Surrounded by the Victorian splendour of the Adelaide Arcade, Ciao Coffee Bar is a small oasis in the middle of an increasingly modernised Rundle Mall shopping precinct.
Placed squarely in the middle of the arcade, it is the perfect place to sit for a midday coffee, watching the world go by around you.
You have the option of either sitting at one of the tables (although warning, the seats are incredibly heavy and somewhat awkward to move!), or perching at the 'bar' itself for a true espresso experience.
Some of my childhood memories revolve around this coffee bar (although I am unsure if it was 'Ciao' at that stage). I remember making the trek to Adelaide from the bush, in order for my mother to have her hair 'permed' (ah, the 1980s!) in the arcade. In the days before instant coffee machines in hair salons, I remember the hairdressers taking orders for coffees before nipping out to the coffee bar to have them filled. One of the perks of an Italian hairdresser; only ever offering DECENT coffee, no instant here!
The coffee is just what you would expect from an Italian run establishment. Smooth, strong and lingering (in a good way!). A refreshing change to the high-turnover, music-thumping chain bars that seem to crop up everywhere these days! read more