Not only does the Fleurieu Peninsula have some of the funkiest coffee shops around quite a number are superb roasters.
There are notable similarities between wine and coffee.
Different varieties of coffee, just like grapes, are suited to different soil types, sun exposure and other climatic elements. All these play a role in defining coffee aromas, flavours and textures.
Coffee seems a natural fit with the abundance of incredible food, wine and beer available here on the Fleurieu Peninsula.
First up is Dal Mare Coffee on Main Street of McLaren Vale.
A 7-minute walk from Bellevue B&B. The corrugated-iron shed sits right in the heart of the town. This boutique roastery is a weekend only brew bar, serving coffee, bagels and bikes.
Bean wholesale is still a top priority for Dal Mare, especially as the local roaster market increases.
Del Mar’s ethos is simple: traceable beans and a good, honest roast.
They roast coffee you’ll want to drink every day. Our choice is Signature Small Batch, The Vale Blend (for milk coffees) or a selection of single origins.
Dawn Patrol Coffee near Kangarilla (15-minute drive from Bellevue B&B).
Based in the centre of the McLaren Vale wine region, their roastery offers a cellar door approach to coffee, in the scenic setting of the vineyards.
Owners Dom Ossa and Nick Suggitt will lead you through a tasting of different blends and brews. It’s a unique opportunity to watch the masters roast and brew beans in the one place, and chat to them about various coffee styles and techniques
Their coffee aims for 100% traceability, which means they want to know exactly where their beans come from and who grows them.
They seek to only buy, roast and deliver exceptional, delicious coffees sourced from some of the best coffee growers in the world, who strive to produce their coffee beans ethically and sustainably.
Dawn Patrol Coffee Roasters roast as many as seven varieties of single origin coffee beans at its shed on Sundays, which is open to the public for tasting and sales. Sales include coffee (obs), filter mugs and hooded jackets!
In Aldinga you’ll find a charming coffee roastery and espresso bar called Goodness Coffee Co (10-minute drive from Bellevue B&B).
While the expresso bar has a small seating area and they offer a few pastries, their clear focus is every cup of coffee.
The lounge and bar area are complete with the coffee roasting machine, a pleasant sitting area out the front and a small alfresco garden out the back. Bike racks and water for dogs included.
The building itself was once a historical 1870’s workshop. When you enter the building, your eyes will be drawn to the wooden boards covering the floor pit where many a local car was repaired. In its time it has been home for an undertaker (we prefer its present reincarnation!)
Coffee including Cold brew is their main game, with just a few treats so not to lose focus on this art. You need to chose your time carefully as they close at 1pm!
Hop in the car and head to Port Elliot, make you way to De Groot Coffee Co.
Only a 35-minute drive from Bellevue B&B via Willunga Hill and Mt Compass.
Since 2014 when they set up in Port Elliot, Trevor De Groot and Bernadette Stack’s main focus is roasting single origin coffee, with a charter to support certified organic fair trade by purchasing beans from small grower co-operatives.
Set in what is often described as a “cool, arty group of buildings” at Factory 9 in Port Elliot, is it a great location to enjoy a coffee. They offer three single origin coffees to try at any time between 8am and 2pm daily.
Like Goodness and Dawn Patrol, De Groot’s focus is on simplicity and honesty. You can chat to the baristas about where the beans are from, when they’ve been roasted, and the best way to brew them.
Qahwa (kah-wa) Coffee Roasters are local Roasters in Victor Harbor.
Only a 35-minute drive from Bellevue B&B via Willunga Hill and Mt Compass.
They roast on site at their cafe and in small batches throughout the week using quality beans.
Located along the foreshore, nestled between the tennis club, beach volleyball courts and tennis courts, the cafe is right next to the foreshore bike/walking path and beach.
Just to bit a bit different the cafe opens out onto four full-sized beach volleyball courts. So essentially it is a giant enclosed sand pit!!
In summer umbrellas cover the tables so you can sit comfortably watching the volleyball. They don’t take bookings so you just have to chance your arm.
The cafe also has music gigs now and then so hit their FB page to find out more.
Next daytrip to KI be sure to visit the KI Kangaroo Island Coffee Roasters.
Established in 2015 Kangaroo Island Coffee Roasters supplies freshly roasted to clients, retail customers both on the island and mainland too. This is a little further afield from Bellevue B&B an hour and 15 mins to the ferry – then a quick zip across the water and you are there!
They source their beans from farms in Columbia, Zambia, Costa Rica, and Guatemala to support international fair-trade. This guarantees the highest quality available beans, which in-turn enables KI Coffee Roasters to produce a high-quality end product.
The in-house coffee roasters have designed individual profiles during the roasting process which results in the product being the award-winning coffee.
They currently supply Cafes, Coffee shops and retail outlets Australia wide, for skincare, Chocolate coated coffee beans, hotels for Cocktails & Chefs Menus with Kangaroo Island branded product.
They have also created a skin care product form coffee. The scrub is invigorating, nourishing and packed full of antioxidants. So not only can you drink their coffee you can also rub it on…
KICR retail outlet on kangaroo Island is located at Chocol’Art & Coffee the Roastery is located in Centenary Ave Kingscote.
A quick trip to the Flat (otherwise known as McLaren Flat) a 7 minute drive from Bellevue B&B will find you at the doors of the Home Grain Bakery .
Without a doubt these guys are getting their coffee right.
Their beautiful purple coffee machine is only the start to the experience thanks to the blends offered from another local roaster Villere Coffee. Jim and Carol Banman share the Home Grain Bakery to do roasting and packaging of their signature Brazil Blend, as well as several single origin coffees.
Villere Coffees has gained quite a reputation and is available at various other location such as Maxwell’s Grocery (@MaxwellsGrocery) in Aldinga, Tealicious Cakes in Willunga (@cakesbynatashawillunga), and Mullygrub (@mullygrubmv) in McLaren Vale. “
One of Villere’s great supporters is From Humble Grounds, an impressive mobile coffee bar run by Rebecca Moore and Rob Negerman. Distinctive touches at their weekly Willunga Farmers Market stall include house-made almond milk from local nuts, and sweet treats featuring local seasonal fruits.
The popularity of Villeré is no doubt due to the quality of their beans.
