TOP TEN CAFES I LOVE
And Why I Keep Coming Back

Some cafés you visit once. Others you just keep going back to. These ten spots around the Adelaide Hills have become regulars for me, some for the coffee, some for the food, some for a quiet corner or just because they always add a moment of enjoyment to my day. A few of these you’ll already know and love. Others might be new and worth checking out next time you’re on the hunt for a spot. Each one has its own reason I keep coming back.

1. Red Cacao, Stirling
If I’ve already hit my coffee limit, I go for the Aztec Hot Chocolate. It’s spicy and comforting and feels like a proper treat. My favourite place to take the kids too, the Monkey Plates are the best value around. A warm or cold drink, chocolate, marshmallows. Done. Here’s a map to get there.

2. Fred Eatery, Aldgate
I go here when I feel like something different for lunch. Their Asian-style dishes are full of flavour but still light. It’s not fine dining, but it’s definitely a step up from a sandwich. Familiar space, always good. Here’s a map to get there.

3. Cherry Bomb, Ashton
For cyclists, this one’s iconic. It’s the café in the clouds after a big climb. I still order toasties, even though the menu’s expanded. Best spot is in the library by the fire. No kids. Just me. Here’s a map to get there.

4. The Organic Café, Stirling
My favourite brunch meal anywhere—big call, I know. Confit mushrooms, thick Mylor Bakery sourdough, homemade hummus, pickled onions, rocket, feta, pesto. You can ask for it split across two plates, but I never do. Here’s a map to get there.

5. Lady Luck, Mount Barker
Right next to the bike shop. Across from the sports store. I stop in here often when I’ve got things to do. this place is convenient and reliable. The coffee’s always good and the atmosphere is upbeat. I’ve never eaten here but apparently the food is brilliant. Here’s a map to get there.

6. Fourth Hill Providore, Verdun
I usually get here via the back roads from Carey Gully down along Beaumont Road—one of my favourite rides. Good coffee, great baked goods, and an easy halfway stop if I’m out on the bike. There’s a nice spot out front for bikes and to sit outside. Here’s a map to get there.

7. Verte, Mylor
This spot is a local favourite in the Hills, known for housing some standout cafés over the years. The latest, Verte, might just be the best yet. If I’m not riding, I’ll often stop in to grab a loaf of Mylor Bakery’s fruit bread. It’s so packed with fruit, it feels like lifting a brick. The caramel slice is hands down my favourite, and I always order an iced chocolate here. It’s just my thing. Here’s a map to get there.

8. Emma & Ivy, Lobethal
I get the same thing every time—a soy latte with honey and the natural caramel slice. The honey comes in a little jar I always mean to bring back but never do. Lobethal’s one of my favourite towns. Still peaceful, even as it grows. Here’s a map to get there.

9. Atelier, Crafers
Art, live music, a relaxed atmosphere. It’s a great place to spend a few hours without rushing. I love it for the slower days. Here’s a map to get there.

10. The Plough, Echunga
Homey, handmade food with a bit of Irish heart. Their chowder is excellent. It’s in the old Institute building, right near some beautiful hikes around the old mines. A proper day out café. Here’s a map to get there.

☕ That’s my list. Just simply great placed that I keep coming back to. If you’ve got your own café rituals in the Hills, I’d love to hear them and maybe check them out myself. Email me your favourite spots at [email protected]