Best coffee in Adelaide: Local favourites revealed

In the last several years, Adelaide’s coffee culture has gotten better. Local roasters, small-batch brewers and award-winning baristas have all raised the standard across the city. If you’re looking for the best coffee in Adelaide, whether it’s a flat white before work, a weekend pour-over or beans to take home, this list shows you the top 10 places that stand out for Australians who care about a tasty cup.

How do we choose the best coffee shops in Adelaide?

We choose each cafe and roastery for this list based on:

• Quality of coffee: Depends on how it is roasted, how it tastes, and how consistent it is.
• Experience: The ability of the barista, the service, and the atmosphere.
• Range: There are many different types of coffee, from espresso to filter to decaf.
• Local impact: Establishments operated by people in Adelaide and focused on the community.

1. Exchange Coffee – East End

For coffee lovers, Exchange is generally the first place to go. It came in at number 37 on The World’s 100 Best Coffee Shops (2025). Every espresso shot and filter brew is perfectly measured there. The cafe lies on Vardon Avenue and is recognised for its clear, balanced tastes and unique origins that change with the seasons.

Best for: An espresso, a long black, or a clean filter.

2. My Kingdom for a Horse – CBD

My Kingdom for a Horse is as fresh as it gets, with a 120-seat cafe and its roastery on site. It is a popular place for breakfast and coffee on Wright Street. There are also two smaller CBD locations where you may get takeout.

Best for: Rotating single-origin espresso or house mix flat white.

3. Dawn Patrol Coffee – Rundle Place

Dawn Patrol used to be a favourite in Fleurieu but now it has a mainstore in the middle of the CBD. It brings its cellar-door-style tastings to the city, with filter flights and a cutting-edge setup that are ideal for people who want to learn more about coffee than just the basics.

Best for: A simple batch brew, filter flights, or pour-overs.

4. The Coffee Barun – Sefton Park & St Agnes

The Coffee Barun is a well-known coffee shop in the north of Adelaide. It has two locations and roasts coffee at St Agnes. Both places are noted for their consistently excellent espresso, well-balanced house blends, and seasonal single origins that show off the different types of coffee that come from different places.

Best for: An espresso from a single origin or a latte from the house blend.

5. Elementary Coffee – CBD / Torrensville

Elementary has a simple design and serves excellent coffee. They roast coffee and run a cafe, so they serve excellent espresso and filter coffee while keeping things friendly. Great for a quick pick-me-up on a weekday or a bag of beans to take home.

Best for: A pour-over or an espresso macchiato.

6. Coffee in Common—Hindmarsh

This spacious cafe in Bowden has a tasty mix of speciality roasting, brunch, and community atmosphere. The baristas here are experts at what they do and are happy to suggest something that fits your taste.

Best for: Summer flat white or iced filter.

7. Leisurely Coffee – Gilbert Street

Leisurely Coffee is a laid-back place on the south-west fringe of the city that is known for its excellent coffee and inventive brunch menu. Both residents and coffee lovers like the space since it gets a lot of light.

Best for: A piccolo, cappuccino, or a single-origin coffee from a specific time of year.

8. Dayjob Coffee – Halifax Street

Dayjob is small but attractive, and it shares a space with a florist. The team makes excellent espresso and has a small menu of light snacks. Even a short takeaway is noteworthy since they pay attention to every little thing.

Best for: A long macchiato with a cold brew on top.

9. Patio Coffee Roasters – Richmond

Patio is a roastery and cellar door experience that is within a few minutes of the city. It has a fantastic selection of speciality coffee, as well as education and wholesale options. It’s a must for anyone who wants to learn more about the world of speciality coffee.

Best for: A membership to Filter of the Day or Roaster’s Pick.

10. SOHO Coffee Roasters – near Central Market

SOHO is a warehouse-style cafe with its own roaster. It’s tucked away in a laneway near the market. Expect strong, chocolatey espresso shots and a vibrant gathering of locals getting their morning fix.

Best for: Strong cold brew or flat white.

Adelaide coffee by mood

• Award-winning precision: Exchange Coffee
• Brunch and roastery vibes: My Kingdom for a Horse
• CBD filter flights: Dawn Patrol
• Reliable northern staple: The Coffee Barun
• Learning and exploring: Patio Coffee Roasters

Tips for Aussie coffee drinkers in Adelaide

• Ask the barista: Single origins change frequently, so please let them know your preferred flavours.
• Get there early: That’s when the grinders are set up just so.
• Take beans home: A lot of these places roast their coffee, so you can make your moka pot or AeroPress even better.
• Try alternative milks: Adelaide cafes carefully steam oat and almond milk so that your flat white doesn’t lose its texture.

Conclusion

There are a lot of excellent coffee shops in Adelaide, both for locals and tourists. The city is full of excellent places to eat, drink and have fun, from internationally award-winning places like Exchange to community hubs like Coffee in Common. Adelaide’s coffee scene provides something for every Australian coffee fan, whether you want a fast flat white to go or a serious dive into single-origin filters.