Seven years in the making, Puddle Duck has finally opened its doors, and locals have wasted no time making themselves at home.
The lakeside venue has welcomed families, dog walkers, groups of friends and coffee drinkers in its first few days, with the team telling Glam Adelaide the response has been “overwhelming in the best possible way”.
“We first became involved with the site in 2018, so for such a long time Puddle Duck existed as plans, drawings, meetings, construction conversations and a lot of waiting.”
The team gave locals a preview through a series of pop-ups throughout the year, but seeing the full venue operating for the first time was a very different moment.
“It was pretty special to finally see the space operating exactly how we had pictured it, as a full café during the day and then shifting into the bar in the afternoon,” venue manager Emma said.
“Seeing the tables full, kids playing on the lawn, people sitting around the lake with coffees and drinks — the whole space buzzing made it all feel very real.”
A few early favourites are already emerging.
“The hot dogs have definitely been a standout, along with selling out of Netty’s scones each morning. The ice cream sandwiches have also been very popular,” the team said.
Drinks have been getting plenty of attention too, particularly the Aperol Spritzes.
“We have some beautiful cocktails on the menu, but the Aperol Spritzes have absolutely been going off. There’s something about an Aperol by the lake when the sun is out that’s pretty hard to beat.”
But while the food and drinks are drawing people in, the team says it has been the mix of people using the space that has made the opening particularly special.
“That was exactly what we hoped Puddle Duck would become,” they said. “Somewhere that really feels like part of the park and the local community.”
That same idea is carrying into Puddle Duck’s Lakeside Sessions, which launched last weekend as a way to encourage people to linger in the park into the afternoon and evening.
The first sessions saw kids playing lawn games, families spreading out across the grass, parents meeting after work and groups settling in for drinks by the lake.
“That’s really what we want Lakeside Sessions to be. Something easy and relaxed that gives people a reason to stay in the park a little longer and takes Puddle Duck from daytime café into the afternoon and evening.”
As the weather warms, the team hopes to build on the sessions with live music and other activations.
“We want Puddle Duck to move with the park and the seasons, so Lakeside Sessions will keep evolving as we head into spring and summer.”
“After seven years of imagining what Puddle Duck could be, it was very special to finally see it come to life.”
Puddle Duck Cafe
When: Thursday through Sunday from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM, with Lakeside Sessions running on Friday and Sunday afternoons from 3:00 PM until sunset
Where: 42 Bartels Rd, Adelaide
To find out more, click here.
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