Adelaide food guide: Where to eat at the Adelaide Fringe including The Garden, Gluttony, Fool’s Paradise and Pink Flamingo
Festival season is nearly upon us – here’s the best spots to get a quick bite at the Adelaide Fringe before or after your show.
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The Adelaide Fringe isn’t just about the arts and entertainment – there’s also plenty of fabulous food to keep your hunger sated in between performances.
Gluttony co-director Daniel Michael said this year is one of the “most exciting food offerings ever” for the festival venue, with almost 30 vendors throughout Rymill Park.
“Fringe goers love having a bite before and after shows under the stars in the East End,” he said.
“There’s diverse cuisines from across and globe and something for all appetites: from snacks on the go, to platter feasts for Fringetime picnics.”
Whether you’re looking for a quick, pre-event bite inside one of the Fringe hubs, or a meal with friends at a nearby restaurant, we’ve got you covered.
Here are a few of our favourite food offerings at the Fringe, across The Garden of Unearthly Delights (Rundle Park/Kadlitpina), Gluttony (Rymill Park/Murlawirrapurka), Fool’s Paradise (Victoria Square/Tarntanyangga), and new spiegel club, the Pink Flamingo (Festival Plaza), as well as some of the top restaurants nearby where you can dine-in and can soak up the atmosphere.
GARDEN OF UNEARTHLY DELIGHTS
Rundle Park/Kadlitpina
Sam’s Silly Sausage Sizzle
Get yourself a snag from award-winning comedian Sam Simmons at this new BBQ-focused stand from Grapes of Mirth.
Simmons will be serving up classic beef sausage sangas – Bunnings style – and vegan potato salad sandwiches, inspired by his recent trip to Japan.
When he’s not on the grill, the award-winning funnyman will entertaining audiences with his new hour of stand up, Man with a Fork in a World Full of Soup.
Catch (Adelaide Seafood)
Enjoy some of Adelaide’s freshest seafood, including their signature “Taste of the Ocean” platter to their delicious Lobster and Prawn Roll and Barramundi Burger.
New to the Garden this year, it’s gourmet seafood with a focus on sustainability and local sourcing, from people with over 45 years’ experience in the industry.
Señor Taco
Tuck into authentic Mexican street food at this Garden stall, which uses traditional methods to whip up corn tortillas and hand made salsa. But there’s also a unique twist to every one of their tasty tacos which will transport you to the streets of Mexico.
Moi An Viet Street Food
A favourite with lovers of Vietnamese street food, this popular outlet will serve up their signature satay skewers with Thai salad, BBQ Pork skewers, and unique chicken pate dumplings, among a wide array of dishes. Vegan and gluten-free options will be available.
La French Crepes cart
Another new addition to the Garden in 2024, sweet tooths will love the range of flavour combinations on offer, from strawberry nutella with homemade whipped cream to a special salted caramel with banana and nutella offering. There’s also plenty of savoury options – think chicken, smoked salmon and marinated goat cheese – to satisfy your hunger at any time of the day.
The Garden Feasts
Africola’s award-winning chef Duncan Welgemoed has curated two huge dinners under the stars – each with 500 guests – on February 26 and March 4, complete with roving Fringe performers. The world-first gastronomic experience will feature dishes from Morgan McGlone (Sunday, ex-Belle’s Hot Chicken) and Nathan Sasi (Nomad, Mercado and Adelaide’s Leigh Street Wine Room) at the February event, while Kiwi chefs Rewi Spraggon, Tama Salive, and Rob Elliott will cook up a storm in March.
GLUTTONY
Rymill Park/Murlawirrapurka
Gang Gang
These guys have made a name for themselves with their unique list of burgers, from the Cardi B buttermilk fried chicken and Asian-inspired Spice Girl, to new offerings such as chilli beef, buffalo chicken and fillet O Gang with a prawn and barramundi patty.
Pizzateca
McLaren Vale’s beloved Italian pizza joint is back with its old-school, Neapolitan-style pies set to again be popular with Fringe goers – so get your orders in early.
Comida
There’s no pop-up restaurant this year but Hahndorf eatery Comida will return with plenty of tasty Spanish tapas options and a focus on local produce.
Shibui Dessert Bar
Adelaide’s dessert king Quang Nguyen is the man behind this stall that has been a hit with Fringe fans for years. Options in the past have included Nutella panna cotta, soft serve and mochi doughnuts, just to name a few.
FOOL’S PARADISE
Victoria Square/Tarntanyangga
Saigon Grill
It’s all up to you at this Vietnamese street food stall, which offers customisable noodle bowls, rice bowls, or salad bowls, along with chargrilled chicken, pork, and tofu. Then there’s the delectable baos – always a crowd favourite.
Pizza Reggina
With many years of experience between them, Domenico and Vince know how to craft the perfect, hand-stretched, wood oven pizza. For a little extra kick, add their homemade chilli honey over the top.
Coffee and Doughnuts
Take a little break from festival madness and try out this cozy cafe. From freshly brewed coffees to hot cinnamon doughnut balls, they cater to all tastes and offer dairy-free, vegan, and gluten-free choices for all their treats.
PINK FLAMINGO
Festival Plaza
La Mia Luna Pizza
Another food truck favourite, this mobile van will park itself on the plaza and sling traditional Neapolitan-style pizza during the Fringe.
Taco Cartel
Who doesn’t love a taco? This popular food truck will be dishing up their Mexican street food delights for a hungry audience. Their dishes meet a wide range of dietary requirements, including vegan and vegetarian options too.
NEARBY RESTAURANTS IN THE EAST END
Mother Vine
22/26 Vardon Ave, Adelaide
Skip the lines at the Garden or Gluttony and instead settle in for a special two-course feed menu for $49 per person, including two glasses of select wine, before your show. This offer is available Tuesday-Sunday between 4:30pm-6:30pm.
East End Cellars
25 Vardon Ave, Adelaide
This East End institution will host its annual Vardon Street Parties every Friday to Sunday night during Fringe season, with plenty of live music, roving performers, pop up bars and more to keep festival goers entertained.
Storehouse Flinders East
The Vibe Hotel, 260 Flinders St
A five-minute stroll from the Fringe’s East End hubs, this new restaurant is serving up a two-course dinner by renowned head chef, Brent Potuszynski, complete with a glass of wine, for just $49 per person. Storehouse will be open for dinner every Monday to Saturday from 5pm.
Africola
4 East Terrace, Adelaide
Getting a table at this East Terrace hotspot is tough at the best of times, let alone during Fringe season – but it’s definitely worth it. Make sure to book early and indulge in chef Duncan Welgemoed’s diverse African-inspired menu.
Enoteca Lounge & Cucina
281 Rundle St, Adelaide
From the family behind beloved Port Rd eatery Enzo’s Ristorante comes this fine dining modern Italian restaurant. Fresh pastas and high quality, dry-aged meat dishes with a strong charcoal flavour form the basis of the menu from acclaimed chef Luca Guiotto.
If you’re not that hungry, stop in for a pre-show cocktail or glass of wine from their extensive list.
Thanks to Theo
6 East Terrace, Adelaide
One of the new kids on the East Terrace block, this eatery – from politician Nick Xenophon and hospitality couple Andrew Ferrara and partner Alessandra – offers traditional Greek cuisine. Menu highlights include savoury lukoumades, anchovy, shallot, chicken souvlaki, grilled flat bread, banana peppers and roasted garlic tzatziki. Delish.
RESTAURANTS CLOSE TO VICTORIA SQUARE
Olive
86 Pirie St, Adelaide
The latest addition to Callum Hann and Themis Chryssidis’s slate of restaurants has a Mediterranean focus, with a mix of snacks, small items and larger dishes including spiced eggplant with pomegranate, a slow roast lamb shoulder, and rainbow trout.
Part Time Lover
Paul Kelly Ln, Adelaide
This little city oasis, located behind Town Hall, is popular with the CBD work crowd thanks to its plant-based fare including fried corn ribs and slow roasted eggplant. There’s plenty for carnivores too with cumin-crusted lamb shoulder and wagyu rib among the mouth-watering options.
Longplay Bistro
131 Pirie St, Adelaide
It’s a slightly longer trek to Longplay but it’s conveniently located right next to another Fringe venue, beloved comedy house Rhino Room.
From the team behind popular laneway bars Clever Little Tailor and Pink Moon Saloon comes this modern European restaurant, offering fresh pasta dishes, steak and fries, and seafood plates.
Gouger Street restaurants
Just a short stroll away from Fool’s Paradise are a host of popular eateries along Gouger St. Some of our regular haunts include Ying Chow, Gaucho’s, Wah Hing and Concubine.
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