Market St Cafe

If you're after a bakery in Adelaide that doubles as a proper cafe, Market St Cafe is worth knowing about. It sits just up from the Central Market, and it's the type of place where locals come to start each day. They bake their own bread, croissants and pastries on site, and people who've been will tell you the croissants are the thing to try first. The house-made brioche gets a lot of love too, with a buttery, almost croissant-like texture.

The kitchen goes well beyond baked goods. The word around Adelaide is that the breakfast menu is a big part of the appeal: bacon and egg on brioche or Turkish bread, poached eggs with mushrooms, a cornbread breakfast with bacon, and zucchini and halloumi fritters with hummus and a poached egg. There's a salmon bagel for lunch, plus a bircher for something lighter, and one regular described the scrambled eggs as perfectly cooked and seasoned. Coffee gets the same praise, with a smooth long black and a good tea selection. Gluten-free options are on the menu.

The room suits whatever kind of visit you're after. Some people duck in for a takeaway coffee and pastry on a market run, others settle in with a laptop for a while. There's indoor seating with plenty of natural light and a rustic feel, and outdoor tables on Market Street, which are a bit narrow but pleasant in winter sun. It's wheelchair accessible, high chairs are available, kerbside pickup is offered, and cards are accepted. The staff are friendly, with one local saying they clearly love their work.

Locals say it gets busy, which is no surprise given the pastries come fresh from the oven. We've heard the quality beats a few of the stalls inside the market, and one person called it good value for money. Check the hours before you head in, as it's open most of the week but keeps shorter days on weekends.

For a good croissant, a solid breakfast and a decent coffee near the Central Market, this is an easy pick.