Seafaring Fools

Seafaring Fools is in Glenelg South, in a spot owner Alistair Corston missed out on once before. The former boat captain has a soft spot for the area; he grew up around the corner on Ramsgate Street.

The 61-seater cafe has an Art Deco frontage and north-facing bay windows. Art is beamed onto the wall by a projector. Compared with its seatless Grenfell Street sibling, it’s a mansion. Corston recruited two long-time mates, chef Ben Nash Borsa Pasta Cucina) and barista Joel Materne (Froth and Fodder.

The usual menu staples are complemented by a few standouts, such as salt-and-pepper broccoli tacos with kim chi, and a Reuben sandwich.

South Australian produce takes centre stage: Adelaide Hills Kanmantoo bacon, Fleurieu Peninsula free-range eggs and more. DeGroot Coffee Roasters provides the stimulants. Take note of what the coffee is served in, too: striking HK Living ceramics, a gift from Corston’s mates at Home Supply.

In 2022, the crew introduced a hole-in-the-wall burger joint – Fools Burger – turning out American-style burgs from a street-facing window at the cafe. You might order a smash burger made with a brisket patty or a fried chicken burg and all the trimmings, sandwiched between a seared brioche bun. Plus, fries, tots and boneless wings.