“The last time this venue was renovated was over 20-years ago, and it was an institution back then. So that is the dream, that we bring back the institution.” Co-owner Esther Siong says about the remarkably revamped historic Adelaide Coffee Bar located at 73 Grenfell St, Adelaide.
With the “soft relaunch” of this beloved haven taking place at the end of January, the new-but-classic South Australian iconic venue has been bustling since. The liveliness of the enthusiastic patrons, the engaging sounds of the talented baristas preparing their delicious array of hot and cold beverages, and the buzzing hum of Grenfell Street, are all enhanced by the luscious jazz soundtrack featured at the location. The combination makes for an illustrious atmosphere that is truly memorable.
“The customers have been telling me they were waiting very eagerly for the café to reopen,” staff member Shelley King says. “We have been working with Merantau Café in Adelaide University on the menu. People have been loving the croissants, actually, everything off the menu people have been buying, so that has been really good!”
This is one of standout features of The Adelaide Coffee Bar, their glowing menu. Beyond the regular customer favourites including ham and cheese toasties, as well as the sweet and savoury pastries, the venue’s cuisine superbly embraces an Asian fusion motif. One particular item which is sought-after daily, is their renowned Beef Rendang Croissant.
“I am obsessed with it and so are many of our customers. It’s a little bit spicy, but it is fantastic Indonesian-French fusion. Our spicy wraps are also very loved.” Shelly states.
An in-house canning machine offers a very unique experience when it comes to beverages, where cold brews and matcha are “crafted and canned” by the staff themselves.
“We have a cloud matcha, matcha strawberry, and then just our regular matcha latte – people have been really loving all three. We are also trying to create some more flavours too. We do the ice drinks in a can, even our cold brew that’s displayed in the fridge, so people have been really fascinated by those items.”
The husband-and-wife owners Mulyadi Robin and Esther Siong are striving to have all their products locally sourced and also offer a retail element to The Adelaide Coffee Bar featuring Marcel’s coffee beans, tote bags, moka express coffee pots and in the future, drinkware.
On the topic of the future, Esther professes there is a lot in the pipeline, with their next major step being an incorporation of a wine bar.
“The wine aspect will be down the track, because we’re looking at just expanding that element. I mean, with a venue like this, we love this space and we love this place. If we can utilise it more, by all means we will. From the get-go, that’s the dream, to have it open all day, we’re sure that we can do it.”
The Adelaide Coffee Bar
Where: 73 Grenfell St, Adelaide, SA, 5000
When: Mondays – Fridays, from 7am – 4pm
For more info, click here.
