After months of meticulous preparation and a heartfelt transformation of a shop front, John Giuliani officially opened Doppio, his debut café, on Friday, July 4th in St Morris. The café offers Italian panini and brunch dishes reminiscent of traditional family recipes, with a strong emphasis on warm and welcoming service.
John Giuliani, who has spent the last decade managing various cafes across Adelaide, marks his first foray into business ownership with Doppio. This venture represents a significant personal milestone for Giuliani, years in the making. “I’d say it was about three years ago,” he reflected. “I had that realisation: ‘Right, I’ve got what it takes.’ I felt like I had everything I needed to do my own thing.”
Honoring Heritage with a Modern Twist
Doppio pays homage to Giuliani’s Italian heritage, a nod to his grandparents who once operated several restaurants across the state. “I’ve gone down the path of the new modern café setup, just to do something a bit different from them, but I’m still trying to use the Italian background,” Giuliani explained.
The menu at Doppio features dishes inspired by family recipes, including panini filled with fresh local ingredients and a selection of Italian-style sweets. The café also offers grab-and-go deli snacks and classics like ham and cheese croissants. Catering to a diverse clientele, vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are available. Initially, a soft opening menu will be in place, with a full kitchen launch planned to introduce brunch favorites.
Crafting the Perfect Coffee Experience
Central to Doppio’s offering is its coffee, anchored by a Victoria Arduino Black Eagle T3 espresso machine, known for producing exquisite espresso shots. However, Giuliani emphasizes that the heart of Doppio lies in its service. “My number one thing is customer service. I’ve always been big on that. So the first thing I want, as soon as you walk in the door, you’re going to be greeted with a big warm hello.”
The café’s layout reflects this priority, with the coffee machine and counter prominently positioned to ensure customers feel immediately welcome. “Sometimes you walk into a place and you’re not sure where to go. That’s why I made it pretty obvious. You walk in, the counter’s right in front of you.”
A Community Hub with a Personal Touch
With outdoor seating and a dedicated takeaway window, Doppio is designed to accommodate both leisurely visits and quick stops for busy patrons. The café’s corner location, paired with its distinctive sage green and off-white branding, creates a striking presence in St Morris.
Among the personal touches that distinguish Doppio is a custom Napoli jersey gifted by Giuliani’s friends and former team at Zeea’s, where he managed before embarking on his own venture. The jersey, embroidered with the café name and the number two—symbolizing a double shot, the English translation of ‘Doppio’—holds significant sentimental value. “It was pretty emotional when they gave it to me,” Giuliani shared. “A lot of thought went into it.”
Doppio is now officially open, with its coffee window, cabinet goods, and limited menu ready to serve the community from day one.
Doppio Cafe
Where: 1/219 Glynburn Road, St Morris
When: Monday – Saturday 6 am – 2:30 pm | Sunday 8 am – 2:30 pm
For more information, click here.
