El Estanco in Greenock takes out top honours in Barossa, Clare & Gawler’s best cafe vote

It has been open less than six months but this Greenock cafe has already made a big impact. Now it has been named the best cafe in Barossa, Clare & Gawler.

El Estanco’s Julian Velasquez and Abby Osborne stand with staff. Picture: Meghan Coles

A slice of Colombia in Greenock has been named the region’s best cafe, despite only opening its doors in September.

El Estanco, owned and operated by partners Abby Osborne and Julian Velasquez, came in at number one in the Barossa, Clare & Gawler News’ Delicious Local poll with Matt Preston.

Ms Osborne said the response from locals to the new cafe had been fantastic.
“We’ve had support form locals, but we’ve also been seeing a lot of out-of-towners coming in, people from Adelaide, McLaren Vale and Clare,” Ms Osborne said.

Head chef Julian Velasquez in the kitchen at El Estanco. Picture: Meaghan Coles

Mr Velasquez’s Columbian heritage has greatly informed the cafe, with the name El Estanco referencing Columbian general stores which he fondly remembers being the centre point of communities in his home country.

After relocating from a smaller property in Greenock, the pair wanted to bring that sense of community and welcoming to their new business venture as well as incorporating more layers to the business.

“We have an in house coffee roaster here Charlie Black who offers barista training to the public as well as a patisserie chef Cheryse Zagler,” Ms Osborne said.

The general store before being extensively renovated to become El Estanco. Picture: Melissa Brown

The general store before being extensively renovated to become El Estanco. Picture: Melissa Brown

“As a customer you might come for breakfast love your coffee, talk to Charlie, grab some pastries on your way out and come back later for a delicious cocktail, we want to cater to any need.”

“Both Julian and I are trained high end chefs and we really wanted to bring people that elevated food and wine experience and Melbourne-style service but with a homely feeling.”

The business is situated in the historic old Greenock General Store.

Abby Osborne with her crew at El Estanco. Picture: Meaghan Coles

The renovation and rebuild of the property was extensive and used recycled materials from the pair’s Eden Valley farm, including reused stone, tin, and old wine vat lids as tables.

Head chef Mr Velasquez said previously there were a lot of stagnant and unchanging businesses in the Barossa.
“We wanted to push the boundaries and do something different,” said Mr Velasquez.

El Estanco is on 23 Murray Street Greenock and is open seven days, 8am-4.30pm breakfast, lunch & dinner on Fridays.

BAROSSA, CLARE & GAWLER’S TOP 5 CAFES VOTED BY YOU

1. El Estanco – Greenock

2. Blackbird Coffee House – Tanunda

3. Bizzee Bean Cafe – Gawler

4. Em’s Cookie Jar – Freeling

5. Cafe 1871 – Clare