The Loose Caboose

Reminds me of Europe, especially with the blankets for patrons to utilize if the weather is way cold. This is my local, exceptional coffee, a specials board and a delicious choice for breakfast.
Service is warm and the staff knowledgable in regard to food ingredients, alterations etc.

Recently came in for a coffee expecting good things both from reviews and the look of the place. The service and atmosphere were great. Buddha for the music and plenty of people there and the staff were very friendly.
I ordered a current favourite, a dirty chai. Unfortunately, it really did t cut the mustard at all. It was weak, almost completely lacked the typical spices you’d expect and had far too much milk.
I’m aware that my taste in coffee is mildly unusual but I would have expected the barista to know the basics.

Wow! Most overpriced fruit loaf ever!
Asked for a half serve of Eggs Benedict, got told «we don’t do half serves».
As I never ever manage to eat a whole serve, it seemed ridiculous to spend $ 17 on a meal I would only eat half of, so I opted for Sourdough Fruit Bread @ $ 6:50 instead.
I got 2 of the smallest pieces of fruit loaf I’ve ever seen, the butter was frozen solid, by the time I could spread the butter, the toast was cold.
The only good thing I can say about this place is the waitress who showed me to my table & brought me my coffee was adorable friendly & polite & just a sweetheart.
Such a shame that the cook isn’t customer friendly

Great breakfast! I had the smashed avocado with scrambled eggs and watermelon radish. Many places will not vary the egg cooking style from poached to scrambled, but they were more than happy to accommodate.
Busy café, innovative and creative food, good vibe, friendly helpful staff. Will definitely return!

My most favorite breakfast spot! I always get eggs with avocado and feta and its always such a big serving of avo and feta! Really worth your money! Definitely will keep coming back!

Came back here for the second time after a really good first experience. Had rated the place quite highly and even recommended others to try it… after this visit I won’t be.
We arrived just myself and a girlfriend for some coffee and a light lunch. There were 4 tables outside however we were made to sit and wait. We then were seated along the bench to the side in the sun after about 15 mins of waiting (there were still empty tables too). I asked if we could have a table in the shade and I was told that wasn’t possible as there was only two of us (there were small tables but apparently unless you have 4 people you can’t have one). Basically just incase a bigger group of people come in so they can be seated you have to be inconvenienced and sunburnt.
After this we ordered the food and coffee and all was good in that department as it was the last time I went there. We had caboose cakes and a latte and they were both quite yummy.
We went to pay and asked to split the bill (which given we had ordered the same thing wouldn’t be hard) but were told we can’t split bills. Which in a modern (nearly cashless) society is just bloody inconvenient.
After such a positive first experience I was really disappointed in my second visit and won’t ever go back here. I understand when places are busy that sometimes the level of service is compromised, however the place wasn’t overly busy there were probably 4 or 5 tables that were empty (more inside) the whole time I was there.

Delicious, innovative brunches. Good service and reasonably prices. Ambience is great also!

I do like this place!
The Pros: Great food, A FIRE!, interesting menu, good flavour combination, excellent outdoor eating (when the weather is fabulous!)… did I mention a fire? I clearly hollered it out to you… views of passing metro trains… and a fire! Flannel perhaps is a dress requirement, or perhaps its just conveniently been what people have worn when I have been the two times I have… they have their own coffee roaster, and the baristas know how to work a good group head and basket well. There is a first-​in-​best-​dressed option, so when you arrive, you then get seated at the next available table. But they do offer seats to the waiting crowd of people in the line.
The Cons: Small inside sitting area — so when its cool or raining, expect to wait for a table or be brave and sit outside (I think you get blankets if its nippy). I am sad that when a table of 4 is free next to the fire, that our table of 2 couldn’t nab it. Though, that is being kind to the table of 4 that could be behind us. In saying that little minor complaint, we did get moved to a better table further inside — which was nice.
Parking: bit of a nightmare! Expect to hunt for your car park. If you can, carpool to the café, to avoid all 5 vehicles trying to find 5 car parks — and someone has to walk a mile. OR — park further up Port Road (I think you have to pay in some places) and walk a few minutes — or — park along the back streets just off the City Loop and take the Tram to the Entertainment Centre stop. If you are parking during the week — the front has a few 4hr parks, a couple of Loose Caboose Customer parks — but mostly 1hr parks. 1hr doesn’t tick my happy box, but probably helps the other local businesses have some potential parking spaces for their customers/​clients. Parking on the weekend out the front = MUCH easier (especially after 12pm Saturday). Gotta be less self focussed, I know!
But all in all, Ive always had a good experience at the Loose Caboose!

What I love about The Loose Caboose:
–the location… What a brilliant use for an old train station. Gorgeous.
–the booty innuendo in the name. Hehe… Who doesn’t love a bit of childish humour!?!
–the coffee… Their baristas know what they are doing.
Other than that I’m afraid I’m not really wholly on the bandwagon. They do a solid breakky… But so do a lot of places these days, and for me the consistency and atmosphere just isn’t there to call me back to stand in line for my overpriced eggs.
Let me set the scene of my latest visit… It’s Saturday morning and my partner and I are keen to get our breakky on before I face exam revision hell in the uni library for the weekend. «30 mins more sleep», I groan. «But if you want go to Loose Caboose we need to get there by 9… Otherwise the line will be hell. Now move your caboose lady», the BF replies. «Ughh, okaaayyy. I’ll do it for the bacon» I cry.
So in we walk at 9:10 and we are third in line. After about 5 mins we are at the front… And still have not been acknowledged by the staff (I will note that the guy seating people was FLAT OUT and working his own caboose off… But surely as each weekend is just as busy, they could add more staff). *Also, by the time we were seated about 15 people were in line behind us… so getting there at 9-​ish is mucho recommended.*
Annnyyyway, we were finally addressed and eventually seated outside, in the shade, in the dead of winter. Which I didn’t mind, they did ask us if it was okay and as they have blankets and we like being outdoors we accepted. But it was seriously frigid… Not sure why they don’t have heaters.
I will say our coffee orders were taken immediately (that guy is definitely the star), and our breakky orders were taken shortly after. I heard them telling another group that they take them in order of arrival — great system for fairness. I like.
Sadly though, my breakky wasn’t great. I got the Wild Mushrooms with Polenta Chips. The produce was obviously fresh and beautiful looking, but the dish was soo bland. It was the most tasteless polenta I’ve ever had. The mushrooms lacked depth something… seasoning? A sauce? My partner was pretty happy with his big breakfast, but all of our poached eggs were cooked solid, and his had broken shell in it, which is an accident of course, but there is really no excuse for all the eggs to be overcooked. One we get, but 3?
Luckily there are plenty of places in Adelaide with less hype that I can grab a tastier and cheaper breakky, without the wait. I would go back if invited by friends, but I won’t be arranging to return myself any time soon.

Went here for lunch and had the wild mushrooms without the eggs. Was a bit disappointed as the dish lacked flavour and the only dressing present was in the form of oil. The polenta chips were so flavourless that I only managed to eat one before leaving the rest. Good idea, but needs some sort of sauce or dressing. Wouldn’t order again. Need some vegan or vegetarian savoury options without egg on the menu also… Not heaps to choose from in that department.

I work at the brewery near by so this café is my favourite break from work. Food is always tasty and the portions are generous! Can tend to be on the pricy side but I think it’s worth it.
I really like their tapas menu, where each Ranges between $ 7 – 9, or you can have 3 for $ 20. I like the croquette the best!
I sometimes go for their juices too– the usual suspects with a combo of beetroot, pineapple, kale and ginger. $ 6.50 each.
Then comes the mains. Oh the mains! I’ve tried quite a few, think their menu changes. The corn fritters are delicious and tasty, beautifully presented for $ 18. Comes with a yummy mint gel.
In the photo I have one of my recent lunches — the asian pulled pork burger with fries. If you can have anything with fries, try it cos they are delish and crunch.
Last but not least, the coffee here is always good! Made with care, $ 3.70 for a small.
They also have salads, sandwiches, muffins, brownies and other baked goods. Overall a really good place to eat for lunch!

I met fellow Unilocalist Bridie W here for brunch. Make sure you plan ahead for parking, as you might need to walk a little. The Loose Caboose is a pleasantly arranged space right up on the train tracks which is interesting.
I arrived first and was led to a table for two. .. on a bench style arrangement sandwiched between two other groups. Yeah. .. nah. So I popped up and bounced out to the outdoor area which gave us more space. The smell outside was a little swampy. .. sewerage issue maybe? but the air was circulating enough for it not to be too much of an issue.
The menu was enticing and it took ages for us to make up our minds. The brunch timing we had chosen made me feel like I needed savoury so I chose the beef tacos and Bridie had the espresso loaf which looked so amazing, I needed to follow my tacos with a brownie that was deliciously mouth-​meltingly fine.
We sat there for some hours, I would have liked a wait staff follow up as I probably would have gone a juice or something if it were on offer. I do like, however, the self-​serve still and sparkling water taps which are becoming more popular these days so that sufficed.
I am keen to return and sample more of the menu.

The Caboose is great, with friendly staff, quality food on a menu that changes often — but not too often! — and a great vibe.
It’s a little loud when busy, and the service does take a while longer than most places, but you’d be hard pressed to find a better place for lunch in the area.
They also do great coffee, and I am perpetually envious of all the folk who commute from Bowden train station because they get to experience this place more often than I can.

The Loose Caboose ticks my boxes in every way possible. Given what it is — a renovated railway station, this is something that could have easily veered into the horrible or the pastiche. Thankfully while there are loving nods to the heritage of the building, the concept is more sophisticated in that the history informs rather than dominates.
Upon approaching the building you see the raised alfresco dining area which is offered commanding views of the London Planetree lined avenue leading out to Port Road. Upon entering there are coffee plants decorating a staircase that takes you up to the main reception area. I especially like this touch as coffee trees don’t grow well in Adelaide but they seem to be flourishing in the almost hot-​house like foyer of the building. It is also a nod to the fact that the Loose Caboose roast their own coffee, more evidence of which is provided when you enter and see the neatly installed baby coffee roaster at the back of the main dining space.
I have primarily used this place as a brunch haunt. Mainly because their menu (though others are now following suit) was quite progressive by Adelaide standards. There are the usual suspects but also interesting cajun inspired brunch dishes. I never tire of trying something new there.
The coffee has improved considerably over the time that I have been going there, and is now of a good standard. While I am typically a dark roast kind of guy, I do enjoy their particular style of light roast which can be a sweet change to the style of coffee I normally drink.
Eating indoors is good, however on good days, the alfresco area can not be beat. Well away from Port Road it is quiet, and you get that great verdant view I mentioned earlier. My only complaint is that their outdoor seating is a little flimsy and being a (a-​hem) more industrial strength built gentleman, I do have this near conscious fear as I sit there that I am about to be dumped on the floor with each wobble of the chair frame.
What I do love is the DIY table water. Not those clammy algae infested bottled of stale tap water you may be used to, but lever taps offering still and sparking water to fill jugs. It will keep the children amused for at least 15 minutes, allowing you to sneak a longed for and unbroken chat in with your loved one.
Service is good without being outstanding, but hey it is a café, and overall the quality of the building, the excellent menu, the coffee, and the ambience come together to make something that is in my book unbeatable.

If you find yourself having one of ‘those’ mornings then make sure you get off the train at Bowden and walk yourself past the lemon gums and into the Loose Caboose.
The long blacks are dark thick, but with no bitterness. I ordered the smashed avocado (a dish that is sadly lacking from many Adelaide menus!) which had a really nice balance of flavours and textures — crispy sourdough, creamy avocado, spicy harissa and fresh lemon and radish.
The Loose Caboose can be a bit of a zoo on weekends, but pop in for a midweek breakfast and you won’t be disappointed.

Loose Caboose is a really funky café. I have been half a dozen times or more.
Great position.
Easy parking.
Interesting Menu.
Awesome food.
Tasty tasty coffee.
Nice outdoor area.
Free snuggle blankets to keep warm.
Coffee roasted on site.
Snobby Impersonal/​Inflexible Service.
Will not take bookings. (Not even for a large group)
No amendments to dishes (regardless of intolerances & allergies)
But the food and coffee makes up for it.

Loose Caboose is way cool.
If you are travelling by train, you can access the café directly from the tracks, otherwise there is a carpark and ample street-​parking nearby.
As you enter, there is a lot to catch the eye. Street art mural, fill-​your-​own jugs of mineral or sparkling mineral tap water, a green wall vertical planter and the kitchen filled with hip chefs turning out delectable looking breakfast treats on pieces of slate.
Tables for two are available quickly, especially if you are happy to sit outdoors, which is actually really nice. A sunny deck, crisp air, great service and fluffy blankets to keep you warm.
Service is friendly and swift with coffee orders taken when you are seated — smart idea to get the caffeine fix fast!
In a nice change from the all pervasive mason jar, the fresh squeezed juices (not too sweet) come in milk bottles with ice ($ 6.50).
The coffee is good and strong, you can choose from two house blends. The Loose is the darker roast, and the Caboose a sweeter brew. The impressive roaster sits at the end of the indoor seating area.
The food choices are all interesting, no boring options here!
The Conductor’s Breakfast ($ 18) is loaded with heirloom tomatoes, chorizo, grilled field mushrooms, pork terrine, two perfectly poached eggs and a light rye sourdough hiding a dollop of goat curd.
For those who aren’t keen on eggs, the smashed organic avo is a smashing option. The perfect mixture of light and filling, with lots of colour, crunch, heat, tang and freshness.
It even kicks goals for sustainable agriculture. Double win!
There are plenty of specials which cross over into lunch territory on the blackboard inside, as well as take home bottles of their house made «Black Sauce» which sounds very temptingly like a Worcestershire style sauce.
Unless you have an iron will, do not look into the cabinet at the cashier. It is absolutely loaded with neat little cakes and dessert jars that are just made to take away. You can try to distract yourself by watching the transparent orange juice machine do its’ thing.
This café is has the whole package. Great ethical food choices, clever service, a funky space, and a liberal dose of that x-​factor.

We recently cycled through the parklands to get across and visit the Loose Caboose at Bowden and we weren’t disappointed.
Great coffee and juices we had the smashed avocado and poached eggs for breakkie. The egg was perfectly poached and the avocado was topped with delicate slices of very fresh radishes which added a beautiful crunchy and peppery taste to the avocado — yum.
The service was excellent. We also loved the water dispenser which gave us a choice of cold sparkling water which was greatly received after our bike ride.

Chugga Chugga Choo Choooo!
The Loose Caboose has been on my bucket list of places to eat for some time now and I honestly don’t know why it took me so long. Perhaps it was the bright pink bikini massage parlour with the half deflated balloons (and I mean actual balloons not ‘balloons’ that get flashed for male clients, though I’d dare say most look deflated as well lol) that put me off!
What a gorgeous tree lined street that leads up to this hip refurbished train station building! It’s just so inviting.
Walking through the door way I just loved all the attention to detail in making this place funky yet homely and inviting.
I think the things that really stood out for me (besides the food which I will review shortly) is the cute mason jar soap and lotion dispensers in the bathroom, the lovely wood fire that made it so warm and cosy. Oh and my favourite? Still AND sparkling water on tap — FREE! Yes you did read that correctly, FREE sparkling water. The Loose Caboose you had my heart won over at that very moment before I had even ordered my food.
The staff are friendly and attentive (for the most part), I think they are still getting used to table service which they implemented recently? As it was hard at times to get their attention when we wanted to order more drinks.
CABOOSE BOARD
This consisted of two poached eggs (you can order fried if you wish), smoked bacon, thyme roasted field mushrooms, heirloom tomatoes, organic avocado with Meredith feta and organic whole grain sourdough bread.
Mmmm mmmm mmmmm! The eggs were poached to utter perfection and I went «Oooooooooo» when that deep golden yolk just oozed out of it. The amount of food on the platter was just the right amount and left me content. Some may say $ 20 is steep for a full breakfast but honestly quality overrides quantity in my books every time and The Loose Caboose nailed that for me.
CORN FRITTERS WITH PORK AND POACHED EGG
The corn fritters were a combination of corn, basil and ?, served with a house made tomato chilli jam, succulent pork belly and a poached egg. Oh plus a bit of rocket and some cutesy itty bitty micro herbs.
I didn’t order this for myself but got to taste test. I felt the corn fritters were a little bland and lacked something. The pork with the chilli jam was a perfect combination. It possibly could’ve done with more than 3 slivers of pork belly but then I can never have enough pork, especially when it tastes that good. Overall we were still happy with this dish.
MEAN GREEN JUICE
A delicious and perfect combination of celery, cucumber, apple, kale and ginger.
OMFGAMAZEBALLS, that is all!
Whilst I’ve been revisiting my regular places I will without a doubt be adding The Loose Caboose as a place I will visit regularly.

The Loose Caboose is a great breakfast/​brunch spot in a very cool venue (Bowden train station).
I’ve been here twice and both times we haven’t had to line up, but a line has appeared pretty quickly after we’ve arrived (we must have good timing!). Food and drink orders are placed at the counter.
The first time we sat inside and were seated at a table with another couple (there was enough room between couples for it not to be uncomfortable), and second time our group of five sat outside.
The smashed avocado is absolutely delicious and the fresh orange juice is nice. Other people in the group had the sauteed mushrooms, BLet and Caboose board– all of which have been enjoyably devoured.
They don’t take bookings, and if you’re planning on going at a popular brunch time be prepared to wait a little, but it’s well worth it.