Images: Butter Canteen and Lipson Street Collective
After three years of cakes, pastries and proudly being “home to Adelaide’s most average, overpriced & overpowering sausage roll,” Butter Canteen has announced it will be leaving Port Adelaide’s Lipson Street Collective at the end of June as its lease comes to an end.
Owner Diem shared that it feels like it’s the natural end to this era. “Our lease was coming up, and we weighed up the pros and cons of staying on,” she shared. “Our business had naturally outgrown the space – we have so many ideas and concepts we want to try and pull off, but not enough space to do it in.”
For regulars who have ventured to the unassuming warehouse-style venue tucked between workshops and industrial sheds, the news is the end of an era.
Since opening at Lipson Street Collective in 2023, Butter has built a cult following for its ever-changing lineup of handmade sweet and savoury creations. There was never a fixed menu, just whatever the team felt inspired to bake that week. And with favourites like pork and fennel sausage rolls, savoury scones, towering cakes, Swiss rolls, brownies and pastries, it’s no surprise that everything is often sold out before lunchtime.
The business originally began in Diem’s home kitchen before evolving into the bustling bakery operation that locals know today.
“Bridget (co-owner) had a little baking business on her own before we started Butter,” said Diem. “She was making really intricate desserts and wedding cakes for clients. I would tag along to help her style the dessert tables. I had also just started baking at home (thanks Covid), and got really into it – especially learning about yeasted doughs, and trying to combine home cooking knowledge with baking.
“We were originally baking preorder cookie boxes from my home kitchen, and wanted to see if we could do bigger bakes and try new things. We outgrew the home kitchen after trying to bake for 120 people for our niece’s first birthday party. That’s when we knew it was time to get a designated space.”
From there, it all grew into a place adored by the locals. “Our community is made up of a group of dead-set legends who embraced us from the very beginning. They’re loyal, enthusiastic and so encouraging. This was definitely the hardest part of leaving – the thought of not being able to see our regulars every week.
“They’ve given us a lot of courage to pursue this line of work – to experiment with different flavours and textures. It has been hugely rewarding to be given this vote of confidence, and not to have to do the stuff people expect from a bakery.”
Sharing the space with Team Bread Joy, led by renowned baker Paul Tierney, Butter became half of a unique two-bakery concept that transformed a previously overlooked Port Adelaide warehouse into one of Adelaide’s most talked-about food destinations.
While Butter is moving on, Lipson Street Collective itself isn’t going anywhere. Paul and the Bread Joy team will continue operating from the site Tuesday through Saturday, serving their popular sourdough loaves, focaccias, sandos, coffee and pastries, with plans to expand their offering in the months ahead.
To celebrate the end of Butter’s first chapter, the team is throwing one final celebration, and everyone is invited.
The Family & Friends event takes inspiration from the hospitality tradition of opening your doors to loved ones before launching a new venue. This time, however, the concept is being flipped on its head.
“This isn’t a beginning. It’s a send-off,” shared the team. “And instead of keeping it close, we’re throwing the doors open wide. Because if the last three years have taught us anything, it’s that our family and friends list got a lot longer than we ever anticipated.”
Visitors can expect sausage rolls, cakes, pastries and good vibes as the team serves customers one last time in the space that helped define Butter’s journey.
The farewell event takes place on Sunday, June 21st from 8am until sold out, while Butter’s final day of regular trade will be June 20th.
As for where Butter will land next? The team says that remains to be seen. “Wherever the commercial real estate gods take us,” they shared.
So if you’re keen to check out this cult favourite one more time, or have been inspired to try it for the first, get in quick, before the doors close for one final time on June 21st.
Butter Canteen Family & Friends Farewell
When: Sunday, June 21st, from 8am until sold out
Where: 49/51a Lipson St, Port Adelaide SA 5015
For more information, click here.
