Blefari

Sandwiched between local government buildings including the Premier’s office and the Education Department, Blefari caters to the caffeine needs of some of South Australia’s most influential people.

Whether they’re popping in for a pre-policy-meeting latte or a nourishing lunch to set them up for an afternoon of press conferences, the café is a hub of activity for the local workforce from Monday to Friday.

Experienced hospitality entrepreneur Michael Marinos purchased the venue in 2021, coming out of retirement to help his nephew takeover the business.

“Most of our customers work in the nearby government buildings and we see a lot of them most days,” says Michael.

“We really pride ourselves on producing the best cup of coffee possible. We continuously check the grind and dose weight every 30 minutes or so to ensure we hit the mark every time.”

The Blefari team recently switched up their coffee offering, partnering with Melbourne’s The Bean Cartel to refresh their house blend. They now serve the roaster’s El Rudo coffee – a bold mix of beans from Colombia, Brazil, El Salvador, Peru, and India that promises to deliver notes of caramel, toffee, and hazelnut with a hint of dark chocolate.

“It’s a big decision to switch suppliers and you’ve got to find a coffee that will work for your customers. The people we serve at Blefari are looking for a smooth flavour that finishes with a touch a sweetness and doesn’t leave a bitter taste,” says Michael.

“Many of them choose traditional hot espresso drinks, but recently we’ve seen a huge rise in interest in iced coffee. Our hot chocolates are very popular too as we make them fresh with real Belgian chocolate – they’re indulgently rich.”

Alongside the drinks offering, Chef Pete McLaughlin crafts a seasonal menu of café staples including weekly specials such as house-made meatballs and popcorn halloumi.

“We’re more of a sleek glass-fronted café than a trendy coffee shop. Our customers are a bit more serious due to their profession, but we create a friendly and welcoming atmosphere,” says Michael.

“Our customers might be making big decisions every day, but we can still have a joke with them as we prepare their morning coffee.”

Blefari

182 Victoria Square, Adelaide
South Australia, 5000

Open Monday to Friday 7am to 4pm