Image: Mel Heywood Riverland Country Style Kitchen/Facebook
It’s a frothy favourite in cafes across our state, but only one cafe has been named home to the ‘Best Babyccino in South Australia’ for 2026.
Riverland Country Style Kitchen has poured the winning cup, beating out a particularly steamy top 10. The title has been awarded to the Renmark institution in an annual competition run by Kids in Adelaide, which invites the community to vote for their favourite Babyccino.
Creator and photographer behind the victorious Babyccino, Mel Heyworth, says the win means everything to the family-owned business.
“It’s just awesome because times are tough, small businesses need all the support they can get.”
Owned by community-minded husband and wife team, Sue and Bret, the cafe serves up an array of homestyle cooking, offering something for everyone in the community or just passing by. But it’s not just their award-winning Babyccinos or $15 Banh Mi Wednesdays that keep regulars knocking. Mel describes the atmosphere inside as something straight out of the 80s sitcom Cheers.
“You walk in and everyone knows your name”
“It’s just that feel of a small country town and everyone just talks to everybody … we’re all very friendly bubbly people here.”
Images: Mel Heywood
From first glance, it’s no mystery how the cafe out-frothed the competition, as the Babyccino dresses to impress with an array of cookies, marshmallows, sprinkles and chocolate powder. But, despite the indulgent treats on top, the real sweetness comes from the kids’ faces when they see their fluffy favourite coming their way.
“The best thing about it is going up and giving it to the kid and seeing their smile.”
The extra care that goes into crafting an otherwise simple sip, captures the essence of the Riverland Country Style Kitchen: homemade food made with love.
While the ingredients aren’t exactly top secret, Mel spills the beans (or milk) on how she perfected an authentic Babyccino: by making a bigger and better version of the velvety froth every kid scrapes off of their parents’ lattes.
“Some cafes add warm milk in the bottom of the cup,” however, to Mel, that cloud-like consistency has always been the most important part.
Trailing behind Riverland Country Style Kitchen in the top three were Lil Mumma’s Cafe in Gawler and Gold Dust in One Tree Hill.
Want to see who else made the cut? Check out list of winners here.
