Dawn Patrol Rundle Place – also sometimes known as FKA – is so far beyond what we expect from a “coffee kiosk” that it feels mean to saddle them with that title. But in essence, that’s exactly what it is – and co-owner Dom Ossa celebrates that. “If it wasn’t a kiosk, we wouldn’t have done it,” he admits to Broadsheet. “It means we can really lean into coffee.” “If you have bricks-and-mortar and you’re doing food, it has to be restaurant quality.” Without walls to hide behind, and with 30 open-plan metres, the cafe’s full capabilities are on display.
In terms of food, that means a mix of bagels, baguettes and Cubanos prepped just down the road at Boy and Bloom on Flinders Street. Fillings range from the familiar (salmon with cream cheese, onion and capers) to the far out (grilled, spiced jackfruit with Manchego and pickles). “This is very much a collaboration between their expertise in running hospitality venues and our work with coffee,” says Ossa.
But, let’s be honest, Dawn Patrol is about coffee. The brew bars are stacked with top-end tech and toys, meticulously curated for delivering consistent, high-quality product – even at rush hour. Dawn Patrol CBD offers all the espresso options but sidesteps the batch brew trend in favour of crafting individual filter coffees to order. A handful of different single origins and blends, selected from Dawn Patrol’s extensive catalogue, are also available.
Dawn Patrol worked with Mash Design and Think Detail to bring the space to life. Arcade management pushed them to be ambitious with the fit-out, and the result is a rare statement of intent in the high-turnover world of retail. Looming white arches announce the site and provide a sense of scale. Sustainably sourced spotted gum cabinetry and pink terrazzo bring an understated elegance, while booths, bar stools and table settings ensure there’s room for everyone.
Dawn Patrol’s headquarters is located in McLaren Vale and Ossa says that, after spending so long down south, returning to the grind of the CBD was “a bit of an adjustment”. He could never had accounted for how immediately the new clientele embraced Dawn Patrol’s sophisticated coffee service. “We’ve always wanted to make [specialty coffee] more accessible. We were never going to be just another douchebag coffee place. We want to encourage people to have a crack, have a go and enjoy it.”
For some time, a truly specialty coffee experience has been missing from Rundle Mall. After the loss of early-third-wave riders in and around the mall such as Bar 9 Central, Caffiend and Fairweather, this new opening alongside Exchange Coffee’s current expansion seems to signal a welcome return to form.
Hours:
Mon to Fri 7am–5pm
Sat & Sun 9am–5pm
This article was originally published on May 12, 2023 but was updated on May 17, 2023 to reflect the venue changing their official name from FKA to Dawn Patrol - Rundle Place.
