Thelma

Thelma isn’t a cafe, nor is it really a bistro. Housed inside the old Brid space, this all-day dining destination is inspired by like-minded venues in Europe, where the place you have your morning coffee is also where you go for a glass of wine and a snack or to grab provisions for dinner.

The trio of James Spreadbury, Olivia Moore and former Summertown Aristologist chef Tom Campbell share a similar approach to food, wine and hospitality, and a deep respect for produce and provenance. The food at Thelma is best described as European country cooking, informed by what Spreadbury’s brother Tim is growing at his small-scale market garden, Presqil, nearby.

That might mean evolving, grazing-style breakfast plates of seasonal veg, cheese slices, house-made sourdough and a boiled egg. For lunch, expect nourishing, produce-led dishes alongside local and European wines made as purely as possible.

In keeping with the neighbourhood vibes, Thelma also has a small retail section, with a tight edit of local and international products like fancy pasta, tinned fish, bread and olive oil for visitors to take home or build their own lunch at the Mount Lofty Botanic Garden down the road.