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Bowden is a suburb lush with greenery, yet layered with industrial concrete and metallic subtleties. Amongst the dust and fast-rising apartment towers is a community alive with families, friends, and locals searching for their next go-to spot.
It’s an energetic culture that new cafe owners and partners Michaela Pitman and Tim Kamenjarin adore. Rather than imposing an unfamiliar concept on the area, their new venture, 2nd Street Coffee, aims to slot right into the fabric of the neighbourhood.
An opening for the new inner-west cafe is just around the corner, and you can expect house-made comfort food, top-tier specialty coffee, and a distinct hospitality philosophy behind the coffee machine.
Michaela Pitman and Tim Kamenjarin
Scheduled to officially open its doors on 15 June, 2nd Street Coffee is the passion project of partners Michaela Pitman and Tim Kamenjarin. While the venue is a fresh venture for the duo, they bring a wealth of hospitality experience to the table. Michaela’s family has long operated the iconic Victor Harbor mainstays Nino’s and Loco, while Tim’s background includes extensive stints in the Adelaide scene.
Interestingly, the cafe’s name carries a bit of local irony.
“It’s hilarious, isn’t it? It’s on the corner of 2nd Street and Gibson Street,” Michaela laughs. “And then the apartment block right next to us is called the 2nd Street apartments.”
“Plus,” Tim adds, “I think 2nd Street Coffee sounds better than Gibson Street coffee.”
The corner location is aiming for something of an eco-brutalist design ethos that perfectly matches the suburb’s industrial aesthetic. Two of the building’s four walls are complete windows, flooding the space with natural light. Inside, you’ll find extensive wood panelling, mesh ceilings, plenty of lush greenery, and potentially some custom wall murals by local artists in the future.
“We’re very much leaning into the Bowden vibe,” Michaela says.
The operational heart of 2nd Street Coffee will be deeply rooted in genuine, old-school customer connection. Drawing on their collective years behind the bar, Michaela and Tim are implementing a “bartender sensibility” to their service layout.
“We come from backgrounds where we both previously worked as bartenders, and there’s sort of a culture as a bartender of having a really good relationship with your customer,” Tim explains. “It’s not just like they’re there to buy a beer off you. You talk to them, you get to know them. I almost would like it to be when you go into a cafe, and the person working behind the counter knows your name, remembers it, knows what you’re after. Everyone’s our mate, pretty much.”
This community-minded approach is also heavily inspired by Michaela’s regional hospitality roots. “Being a small town, it’s very, very community minded.”
The food and drink menu is designed to be delicious, satisfying, and fast. The cafe will operate primarily as a “grab-and-go” spot, perfect for local residents and nearby office workers looking for a quick breakfast or lunch.
On the counter, expect a rotating selection of premium sourdough sandwiches and paninis featuring house-sliced deli meats like mortadella and sopressa. The kitchen will also be slow-cooking and pulling its own meats in-house for staples like a classic Reuben with house-made corned beef, a pulled pork sandwich, and a signature tuna melt. They are also proudly partnering using bread from Adelaide favourite Skala Bakery, and will offer plenty of gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options.
For the caffeine fix, 2nd Street Coffee will serve up a warm and toasty classic blend from local legends Grinders. Alongside classic espresso orders, they will cater to the new generation of coffee trends including matcha and cold foam, with plans to adapt the menu and offering dynamically based on what the neighbourhood asks for.
Opening initially from Monday to Friday, from 6am to late arvo, the duo have big plans for the venue’s evolution, including expanding to weekend trade once staffing is locked in, and eventually looking at how they can utilise the space at night.
Ultimately, the team cannot wait to weave themselves into the fabric of the neighbourhood.
“We want to emphasise the fact that, yes, we’re new to the area, but we are so keen to meet everyone and become a real strong part of the community, because I think it’s such a great community, and I can’t wait to meet everyone,” Michaela says.
2nd Street Coffee
Where: 6-10 Gibson Street, Bowden
When: Set to open 15 June, 2026
For more info, click here.
