Ciao Coffee Bar

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!

Ciao passes the ‘yummy long black’ test — so it gets a thumbs up from me!
Staff are friendly, and service is fairly quick — sometimes it’s hard getting a table though, as it does get pretty busy in the middle of this arcade.

As Jo B said, this place serves up it’s coffee a little too bitter for my liking but I always get it fast, with a smile and with plenty of other passers by who seem to love the place.
Prices are pretty standard and their tea is served in giant glass cups with the tea bag left in so I can get the strong flavour I like from the tea.
Their side room (next to the wooden stall in the arcade) is also a great spot to hide away and have a meeting in the peace and quiet from the hustle and bustle. I love looking at the walls and decorations inside and sitting in their leather seats next to the window, whilst watching the world walk by.

A little wooden stall in the centre of Adelaide Arcade, Ciao doles out coffee to all the arcade workers and many passers-​by.
There are chairs in the centre of the mall, but they have also recently moved to a shop next door where there are tables and chairs to sit in a quieter, more private spot. If you’re a people-​watcher however, you’ll be more than happy to sit out in the arcade and watch the passing parade.
Their coffee is an Italian hit of caffiene that is just a little too bitter for my taste-​buds. While they are fast to produce our needed dose, this can be at expense of quality. I often have lattes with far too much froth and little thought put into the design of the crema. When you’re an ex-​barista, you get fussy about your coffee.
The female staff are friendly, and a very authentic looking barista mans the coffee machine, looking serious, though sadly not so serious about his coffee.
There is a small selection of wraps and focacias and a few sweet bites, but they are expensive for what they are.