Choc-topped and sprinkled: Best babycinos in Adelaide revealed

Need a coffee break these school holidays? We’ve rounded up nine of the best babycinos in Adelaide to keep the little ones happy while you refuel.

Ayla, 4, and her sister Sophia, 2, drinking a Teddycino and a Blueycino at Village Grounds cafe in Alberton. Picture: Brenton Edwards

Extra froth, sprinkles, oversized marshmallows and novelty cups – it’s the extra touches that can make a babycino feel oh-so-special for little ones (and a blessing for mums and dads who need a refuel of the caffeinated kind).

When Village Grounds cafe in Adelaide’s west revealed its Blueycino – inspired by the wildly popular ABC children’s cartoon character – they were swamped.

The Alberton cafe is open just two days a week and sold about 800 blue and yellow Blueycinos – or 100 a day – in July.

Its novelty offering has changed each month since the cafe opened its doors in November, just in time to launch the Christmas tree-inspired Babytreeno.

“My favourite part is when you make eye contact with a child as you are walking over with their babyccino,” cafe director Leesa Story said.

“Their eyes light up and they wriggle around in their chair, unable to contain their excitement.

“We’ve also had more than a few ‘Can I get that on top of my latte?’ requests from parents.”

Ms Story’s daughters Ayla, 4, and Sophia, 2, are always willing to test the latest creation, including October’s Teddycino.

If you’re in need of a coffee break these school holidays, we’ve rounded up some of the best babycinos in Adelaide. Have a favourite? Let us know in the comments!

VILLAGE GROUNDS

793 Torrens Rd, Alberton

Open Tuesday, Wednesday 8am – 3pm

$3 specialty, $1 regular

It all began with the Babytreeno – a special green Christmas treat offered in December last year. But it was the Blueycino – modelled on that loveable cartoon pup Bluey – that really put Village Grounds on the must-visit list of every toddler in town. The cafe’s baristas served up about 800 blue and yellow frothy treats in just eight days during July. Their novelty babycino changes every month – think Ba-bee-cino, Piggycino and Froggacino – and in October it’s the Teddycino.

A Teddycino and a Blueycino at Village Grounds cafe in Alberton. Picture: Brenton Edwards

THE GOLDEN CUP

491 Brighton Rd, Brighton

Open Tue-Fri 7am-2pm, Sat 7am-2pm

$1

The venue is as special as the treats at this plant-based cafe that has family at heart. Created to be a welcoming space especially for mothers and their babies, the Brighton Rd cafe – an extension of post-partum care company, The Golden Month – has fast gained a following. A babycino will set you back a single dollar and arrive in a plastic cup (no worrying about bubs breaking ceramic), and is finished with rainbow-coloured sprinkles. There’s a spoon for scooping and a bonus strawberry – ideal for parents who prefer to avoid the extra sugar rush of a marshmallow! Alternative milks cost no extra. There’s a kids corner and colouring station here, too, so babies will remain happy while you finish your own brew.

The Golden Cup babycino with strawberry, $1.

DEVOUR CAFE PATISSERIE

52 Davenport Tce, Richmond

Open weekdays 7am-3pm (kitchen closes at 2pm), weekends 8am-2pm

$1.50

If you ask any kid what they like best about a babycino, chances are they will tell you it’s all about the marshmallow. At Devour, it’s a large pink square of fluffy, sugary goodness that your little one will give a fast tick of approval. The babycino itself is topped with a little chocolate, coupled with bright sprinkles. And, at just $1.50, the price is also on point. When your little ones (and the adults) have had their fill, the West Torrens Memorial Gardens and playgrounds are just a short stroll away.

Babycino at Devour Cafe Patisserie, with a giant marshmallow

MUMS BEARD CAFE

158 Hindmarsh Rd, Victor Harbor

Open Tuesday to Sunday 8am – 4pm (open late Friday and Saturday)

$2 specialty babycino

If your little one is a fan of Frozen, Paw Patrol or Thomas the Tank Engine, there’s a cup here for them. This quirky cafe by the water presents its babycinos in novelty cups featuring everyone’s favourite characters. The baristas are always working on new artworks to top their ‘cinos – using chocolate, caramel and raspberry syrups – but the classic is a smiley face with, you guessed it, a chocolate powder beard. For kids with sensitivities babycinos can also be made using almond, soy, oat or lactose free milk.

Babycinos at Mums Beard cafe in Victor Harbor. Picture: Supplied

HERE’S TO STRENGTH

1A Old Coach Rd, Aldinga

Open daily 9am-5pm

$1.50

Aldinga community hub, Here’s to Strength, recently opened a cafe and it’s a great spot for littlies, with cuddly animals, totem tennis, games and grass to run around on site. Here, the generous sized babycino is both choc-topped and sprinkled, making for an extra special treat. Adults might enjoy the array of cakes and salads, or a browse in the shop, featuring locally-made candles and other wares.

Babycino at Here's to Strength, Aldinga. Picture: Michelle Penna

CAFE BONYTHON

Bonython Park, Port Rd, Adelaide

Open weekdays 9.30am-4pm, weekends 9am-4pm

$2

There’s no chocolate in sight on the renowned babycino at Cafe Bonython. Instead, it’s all about sprinkles – not just on top of the frothy goodness, but all around the cup’s edge and across the top of the must-have marshmallow accompaniment. If your kids have a sweet tooth there is a myriad of other colourful treats to try, including immaculately-iced designer character cupcakes. Best of all? The cafe sits right beside the park’s playground and a grassed area to keep little ones occupied while adults enjoy their own cup of goodness.

It's all about sprinkles on babycinos at Cafe Bonython.

C.R.E.A.M

4/49 Jetty Rd, Brighton

Open weekdays 7am-2.30pm, weekends 8am

$2

Bonus points for the transport factor for the babycinos at this seaside hot spot – with plenty of foam, it’s easy to grab a takeaway ‘cino and then stroll down to the beach. Toddlers are guaranteed a chocolatey grin, thanks to a generous dusting of the good stuff, plus they’ll get a chocolate freckle treat. This is a popular spot among Brighton beachgoers, so if you see a line-up expect a bit of a wait, but the coffee is hard to beat and totally worth it (and did we mention chocolate freckle?)

C.R.E.A.M babycino, with freckle, $2. Picture: Jessica Galletly

THE ESSENCE CAFE

7/49 Mt Barker Rd, Stirling

Open weekdays 8am to 4pm, Saturday 8.30am to 3pm, Sunday 9am to 2pm

$1.50

On a chilly day in the Adelaide Hills there could be no better pairing than a warm, frothy babycino in a Frozen-themed cup. (Although there’s plenty of other options if Bluey or Elmo are more your kid’s cup of cino). The essence of a good babycino is here – froth, chocolate and marshmallow – with change from a $2 coin. If you’re a gluten free family, most things on the menu are GF, or can be made so. And when the kids need to burn off the sugar high, Steamroller Park is just down the road.

Babycinos at The Essence Cafe, Stirling.

RED DOOR ESPRESSO

79 Murray St, Tanunda

Open Tue-Fri 8am-3pm, sat 8am-2pm

$3.50

A little creative flair takes the babycinos at this Barossa cafe to the next level. There's a dusting of chocolate, sure, but then there’s marshmallows for eyes – complete with chocolate ‘eye balls’, and a big choccy grin. Served in a red espresso cup, it’s sure to put a smile on kids young and old – and mum and dad, too!

Red Door Espresso babycino. Picture: Instagram