The Local Legends: The Team of Revival Cafe on the Hidden Gems to Find on the Edge of Adelaide
"The people are the number one reason for us being in this industry."
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Located roughly halfway between Adelaide CBD and the Barossa Valley, the suburb of Blakeview is a growing area with a young population. In fact, the median age of Blakeview residents is just 29. It's no surprise Revival Cafe has been an unmitigated success story since its opening in 2019, even managing to weather the storm of the pandemic despite being a fledgling business at the time.
So, what makes a cafe a hit with the locals? It comes down to three things: good food, good atmosphere and good coffee. Revival Cafe has all three in spades. Revival's owners pair breakfast menu staples with a rotating cast of new inventions, making the most of the ingredients the region has to offer.
Weekends are, unsurprisingly, the most popular time for Revival, with the good people of Blakeview often queuing out the door for a much-coveted table. But if you have the opportunity, weekdays are where it's at. You have more chance of getting a seat without having to wait, and the chefs often use the quieter periods for experimentation, meaning you could witness the debut of a future classic menu item.
The team behind Revival prides itself on the inclusive vibe of the cafe and aims to spread positivity throughout the local community. "The people are the number one reason for us being in this industry. We love to meet new customers and develop friendships over time, learning more about the desires and passions of those who support us daily," they told us.
And you just know they've got the coffee game sewn up. They have Toby's Estate Woolloomooloo blend that keeps the regulars coming back, but they also incorporate a range of new and exciting flavours, including blueberry crumble and crème brûlée blends. As the team puts it, "We're passionate about introducing customers to specialty coffee, taking them on a journey of discovery and enabling customers to build new perceptions on coffee."
Not for nothing, the Revival team won the public vote to be crowned Toby's Estate South Australia Local Legends for 2023. That's a pretty impressive accolade when considering the number of cafes statewide that partner with Toby's Estate. We spoke to Ben and Jillian Hart at Revival to find out what makes their little corner of Adelaide so special.
What's your coffee order?
Oat latte all the way, and maybe a sneaky filter on the side.
Do you have a secret trick for making the perfect cup?
No secrets, just having good, well-maintained equipment and great quality beans, as well as staying consistent throughout the process.
From your food menu, what's the perfect pairing with a morning coffee?
You can't go past a classic: the smashed avo, paired with whipped feta and roasted pepitas. Another great dish to pair with that morning cup is the Turkish Eggs.
What made you choose to open in the area you're in today?
I always felt there was something lacking in our part of North Adelaide.
Outside of your own cafe, where's your favourite local spot to grab a feed?
If you head up further into the Barossa, El Estanco would be a great pick. We also can't look past our friends at Krave for a comfort brunch meal.
What's the most underrated spot for dinner in your area?
Sneaky's for a woodfired pizza and a vino.
If you had a friend come to visit, where's the first place you would take them?
The Barossa is such a good pick, or down to Henley Beach.
Any other local small businesses you think people should support?
The Blakes Crossing area definitely — such a great community of small businesses.
Revival Cafe is the Toby's Estate Local Legends winner for SA in 2023. For more information on it or other cafes that serve Toby's Estate, visit the website.
