Hahndorf has just welcomed a cafe unlike any other, and it’s not just the coffee that’ll be drawing crowds. Adelaide’s first-ever guinea pig cafe, as far as we know, aptly named Hamdorf, has officially opened in the old Cheese Cellar at 91A Mount Barker Road, turning the former home of Udder Delights into a miniature wonderland for both people and pint-sized pigs.
Downstairs in the old cellar, visitors can now peer into a meticulously crafted replica of Hahndorf’s main street, complete with the German Arms Hotel, Hahndorf Leathersmith and Bush Gallery, the Knife Shop, and even the White House. The whole setup, lovingly handmade from repurposed dollhouses, forms the tiny township of Hamdorf. It’s home to a rotating cast of furry residents who wander the streets, nibbling on snacks and frequently toppling model umbrellas from the local pub.
Behind the unique cafe is AHH Life Skills, a family-run disability support provider. The idea behind Hamdorf is to create a space that will teach valuable barista skills to people with intellectual disabilities. The program will impart its participants with important training and will lead to a Certificate III in Barista Training.
“The program means there will be a cafe and a great outlet for people with intellectual disabilities,” AHH Life Skills Managing Director Adelaide Schiblhut said.
“We’ve got participants who are learning to make coffee, and others who are becoming tour guides,” Adelaide says. “They share the history of Hahndorf, tell the story of the project, and help people take photos with the guinea pigs.”
At any given time, around five or six guinea pigs inhabit Hamdorf, with others living nearby on Wunderbar Farm. The guinea pigs rotate regularly and are cared for daily by the cafe’s participants.
On the mini village, Adelaide says, “It looks just like the main street of Hahndorf. I think we secretly nailed it. We’ve got about 20 miniature buildings now.”
Upstairs, the cafe side of Hamdorf serves barista-made coffee, toasties, and pastries, while the lower level is dedicated to the guinea pig gallery. Visitors can head downstairs to view the village and meet the tiny residents for a $5 contribution, funds that go toward installing a lift to make the space fully accessible. “We want to make it accessible for all guinea pigs and all humans,” Adelaide says.
Of course, no cafe is complete without a menu, and Hamdorf’s playful selection is as pun-filled as it is yummy. The star of the show is the Guinea Pig Roll, a banh mi that comes in a locally-themed variation with a German Kransky, pickles and mustard, or a classic teriyaki chicken.
Sweet treats include guinea pig-themed biscuits, pastries, and a local collaboration soft drink dubbed Guinea Pop, made in partnership with McLaren Vale’s South Coast Brewery. On the menu, Adelaide says, “it’s fun, silly, and it gives people a little bit of laughter and joy for an afternoon.”
And if you’re wondering: no, there’s absolutely no guinea pig on the menu.
Hamdorf may have started as a quirky idea, but it’s grown into something that’s meaningful for the community and a spot you won’t want to miss if you’re on Mount Barker Road. “It’s a lot more work than we anticipated,” Adelaide admits, “but it’s been beautiful to see everyone so enthusiastic, including the guinea pigs.”
Hamdorf café is now open at 91A Mount Barker Road, Hahndorf. Entry to the guinea pig village is $5, with proceeds supporting accessibility upgrades.
Hamdorf Cafe
Where: 91A Mount Barker Road, Hahndorf
When: 8am – 4pm, seven days
For more information, click here.
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