When you’re in unfamiliar territory and want to know where to go for great food and community vibes, your best bet is to watch the locals. People will rarely reward a venue with loyalty for serving a single positive attribute, be it the food, service, or atmosphere. Only when these elements combine will you find a joint buzzing day after day. It becomes a gathering place where locals congregate for food, conversation and relaxation. We discovered exactly this at Relish on Main Urban Diner in Mawson Lakes.
Relish on Main Urban Diner sits on a street corner at the end of a beautiful, green, palm-tree-laced boulevard, with Mawson Lake before it and an urban shopping hub behind it, making it the perfect location to top up your stomach, soul, pantry, wardrobe, and other resources.
While its prime lakeside location has made it an easy go-to for the Mawson Lake Parkrun crowd, its flavour-packed, nourishing menu and friendly, welcoming team are responsible for securing its role as Parkrun’s official fuelling station, pouring their post-run coffees for the last seven years.
Inspired by their healthy reputation via association and propelled by grumbling stomachs due to a late start (hence no breakfast), we strolled in just after the busy lunch crowd had polished off their plates. Upon expressing our delight at having scored a perfect window seat for two, Café Manager Danni commented that their generous seating meant that a table or two is usually free unless you appear “… on a Saturday morning when this place is heaving with the Parkrun community. It’s just amazing in here when they flow through the doors!”
Danni eased us into our meal options, sharing her insights into their most beloved menu items, including their All-Day Breakfasts that you can order at whatever time you desire “… our Big Brekkie is very popular, because it’s literally a very big breakfast, but it’s also open to variations. You can switch it to a vegetarian or a vegan version. We also incorporate a wide selection of dietary requirements at all times of the day; it doesn’t matter how busy we are”.
For those who’ve struggled with the ‘no menu adjustment’ notifications on other café menus, which present enjoyment hurdles for those with dietary requirements, this ‘no worries’ approach is heaven-sent.
Danni continued, “… beyond our All-Day Breakfasts, some of our more popular meals include our Burgers. Our customers love the chunky, juicy, all-beef patties. Our salads are also at the top of our orders, especially the Avo Chicken’n’Mango salad. Our protein smoothies are the go-to option for our customers who want a super quick and nourishing stomach filler along with our Toasted Sandwiches”
In addition to their regular crowd going about their daily business, occasional guests such as ourselves, and the weekend Parkrun attendees, Relish on Main also provides nourishment for the students and staff flowing out of nearby Uni SA, Endeavour College, Technology Park, and surrounding businesses, including the customers and staff from the local physiotherapy, pilates and allied health clinics.
“Quite a lot of our menu items can be made fresh with a relatively quick turnaround, so we’re a great option for anyone wanting a quick drop-in or takeaway meal. We belong to a friendly community that supports each other. I love that I recognise so many of our customers and can pre-empt their regular orders for them.”
“Our local business teams will often pop in to grab a quick coffee or takeaway meal on some days, then on others, they’ll book one of our private dining areas so their whole team can sit down for a meal together. Booking the private dining spaces is free of charge, so this is a popular option.”
Given that weekday breakfasts are often raced meals, an essential pit stop to bust hunger and score a burst of energy for the morning ahead, the idea of a late afternoon breakfast felt like the perfect blend of novelty and nourishment. So, we selected a Big Vegan Breaky and a dairy-free version of the Kranky Pig Burritto, filled with scrambled eggs, bacon rashers, sautéeed mushies, a hashbrown, and BBQ sauce.
While eating, we watched the Sunday afternoon cruisers strolling around the lake while seagulls darted above and ducks paddled along the water. It was a sunny day outside, so the alfresco area became a watering hole for the local dogs who had taken their humans out for a walk while the weather was on their side.
Both meals received a double thumbs up for fresh flavours, top-notch preparation (extra points for zero-greasiness), and hunger-busting prowess.
Because we were in a pancake lover’s paradise, we shared a plate of banana pancakes that were so warm and fluffy that I almost wished I was small enough to snuggle in between them and fall asleep again.
Alas, with eyes bigger than our stomachs, Danni offered to pack the remainder of our meal into an eco-friendly container to be enjoyed at leisure later in the day.
Had I not inhaled a mug full of their dark, vegan, Belgian hot chocolate, I might have had more room, but this mug of heavenly comfort was too delish to resist. The first few sips were already rich and smooth, but when I dipped my spoon in and stirred, a thick layer of velvety dark deliciousness swirled up, taking it to another level.
With a menu packed with everyone’s favourites from breakfast through dinner, a stocked bar, and their mouth-watering “Desserts by Indulge” menu, featuring fondues, doughnut balls, crepes, croissants, waffles, sundaes, and more, Relish on Main is an easy win for small and big groups alike.
To stay informed about Relish on Main’s special dining events and menu options, follow their social pages using the links below.
All you need to know about Relish on Main
What: Relish on Main Urban Diner
Where: Shop 9b/1 Main St, Mawson Lakes SA 5095
Website: Relish on Main
Socials: Facebook | Instagram
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 0490 148 740
Menus: Relish Main Menu | Desserts by Indulge | Beverages Menu | Catering Menu
Dietary Requirements: Gluten-free, Vegan and allergy-free options are available at all hours of the day.
Reservations: Relish on Main Table Reservations
Private Dining: Two private dining spaces are available free of charge for all sorts of groups, including family and business groups. Please contact Relish to discuss options and bookings.
Open:
Monday:7am – 4pm
Tuesday: 7am – 4pm
Wednesday: 7am – 9pm
Thursday: 7am – 9pm
Friday: 7am – 10pm
Saturday: 7am – 10pm
Sunday: 7am – 4pm
