Adelaide’s food scene is seriously underrated, and I’m here to prove it. From hidden laneway eateries to stunning rooftop spots, this city’s got a lineup of restaurants that deliver way more than just good food. Known for its fresh local produce, amazing wine regions, and creative chefs, Adelaide is a playground for foodies looking for something a little different.
Picture yourself digging into a wood-fired pizza at Fugazzi, savoring modern Asian dishes at Golden Boy, or dining underground at Pink Moon Saloon—a tiny, quirky cabin you’d never expect to find in the city center.
Whether you’re chasing bold global flavors or unique settings, Adelaide’s restaurants turn every meal into a memory. In this guide, I’m sharing 17 unique spots you’ll want to check out ASAP. Let’s go!
👉 Pro Tip: The Barossa Valley Wineries Tour is a dream day for wine lovers! You’ll visit some of the region’s top wineries, sip on world-class wines, and enjoy gorgeous vineyard views. Don’t skip tasting the Shiraz—Barossa’s specialty—and grab a bottle of your favorite to take home. Pack a light jacket for cooler vineyard stops, and be ready to relax, sip, and soak up the scenery. It’s the perfect escape from Adelaide!
Unusual places to eat in Adelaide, Australia
Ready to discover what Adelaide has on its menu? From cozy Vietnamese spots to extravagant Moroccan restaurants, we’re set to explore the city’s most extraordinary eateries. Join me as we uncover the quirkiest places to eat in Adelaide after you fly to Australia!
Craving authentic Mongolian BBQ or perhaps indulging in sustainable café culture with garden views? Adelaide’s dining scene is as diverse as its landscapes. Let’s dive into Adelaide’s most unique dining experiences!
1. Parwana Afghan Kitchen
- 📍 Location: Torrensville
- 💲 Price range: $25 – $50 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Authentic Afghan
- 🔥 Standout Features: Traditional generational recipes, aromatic dishes.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Afghan hospitality/cuisine, sharing platters, and a culturally immersive meal.
Step into Parwana Afghan Kitchen and BAM! The intoxicating aromas of cardamom, cumin, and slow-cooked meats instantly whisk you away. This Torrensville hotspot, run by a wonderful family, serves up authentic Afghan soul food that’s an explosion of flavor and history.
You should definitely experience their signature banjaan borani (silky eggplant with yogurt and tomato). The tender, fragrant lamb dumplings (mantu), or the rich kabuli palaw (rice with carrots, raisins, and lamb), are also incredible. Parwana is a pure Adelaide treasure.
2. NIDO BAR | PASTA
If you’re into Italian restaurants that feel like a chic friend’s dinner party, get to NIDO BAR | PASTA on King William Road. Their silky handmade pastas are pure magic – you’ve got to dive into the cacio e pepe for a perfect cheese/pepper hit, or the squid ink spaghetti if you’re feeling bold. The space is all about laid-back modern elegance, with timber accents and a quirky mural stretching across the wall. I love how the staff vibe feels welcoming instead of stiff. Bonus tip: their negronis absolutely slap. Plus, with Hyde Park’s cute shops right outside, this is the ideal launchpad for a lazy Adelaide afternoon. I was blown away by how every single dish packed so much flavor and felt so fresh.
3. Marrakech Restaurant
- 📍 Location: North Adelaide
- 💲 Price range: $30 – $60 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Moroccan
- 🔥 Standout Features: Authentic tagines/couscous, Ottoman-inspired decor, belly dancing.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Romantic/exotic nights out, Moroccan flavors, and cultural dining.
Get ready to be transported to a sultan’s palace at Marrakech Restaurant in North Adelaide! This place is a full-on sensory journey to Morocco, with lavish traditional decor – think vibrant tiles, plush cushions, and ornate lanterns. The air is perfumed with saffron and cinnamon.
You cannot leave without trying one of their incredible tagines; the lamb with apricots and almonds is a sweet and savory masterpiece. The flavorful chicken and olive tagine, or a generous platter of mixed grilled meats, are also highly recommended.
4. Gondola Gondola
Self-described as “not your standard Vietnamese,” Gondola Gondola is a flavor playground right in the heart of Hindley Street. The cocktails here verge on legendary – their Kaffir Lime Tom Collins is a must, and if you’re hungry, try the caramelized pork belly bao. The room has this hip, bustling energy with moody lighting, pops of greenery, and a long communal table made for groups or solo food adventures. Pro tip: their crispy fried chicken is a cult favorite for a reason. Toss in great people-watching, street art right outside, and an always-lively crowd, and it’s no wonder this place stays busy. First time I visited, I wound up booking my next table before I’d even paid the bill.
5. Restaurant Botanic
- 📍 Location: Adelaide (within Adelaide Botanic Garden)
- 💲 Price range: $150 – $250+ per person (Tasting Menu)
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Modern Australian / Fine Dining / Hyper-Local
- 🔥 Standout Features: Botanic Gardens location, garden-inspired tasting menus, native Australian ingredients.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Ultimate foodies, special occasions, and nature-inspired fine dining.
Dining at Restaurant Botanic is like stepping into a living pantry. Nestled within the breathtaking Adelaide Botanic Garden, this fine-dining sanctuary crafts tasting menus reflecting the garden’s bounty, with many ingredients foraged just steps away. Each dish is an artwork.
The menu changes with the seasons, but expect creations like paperbark-smoked bunya nut with garden greens, quandong-glazed duck breast, or delicate seafood dishes featuring native coastal herbs. For a transcendent meal, this is an unforgettable experience.
6. My Kingdom For a Horse
This place is an actual breath of fresh air for brunch lovers. My Kingdom For a Horse feels like your cool barista friend’s minimalist dream, all polished concrete and greenery, with sunlight pouring in. The real secret? Their menu shakes up the standard – try the Japanese-inspired okonomiyaki pancakes, or the signature brisket sandwich with housemade pickles. Coffee nerds will flip over their locally-roasted single origins. It’s right by Whitmore Square, so you can caffeinate, people-watch, and then stroll the nearby park. Don’t skip their tangy lemon tart, either. I was impressed by the laid-back vibe – it somehow feels both bustling and chill, which is tough to pull off.
7. Allegra Dining
- 📍 Location: Adelaide CBD
- 💲 Price range: $90 – $120 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Modern Australian / Vegan / Tasting Menu
- 🔥 Standout Features: Rooftop setting, intimate 28-seat space, single tasting menu, plant-based.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Adventurous foodies, special occasions, and upscale vegan dining.
This isn’t just a meal; it’s a ticket to the city’s most exclusive vegan dinner party. Allegra Dining is a tiny, 28-seat gem tucked away on a CBD rooftop. The vibe is intimate and sophisticated, with a calm, hushed energy that feels worlds away from the street below. You feel the cool night air and hear the quiet hum of the city as you settle in.
There’s no menu to stress over; you just put yourself in the chefs’ hands for a brilliant multi-course tasting journey. The food is a masterclass in making vegetables the star. You might get a surprisingly complex kohlrabi and macadamia dish or a stunning plate of roasted pumpkin with pepita mole. It’s inventive, thrilling food that just happens to be vegan.
8. Two-Bit Villains
Tucked in the old Adelaide Arcade, Two-Bit Villains is your go-to for vegan and vegetarian junk food that even hardcore meat-eaters love. Think drool-worthy burgers, loaded fries, and hand-crafted sodas (seriously, do not sleep on the ginger beer). The space is a whole throwback – think wild west meets comic book, with retro booths and balcony seating overlooking Rundle Mall. Get the chili cheese fries or the southern fried cauliflower burger for Instagram-worthy eats. Plus, it’s walking distance to every CBD shop you can imagine. What got me was how satisfying and full-flavored every bite was – no animal products needed. Great choice for a breezy lunch or quirky date spot.
9. Addis Ababa Cafe
- 📍 Location: Adelaide (West End)
- 💲 Price range: $20 – $40 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Ethiopian
- 🔥 Standout Features: Authentic Ethiopian stews (wots)/coffee ceremony, communal dining with injera.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Exploring African flavors, group sharing, and a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony.
Get ready to ditch your cutlery at Addis Ababa Cafe in Adelaide’s West End! This spot is your passport to authentic Ethiopian cuisine, where you use soft, spongy injera bread to scoop up rich, aromatic stews called wots. The air is heady with berbere spice.
Ordering the doro wat, a spicy chicken stew that’s a national icon, is a great plan. The colorful vegetarian platter featuring misir wot (red lentils) and gomen (collard greens), or the savory beef key wot, are also fantastic. Sharing a meal here is wonderfully communal.
10. Shobosho
If you’re chasing smoky, fire-driven flavors, Shobosho is a total sensory experience. This Leigh Street gem fuses Japanese yakitori grill techniques with modern Australian flair. The kingfish sashimi with smoked oil is next-level, but don’t skip their signature pork belly bao. The vibe is slick but cozy – dark timber, polished concrete, and an open kitchen where you can watch the flames in action. For extra theater, try to score a counter seat. Hip bars line the laneway, so it’s perfect for dinner before a night out. I’m still dreaming of their miso-glazed eggplant. It’s the kind of spot you plan your next trip to before you’ve even left.
11. Africola
- 📍 Location: Adelaide (East End)
- 💲 Price range: $50 – $90+ per person (Often set/sharing menus)
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Modern African / Braai / Peri-Peri
- 🔥 Standout Features: Fiery African cuisine, wood-fired “braai” cooking focus.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Adventurous eaters (bold flavors!), group dinners, and a unique African BBQ experience.
Brace yourself for a flavor inferno at Africola! This East End powerhouse is a full-blown party for your palate, serving up modern African cuisine with a serious love for wood-fired “braai” cooking and a tongue-tingling obsession with peri-peri. The music is pumping.
Devouring their signature peri-peri chicken, blistered and juicy from the fire, is essential. Don’t dare skip the incredible vegetable dishes like the legendary boom chakalaka (a spicy vegetable relish) or their wood-fired flatbreads. It’s a vibrant feast.
12. Lantern by Nu
Lantern by Nu brings a Southeast Asian feast to the west end of the city, just off Gouger Street. The space oozes moody romance, with hanging pendant lights, dark timber tones and bursts of neon. The menu is adventurous – you have to try the black sesame dumplings and salt-and-pepper tofu, both beautifully plated and packed with flavor. Don’t miss the signature Tom Yum cocktails either. The restaurant is a peaceful haven despite being close to Chinatown’s hustle, making it perfect for date night or a more intimate dinner. I was blown away by how balanced, fresh, and vibrant everything tasted. Grab a seat by the window for people-watching and soak in the glow.
13. Genghis Khan Mongolian BBQ
- 📍 Location: Rostrevor
- 💲 Price range: $25 – $45 per person (All-you-can-eat)
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Mongolian BBQ / Interactive Dining
- 🔥 Standout Features: All-you-can-eat interactive stir-fry, choose-your-own ingredients/sauces, watch-it-cooked giant grill action.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Big appetites, customizable meals, and a hands-on dining adventure.
Channel your inner warrior at Genghis Khan Mongolian BBQ! This Hyde Park institution is an all-you-can-eat, interactive stir-fry bonanza where YOU are the master. Pile your bowl high with meats, veggies, and noodles, douse it in sauces, and watch them cook it on the massive griddle.
Popular choices for the bowl include thinly sliced lamb or beef, a variety of fresh vegetables like broccoli and carrots, and a mix of soy, garlic, and ginger sauces. The aroma of your personalized stir-fry hitting the heat is just incredible.
14. Osteria Oggi
Osteria Oggi delivers the kind of Italian hospitality that turns a meal into a mini-vacation. The long marble bar, soft mood lighting, and subterranean arches feel romantic and slightly mysterious. Hand-cut pasta is the clear standout here – their tagliatelle with sausage and truffle is comfort in a bowl, and the “Roman-style” carbonara is a creamy, salty masterpiece. Wines lean Italian and the cocktails are bright and spirited. Right in the city center, you’re close to everything, including Victoria Square. What made me a repeat customer? The staff somehow remember your name and favorite dish, even if you haven’t been in ages.
15. Meze Mazi
- 📍 Location: Prospect
- 💲 Price range: $30 – $60 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Greek / Meze / Mediterranean
- 🔥 Standout Features: Greek meze platters, family-style atmosphere.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Sharing a feast with friends, family, and Greek cuisine lovers.
Opa! Get ready for a Greek celebration at Meze Mazi in Prospect. This place is all about the glorious Greek tradition of meze – sharing an abundance of small, flavorful dishes with your favorite people. The atmosphere is buzzing with laughter and the scent of grilled meats.
Ordering one of their generous meze platters is a must, overflowing with delights like creamy tzatziki, salty halloumi, and tender calamari. Their slow-cooked lamb shoulder (kleftiko) or the grilled octopus are also legendary. It’s like being whisked away.
16. Khukuri Restaurant
- 📍 Location: Adelaide (also in Campsie)
- 💲 Price range: $20 – $40 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Nepalese / Himalayan
- 🔥 Standout Features: Authentic Nepalese dumplings (momos)/curries, cozy/welcoming atmosphere, unique Himalayan spices.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Exploring Nepalese flavors, dumpling lovers, and an ethnic dining experience.
Take your taste buds on an exhilarating trek at Khukuri Restaurant in Goodwood! This cozy gem serves authentic Nepalese cuisine that’s a delightful discovery of unique spices and comforting flavors. The air is fragrant with ginger, garlic, and exotic mountain herbs.
Trying their incredible momos – delectable Nepalese dumplings (pork or vegetable), either steamed or fried, served with a tangy dipping sauce – is essential. Their rich and aromatic goat curry or the classic chicken chili are also standouts.
17. Sit Lo
- 📍 Location: Adelaide (Bank Street & various)
- 💲 Price range: $10 – $20 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Vietnamese / Street Food / Banh Mi
- 🔥 Standout Features: Flavorful Vietnamese street food, banh mi/pho.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Quick lunches, banh mi/pho fanatics, and authentic Vietnamese street food.
When you need a lightning-fast flavor bomb, Sit Lo is your Vietnamese street food superhero! Dotted around Adelaide, this spot is slinging some of the freshest, tastiest, and most addictive street eats in town. Their banh mi are legendary – crusty baguettes exploding with flavor.
The lemongrass chicken banh mi is a must-try. Their steaming bowls of pho bo (beef noodle soup) or the crispy spring rolls are also incredibly popular. The line at lunchtime tells you everything – it’s quick, cheap, and phenomenally good.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the quirkiest restaurants in Adelaide
Are you searching for more information about where to eat in Adelaide? Here are some common questions (and answers) I get asked a lot about Adelaide’s most unique restaurants.
What food is Adelaide famous for?
Adelaide is famous for its incredible wines and fresh produce, making it one of the top places to live and visit in Australia. You’ve got to try the local seafood, especially the King George whiting. Pair it with a glass of wine from the Barossa Valley, and you’re in for a treat.
Why is Adelaide called the 20-minute city?
Adelaide is called the 20-minute city because you can get pretty much anywhere you need – beaches, hills, or downtown – within 20 minutes. This beautiful place in Australia is super convenient and makes exploring a breeze.
What is the best thing to eat in Australia?
The best thing to eat in Australia, hands down, is a classic Aussie barbecue. This features succulent grilled meats, seafood, and veggies, all seasoned with that down-under flair.
What is a fun fact about Adelaide?
A fun fact about Adelaide? It’s home to the world’s largest Christmas parade, a true gem in Australia. The Adelaide Christmas Pageant kicks off the holiday season, and it’s a huge deal here, showcasing unique Oceania’s charm. It brings the city together like nothing else.
