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Hahndorf just got a lot more delicious and a little more Christmassy. Smack-bang in the middle of Main Street on the corner of Pine Avenue, a brand-new German ice cream café and Christmas wine bar, Eis Haus has sneakily opened its doors, giving locals and visitors a taste of Europe without leaving the Adelaide Hills.
This new space comes from Brendon Skinner and his family, the team behind the cult-favourite gelati cart that brought Adelaide its first taste of German-style spaghetti ice cream earlier this year and who have spent the past decade serving traditional German flavours at the much-loved Christkindlmarkt.
“When the markets wrapped up, we knew we wanted to keep the festive magic alive,” Brendon explains.
“It’s about sharing a little taste of what we grew up with and letting people discover something different.”
Unlike traditional gelato and ice cream cafes, this is a proper sit-down experience inspired by the ice cream cafés Brendon remembers from childhood trips to Germany.
“You are given a menu, then you can choose from an array of elaborate Eisbecher sundaes, and wait for your masterpiece to arrive,” says Brendon
The star of the show is still the classic spaghetti ice cream, soft vanilla ice cream pressed through a special noodle maker, topped with strawberry sauce ‘that looks like tomato sauce’ and shaved white chocolate ‘that looks like Parmesan’.
From there, the menu gets even more playful. There is a spaghetti carbonara sundae with vanilla sauce and chopped nuts mimicking crispy bacon, a Black Forest creation layered with chocolate, cherry, cream and vanilla, and the indulgent sour cherry sundae made with authentic German Amarena-style cherries that Brendan painstakingly sourced after customer demand.
“It is like nothing you have ever tasted,” he says. “People drive up from Adelaide just for this.”
Kids have their own magic moment too, with sundaes like the Pinocchio, complete with a wafer cone hat, Smartie eyes, and a cheeky chocolate nose. And for grown-ups, there is the option to add a splash of cherry liqueur or a cheeky liquor shot for a little extra fun.
Alongside the sundaes, the café has a sister venue right next door, a European-inspired wine bar called Gluhwein Hutte, serving Gluehwein, sour cherry punch and creamy egg-based liqueurs, all presented in mugs featuring Hahndorf’s Main Street.
Brendon explains that it is less about creating a year-round Christmas wonderland and more about capturing the charm of the German markets.
“We are inspired by the traditions we experienced growing up, but we are keeping it subtle for now,” he says.
“As we head into the festive season, we will bring in more of those touches like decorations and gift packs, but right now it is more about the flavours.”
Visitors can also try Flammkuchen, a traditional German flatbread pizza topped with crème fraîche, bacon, and onion, served just like Brendon remembers from his family’s hometown of Karlsruhe.
“My memories of Germany are filled with long tables, wood-fired ovens, and family-style feasts,” he says.
“That is the vibe we wanted to bring here to our new cafe and bar.”
And if you need more convincing, Brendon says the reactions so far have been heartwarming.
“Sometimes we have Germans walking past who see our sign and stop in their tracks,” he laughs.
“They get so excited and say, ‘Spaghettieis!’ and it’s like we have instantly transported them back to their childhood.”
While the official launch is still under wraps, the team is celebrating this week with a Secret Opening: Come & Try Week, running until Friday 12 September. Whisper “secret opening” at the counter and you will score 20 percent off, the perfect excuse to taste your way through the menu before the rest of Adelaide finds out.
With plans to expand seating to 72, add cosy corners with fireplaces, and host year-round festive nights, this hidden gem is set to become one of Hahndorf’s sweetest spots. For now though, consider yourself in on the secret.
Eis Haus – The German Ice Cream Cafe, and Gluhwein Hutte – The German Christmas Wine Bar
Where: 47 Mount Barker Road, Hahndorf
When: Sun – Fri 1pm-5pm, Sat 10am -5pm
For more information, click here.
Dining and Cooking