5 places for coffee in the Clare Valley
Next time you find yourself in Clare, here are some spots to stop at to recharge with a coffee and brunch or a treat.
Little Red Grape
Anyone for a cheese and Vegemite sausage roll or a satay prawn pie with their coffee? Classic bakery fare abounds alongside quirky specials at this Clare Valley gateway bakery and cafe. The place is always busy, for good reason. The coffees are of the no-fuss variety, and consistently good, soups are hearty, pastry well cooked and every palate, from plain to hankering-for-twists, is catered for. South Aussie themes pop up, particularly on the donuts, reflecting the footy goings-on, and at Easter the kids will love fairy bread hot cross buns. Dietaries are well covered, and as a nice bonus, this bakery is licensed.
Watervale General Store
Realising this store’s kitchen is an arm of the celebrated Watervale Hotel chef team next door, you have to know everything will be just right. The menu traverses all-day breakfast to brunch and lunch or pop-ins for bakery and pastry treats with interesting drinks. And the sipping along with all that supping, includes all manner of particularly well-made coffees, as well as Warndu teas and delicate infusions made with garden produce at nearby Penobscot farm. Beware, you probably won’t leave it at that. Chef Nicola Palmer’s myriad pickles and preserves will be an undeniable temptation to take home.
Daily Grind
There’s no doubt our wine regions can be a bit on the sleepy side, stumping those looking for sunrise food and drinks. If you are an early riser looking for sustenance and treats, this cafe is open from 5.30am weekdays and 7.30am on weekends. You will probably be rubbing shoulders with tradies, all in the know about good coffee and morning pastries. Consistently good reviews go to the coffees, with plenty of high praise such as “awesome, smooth and delicious”. Bagels are a mainstay on the menu, even a steak bagel for heartier appetites. Look for gluten-free options, vegan treats and “wellness bars”.
Cafe 1871
Paradox Coffee beans are the perfect match with this ethical-attitude cafe. The local supplier purchases then roasts green coffee beans from estate farms where farmers receive a fair wage. The used grounds from every brew are then composted into the soil at the cafe owners’ garden where native produce free of sprays embellish the seasonal menus. Some fresh items are for sale in the cafe. Coffees and light meals here will give you a satisfying, environmentally friendly feel. Even re-usable coffee cups are available. You can swap them for a new cuppa each time (no washing needed). Online orders welcome.
Subscribe for updates
Just Julie’s Cafe
The fresh and friendly space in the heart of Clare is winning hearts for its great coffees, good service and a convivial atmosphere evoking a sense of must-do-this-again. It’s a varied feast, with all-day breakfasts, hearty house-made meals, a range of burgers, fresh smoothies and even bubble teas. Most dietaries are catered for. After about five years on the town’s main dining street, and with only a surprisingly small voice on social media, it’s good to see Julie enjoying recommendations and popularity through word of mouth, still the most reliable way to discover new places.
This article first appeared in the 2025 issue of SALIFE Food+Wine+Travel magazine.
Want to see more stories from InDaily SA in your Google search results?
- Click here to set InDaily SA as a preferred source.
- Tick the box next to "InDaily SA". That's it.
