First Things First Coffee

First Things First Coffee is a small roastery coffee stop at 606 North East Road, Holden Hill, in Adelaide's north-east. It was a fast in-and-out cafe built around locally roasted beans, toasties and a drive-through, with dogs welcome in the outdoor garden seating out front.

Status: temporarily closed

The Holden Hill store is currently closed. The company's own site lists it as temporarily closed from Friday 28 August, with a Zarraffa's Coffee Holden Hill set to open at the same address in October 2026, so the site is converting to the new brand rather than shutting for good. Check the Zarraffa's or First Things First socials before you detour, because dog seating and water bowls under the new operator are not yet confirmed.

What it was like

The formula was quick service and a tight menu: bacon and egg toasties, chicken and cheese toasties, almond croissants and a mocha frappe in the fridge, served from 5:30am on weekdays and Saturdays, with Sundays from 7:30am. The front garden seating was a small, tidy space where dogs on lead could join you, and staff regularly brought out water. It sat on the main arterial road with free street parking close by, which made it an easy stop mid-walk rather than a destination.

Close by with the dogs

While the site converts, Bentley Reserve in Holden Hill and Muddy Waters Coffee House in the same suburb are the working local options, and Melo Cafe is a short drive away in Windsor Gardens.

See more dog friendly cafes in South Australia or the Holden Hill guide.