BOMBORA@Goolwa beach

Adjacent the Beach Car park, Beach Road, Goolwa Beach, SA, 5214

Goolwa is getting its fair share of dangerous places to have coffee and the latest – BOMBORA@Goolwa beach – is just fantastic.  Nestled just before the steps onto the beach, this former Kiosk has been resurrected by local Goolwa identity and Restaurateur Olaf (who took the AquaCaf to great heights), opened last Monday and already has a cult following.  With unrivaled views of the ocean – and on a clear day, all the way down towards Waitpinga – this is the ultimate place to come and enjoy a coffee, some of their quality breakfast/luncheon food and just admire the beauty of God’s creation. My wife and I had lunch there today, and the food was superb (I can recommend the Salt & Pepper Squid – particularly the dipping sauce – it was divine!)

There is something spiritual (no matter your tradition) about the edges – the places where two substances meet – land and sea, land and air (cliffs – not generally) and BOMBORA@Goolwa beach exists in that liminal space.  The only down side is that it is generally only open on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday excepting in School Holidays when it will be open 7 days per week – 8am – 5pm.

Latte Quality – Lattastic!  – the best coffee I have had since moving down the coast.

Cost – $3.50 for a regular cup.

Coffee Supplier – Lavazza Coffee

Fair Trade – No indication in-store.

Venue Suitable for:

• Quiet Chat – Depends on the number of other people there – but unlikely as today’s patronage was strong – but you could always buy a coffee, and then walk the beach in quiet conversation.
• Deep and Meaningful – again, Yes – see above.
• Study and Reflection – Not really – the view and the atmosphere would preclude that.

Hector’s on the Wharf – Goolwa, SA

Main Wharf, Goowa, SA, 5214

This place is dangerous!  Situated on the Main Wharf of the Goolwa Channel, the waters (when there is some – which there is at present – no thanks to up stream) of the once Might Murray amble past on their way to sea. The Pelicans float majestically bye, as the Magpies and Seagulls hover around the cafe hoping for a morsel.  Hector’s is wonderful!  I have been here twice now, and the coffee is fantastic, and the cakes are just as good.  The place service is top notch, and Hector’s is also a cafe/restaurant with a good reputation – but I am yet to sample this.

Latte Quality – Lattastic!  – easily the best coffee I have had since moving down the coast.

Cost – $4.00 for a large mug of latte.  $3.50 for a regular cup.

Coffee Supplier – Lavazza Coffee

Fair Trade – No indication in-store.

Venue Suitable for:

• Quiet Chat – Depends on the number of other people ther – but outside would work well for this.
• Deep and Meaningful – again, Yes – see above.
• Study and Reflection – Could be done inside, if it was quiet enough, but with the gorgeous views and the great coffee – if could make the study hard work.

Bracegirdle’s – McLaren Vale, SA

Inside Oxenberry Farm Cellar Door Complex – 26 Kangarilla Rd, McLaren Vale

This place had been given a HUGE build up by a friend/brother/colleague of mine so I approached the experience with trepidation, fully expecting my expectations to be found wanting as is the case in so many coffee houses – boy was I wrong.   Well to begin with, its in McLaren Vale – the Barossa of the South – so already it is on the right track.  Bracegirdle’s is part of the Oxenberry Farm Cellar Door complex, so at one end of the room you have wine tasting (something I didn’t partake on this occasion – but must do in the future) and at the other end you have the coffee/chocolate of while Bracegirdles are famous in SA.  The setting is beside a gently sloping grassed area which leads to a lake, surrounded by vines with views of the lower Adelaide Hills in the background…nice (or as they say in SA ‘Heaps Good!’)

Latte Quality – Excellent – good colour, good foam thickness and with a nice ‘leaf’ design on top – Bracegirdles are widely awarded for the quality and skill of their barristas.

Cost – $5.00 for a large mug – which is expensive, but the volume of said mug is expansive.

Coffee Supplier – I was informed that their coffee was produced inhouse – however, their website indicates that the coffee is source from a Melbourne Coffee company called Atomica.

Fair Trade – No.

Venue Suitable for:

• Quiet Chat – We were the only two there in the mid to late Wednesday afternoon – so a definite Yes.
• Deep and Meaningful – again, Yes – see above.  There is also outdoor seating with views of the lake.
• Study and Reflection – As long as it wasn’t school holidays and it was during the working week this would be a great place to do some quiet reflection and/or reading.  A great location for a personal retreat day!!

Café Lime gourmet foodstore – Goolwa, SA

Shop 1/11 Goolwa Terrace, Goolwa, SA, 5214

You may have guessed by the new location of the majority of the café s, that I have recently moved house, and therefore have been on blogging (but not coffee) hiatus.  However, since moving I have visted this café twice and have been impressed both times.  On the first occasion I enjoyed a second breakfast, while  being interviewed by a reporter from ‘The Times’ and than last Friday, while suffering from Hermenutic constipation I ventured back.  Café Lime is easy to spot, as it is just off the main street with Lime green latice work on the roof, and a lime green wall inside.  They are a highly awarded café (food and barrista), so perhaps worth a look next time you are visiting Goolwa.

Latte Quality – Good.  A little hot and strong I managed to scold my tongue, which altered my taste buds for the rest of the day.

Cost – $3.50 ($4.00 for large) – so on the high side, and the large really isn’t that large.

Coffee Supplier – Amanti Coffee

Fair Trade – No. No mention in store, or on the Amanti website.

Venue Suitable for:

• Quiet Chat – The two times I have been in there, I would definitely say ‘Yes’
• Deep and Meaningful – again, Yes – see above.
• Study and Reflection – During the quiet times this would be a great place to hit the books – but I suspect it would be very busy around meal times, and during the school/summer holidays.

Mocha on Railway – Goolwa, SA

2/9 Railway Terrace, Goolwa, SA, 5214

I used to be a frequent customer of a great little cafe on the Kingsway, Glen Wavlerley called Mocha Joes – so I was intrigued and keen to try out this cafe.  Coincidentally, then used the same font to display their ‘Mocha’ name…not sure.  My wife and I had lunch here a few months back – and were suitably impressed with the high quality, generous portioned cafe food – great for light meals, or dinner.  There is seating for six outside, with great views back over the park towards the main street, and the inside is decked out in modern ambient cafe styling – feature local abstract art on the walls.

Latte Quality – Good – a 30 second foam/sugar ratio. A little strong for my liking, but the best coffee of the day hands down.

Cost – $2.90 – which is good, and the glasses are bigger than latte average.

Coffee Supplier – Grinders Coffee

Fair Trade – No. No mention in store, or on the Grinders home page.

Venue Suitable for:

• Quiet Chat – It would be a great location for this, whether seated inside or out.
• Deep and Meaningful –Yes – see above.
• Study and Reflection – it is not busy with meals, this would probably be a great location – being slightly back off the main street, you need to know where it is to find it – which is good for locals, bad for business.