If you’ve wandered through the Adelaide or Willunga Farmers Markets, you’re bound to have spotted Neighbours. Here, you’ll find some of the freshest most delicious airy sourdough crumpets around with lovely seasonal toppings.
Neighbours had its last market weekend at the end of February, wrapping up its regular appearances at the Adelaide and Willunga Farmers Markets with a bittersweet farewell as it transitions to a permanent cafe home in McLaren Vale.
As Neighbours moves on from its market mornings, there’s a real sense of anticipation about what comes next.
“It’s going to be European-inspired in terms of you’re going to sit closely to your neighbour,” said Angelle and Daniel.
“Inside, we’ve kept it really simple, there’s cement sheeting, painted cement floors. It’s kind of minimal, no-nonsense and kept simple.”
The new café will begin as a place to grab a coffee and crumpet, but is set to evolve as the owners settle into the space. Slow starts, friendly faces, and food made with genuine care will be at the forefront. Daniel and Angelle are focused on creating something grounded in the community that helped shape them.
While you might know Neighbours from their little market stall, the story stretches much further, across continents.
Australian couple Daniel Warburton and Angelle Boucher originally started their hospitality journey in Paris in 2017. They opened a coffee kiosk called Honor, named to pay homage Australian coffee, and it quickly found a following with locals.
While they loved Honor, the cafe’s lack of kitchen meant they were serving pastries made by other bakers. When a café space with a kitchen became available, they jumped at the opportunity, rebranding the business ‘Neighbours’.
Angelle, who has always loved baking, began creating a range of loaves for the new store.
“I was making cornbread, zucchini loaves, treacle cakes and all of these different things with local seasonal produce on top,” said Angelle.
“It looked amazing and tasted amazing, but was difficult to explain in a foreign language.”
Angelle grew up in England and has always loved crumpets. While brainstorming new menu items, she realised French customers had never heard of them.
From there, the sourdough crumpets were born.
“Our style of crumpet was very different. It was very light and fluffy, it wasn’t dense,” she said.
“There are no additives to it. We use organic flour, water and natural yeast. In a sourdough crumpet there are so many layers to it, it’s a very complex thing to do.”
After COVID-19, and with a desire to be closer to family while exploring new business opportunities, the couple returned to Australia in 2022.
Back home, Neighbours found a loyal following at the Adelaide and Willunga Farmers Markets, serving up fresh crumpets to eager market-goers. While crumpets remain at the heart of the offering, seasonal produce keeps the menu evolving. Smashed avo with herbs and dukkah, scrambled eggs with kimchi, herbs and dukkah, and classic butter with jam or honey form the core menu, while a rotating specials board showcases Angelle’s latest creations. Plain crumpets are also available in six-packs.
And while the location may be changing, the heart of Neighbours remains the same. Fresh produce, local connections, and that unmistakable sourdough crumpet will stay at the centre of everything they do, now with a front door to call their own.
Neighbours
Where: 402 Main Road, McLaren Vale
When: Opening date TBC
For more information, click here.
