the topiary cafe

especially when that provides opportunity to sample fresh, seasonal produce driven food from the topiary cafe which is gaining quite the reputation. when entering the nursery, apart from the glorious autumn coloured plants, the cafe is the first thing you see.

you can't just put white table cloths on the tables buy some trendy stoneware dinner plates and charge fine dining prices. the chairs are uncomfortable, the service doesn't match the menu and the menu doesn't warrant the pricing. i don't want to be served three poorly cooked, flavourless mushrooms for $28 and see a chef come through the restaurant with dirty tea towels on their shoulde. the old formula worked well. the effort to make this what it's not is ill conceived and half baked.

i can't speak highly enough of this quaint little cafe at the bottom of the foothills. it is my local go to cafe when meeting up with family and friends. the menu is forever changing and incorporates a lot of local and in season produce. yes the portion sizes are small and the food is expensive, but you realise why when you see and taste the thought that has gone into the presentation and taste of each dish. thank you for providing the north east with such an incredible spot.

love love love this place!👌 recently named no.1 garden cafe in sa- it's the perfect spot for a catch up in a very pretty surrounding. favourite is eggs royale on a poppyseed scone with a beetroot hollandaise that is so dam deelish! scones with homemade jam is also a must! will keep returning i still need to do the high tea 😊😊

we've been before and were looking forward to lunch. very disappointed. food was tasty but so overpriced and tiny, tiny portions. we ordered the $18 pp shared platter plus an entree of pate. $79. platter was really only enough for 2, not 4.... not enough bread...asked for more but would have to pay more. management were aware of our concerns, offered eventually to provide more bread but after 20mins it hadn't arrived. we cancelled and decided to go elsewhere for coffee. food was tasty, nice venue. our waitress was apoletic and friendly. we did receive a $12 discount at the register...and a promise of coffees if we return. we probably won't return. photo ..$79 for 5. pate was $15. platter was $18 pp

the warm fruit bread with mascarpone cream and lemon curd is to die for! the service is friendly and the garden setting is particularly lovely, i've never been disappointed with this gourmet restaurant

daughter took me here for my bithday breakfast. cant think of a better place to go. food was wonderful and coffee top quality. service friendly and just the right amount of attention. will definately be back.

this is seriously good quality cooking at an unlikely location. the tapas lunch "rolling" selection was varied and delicious. a very pleasant surprise and i will definitely need to go back to try the breakfast.

the serious gardeners breakfast. a feast to share!


-----20 apr, 2015-----

we walked up to newman's nursery to enjoy the serious gardeners breakfast which we shared between four of us. it was beautiful, fresh and served with a lovely condiments. highly recommended. but make sure you make a reservation, especially on a weekend.

beautiful breakfast. i'd heard great things and liked the look of the menu, so stopping at the café for a bite after plant purchasing was a must. upon entering, my eating buddies and i were directed to a table inside the cosy interior. we were a little late to grab an outdoor table nestled amongst the gorgeous greenery of newman's nursery, but are already planning a return visit to take advantage of al fresco dining whilst the weather is still warm.

not only were the breakfast options out of the ordinary, they were also generous in size. my "house-made haloumi + corn bread", with smoky eggplant butter, garden pea and blistered heirloom tomato salad, house-made haloumi and lemon + a side of mushrooms, was sensational. the corn bread is baked in house, and has the appearance of a savoury scone. my guests enjoyed their "landscapers breakfast" and "gardeners breakfast", with a variety of extras from topiary's extensive sides list.

i have my eye on the coconut pancakes next time.

i finally decided on the filet mignon and smoked potato dish that looks so beautiful plated up. tender juicy beef wrapped in prosciutto and topped with pine chimichurri – is there anything better in life than this? cylinders of smoked potato gnocchi that were light, airy and soft like a cake; paired with slices of pickled heirloom carrot that gave an acidic touch and pops of blistered tomatoes.    filet mignon and smoked potato ($27.90) look at the prosciutto wrapped beef! c choose the smoked paprika marinated chicken breast that came with a corn and lime puree and was decorated with semi-dried tomatoes, charred chorizo and baby herbs. c let me steal a bite and it was surprisingly sweet from the corn and lime puree; the juicy, soft chicken was cooked perfectly with a flavour filled paparika crispy skin. smoked paprika marinated chicken breast ($32.50) beautiful little place that serves such delicious dishes – so happy we have this gem at the north east of adelaide :)

wonderful service, gorgeous food!

take a small detour and enter into this little fairytale garden. greeted by a warm smile. we asked for a small stool for the handbag and was told there was none unfortunately, but they will be looking into getting one! awwww... how's that for service!

dishes were surprising and delish. had the pâté + cucumber entree and the smoked onion was simply beautiful. the filet mignon is must try.

we're on to our 3 desserts right now! and it's heavenly...

the place has a rustic old house feel to it. there's a lot of wood and bric-a-brac around the place. this place is only open for dinner on fridays and saturdays, and tonight is a set-price two-course for $55 or three-course for $70...

never fails to impress me.. this is one of my favourite places to eat, full stop. i haven't got one unkind thing to say about the place. i've brought many friends here, and everyone leaves wondering why they've never been before. breakfast is balanced, wholesome and hearty, lunch is a little bit fancy, and the scones and cakes are like poetry in food form. i'm shocked to see complaints about bad service - i can tell you, if you have a problem with the service at the topiary, you've caught them on a bad day. the service is usually impeccable. we're always greeted with smiles and treated as though our dining experience really matters. i'm proud that there's a place like this in my local area.

we go here frequently and the food and coffee always good. it's a shame about the noise inside but lovely outside on a nice day..