Cibo Espresso

Needed to met a client for coffee in the busy Rundle Mall. Spotted «Cibo» with their distinguishable Red Style Chairs and tables along the pedestrian area on the Mall, knowing that the coffee is consistently good, decided this would be the place. Being lunch time they were busy, I found the service friendly, with very little delay. Enjoyed the coffee as we talked business, watched a busker, very relaxing. Will do this again.

Ah Cibo. Some of them are WINNERS (hello Hutt St)… and then some are not. I’m losing faith in the Cibo flava these days. I truly feel I’m not ethnic enough, which means i’m not loud and bedazzled enough, to get good service. The compact one in Rundle Mall I run away from due to a variety of not-​to-​be-​named-​reasons (such as scary ladies who look at you disapprovingly but love on the italian stallion behind you). I’m sure its just cultural missunderstanding of what the snarly lip means. Surely that actually means «you are too cute to boot!». The Rundle St one has its great days and the not so great days… but its always busy and loud and I enjoy the atmosphere.
This particular day was a need-​for-​a-​place-​to-​sit-​with-​my-​student-​buddies, so we cleverly brought great food from elsewhere and a coffee from here. The outdoor area is a «suck on some second hand smoke or car fumes» heaven — but you get to watch the parade of wild clothing strut past. Inside is a warren to get lost in, but it still has its charm.
Alas, my love for the lack of foam doesn’t gel well with the generosity of the foam giving baristas. I bet the staff are well tired. I spent a good hour there watching the fuss of staff swapping between their civvy clothes and popping across the road (to the Austral?) and their work clothes behind the counter, and someday I will be able to keep up with who is the head honcho.
For now though, despite the nit-​picking, they still provide one of the yummiest dishes around — baked apricot cheesecake. My butt just grew a size thinking about that…

Great service and great coffee. The location for me is quite convenient, if I’m heading to a show or from one and need a caffeine fix.
My choices are either soy latte or soy chai and both are made well, can’t complain.
Also, while waiting inside you can use the tap for water. I like that you have the option to order and wait outside.
They’re general pretty busy so just be patient.

Cibo gets a 4 star review on their current Gelati selections alone — there are some great summer flavours that are out at the moment — and it is worth the trip just for those :)
I have not always had the best experience with Cibo in relation to thier coffee, becasue I drink black coffee, I find that Cibo in general — no matter which one I go to — have a tendancy to burn my coffee :(
But as far as the Gelati goes — I will come back here again and again and again! :)

My sister-​in-​law Sarah introduced me to this café. It wasn’t here the last time I was in Adelaide, but she swears by it.
Yes, the coffee is good, but honestly, Australians know how to make a good coffee, so it’s hard to judge from the competition.
What I like is the location. You can sit outside, it’s close to Rundle Street and the park.

This a somewhat original and cool line of Cibo, situated in smack bang the middle of Rundle Street and also along Frome Road. In this sense it’s different and seems almost sole when it comes to coffee and Cibo for that matter of its kind.
In terms of setting and interior this has got to be one my favourite of the many Cibo coffee places in Adelaide. It oozes off laid back yet trendy vibes, with what almost feels like a studio apartment on it upper most, and second level. The views on a busy night are also rather entertaining. I have rather enjoyed sitting by the window chilling with a latte and bongo players across the road.
Apparently this Cibo is also the break up hub, with many teary eyes girls and boys alike running down the stairs after a not so happy date. Poor soles. I’m sure the staff who work here would be able to tell a story or two regarding such things.
There is also seating outdoors along the Frome side and the coffee, true to all the other Cibo coffees out there, is some of the best conveniently located out there. They could improve on the selection of Italian cakes though!

Over the years Cibo has grown into a flourishing chain of cafes all over Adelaide. The simple reason for this is that their coffee is some of the best in the state.
Having been to all of Cibo’s locations throughout South Australia, I would have to say that the Rundle Street shop has arguably the best baristas of them all. They are quick, hard-​working and make some seriously good espresso. Even during lunch hour rushes and when the shop is filled with patrons, very few times have I been given a wrong order or have I been unsatisfied with the coffee I’ve received. Whether it be a morning espresso or long black, or an afternoon latte or cappuccino, they all taste great.
The menu is quite straight-​forward, including sandwiches, focaccias, piadinas and salads, in addition to a range of pastry deserts — making Cibo an excellent lunchtime or afternoon catch-​up spot. The pricing is reasonable for the quality of the food and, although not made on demand, are appetizing alternatives to brown bag lunches. The Foccacia Calabrese is my personal favourite for a quick lunchtime meal, and it never disappoints. For desert, I recommend the apricot cheesecake or affogato.
It’s also comforting that upon frequent visits, the baristas soon learn your preferences and have little difficulty in making coffee to your liking.

Cibo on Rundle St is the hipster hang out. You will always see many fixies lined up outside and their moustache bearing counterparts sitting close by sipping on a latte. I must clear up that this is not a negative, just the stereotypical occupants you should be ready to encounter.
The coffee. Cibo always does good coffee. Good, not amazing. However, it definitely gives you the caffeine hit you need.
Despite how small Cibo appears from the outside, it has a nice range of areas. First outside, there are a few tables a long the road where you can watch the hussle and bussle of Rundle Street. Next downstairs, its always packed with people running around, but good if you want a quick sit down and a drink. Finally upstairs, the place to go if you want to have a quiet chat. It is also the perfect area to drink your coffee in peace and do work on your laptop.
Since it’s opening, Cibo has always been one of the most popular coffee places on Rundle St. However, the opening of Felici has caused fierce competition. You be the decider of who is better!

I know Cibo is just another franchised coffee shop, but when I went to this particular Cibo and ordered an iced coffee, I was in heaven. Made with coffee ice cream, it was probably the best iced coffee I have ever had the pleasure of drinking.
The upstairs area is a nice and relaxed environment, unless it’s a very warm day and then it gets a tad stuffy up there. Otherwise, an enjoyable place to be.

What makes Rundle Street Cibo special? As a person who stays away from coffee chains, this Cibo took a while to win me over. However, I finally had to accept that they do the best and most consistent coffee along the street. They only have a few, serious baristas, who greet customers from along the street by name. Their other staff are always friendly, helpful and efficient.
Compared to its counterpart up on Rundle Mall, the Rundle St Cibo is a full-​sized café with indoor and outdoor seating, and a great range of sweets and focacias. And gelati. Ohhhh the gelati. Their flavours are rich and strong, easily as good as Gelatissimo further up the street (though without as much variety). They regularly have new flavours — today I had the Mascapone & Nutella. YUM! There is also a new Lamington flavour. As I was drooling at the counter, one of the staff took pity on me and helped me decide by ladling out several testers. Not normally a fan of Lamington, I tried the proffered sample and thought it better than a standard Lammie. But then, everything is better in icecream form.
I asked for a recommendation and he gave me a mouthful of the Roast Almond. Instant winner. It’s rich and sweet, with lots of full roasted almonds throughout.
I got the «tiny» (cheapest) size, and he kindly gave me two flavours rather than the regular one, so I tried the Bacio as well. Definitely one of the best Bacio flavours I’ve had in Adelaide — finally, they got the hazelnut to chocolate ratio just right. Too often the chocolate overpowers the hazelnut, but the flavour held its own here, helped by the whole hazelnuts scattered throughout.
This is a great place for a quick coffee, thanks to their ever busy street window, as well as a good spot to sit down with something sweet.