Top 6 Places to Eat in Adelaide

Written by Callum Taylor, Camille Laurent, Marika Maslanka
21/08/2025
Explore the breathtaking architecture and design of Adelaide's historic library with its unique glass roof and classic decor.
Leïa Roques, Pexels

Adelaide boasts a rich and evolving dining scene, characterized by a commitment to local produce and a wide array of international cuisines, offering experiences from world-class degustations to casual market bites.

1. Restaurant Botanic

Cuisine: Modern Australian, Native Ingredients

Nestled within the serene Adelaide Botanic Gardens, Restaurant Botanic offers an exceptional and immersive multi-course degustation experience. This restaurant focuses on hyper-seasonal native ingredients, many sourced directly from the surrounding gardens. Each dish is an artistic creation, showcasing innovative techniques and telling a story of Australia's diverse flora and fauna. It provides an elegant setting, ideal for a memorable special occasion or for those seeking a unique culinary journey.

Price: AUD $220+ per person (USD $145+)

Getting There: Located on Plane Tree Drive within the Adelaide Botanic Gardens, it is easily walkable from the city's main area. Taxis or rideshares are readily available for a short journey.

2. Arkhé

Cuisine: Modern Australian, Open-Flame Cooking

Arkhé, situated in Norwood, is Adelaide's pioneering open-flame restaurant, providing a theatrical dining experience with its central open kitchen. Chef Jake Kellie's innovative approach elevates ingredients through fire, delivering dishes such as a signature duck parfait tartlet and expertly glazed kingfish collar. The menu frequently changes, ensuring each visit is unique. With its stylish ambiance, it serves as both a top-tier dining destination and a sophisticated bar.

Price: AUD $100-$200+ per person (USD $65-$130+)

Getting There: Found on The Parade in Norwood, Arkhé is a short taxi or rideshare away from Adelaide CBD, typically taking 10-15 minutes and costing approximately AUD $15-$25 (USD $10-$17).

3. Africola

Cuisine: Modern African

Africola offers a vibrant and energetic dining experience on East Terrace. The restaurant's design features a unique pop energy and African-inspired decor. Dishes are designed for sharing and are characterized by bold, fiery, and spicy flavours. Popular choices include crispy chicken tea sandwiches with peri peri and creative vegetable-focused plates. It is known for its lively atmosphere, making it a popular choice for groups and food enthusiasts.

Price: AUD $70-$120+ per person (USD $45-$80+)

Getting There: Centrally located at 4 East Terrace, Adelaide CBD, Africola is within easy walking distance from most city accommodations.

4. Fugazzi Bar & Dining Room

Cuisine: Italian-American

Located on Leigh Street, Fugazzi is a New York-inspired bar and dining room exuding chic elegance with its velvet and marble interiors. The menu offers refined Australian interpretations of classic Italian-American dishes, including high-end small plates, pastas, and wood-fired mains. Specialties often feature local seafood and produce. It provides a sophisticated setting for those seeking a stylish Italian dining experience.

Price: AUD $60-$100+ per person (USD $40-$70+)

Getting There: Situated at 27 Leigh Street in the CBD, Fugazzi is part of Adelaide's popular laneway dining scene and is easily accessible on foot from city hotels.

5. Peel St Restaurant

Cuisine: Modern Australian with Southeast Asian & Middle Eastern influences

Peel St Restaurant, an industrial-hip venue on Peel Street, is recognized for its generous, flavour-packed dishes. The menu, presented on a changing blackboard, focuses on fresh, local, and seasonal produce, blending Modern Australian cuisine with influences from Southeast Asia and the Middle East. The atmosphere is casual, lively, and unpretentious, making it suitable for both lunch and dinner. It is a reliable choice for delicious, fresh food with a vibrant twist.

Price: AUD $30-$60+ per person (USD $20-$40+)

Getting There: Found at 9 Peel Street, Adelaide CBD, this restaurant is part of a bustling laneway precinct and is within easy walking distance from most city centre locations.

6. Adelaide Central Market

Cuisine: Multicultural (Italian, Middle Eastern, Asian, etc.)

The Adelaide Central Market is a bustling epicentre of the city's food scene, housing over 70 stalls that offer a wide array of fresh produce, artisanal goods, and diverse ready-to-eat meals. It is an ideal spot for casual, budget-friendly dining. Notable vendors include Lucia's Pizza and Spaghetti Bar, an icon for traditional Italian comfort food like paninis and pasta, and Real Falafel, offering authentic and affordable Mediterranean options. The market provides a lively atmosphere for families, solo explorers, and anyone looking to sample a variety of global flavours.

Price: AUD $10-$30 per person (USD $7-$20)

Getting There: Located in the heart of Adelaide CBD, with its southern entrance on Gouger Street, the market is easily accessible on foot from any part of the city centre.

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