Best value restaurants in Adelaide
Eating a delicious meal doesn’t have to be pricey. Here are 10 top restaurants across Adelaide — including one of the best in the state — that won’t break the bank.
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- Hidden gems: Best eats in the suburbs
You don’t have to spend a fortune for a fantastic meal in Adelaide.
Here are 10 top restaurants — all have been named in our delicious100 guide for 2019 — where you can get a main meal for under $20 or easily feed two people for $50.
Take a look and save your pennies now.
SOI 38
54 Pulteney St, city
(08) 8223 5472
Terry Intarakhamhaeng met Daisy Miller when they were tour guides in northern Thailand. Now the pair are leading a tour of a different kind, as they take diners on a culinary journey through the places they love at Soi 38.
A recent revamp of the CBD restaurant has seen major changes to décor and, more importantly, the cooking style, with an emphasis on the thrown-together street food of the hawker stalls replaced by a menu that better reflects the country’s different culinary dialects.
Cooking Thai from scratch can be complicated at the best of times but Terry goes to another level. As well as all the curry pastes and sauces, he is doing everything from turning fish guts into a fermented paste (similar to shrimp paste) to producing his own sriracha chilli condiment to go with hand-picked lobster spring rolls.
Take the “Feed Me” option for a tour through three regions, each represented by its own course. Starting in the north, a jungle curry with snapper wing has layers that open up one-after-another like magic doors in a scene from Harry Potter, while a duck larb comes in a puddle of lip-sticking bone broth.
The Central course, thankfully, is more snack-sized, with items such as steamed-then-fried, Chinatown-style chive cakes in a sticky soy and palm sugar reduction. From the south comes a choo chee curry of kangaroo tail (replacing buffalo).
To finish, a traditional preparation of banana and coconut that is mashed, chilled and then given a crème-brulee-style toffee lid is a successful alliance of East and West.
Much like Soi 38 itself, where terrific service, led by Daisy, and a surprising wine list, put the finishing touches on a terrific package.
- Hours: L Mon-Fri D Mon-Sat
- Bill: E $9-$20 M $20-$37 D $11-$12 — but try the lunch menu for a great value feed
- Wine: Full list and BYO | Corkage $15
- Chef: Terry Intrarakhamhaeng
PARWANA
124b Henley Beach Rd, Torrensville
(08) 8443 9001
Parwana is a real family affair. The younger generation are responsible for the outlets loved by students at Flinders University and city workers in the East End.
But to understand where the warm hospitality and exotic flavours first came from you need to visit the mothership restaurant on Henley Beach Rd.
Even with a recently enlarged dining space and two sittings on a weekend evening, Parwana is full of large, happily noisy groups. Tots and teens are hoeing in beside grandparents — indeed, Parwana Afghan Kitchen is imbued with the family vibe.
Founded in 2009 by Zelmai and Farida Ayubi, Parwana showcases the cuisine of Afghanistan, their first home, from which they fled in 1987.
It’s BYO only, so you can scan the short menu while the busy wait staff (daughters? granddaughters?) bring wine glasses. The menu changes every couple of days.
Mantu dumplings (without meat) are a warm bundle of pastry-wrapped vegies with a piquant tomato sauce and yoghurt, a perfect mouthful.
Staff are happy for us to share three curries on the Sunday night menu: the salaam and korma (eggplant), sabri (spinach) and morgh korma (chicken). The chicken is falling-off-the bone tender and extra naan breads are a great idea to mop up the spicy sauces. If your niece does grab the last bread, the jewelled rice is a worthy substitute, especially with added chutney and yoghurt dip.
From the grilled meat menu, the Du Pyaza is seasoned lamb — nicely spiced pieces with naan and chutney, perhaps a little chewy for grandpa.
Service can be a bit hit and miss, but nobody goes hungry.
On the dessert side, the homemade ice cream and cool sherbets will tempt you back, especially on a summer night.
- Hours: D Tues-Sun
- Bill: E $9-12, M $14-$20 D $8-$12
- Wine: Licensed, BYO only | Corkage $10
- Chef: Farida Ayubi
PIZZA MECCANICA
2 Hawker St, Bowden
(08) 8232 0044
It’s the red Chevy pickup in this former auto-repair garage that draws admiring gazes, but the real “engine” at Pizza Meccanica is the wood-fired oven, imported from Naples and driven with passion by owner Stelio Birbas.
He follows time-honoured methods to make his pizza, starting with doppio zero flour and finishing with lightly blistered crusts and generous toppings.
The Salsiccia e Friarielli teams lightly seared house-made pork sausage with friarielli (or rapini, the bitter Italian broccoli). The Funghi is strong on garlic-infused ’shroom taste.
True to Naples, the menu is a hit-list of a small number of can’t-fail classics — you won’t find ham and pineapple here. Pizza stands keep the table free for plates and elbows.
Indulge in a few sides: the cotechino sausage is a standout — pan-fried and served with roasted peppers and salsa verde. Dessert is kept simple: gelato, Nutella and marscapone pizza, and a double-espresso affogato.
A terrazzo floor and industrial fit-out bounces the R&B tunes and chatter of the young crowd — this is more mates night than date night.
Get the clued-up staff to talk you through the Italian-inspired red list where Freddy Nerks abuts Big Easy Radio and Some Young Punks, along with a couple of full-blooded imports.
- Hours: D Thurs-Sun
- Bill: E $9-17 Pizza $17-25 D $6.50-19
- Wine: Wine list plus BYO | Corkage $20
- Chef: Stelio Birbas
PART TIME LOVER
Pilgrim Lane, Adelaide
0488 448 807
Part Time Lover is a cubbyhouse for grown-ups in the heart of the CBD. While the materials and design might have gone up-market, this hideaway behind the Adelaide Town Hall is a place to escape the humdrum of the work day.
Even early in the week, seats are filled through the middle of the day, the volume is turned up and food and drinks are consumed with gusto.
Stewart Wesson’s menu has a signature mix of naughty deep-fried bits and pieces alongside expansive share plates brimming with leaves and sprigs of herbs, this time split into three equally weighted sections for plants, seafood and meat. Colour and crunch are a given, messy fingers likely as well.
A vego version of the Korean “bo ssam” replaces pork with the smoky spiced pulp of a barbecued eggplant that is piled on to lettuce cups with a nori sheet, carrot and daikon pickles, and a chunky kim chi salsa.
A splat of hummus topped with fabulous fried haloumi, pickled red onion, radicchio, currants and a sprinkling of dukkah is Wesson through and through.
Raw kingfish is daubed with a green chilli salsa and coconut cream, then overlaid with cucumber, curry leaves, threads of nori and sesame seeds, a combination as refreshing as a sea breeze.
“Egyptian celebration rice” is worthy of any occasion, the mix of shredded lamb and chicken pieces connected by the underlying sourness of sumac and a yoghurt dressing, each mouthful a new adventure.
Throw in a glass of wine or beer along the way and a quick shared feast will come in at less than $50 and just over 60 minutes. Come join the fun.
- Hours: B Mon-Sat L Mon-Sat D Mon, Fri
- Bill: E $9.50-$24 M $24-$37 D $10
- Wine: Wine list plus BYO | Corkage $15
- Chef: Stewart Wesson
WAH HING
85 Gouger St, city
(08) 8212 0338
facebook.com/wah-hing-restaurant
Wah Hing is a rock-solid institution on the Chinatown scene, a favourite for late-night crowds, long lunches, and families anytime.
It can lay claim to possibly the best BBC in Adelaide (if you’re an out-of-towner, ask a local about this cult dish of beans, bean curd, and mysterious magnificence). The soft-shell crab is up there as well, and the tea-smoked duck is delectable.
Long banquettes inside are perfect for gathering some mates and filling up the table with shared dishes and shared wines, or it’s never a problem to put a bigger top on an outside table when the weather is good.
Susannah, who handles the front of house with an almost psychic flair, can be entirely relied on to choose the food for you — particularly handy with big, rowdy groups.
Wah Hing is perpetually busy but the staff never seem rushed, and there’s almost always a table available despite the crowds.
The biggest danger with Wah Hing is that it’s tempting to order your favourites every time. The shallot pancakes are as hot as the face of the sun, savoury, salty and forever more-ish. The prawn toast is terrific as well. Steamed scallops are a must. So is that duck.
But the biggest reward is taking a risk every now and then — chances are, you’ll just add to your “favourites” list. Anyone for sizzling black pepper kangaroo, or spicy eggplant and chicken hotpot?
- Hours: L Tues-Fri, Sun D Mon-Sun
- Bill: E $6.80-$18.80 M $11.80-$34.80 D $7.90-$10.90
- Wine: Wine list plus BYO | Corkage $15
- Chef: Simon Wong
JOYBIRD
164 King William Rd, Hyde Park
(08) 8349 0891
Not even the roadworks that up-ended King William Rd when Joybird opened could deter the hungry hordes from this retro diner, which puts a spin on the classic chicken shop.
Sitting out front are the hip young things, people-watching from their footpath perch, and family groups — the kids content with their chicken-and-gravy rolls. Inside, local office workers roll up their sleeves to feast across a range of dishes — and there lies the best way to enjoy the menu.
Sure, Joybird does a fine version of chargrilled chook, but the real magic is in the ever-changing starters and wood-fired sides.
A stuffing butty is the stuff of hangover dreams — a herby, lightly-fried mix sandwiched in soft, white bread and served with chicken bone gravy for dipping. Scotch egg is as good as it gets, its gooey-yolk centre encased in perfectly seasoned chicken mince and a crunchy golden crumb.
You’ll want to make friends with both salads and veg here, from the wedges of crisp iceberg that are dressed with anchovy mayo, capers, soft boiled egg and crisp chicken skin, to an unctuous, scorched cabbage that’s loaded with nutty pesto.
Larger items might include middle eastern lamb shoulder or yiros, the latter boasting incredible slow-cooked lamb, lightly pickled cucumber among more typical salady bits, a special not-so-hot sauce and chips, which add texture you never knew you wanted.
Wash it down with a can of craft beer and you might not visit another chicken shop again.
- Hours: L|D Mon-Sun
- Bill: E $8-$14 M $18-$78 (1kg middle eastern lamb shoulder) D $11-$12
- Wine: Wine list
- Chef: Dexter Kim
HISPANIC MECHANIC
205 Glen Osmond Rd, Frewville
(08) 8338 6435
A Peruvian pirate adds an extra dose of fun to a place that is all about relaxing and having a good time while delving into the cooking of Central and South America.
Well-travelled chef Greggory Hill, a master of all things chilli, incorporates elements from Mexico, Brazil and even Korea (inspired by an ex-pat community in Mexico City) in vibrant, fresh-flavoured dishes at this wildly popular taqueria.
Take, for example, Master Kim’s 5 Star wings — fried crisp and coated in a chipotle and gochujang sauce that makes finger licking a joy.
A huge plate of beef ribs adds encouragement to the diner’s sharing ethos, a hibiscus glaze adding sweetness to the slow-cooked meat.
Tacos range from seared tuna or pork belly through to more Korean inspiration in the KFC, where the C stands for cauliflower.
Vegan dishes are front and centre — a great range including tostaditos, empanadas and the bump and choke: seared artichoke cakes teamed with a green habanero sauce that could bring tears to your eyes.
For dessert, it’s hard to go past a brownie that promises a chilli kick, but also dig in to a corn cake — flourless and with a wicked dulce de leche caramel.
And that pirate? It’s just one of the many fun cocktails and drinks that range across sangria or gin jugs to share, a selection of South American and local beers and a good focus on South Aussie wines, while also not forgetting Mexico and its near neighbours.
- Hours: L Fri, Sun D Wed-Sun
- Bill: E $5.50-$18.90 M $16.90-$39 D $9.50-$14.90
- Wine: Wine list plus BYO | Corkage $15
- Chef: Greggory Hill
VIETNAM (AND VIET NEXT DOOR)
73 Addison Rd, Pennington
(08) 8447 3395
Take your pick: the ultra-fresh herbs and cleansing broths of traditional Vietnamese; or a modern twist that delves into other cultures and even fast food.
The two generations of the Phan family have both options in neighbouring properties on Addison Rd.
The legendary Vietnam has been in operation for more than 35 years, as their uniforms proudly proclaim. Yes, the dining room is looking a little tired, with its fish tank, wood-panelled walls and laminated tables, but you won’t notice — or care — as soon as a plate of roll-your-own cold rolls is placed in front of you. The pork meatball version of course, because how can you resist those succulent skewers?
Hanoi-style spring rolls feature minced prawn, vermicelli and mushroom, wrapped in deep-fried rice paper, making them crisper than their Chinese cousins. Wrap them in herbs and a lettuce leaf before dunking them in that zingy dipping sauce.
Lucky diced beef is a must-try, the cubes of scotch fillet given just enough time in the pan, while BBQ lemongrass chicken is also a winner, generous portions of meat served skin-on with a dipping sauce that’s got a bit of kick.
Lightly battered crispy squid is topped with an extra sprinkle of flavour — some onion here, chopped chilli there, and a bit of coriander to keep things fresh.
Viet Next Door, run by brother-and-sister Ben and Linda Phan, offers a very different impression of Asian dining.
The space is small but eye-catching, its design full of meaningful stories and surfaces that demand to be touched (check out the fragments of egg shells inlaid in the tabletops).
Ben’s menu shows a modern disregard for boundaries or borders, mixing and matching what he’s learnt from his mum with what he has seen elsewhere in the world or dreamt up in the middle of the night.
Lightly cured kingfish is tossed with a mix of aromatic leaves, dressed with a ripper ginger nuoc cham, while natural oysters are dressed in vinaigrette and scattered with a finely diced sweet-sour mix of Vietnamese pickles and fresh pineapple that tangos beautifully with the brine.
Finesse gives way to fast food in the cheeseburger spring rolls, fried rice arancini balls and “Wings of Glory”. Even the crab noodles are inspired by Ben’s sojourn in the US.
To finish, a popcorn crème brulee is made up of a lovely delicate custard under a toffee lid sparkling with gold leaf.
- Hours: L|D Tues-Sun
- Bill: E $5.20-$18.90 M $12.90-$37.90 D $8.90-$14.90
- Wine: Wine list plus BYO | Corkage $15
- Chefs: Suong Thi Ho, Ben Phan
YUKI IN THE HILLS
2 Strathalbyn Rd, Aldgate
(08) 7226 5767
Open for just over a year across the road from the Aldgate Pump Hotel, Yuki in the Hills strikes a graceful balance between family friendly dining and a respectful, well-informed reflection of Japanese cuisine.
From the outside, where it is clad in dark planks, the restaurant would look a bit like a mountain hut if not for the lanterns hanging from the veranda. Inside, the walls are lined in more timber, this time in bleached tones, so it can feel like being in an oversized sauna. At the centre of the room, two kimono-wearing chefs are on show as they prepare sushi and sashimi with quiet concentration.
Yuki does a bit of everything. As well as several pages of raw fish and seaweed/rice combinations, an elegant, ring-bound menu covers all the favourite snacks, tempura, stir-fries and stand-alone mains such as chicken katsu and teriyaki salmon.
Tempura soft-shelled crab, a gnarly mass of spindly legs, body parts and clumps of sweet white meat, is the pick of the starters. Wagyu tataki presents slices of chilled raw beef, their marbling of fat melting in the warmth of the mouth and melding with a mustard dressing. A special roll of eel, avocado and mushroom shows the artistry of the sushi chef, the key ingredients laid in a delicate arrangement on top, the rice just right.
“Sakana shioyaki”, traditionally a simple salted and grilled piece of fish, is expanded into a bumper plate of fried snapper fillets and a vividly coloured collection of vegies that are all in peak condition.
For dessert, a matcha and red bean cake, with only a whisper of sweetness and an intriguing firm bite, will not be everyone’s cup of sencha tea.
- Hours: L Wed-Sun D Mon-Sun
- Bill: Starters $5.90-$15.90 Sushi $4.50-$29.90 M $13.90-$26.90 D $9.90-$11.90
- Wine: Wine list plus BYO | Corkage $15
- Chef: Dalia Jung, Gary Hong
BALLABOOSTA
289 Halifax St, Adelaide
(08) 8232 1853
This is a puff piece. How can it not be, when every minute another platter with spheres of puffed-up flatbread whizzes by.
It’s Sunday lunchtime, the sun is shining and the tables inside and outside Ballaboosta are full — and everyone, it seems, is having that not-so-flat bread.
Staff trot back and forth from the pizza oven to the tables and service is swift, so somehow everyone who pleads for a place is squeezed in.
The décor may be Mediterranean meets industrial but the food and vibe are all about family.
Ballaboosta’s food is made for sharing. The mezze of thumb-sized rice-stuffed vine leaves is a pleasant start but it’s the crunchy pastry of the hand-crimped sambousik that sparks joy. Stuffed with lamb mince and pine nuts, the little crescents are the perfect size for scooping up the accompanying hummus.
Fat, moist chicken skewers of shish tawook shine on a plate laden with a vibrant fattoush salad and, yes, more of that puffy flatbread.
After all that, you might struggle to fit in one of the woodfired pizzas so save that for another visit. Try the Inferno — it isn’t as dangerous as it sounds, with a just-there chilli burn lingering after you have finished the marinated artichoke, ham and roasted capsicum on a thin crust.
- Hours: B|L Mon-Sun D Mon-Sat
- Bill: E $12 M $19-$26 D$4-$8
- Wine: Wine list, plus BYO | Corkage $20
- Chef: Naj Moubayed
NGHI NGAN QUAN
65 Woodville Rd, Woodville
(08) 8244 6003
The empire may be expanding — two “express” outlets opened late last year to go alongside Little NNQ and 1/3rd by NNQ in the CBD — but that doesn’t stop crowds lining up for a table at its mothership set in a regal old bank building on Woodville Rd.
The smells of bubbling clay pots and spicy pho beef broth will start your tummy rumbling before you even reach the door.
Find your table in one of several dining rooms and contemplate a menu that runs from soups and salads, to beef banquets, rice dishes, stir-fried noodles and four pages of mains.
A house special of crispy quail are a sticky, caramelly delight. Leave your manners behind and get stuck in with your fingers — it would be a crime not to nibble every last bit of succulent meat off the bone.
The ‘shaking’ beef is cooked medium-rare, the tender morsels of steak showing pan-seared char with a sharp garlicky kick. Scoop up some of the remaining stir-fry sauce and veggies to eat with your rice.
Sweet and sour pork is also a winner, the sauce balanced with a little saltiness, most likely from the oft-used Vietnamese fish sauce.
Salt and pepper squid has a lightly spiced, crispy batter, though one of the few disappointments of the night is that these rings are a little tough.
A drinks list ranges from fresh juices, smoothies, cocktails and Vietnamese iced coffees, to local and imported beers and a very reasonably priced wine list.
Service is slick and the overall experience a little more refined than other Vietnamese restaurants in this area — though still in the noisy, bustling, family-friendly way we’ve come to know and love.
- Hours: L|D Wed-Mon
- Bill: E $6-10 M $12-26 D$8
- Wine: Wine list plus BYO | Corkage $12
- Chef: Huong Ngo
