Authentic food experiences are popping up all over Adelaide. From grilled tongue skewers at Cactus Kangaroo Island to tea smoked duck at the Ying Chow restaurant in Chinatown, these restaurants are bringing a bit of worldly flair to Adelaide’s culinary scene.
It’s a good thing because 75% of consumers prefer menu items that are ethnically inspired and easy to identify.
Yakitori Takumi
One of the top places to eat in Adelaide, Yakitori Takumi serves amazing Japanese cuisine. Its yakitori chicken, prawns and belly pork are delicious. You can also enjoy a wide selection of beer, ale and whiskey here. It is also known for its excellent service and friendly staff. The prices are average, but the food is worth it!
This restaurant is a must-visit if you are looking for a unique and unforgettable dining experience. The ambiance is very welcoming and the staff will make you feel like they are the only ones in the place. The dishes are prepared in a traditional way, but the flavors are fresh and modern. It is a great place to relax after a long day and try something new.
In addition to delivering high-quality meals, this restaurant is also a cultural icon in the city. Its owners are passionate about preserving the local culture and are dedicated to promoting it. In fact, the restaurant has won numerous awards and accolades.
Located on the corner of Rundle and King William streets, it is easy to find and highly recommended. Its unique menu and upscale decor make it an ideal destination for both romantic dinners and casual lunches. Its extensive wine list is another draw for guests. It is a must-visit if youre on a hunt for the best restaurants in Adelaide.
Another popular restaurant in Adelaide is Kutchi Deli Parwana, a family-owned Afghan eatery that serves a variety of dishes including eggplant curry and fried dumplings stuffed with chives and minced lamb. The interior is filled with vintage photos of the owners and their family, and it has a homey feel to it.
For a true taste of Africa, head to Africola on Pulteney Street. This South African cuisine restaurant boasts a fun atmosphere, and the food is authentic and flavorful. You can sample some of their famous meat dishes, such as beef boerewors and lamb kofta, or enjoy their vegetarian offerings. If you’re in the mood for dessert, try their cronut pudding with warm vanilla Galliano custard, orange, saffron and pistachio cardamom ice cream.
Kutchi Deli Parwana
If you’re a fan of Vietnamese cuisine, head to Sit Lo in the city’s northern suburbs. Here, wheels on the wood-decked walls pay tribute to humble three-wheel bicycle taxis that are commonplace from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City. Aim for springy steamed bao buns – the soft shell crab version is a standout – and a bowl of steaming pho, a noodle soup with herbs and meat. If you’re feeling peckish, opt for a pork belly banh mi bread roll, served with pickled carrot and daikon radish.
Kutchi Deli Parwana, which opened in May, is the second chapter in the story of the popular Torrensville Afghan restaurant Parwana. Run by the children of the original’s owners, this Ebenezer Place offshoot serves pared-back dishes with a modern twist. Expect curries, mantu (dumplings) and bolani (filled flatbreads) at this fast-service eatery, with many options available to takeaway.
While Adelaide’s reputation as a foodie destination has long been eclipsed by Sydney and Melbourne, the city is finally emerging from its shadow. With an influx of millennials, the dining scene has become more influenced by local producers and international styles. From Maggie Beer’s celebrated regional Australian cuisine to cult-classic pubs and a tasting menu restaurant by Marco Pierre White alum Jock Zonfrillo, there are plenty of places to eat and drink well in Adelaide.
In addition to a robust roster of restaurants, the Adelaide Food and Wine Festival attracts culinary stars from across Australia. It’s a chance for epicures to rub shoulders with kitchen heroes and enjoy exclusive, long table meals with chefs from some of the country’s most famous restaurants.
Africola
A resurgence of global flavors is creating intentional moments to explore other cultures without leaving the grocery store. These experiences can be as simple as ordering a cup of cocoa from the international aisle or as elaborate as a restaurant meal with a rich menu that includes ingredients from abroad. According to Mintel, 55% of shoppers order global goods in the prepared foods section at least once a month. (Technomic)
With the burgeoning demand for global cuisines, local restaurants are stepping up their game to compete with some of Australia’s best. Two-Bit Villains is one of Adelaide’s top vegetarian eateries, and for something a little more exotic, Sosta Argentinian Kitchen has an impressive menu of traditional flavours and recipes.
Another of the city’s hottest new spots is Africola. Designed by Mash Design, the venue is quirky and unlike anything South Australia has seen before. The menu is also designed for sharing, which allows diners to try a variety of different dishes. Definitely do not leave without trying their Boom Chakalaka, a fiery relish made with spices and vegetables that explodes on your tongue.
Taking the latter part of their ‘Modern Australian’ tag seriously, Orana is one of the few restaurants in the country to make use of native ingredients in a fine-dining context. Chef Jock Zonfrillo works alongside indigenous communities in the country to source some of his favourite produce for his dishes here.
Located in the heart of Norwood, Magill Street is home to cool restaurants and small bars. It is also the location of one of Adelaide’s earliest cafes, Lucia’s, which continues to operate along the same old-school lines as it did after World War II. It is a place where you can spend an entire day sipping coffee, relaxing in bookstores and exploring the many small shops that line the streets. This area of the city is also known for its high-end fashion boutiques. You can even find some of the world’s finest wines here. There are over 120 wineries and cellar doors in the area, making it an ideal spot for a wine-loving student.
Orana
Adelaide is a foodie’s paradise, boasting the best seafood in Australia, proximity to world-famous winemaking regions, and cuisines from all over the globe. The city’s burgeoning restaurant scene has a wide range of options, from casual, homestyle eateries to high-class dining rooms overlooking the Adelaide Botanic Garden.
The city is also renowned for its wines, which are produced in the nearby Barossa and McLaren Vale wine regions. Visitors can enjoy a variety of reds and whites, but shiraz is a local favorite. Those interested in learning more about the winemaking process can visit the National Wine Centre of Australia.
A slew of restaurants in the city offer fresh seafood. A few notable ones include Orana, a restaurant that specializes in traditional Australian cuisine. Its name is derived from the Aboriginal word for welcome, and it lives up to its meaning with dishes like saltbush lamb shank and kangaroo tartar.
Other options for seafood include Le Riad, a Moroccan restaurant that offers an authentic experience with family-style cooking. Diners can expect delicious, traditional meals with a variety of vegetarian and gluten free options. Another popular choice is Zapata’s, a Mexican restaurant that serves classics like tacos and enchiladas.
Pizza lovers can take a trip to North Adelaide for a meal at Tony Tomatoes, where all the pizzas are hand made by dedicated chefs. The venue also caters for dietary needs, serving both traditional and modern pizzas on a choice of bases, including wholemeal or gluten-free.
Another option for Italian cuisine is Nonna in Adelaide, which serves classic starters, pizzas, and contorni. Its tiramisu is molto bene, and its menu celebrates local market produce.
For something a little different, try the Afghani restaurant Parwana in Torrensville. The owners, who fled their homeland in the late 1980s, put their love into every dish. A meal here is an intimate experience, and standout dishes include ashak (fried dumplings stuffed with chives and topped with lamb mince) and kabilli palaw (aged long-grain rice with caramelised carrots, sultanas, pistachios, and orange).
The Adelaide Central Market is a must-visit for anyone looking to get the most out of their local food. The stalls are a sight to behold, giving Barcelona’s La Boqueria a run for its money. It’s also a great place to sample the region’s wine, which is made in abundance by producers who call South Australia home.