Sustainability is the bottom line at this beloved cafe and workshop space. Come for a no-waste menu of mainly vegetarian dishes, and take home jars of Ben’s pickles and preserves.

Occupying an iconic corner in Adelaide’s East End, Exchange Coffee has long been at the front of the pack in the city’s specialty coffee scene. Come for Market Lane coffee brewed every which way, produce-driven brunch dishes and a signature sandwich worthy of its cult status.

Karma & Crow was one of the first cafes in Adelaide to really nail the kind of smart mod-Oz brunch fare that’s easy to take for granted nowadays. From an elegant space inside the old West Torrens council chambers, it’s still leading the pack.

A woodfired hearth powers the kitchen at Bloom, with most dishes (and some cocktails) informed by the flames. This place is great for groups, and the setting is special: an old tram barn surrounded by the river and ghost gums.

One of Adelaide’s buzziest cafes holds a lush garden and a shipping-container-turned-eatery. When the weather’s fine, it's hard to beat a spritz on the deck.

Ascend the stairs from Hindley Street to a slice of island paradise, with pan-Asian and California-inspired bar snacks, playful cocktails, a disco ball and DJs spinning house and funk tunes.

A Levantine-inspired diner on a leafy suburban street serving up creative breakfasts and local small-batch wines. There’s also wood-fired pita and pizza, and a Mediterranean Bloody Mary with za’atar and hot sauce.

A garden centre in the verdant Tea Tree Gully foothills is the unlikely setting for one of Adelaide’s culinary gems. Enter a 140-year-old cottage for a thrilling five-course lunch menu informed by foraged produce – plus one of the city's best breakfasts.

A brunch spot in a historic building in Port Adelaide with a focus on sustainability.

A little corner of France in the East End. Hey Jupiter has been throwing down champagne breakfasts and Bloody Marys for more than a decade.

Let Fred treat you to some really comforting food.

Whistle and Flute’s lush courtyard is one of Unley’s major attractions. Whether you’re looking for uppers or downers, this cool cafe and bar has you covered.

Pastries from Italy and beyond, made fresh every morning. The sfogliatelle – a strudel-like Italian number – is unmissable, equal only to the house croissant.

The plant-centric pop-up so good, it progressed to permanence.

A community-focused cafe with a modern industrial feel.

This cafe in the former Paddy's Lantern site opened in October 2020. The interior’s had a refit and a new kitchen installed, but the trusty Synesso espresso machine that served Paddy’s so well for over a decade remains. Come for the “barista’s breakfast” (a potent coffee trio); handmade dumplings; a croissant with soft-shell crab and scrambled eggs; and halal bao buns with “beef bacon” and egg.