Adelaide food guide: Where to eat out in the city this festival season
Mad March is nearly upon us – from an alfresco Italian disco diner to a burger joint doing Cardi B buttermilk fried chicken, here’s where to eat this festival time.
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Fringe festivities are (almost) in full swing, which means it’s time to get dinner plans sorted.
Whether you’re looking for a quick pre-show bite inside one of the Fringe hubs, or a meal with friends at a nearby restaurant, we’ve got you covered.
Here are our top 11 Adelaide Fringe food picks across The Garden of Unearthly Delights (Rundle Park/Kadlitpina), Gluttony (Rymill Park/Murlawirrapurka) and new Fringe hub, The Pyramid (Victoria Square/Tarntanyangga), as well as top restaurants where you can soak up the atmosphere.
GARDEN OF UNEARTHLY DELIGHTS
Roberta’s Italian Disco Diner
An alfresco Italian disco diner slinging fresh pasta, chianti wine and live tunes in the East End? Bellissimo. Formerly at the RCC, Roberta’s Italian Disco Diner has found a new home at The Garden of Unearthly Delights, and we know it’s going to be popular. Revellers can expect great food and fun times. Bookings are recommended – and give you express entry into the Garden.
Chilli Shack
Former MasterChef favourite Callum Hann, Themis Chryssidis and the Sprout team are making their Garden debut in 2023. Expect tasty South East Asian fare with a chilli kick.
Nagev
For those looking for a vegan spread, Nagev has you covered. From burgers to Mediterranean-inspired fare, there’s something to suit all tastes.
GLUTTONY
Comida Buena Onda
Spanish eatery Comida is hosting its first ever restaurant pop-up at the Rymill Park kiosk. It’s a seated affair, a $69 set-dinner menu giving diners a taste of Spain.
Anchovy Bandit
Gluttony has teamed up with Brand SA this year, which means more (all) SA vendors! That includes the popular Prospect pizza bar Anchovy Bandit, which is making its Gluttony debut. The thin pizzas with perfectly puffed crusts and tasty toppings are the perfect belly liner. Gluten-free and vegan options are available.
Gelato Messina
Gelato Messina is back, baby. The cult loved ice creamery, which former Adelaide lads Nick and Danny Palumbo started in Sydney (they now have 16 stores interstate and one in Hong Kong), is popping up at Gluttony ahead of its Norwood store opening later this year. Expect 20 flavours, including five changing specials, churned on-site. A festival must.
Angler
Not just any fried fish – Angler is SA’s first and only fully sustainable fish and chippery, so you know what you’re getting is fresh as well as tasty. You’ll find a range of fresh seafood here, including fish tacos and, of course, fish ‘n’ chips.
Fire ADL
South East Asian fare from the people behind popular Adelaide restaurant, Soi. 38.
Pizzateca
McLaren Vale’s favourite pizza joint Pizzateca returns to Gluttony to sling its traditional Neapolitan style rounds to the hungry hordes. It gets busy, so get there before the belly starts rumbling.
Gang Gang
From their signature Cardi B buttermilk fried chicken to the classic cheeseburger, Gang Gang has your burger cravings sorted.
NEARBY RESTAURANTS IN THE EAST END
Looking for somewhere to eat a stone’s throw away from the Garden or Gluttony? Some of Adelaide’s hottest restaurants live in the East End – just be sure to book in advance:
Africola
4 East Terrace, Adelaide
Duncan Welgemoed’s Africola remains one of the most sought after restaurants not only in Adelaide, but Australia – and for good reason. His African inspired menu is flavour packed and the vibe just screams good times. It’s set-menu only now, so one to enjoy when you’ve got a couple of hours before (or after) a show.
Golden Boy
309 North Terrace, Adelaide
Keen for a post-show feast? Late sittings might be all that’s available for this weekend – but you won’t regret it. The restaurant will provide you with one of the tastiest South East Asian meals going around – and the Tuk Tuk (their version of the ‘feed me’ menu) is great value.
Yiasou George
26 East Tce, Adelaide
If Yiasou George were in Greece, it’d be the party island. Staff are jovial, the playlist funky and the food tasty. It’s Greek with a contemporary twist – think saganaki with figs and honey, and lamb shoulder served with pita and yoghurt so you can DIY yiros.
The Tasting Room @ East End Cellars
25 Vardon Ave, Adelaide
When you want to graze with over a great bottle of wine, the Tastin Room ticks all the boxes. Create your own platter with olives, bagna cruda, croquettes and oysters, or for something a little larger, steak frites or fresh rigatoni. A table facing the street provides prime people watching.
Fool’s Paradise
Africola Canteen Fringe Theatre Lunches
For dinner-and-a-show, check out the Africola Canteen Fringe Theatre Lunches under the Pyramid – it’s a three-hour ticketed event ($200), which includes a three-course lunch by Africola Canteen, with wines from Hither & Yon and Chaffey Bros. Pyramid artists will perform between courses.
Bao Bao by The Filipino Project
Serving up – you guessed it – steamed bao buns, filled with your choice of fried chicken, cripsy pork belly or tofu. You’ll also find salad boats and spring rolls – easy bites for between show-hopping.
RESTAURANTS NEAR
NEARBY RESTAURANTS SURROUNDING VICTORIA SQUARE
Press* Food and Wine
A newly renovated, chic fit-out sets the scene for dinner at one of Adelaide’s best restaurants – reaching 4th spot on this year’s delicious. 100 list. Chef Tom Tilbury’s menu is clever and contemporary, but not overly fancy.
Kiin
A seven-minute walk from Victoria Square will bring you to Kiin – a new modern Asian restaurant that pushes the boundaries with fun and flair.
Melt
Great thin pizzas with a range of toppings (the funghi is popular), and excellent daily-changing tapas. Ideal for a casual dinner with friends before joining the festivities.
Eleven
Excellent produce cooked well defines Eleven, the city restaurant project from Callum Hann and Themis Chryssidis. It feels a little spesh; nice for a date night or dinner with a close group.
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