Adelaide’s top 10 health cafes
WE live in a diet-conscious society and more eateries are catering to this new trend. Jessica Galletly checks out the best health cafes in Adelaide.
DON’T look now, but your local cafe is on a health kick.
As consumers become more conscious about eating food they believe is good for them, a new breed of diet-conscious eateries has sprung up in the city and suburbs.
Where a cafe’s big sellers might once have been coffee, and a fry-up, now it is catering for people demanding paleo-friendly granolas and superfood smoothies. BLT is being replaced by JERF (Just Eat Real Food, that is). Many of the cafes have a particular specialty, be it raw food, paleo, or gluten-free.
Nutrition Republic, in King William Rd, expanded from a retail store into a larger cafe two years ago when its owners “noticed a gap in the market”.
“There weren’t too many places doing wholesome, nourishing meals, especially for people who have dietary requirements,” co-owner Nicole Sumracki says.
Today, there are a heap of cafes offering diet-friendly meals — if you know where to look.
THE NOURISH’D KITCHEN
What started out as an idea for a health food delivery service is now a cafe in Stepney, which focuses on meals to go.
Only problem is, the fitout is so lovely many people find a perch to eat there instead. It’s
all about whole foods — so ingredients are as close to their natural form as possible, and paleo-friendly.
“JERF, that’s what we’re about,” says co-founder Tina Phillips.
Conveniently portioned breakfast items include egg-and-ham cups and nutty granolas, while lunchtime salads can be bulked up with slow-roasted meats.
There’s also juice, including activated charcoal, and the coffee is second to none.
MUST TRY Green egg and ham cup — spinach and egg baked in a ‘cup’ of ham. Delicious on its own as a high-protein fix or pair with salad for lunch.
3 Ann St, Stepney 8362 4464. Facebook: thenourishdkitchen
NUTRITION REPUBLIC
Nutrition Republic has fast become an institution for gym-junkies, superfood devotees and raw sweet tooths. The breakfast and lunch menu is entirely free of gluten, dairy and refined sugar, and they use mostly organic and spray-free ingredients.
Popular items include organic quinoa and egg slice, and the “market stack”, where you can pile your slice up with cashew cheese, as well as salad and an egg.
The drinks menu is just as extensive — from protein shakes to tonics, which you can jazz up with superfoods like lacuma, chia seeds and matcha. Coffee is also organic, fair trade and locally roasted.
MUST TRY A slice of one of their raw cakes — made in-house. The peanut butter and caramel is popular.
1/100 King William Rd, Goodwood, 8377 7551, nutritionrepublic.com.au
NATURE’S PROVIDORE
Eat clean, whole foods and listen to your body — that’s what the guys at Nature’s Providore encourage you to do.
Hearty meals are given a healthy twist. Love gnocchi? Then try their spelt version with slow cooked lamb shank.
Seasonal soups include organic tomato finished with Woodside goats curd, activated tamari sunflower and pumpkin seeds and your choice of organic sourdough rye, buckwheat or gluten-free bread.
MUST TRY Check out the board for seasonal specials, but their avocado on toast is divine — finished with a house-made organic lemon dressing and activated seeds.
88-90 Duthy St, Malvern, 8172 2146. Facebook: naturesprovidore
NETTLE RAW
Voted among Australia’s 50 healthiest cafes last year, Nettle Raw is a haven for those on plant-based diets — and anyone with a penchant for 1970s decor.
Owner Tina Esca has created a menu focusing on raw, plant-based food that’s mostly gluten-free and organic.
Food is medicine here — check out their “apothecary shots” using natural superfoods like ginger and turmeric.
MUST TRY Raw sunflower and onion bread open sandwich.
10 Rosetta St, West Croydon, 0434 353 047, nettleraw.com.au
GOODIES AND GRAINS
Oh, the goodies! Conveniently located in the Central Market Plaza, Goodies and Grains is part cafe, part health food store.
It’s a favourite for the lunchtime crowd with nutrient-dense salads from just $6.50 and bigger-than-you-can-wrap-your-hand-around wraps.
Even heartier options include quinoa-based fritters with sweet potato, caramelised onion and kale, and keep an eye out for daily specials like their tempeh nori wrap.
MUST TRY Golden quinoa wrap, packed with shreds of carrot, red cabbage, greens, alfalfa, currants and nuts.
Shop 21/22 Central Market Plaza, Gouger St, city, 8212 2324, goodiesandgrains.com.au
RAW & MORE
Well before raw sweets became popular Vicki Lewis was whipping up protein-rich and refined sugar free treats in her kitchen.
Her wholesale business, Just RAWsome has proved so popular she and her son Michael recently opened their own health cafe, Raw & More.
An all-day breakfast menu includes mueslis with house-made coconut yoghurt, acai bowls and chocolate chia puddings.
MUST TRY Fruity Bircher muesli with coconut yoghurt. Available dine-in or takeaway.
247a Grange Rd, Findon 8244 0729. Facebook: Raw & More
BLISS ORGANIC CAFE
Grab a menu and head outside to the little courtyard around the back. The food will make you feel as good as the tranquil surroundings.
Bliss serves up nourishing, organic vegan food. Specialties include tofu scramble, tossed with carrot, mushrooms, potato, sun dried tomatoes, seeds and wilted greens. Falafels and their version of the vegetarian patty are available in a burger, wrap or salad.
MUST TRY Bliss Burger — a patty made of red kidney beans, almonds, lentils and carrot, with house-made chutney, salad and soyonnaise.
7 Compton St, city, 8231 0205, blissorganiccafe.com.au
RAW & REAL
Cold pressed juices are Raw & Real’s forte, but there are also some great breakfast and lunch meals ready to go.
Think fresh salads like haloumi, wilted greens, mushroom and quinoa, and “rainbow” bowls, with a colourful mix of shredded raw vegetables.
Breakfast includes chia puddings, muesli and fig and fennel loaf.
MUST TRY Vegan quinoa roll. Shredded vegetables are sandwiched between two layers of quinoa mixed with sweet potato, inside a chewy, dense dark rye roll.
10-20 James Pl, city, 84102168. Facebook: rawandrealjuiceryandkitchen
FOODS FOR LIFE
Owner Jason Schultz gets a kick out of making people’s favourite foods gluten-free or vegan — without anyone being able to tell the difference.
A glass cabinet at the front of the health food and supplement store is well stocked with pre-portioned lunches, including gluten-free zucchini slice, stuffed eggplants and a selection of pita wraps.
Pies and pasties are popular through the cooler months — including a vegan lentil number.
MUST TRY Ready-made salads are perfect for summer — mix a couple (the lentil, quinoa and chickpea is a fave) and add chicken breast for protein.
55A Gawler Pl, city, 8227 1300, foodsforlife.com.au
POLLEN 185
Scones with jam and cream is rarely top of the list for those with dietary restrictions, but the clever cooks at this 29-seater cafe know how to make food friendly for the gut.
The scones, for example, are gluten free and served with a coconut-based “cream”.
They also serve vibrant, ever-changing salads, including a warm kale salad with seasonal vegetables, walnuts and a tahini miso dressing.
Spiral-cut zucchini noodles form the basis for the “pasta” and seasonal tarts are made with cashew cheese. Needless to say, the cafe is vegetarian and mostly vegan, and entirely satisfying.
Plenty of herbal teas on offer, too, from the local T Bar Tea Salon
MUST TRY Raw zucchini “pasta” salad with creamy avocado, cherry tomatoes, olives, rocket and lemon dressing.
4/185 King William Rd, Unley, 8271 0528. Facebook: Pollen185
ALSO …
Paleo cafe
Hearty breakfasts and lunches for a paleo diet. Drinks include smoothies
and bulletproof coffee.
5/183-185 King William Rd, Hyde Par, 8271 7002, paleo-cafe.com.au
Seasonal Garden Café
Owner and cook Silvia Hart showcases local organic ingredients and has a range of raw desserts.
81 Main Rd, Hahndorf, 8388 7714. Facebook: TheSeasonalGardenCafe
Earth’s Kitchen
Focusing on seasonal and organic ingredients. Pizza is a speciality, and they’re available gluten free and vegan.
131 Pirie St, city, 8215 0458, kitchenson.earthcommunities.com.au
The Green Room
Organic and vegetarian cafe, with gluten free and vegan options available across much of the breakfast and lunch menu.
2 High St, Willunga, 7071 0903. Facebook: thegreenroom.highst
The Organik Store and Cafe
A popular spot for brunch and lunch, they make a point of catering for gluten-intolerance, vegan and paleo lifestyles. Also raw sweets and great acai bowls.
37 Broadway, Glenelg South, 8295 7767, theorganikstore.com.au
Red Roar
A top pick for Acai bowls, they’re also serving up salads and rolls, while specials include chicken quinoa slices and stuffed mushrooms.
Shop 4/124 Port Rd, Croydon, 0423 367 858. Facebook: RedRoarCafe
EATING GUIDE
Raw
Eat only uncooked and unprocessed foods, such as fruits, raw vegetables, nuts, seeds and sprouted grains. A focus on organic produce.
JERF
Just Eat Real Food, meaning ingredients that are as close to their original, natural form as possible. If an ingredient sounds like it’s come out of a chemistry lab, skip it.
Paleo
Based on foods eaten by early humans, chiefly grass-fed meats, fish, fresh fruits and vegetables, eggs, nuts and seeds. No cereals, legumes, dairy or processed foods.
Vegan
No animal products including meat, eggs, dairy and other animal-derived substances such as honey. Akin to “plant based”.
SUPERFOODS EXPLAINED
CHIA SEEDS
Tiny black or white seeds packed with minerals and fibre, and one of the richest sources of omega-3. Sprinkle on salads, blitz in smoothies or soak overnight — they expand in liquid, making them a popular breakfast “pudding”.
LUCUMA
A powder that comes from the exotic Peruvian fruit. Rich in vitamins B1, B2 and C, fibre and calcium, with a creamy citrus flavour.
MACA
Also from Peru, maca is a root that belongs to the radish family and is available as a powder. It’s known to provide energy, boost libido and is rich in vitamins and minerals including zinc and magnesium.
MATCHA
A fine green tea powder from Japan. It’s rich in a certain type of antioxidant known to boost metabolism and slow the growth of cancer cells.
KOMBUCHA
A fermented tea believed to aid digestion and flush toxins from the body.
ACAI
Pronounced Ah-sigh-ee, this small reddish-purple fruit is from the Amazon and available in powder or frozen puree form. Incredibly rich in antioxidants.
BULLETPROOF COFFEE
Black coffee with grass-fed butter and coconut oil, which is meant to supercharge your brain function and improve energy.
SPIRULINA
A blue-green algae rich in protein, amino acids and vitamins. Believed to help support the immune system and regulate blood pressure.