Best restaurants, cafes and bars on King William Rd
FOOD and fashion go hand-in-hand in one of Adelaide’s best-dressed suburban strips. Here are the best restaurants, cafes and bars on King William Rd.
FOOD and fashion go hand-in-hand in one of Adelaide’s best-dressed suburban strips. Simon Wilkinson visits the restaurants, cafes and bars along King William Rd.
WEST
Plato’sPhilosopher’sKitchen
The philosophy at this Greek taverna is simple: no one goes home hungry. Plato’s sends out big platters loaded with seafood or grilled meats and traditional favourites, including slow-roasted lamb and moussaka. Kick off with smaller mezes or order the “trapezi” feast.
164 King William Rd; 8271 6668; platosphilosopherskitchen.com.au
Godi la Vita
Giant wheels of parmesan and pecorino are doused in brandy and ignited so strands of fresh pasta can be coated in the delicious, bubbling goo. The ritual of the melted cheese is the point of difference for this trattoria, where diners line up with their phone cameras to see chef Federico Godi in action. Efficient, jaunty staff will lead you through a menu where the cheesy pasta can be enjoyed with mushroom or pears and walnut, and even steaks have their own melted topping.
162b King William Rd; 8377 7844; godilavita.com.au
Ichitaro Dining
The rope art and hanging tree branch are a clear signal: Ichitaro is putting a different spin on Japanese eating. And so it proves in contemporary dishes such as rare roasted duck breast with citrus sauce and yuzu salt, or crisp-skinned salmon with parsnip puree and roasted beets. More traditional fare, including precisely prepared sushi and sashimi, is included, along with yakitori and a selection of tempura. Order the miso-marinated black cod if it is on.
160 King William Rd; 8272 8921; ichitarodining.com
Melt
Putting the party into pizza has been a winning formula for Melt, which has long drawn a crowd to its narrow dining room. Start with a mix of tapas, including fried haloumi and ground lamb with hummus — constants on a changing list. The pizza list also has signature toppings, including scallop with truffle and peas, as well as dessert pizza options which might make the purists shudder.
160 King William Rd; 8272 8186; hydepark.meltpizzeria.com.au
The Pot by Emma McCaskill
With an enviable CV, including international hotspots and local fine diner Magill Estate, Emma McCaskill brings great expectations to this little suburban diner with a strong reputation of its own.
Her early menus show definite Japanese influence (kingfish sashimi, herring with fermented rice butter) and a disciplined approach to following what is seasonal.
Delicious moments include a glistening Port Lincoln sardine with chilli relish on a sesame cracker and a dessert of pear, pear caramel and jersey milk ice cream.
160 King William Rd; 8373 2044; thepotfoodandwine.com.au
The FieldWholefoods
“We won’t sell it unless we eat it ourselves” is the simple premise of this wholefood grocer, which also dabbles in a few eat-in options and plenty of hot and cold beverages.
Get in early for the soup of the day, or look in the fridge for a salad (grape, carrot, quinoa, perhaps) or a bircher you know will be good for you.
All the grains, nuts, fruits and other ingredients you could want for your pantry are in big tubs, or pick up a jar packed with everything needed to make date balls, choc cookies or even dahl.
158 King William Rd; 7226 3990; thefieldwholefoods.com.au
50 Six One
You’ve seen the OTT shakes, loaded with brownies and lollipops — even golden pebbles. But, for those whose tastes are simple or more savoury, 50 Six One (it’s the postcode, silly) also opens through the day, for comparatively modest plates such as a breakfast apple crumble, hot ricotta cakes and toasted sambos.
144a King William Rd; 8271 2003; 50sixone.com
Antica Pizzeria e Cucina
Antica is Italian for “ancient” and here applies to both the exposed brickwork and hefty timbers of the dining room and the age-old art of preparing pizza in a scorching wood oven.
As the weather warms, find a seat in the front courtyard and order a few plates of antipasti (the mussels are good) before sharing a selection of pizza. The metre-long option, with a choice of three toppings, works well for a crowd.
144b King William Rd; 8272 6696; anticapizzeria.com.au
Parisi’s
This welcoming ristorante has been a fixture on the street for nearly 15 years, but three generations of the Parisi family have been feeding Adelaideans for much, much longer. No surprise, then, that the cooking and service here rarely misses a beat as it sends out generous plates of pasta, pizza and other favourites.
Head chef Donia Agawambaro puts her own twist on many dishes — baby veal with pancetta, mushrooms and chilli, for instance, or fettuccine with prawns, orange zest, Cointreau and burnt butter — and her specialties are marked on the menu. Choose a table in the side courtyard for an alfresco atmosphere.
138 King William Rd; 8373 5142; parisis.com.au
Farina 00 Pasta & Wine
Walk by at the right time of morning and you can see owner-chef Lewis Marro in the front window of Farina 00, rolling and cutting the spaghetti and pappardelle, ready for later in the day. As the name — an Italian flour — suggests, fresh pasta is the big attraction here, with a range of shapes and sizes, including the lily-like gigli (superb with a mix of mushrooms, truffle and thyme) and twisted casarecce. A short list of regular mains, including fish and a warming hunter’s stew, along with daily specials, means there is plenty to choose from. Tweaks to the dining room have made it far more inviting.
128 King William Rd; 8271 1109; farina00pasta.com.au
Hustle Coffee Co
Top-notch coffee and a selection of toasted bagels is the simple formula for this small cafe with a barber shop vibe — look out for the sculpted facial hair, courtesy of Robbie’s Chop Shop across the road. The tables, with a cutthroat razor emblem, are a stripped-back construction. Cool beats and a few wicked desserts finish it all off, but it’s the coffee from Veneziano that will keep you coming back.
3/114 King William Rd; 0422 499 712; hustlecoffeeco.com.au
Burger Republic
Rule number one in this republic is that whatever you eat should be shoved into a bun. Yes, there is a solitary salad bowl, but that’s only a fraction of a menu filled with variations on burgers (15 just for beef) and dogs. Serious eaters will tangle with the Zombie and its triple-decker patties, while more refined tastes might head for the Samurai, with a black bun, kim chi, kewpie and togorashi spice. For drinks choose between local craft beers or a milkshake — even a spiked shake, if you want the best of both worlds.
1/110 King William Rd; 8357 0810; burgerrepublic.com.au
Spats Coffee Lounge
Retro favourites such as vol-au-vents and brandy snap baskets are making a comeback, according to trend spotters so Spat’s, the late-night coffee lounge and date-night destination, is well placed to cash in. Its menu has barely changed over the years — just like the decor, which still features the same booths, threadbare sofas and elaborate chandeliers. Ah, the memories.
108 King William Rd, 8272 6170
Nutrition Republic
Expect to hustle for a spot at this popular health cafe, especially on sunny weekends and public holidays, when many other eateries are shut. Everything on the menu is free of gluten, dairy and refined sugar, from the breakfast bircher and paleo banana bread to salad bowls and savoury slices, served with tahini or housemate cashew cheese. You’ll just as likely find locals popping in for their morning takeaway coffee as you will gym junkies for superfood shakes. For an Instagram-worthy shot, try an “earth bowl” — basically a thick smoothie in a bowl decorated with fruit and maybe chocolate or caramel sauce — or one of their raw Pana desserts.
1/100 King William Rd, 8377 7551, nutritionrepublic.com.au
Assaggio Ristorante
This up-market Italian eatery has a soothing, reassured rhythm that’s formal without being too stuffy. Lightly warmed ciabatta — baked just a few blocks away at Boulangerie 113 and served with Assaggio’s own Frantoio extra virgin olive oil — is a great starting point and a sign of what’s to come on a seasonally influenced menu. Start with tiger prawns, pan-fried and served with couscous and a hint of chilli, or one of the eight pasta and risotto dishes that are also available in smaller portions. A slow-braised beef cheek is a deserved favourite among main options, the fork-tender meat sitting atop soft semolina. A cracker wine list includes Assaggio’s own label pinot grigio and sangiovese at rock-bottom prices, right up to elite Italian imports.
92 King William Rd, 8272 4748; hydepark.assagio.com.au
The Flying Trunk
A first glimpse of the whimsical mural, including an elephant held aloft by coloured balloons, will put you in a happy place. Settle in with one of 72 cocktail creations and a night at this teeny-weeny corner bar will get better and better. Owners Adam Schirmer and Evi Odgaard have all the right elements in place, from the extensive collection of drinks (more than 40 gins, plenty of wine treasures) to the mix of comfy seating and little nooks to hide away. The menu ranges from tapas and share boards (grilled radicchio with gorgonzola sauce, maple-roasted carrots) to more substantial fare such as a cubano sandwich and spinach gnocchi.
70 King William Rd, 0448 171 714; theflyingtrunk.com.au
Red Door
Sausage rolls don’t get much better than Red Door’s Berkshire pork and sage, with or without chilli relish. Look out also for the range of pies, sweet treats such as a rhubarb danish or creme brulee tart and sourdough loaves baked fresh each day. Their salted caramel chocolate “brick”, with a delightfully gooey centre, is a revelation.
54 King William Rd, 8272 2773; reddoorbakery.com.au
By Blackbird
You don’t have to have a sweet tooth to enjoy the specialties of this bakery cafe — but it certainly helps. Chakey Kim is a genius with pastry and the croissants, tarts and dessert creations she and her team bake fresh each day look almost too good to eat ... almost. If that sounds a little decadent for breakfast or lunch, try a buckwheat crepe folded around an egg with runny yolk that bursts at the slightest prod of the knife. A small selection of pies (chunky chicken curry, for instance) and quiches provide another option. Keep an eye out for the coffee art from Chakey’s partner, Jin Lim — ask for the swan.
3/44 King William Rd, 0402 358 002
Bottega Rotolo
Walk into this treasure trove of Italian goodies planning to buy a simple packet of pasta and you’re bound to walk out with much, much more. The shelves at Bottega Rotolo are filled with a collection of oils, vinegars, condiments, pulses, chocolates and confectionery that is irresistible. That’s before you get to the cheese room that, despite the sliding glass door, sends an enticing waft through the whole store. There’s always a range to available to taste, from gooey washed rinds to hard cheddars. All that’s left is to buy the wine, and Bottega has that covered as well, with a well-curated collection of imported Italian labels.
1/44 King William Rd, 1300 2688342; bottegarotolo.com.au
East Pollen
A favourite among brunch goers, Pollen 185 transforms seasonal produce collected from the week’s markets and local green thumbs into vibrant, nutritious food. Dishes are predominantly plant-based — our favourites include a warm kale and shredded veg salad, tossed through crunchy nuts and seeds in a tasty tahini and miso dressing, but you’ll also find the likes of baked eggs with white beans, manchego and feta cheese. Co-owner and cook Jyoti Wilkes also makes vegan cheese and nut mylks, and most dishes are available gluten free. Don’t miss her healthier hot cacao, made with rice malt syrup. It’s also open for dinner Thursday to Saturday.
4/185 King William Rd, 8271 0528, pollen185.com.au
Fish Out of Water
Humble fish and chips are taken to new and exciting places at this terrific fast food store. How about a tommy ruff wrap, a foil parcel of grilled barramundi with garlic and parsley, or chips loaded with ratatouille or mushy peas. Much of the fish (including the tommy, of course) is local and available battered, crumbed or grilled. The potato and bacon salad is a drawcard, but look out for the weekly salad special, such as Asian slaw or sweet potato with seed mix.
181 King William Rd, 8272 1996; Fish Out Of Water
Mulots Patisserie
A petit, Parisian-style patisserie that is full of gorgeous, buttery possibilities. Whether you are staying in for coffee (table space is limited) or picking up a treat to enjoy later, Mulots has all bases covered. The croissants are layer-upon-layer of crisp flakiness, whether plain, almond, or toasted with ham and cheese. Sweet options can be as small and simple as a perfect orange-scented madeleine or expand to a choice or fruit-topped pastries and tarts. Take home a family-sized quiche and tonight’s dinner is sorted.
143a King William Rd, 8272 6499; mulotspatisserie.com.au
Giwa
The traditional charcoal-burning grill is updated with a flash electric version for this cook-your-own Korean barbecue. The formula is simple: For a set fee, take as much as you want of your favourite cuts of beef and pork, as well as all the veg and accompaniments, over a two-hour period. Just make sure there is nothing left as Giwa charges a leftovers fee to prevent waste.
113-115 King William Rd, 8373 3114
Raj on Taj
Some of the best Indian food is meat-free and the vegetarian menu at this local favourite is so extensive it could provide a feast without going further. Look out for the cottage cheese dumplings known as malai kofta, the chef’s special eggplant and, from the entrees, the mushroom pakora. Other house specials include a goat masala and marinated lamb leg cooked in the tandoor. Plenty of space inside and out front, where cafe blinds keep the weather at bay.
109 King William Rd, 8271 7755; rajontajhydepark.com.au
