In amongst the usual hustle and bustle of James Place, new Italian caffè bar Il Mondo sits quietly watching the world go by through morning, noon and night. Embracing a European approach to service, the caffè is open from the first espresso of the morning to the final aperitif of the night.

Il Mondo’s owner, Luca Chiasserini, recently returned from an invigorating round the world trip and Il Mondo – Italian for ‘the world’ – is a reflection of his journey. Luca, 45, travelled the globe in the most adventurous way possible – backpacking through 41 countries in 370 days. This remarkable achievement affected him so much that he was inspired to open a space that recalls his endeavours.

“Il Mondo comes from my experience as a traveller around the world … all you see around is reminding you of parts of the world,” Luca says.

At Il Mondo, Luca aims to bring the world to you, by means of a gigantic world map behind the bar where people can add photos of their adventures. Neat and comfortable decor background a dainty outdoor area populated by wooden stools. Aperol, Campari, Cinzano – Il Mondo has them all, along with a smart selection of Italian wines. Like so many other small bars across Adelaide, the menu is scribed on a chalkboard next to the bar, showcasing an assortment of authentic Italian cuisine.

“My food is homemade, this is something I want to specify, all the sauces and main courses are made from scratch,” Luca says.

CityMag settles on the salami antipasto and the pasta Aglio Olio e Peperoncino to join a round of Campari. Both are reasonably priced and a delightful introduction to what Luca calls “a real contemporary Italian place”.

Still only three months old, Luca hopes people will stop by before and after work or on their way to the footy at Adelaide Oval – Il Mondo has a big screen TV dedicated to game day. But if you don’t think Campari is the right pair for a game of Aussie Rules, don’t worry – Luca is just as comfortable pouring a pint of Coopers Pale Ale straight from Il Mondo’s tap as he is with mixing an aperitif.

Il Mondo Caffè Bar
20 James Place, Adelaide
Open: Mon-Wed: 8am–7pm, Thu: 8am–8:30pm, Fri: 8am–10pm, Sat: 9:30am–8:30pm
Phone: 8212 3626