Living just outside Mount Gambier has made me realise how much I miss the variety of eateries that comes with city living. The convenience of being able to find just about any cuisine you’re craving, whenever you’re craving it. Don’t get me wrong, I love country living, but sometimes I do miss having a little more choice when it comes to food.
A little while ago, NOTO Panino Bar randomly appeared on my Instagram feed. Naturally, being the foodie I am, I had a stickybeak. Beautiful-looking panini, great content, and seemingly always selling out. That was enough to earn them a follow and a spot on my ever-growing list of places to try.
Today, I finally made it happen.
Now, I’m currently working night shift, so while most people are thinking about a late lunch at 1:30 in the afternoon, I’m just getting around to breakfast. And what better way to start the day than with a proper Italian panino and a coffee?
A little hidden gem
Tucked away on a side street just off Commercial Street, NOTO isn’t exactly a place that screams look at me as you drive past. In fact, if you didn’t know it was there, I wouldn’t judge you for missing it.
But that’s exactly the sort of place I love.
Those little niche eateries that seem almost hidden away, quietly doing their thing, waiting for the rest of the world to discover them. No flashy exterior or unnecessary fuss. Just good food, good coffee and good people.
Inside, there’s a lovely mix of warm timber, a beautiful coffee setup, a cabinet of tempting baked goods and that relaxed, welcoming atmosphere that makes you feel comfortable straight away.
And then there’s the menu.
I love a small menu. I’ve always believed it’s not about how many things you can offer, but how well you can execute the things you do. Give me a handful of dishes done exceptionally well over pages of mediocre options any day.
Being run by Italians themselves, I went in with fairly high expectations.
Somehow, they still managed to exceed them.
The food | No. 2 Mortadella
I was greeted by Leon, a genuinely lovely gentleman who immediately made me feel welcome. He didn’t walk me through the menu but offered assistance if needed.
Being a bit of a foodie, I was fairly comfortable with the terminology, but I really appreciated the gesture. It’s those small interactions that make a place memorable.
I also have a soft spot for hearing people speaking their native language. There’s something wonderful about walking into an Italian eatery and actually hearing Italian being spoken.
After a little deliberation, I settled on the No. 2 Mortadella.
Shaved mortadella al pistacchio, giardiniera, stracciatella and almond pesto.
And my goodness.
Let’s start with the bread, because a good panino lives or dies by its bread.
It tasted as though it had been baked that very morning, and quite frankly, I wouldn’t be surprised if it had. Beautifully fresh, soft and fluffy on the inside, with that delicate crisp crunch on the outside. The sort of bread that makes you appreciate just how good something so simple can be.
The mortadella was shaved beautifully thin, the pesto was full of flavour without being overpowering (which I find pesto can sometimes be), and that silky, creamy stracciatella brought everything together perfectly.
Every ingredient had its place. Nothing was fighting for attention.
And the size? Perfect for me. Although I suspect someone with a bigger appetite would have absolutely no trouble polishing one off either.
I had been looking forward to trying this place, but I genuinely didn’t expect to enjoy it quite this much.
The coffee | Iced NOTO
Originally, I was going to order my usual iced long black.
But then I thought, that’s a bit boring, isn’t it?
Here I am, trying somewhere new, and I’m about to order the same coffee I can get just about anywhere.
So I ventured into their specialty drinks and ordered the Iced NOTO.
An iced latte topped with, wait for it…
Coffee cream.
Yes, coffee cream.
And if that wasn’t already enough to win me over, it arrived in the cutest little transparent takeaway can, complete with a sealed lid.
Practical, a little different and rather clever. Perfect if you’re grabbing something to enjoy later.
Of course, I had absolutely no intention of waiting.
One sip and, yep, excellent decision.
Creamy, refreshing and delicious, with that beautiful coffee flavour coming through. The perfect companion to my panino on a warm, albeit rather windy, Monday afternoon.
My usual iced long black can forgive me just this once.
Will I be back?
Absolutely. And probably sooner than I should admit.
There’s still plenty on that little menu calling my name. A few toasted piadina options, pizza, and a cabinet of baked goods that looked far too good to ignore.
But what impressed me most wasn’t just the food.
It was the whole experience.
The welcoming staff, the genuine hospitality, the simplicity of the menu and the obvious care that goes into what they’re serving.
There’s something refreshing about a place that doesn’t try to be everything to everyone. It knows what it does, and it does it exceptionally well.
NOTO is exactly the sort of little eatery I wish we had more of in regional towns.
A place that doesn’t need to shout for attention because the food speaks for itself.
Thank you, Leon and the team at NOTO, for bringing a beautiful little taste of authentic Italy to Mount Gambier.
I’ll be back. There are more panini to work my way through, and apparently my coffee order has a new contender.
Buonissimo! 🇮🇹
The Little Details | What I Ordered
🥪 No. 2 Mortadella | $17
Shaved mortadella al pistacchio, giardiniera, stracciatella and almond pesto.
☕ Iced NOTO | $9
Iced latte topped with coffee cream, served in their signature sealed takeaway can.
💰 Total Spent | $26
And honestly, I think the pricing is pretty reasonable. For $26, I walked away with a beautifully made Italian panino, a specialty coffee and a genuinely lovely experience. Considering the quality of ingredients and the care put into everything, I certainly wasn’t complaining.
- 3–9 Elizabeth St, Mount Gambier SA 5290
- Mon–Fri: 6:30am – 3:00pm
- Saturday: 7:00am – 3:00pm
- Sunday: Closed
🌐 Menu: https://notopaninobar.vercel.app
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