Just off Jetty Road, the Annex sprung up about three years ago as a dedicated vegetarian and vegan eatery, and instantly cornered Glenelg’s alternative café market. It’s a neatly proportioned little room, with a recessed outdoor nook at the front and a row of tables down the side alleyway. There’s a thoughtful basket of knee-rugs for chilly mornings, and a mural spangled across the alleyway wall (possibly commissioned specifically to annoy Waterloo Street’s staid residents).
Inside you’ll find a homey hodgepodge of retro lamps, mismatched timber tables, vinyl chairs, kooky antiques and knick knacks (typewriters, a Florida numberplate, canvasses of photoshopped TVs and radios, and a cabinet of handmade jewellery for sale). But the eye is drawn to the glowing case of generously stuffed rolls and pita wraps, while soup of the day, zucchini fritters and vegetarian lasagne all round out the midday offerings.
Breakfast options include organic Dutch fruit loaf, Belgian waffles and smashed avocado on rye with scrambled free-range eggs. Most things are vegetarian or gluten-free and a modest side serve of smoked salmon or organic chicken breast is as carnivorous as it gets.
The barista works as efficiently as the machine at which he stands, banging out impressive brews, as well as fresh juices and smoothies. The ‘Green Goodness’ (spinach, celery, cucumber, pear, apple and lime) will cure what ails you, while the ‘Snickers Smoothie’ (dates, Macao powder, bananas, cocoa beans and peanut butter) is a nutty concoction that does the trick for sweeter cravings.
Service is cheery; music is low-key acoustic; and customers range from laptop-toting soloists to gaggles of teenage girls and gentrified bayside couples. There’s something for everyone here, but thankfully, not everyone in Glenelg yet knows about this place.