Though I frequent the coffee shops in Adelaide more often than restaurants, Adelaide and its surrounding suburbs offer a pretty wide assortment of cuisines. Below, I put together a list of my favorite Adelaide restaurants:
NOLA
As its name gives away, NOLA serves New Orleans inspired food alongside live music on Friday nights. I ordered the steamed Port Lincoln mussels. The ground floor serves as a bar and the upper level is the eatery with a small stage for performers. The night I went, Australian singer-songwriter Tasha Zappala was performing. NOLA is a bit upscale, but has a casual atmosphere and a unique menu.
Luigi Delicatessen
Luigi's is known for their brunch platters which consist of "porkbelly bacon, Italian homemade sausages, herb oven-roasted mushrooms, caramelised beetroot, avocado, hommus, greens, sauces, house-made beans, specialty eggs and other in-season specialties".
The prices are almost as extravagant as the food, so my friends and I split two platters between us. Even with the price point, Luigi Delicatessen is an Adelaide restaurant to try at least once.
Mr. Viet
Mr. Viet is definitely a local favorite, judging by the fact that I was never early to get a table here. The pho is great and pairs nicely with some Vietnamese iced coffee on a hot day. Unlike some of the other restaurants on this list, Mr. Viet is affordable and has ample portions.
Nutrition Republic
This cafe/smoothie place has capitalized on the health food trend. In addition to smoothies and smoothie bowls, Nutrition Republic also has wellness shots and coffee. I tried the Adaptogenic Latte, coffee mixed with superfoods like reishi and lion's mane. I also had the "Liquid Brownie" protein smoothie, which is aptly named. Although Nutrition Republic is in Goodwood, the Adelaide bus system has a stop close by.
Betty's Burgers & Concrete Co.
Betty's Burgers is right next to Grill'd, but Betty's is more fast food than sit down restaurant. They are also known for their concretes, which at $8 AUD are almost as expensive as their burgers. However, Betty's Burgers & Concrete Company made the list for their fast service and quirky take on fast food, with creations like shiitake burgers.
Grill'd
Grill'd is an Australian burger chain. It made my list because they have a variety of burger options, including vegan burgers. Something unique about Grill'd is that customers receive a plastic chip when ordering, to vote on which charity they donate to that month.
E for Ethel
While Adelaide is full of sustainable cafes and restaurants, E for Ethel stands out with its focus on locally-sourced foods and a quaint in-store gift shop. Even though E for Ethel falls under the cafe category, they have more of a focus on food than coffee, which is why it is not on the cafe list. E for Ethel is right off Melbourne Street.