots to catch up over a coffee, and relax indoors or outdoors. The historic, double-fronted building is the perfect café to warm up over a hearty meal in winter, or relax with a Langhorne Creek wine in the sunshine in summer. Appleseed serves breakfast daily until 11.30am, along with squeezed juices, smoothies and frappes. There’s a seasonal lunch menu with vegetarian and GF options, homemade cakes, slices and biscuits, award-winning coffee and local wine. The Seedlings Room has the dedicated children’s play area and family dining space. Definitely worth a visit, and less than 20 minutes from Mount Barker.
Find it: 30 High Street, Strathalbyn
Follow it: www.facebook.com/AppleseedCafe
Cafe Ruffino
Cafe Ruffino has some of the best pizza in Strathalbyn. Established in 1993, the cafe has made a name for itself among locals for it’s delicious pizza and pasta dishes. If you’re just looking for a snack, they also have a variety of cakes and coffee. The family friendly cafe also caters to gluten free and vegetarian customers.
Find it: 15 High Street Strathalbyn
Follow it: www.facebook.com/CafeRuffino/
WOODSIDE
Woodside Providore
The Woodside Providore embraces the beauty of Hills food and drink, in a relaxed café atmosphere. It’s open for breakfast and lunch, and there’s a range of salads, pizzas and specials. All their cakes and sweet treats are baked on premises. Woodside is in the heart of some beautiful Adelaide Hills towns and this is the local ‘favourite’ if you’re in the area.
Find it: 69 Onkaparinga Valley Road, Woodside
Follow it: www.facebook.com/Woodside-Providore
Chase Chocolate Notes
At Chase Chocolate Notes, you’ll always be greeted with a smile by their friendly staff. They use the naturally occurring cocoa flavour notes that coffee contains to extract some of the best shots of coffee in the Adelaide Hills. Next time you’re in Woodside, treat yourself to one of their coffees and a delicious breakfast lunch or brunch.
Find it: 45 Onkaparinga Valley Road, Woodside
Follow it: www.facebook.com/ChaseChocolateNotes/
Wherever you choose to dine, you’re sure to enjoy the food and the gorgeous Adelaide Hills environment – just another reason you’ll love living at Newenham Adelaide Hills.
While you’re in the hills, visit our Sales and Information Centre at 164 Flaxley Road, Mount Barker to see why you’ll love living at Newenham.
To secure your future in this beautiful pocket of the Adelaide Hills, view our house and land for sale then contact our Sales Team on 0429 107 497.
