Cudlee Creek’s beloved Cudlee Cafe has been renamed ‘Grew’ under the new ownership of local husband-and-wife team, Michael and Katie. The couple has taken on the iconic spot, previously led by Babette, who ran it for 15 years and left a lasting legacy. Michael and Katie, who live nearby in Woodside, were drawn to the cafe’s special charm and saw an opportunity to transform it into a cosy, intimate spot for their new venture.
Katie recalls the moment she realised the cafe could be their perfect fit: “As I was getting a coffee [from the cafe], I looked around and thought, this could fit Michael and I.”
Despite how it appears from the road, the cafe’s back area, complete with space for children to play and a creek running through the garden, immediately struck a chord with her.
“There’s just something really special about it,” Katie says.
With a background in the pub industry, Michael and Katie bring great experience to their new venture. Their previous businesses include the Wright Street Hotel, The Franklin Hotel, The Parkside, and The Brickmakers Arms, which they owned in partnership with others. Now, they are super excited to focus on this smaller, more personal endeavour.
The cafe’s building itself has a rich history. Originally it was an old dairy, and was later transformed into a service station before becoming a cafe. Michael and Katie have renovated the inside, and interior now has a “botanical” aesthetic, featuring dark green painted floors with pinstripe detailing and exposed stone walls from the original dairy, which adds an earthy salmon pink colour to it. The design blends lush greenery with a modern, fresh style, creating a space that feels both welcoming and modern.
Katie is particularly proud of the uncovered wall from the original dairy: “I love the thought that there was this guy building it with his hands, and someone else thought it was ugly and tiled on it, and now we thought the tiles were ugly and we’ve taken them off, and here’s the guys wall,” Katie says.
“I love that we found the wall. The wall makes the whole place, and it makes you realise the era.”
In addition to the changes to the space, the cafe’s menu has also been refreshed. While maintaining some classic offerings like toasties and Reubens, the new menu introduces fresh fish, steak options, chicken burgers, and daily specials. Katie is particularly enthusiastic about their cakes, with the apple pie standing out as a particular favourite.
Katie acknowledges Babette’s incredible work and expresses her and Michael’s intention to build on it: “She [Babette] did an amazing job, but we just have a different style coming from our pub background.”
Michael and Katie’s personal touch and dedication is sure to keep the cafe’s legacy going while bring a fresh, new energy to it.
What: Grew
Where: 2297 Gorge Rd, Cudlee Creek, SA
Instagram: @grew_cc
