Best things we ate in Adelaide in February 2023
From our favourite falafel to an indulgent Italian style hot chocolate, these are the nine best things we ate in Adelaide last month. Add them to your list for March!
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It’s love at first bite: when you discover something unexpectedly tasty; surprisingly more-ish; something you never want to end. You tell your friends about it – maybe post a picture to Instagram. And you can’t wait to eat it again.
This is a round up of those things, as eaten by food-loving staff at The Advertiser this past month. How many have you tried?
We’d love to hear the best things you’ve eaten recently, too – give us your tips in the comments!
FALAFEL WRAP
$13, Real Falafel, Stall 3/4, Adelaide Central Market
nominated by Jessica Galletly
Did I eat this in February? Yes. Have I devoured it many times prior? Also, yes. The falafel wrap at this unassuming Central Market stall dances across all the tastebuds. If you’ve never eaten falafel with pickled veg (think cabbage or turnip), then you haven’t experienced falafel in all its glory. Just like the pickle to the burger patty, the pickled veg to the falafel adds the acidity and vibrancy a deep fried ball of mushed chickpeas needs. In the open pita you’ll also find fresh chopped cucumber and tomato, a tomato-ey salsa and hummus, of course. They top this with hot chips, which aren’t essential, but do provide a convenient walk-back-to-work snack before one demolishes the heroic, all-praise-worthy, Real Falafel Wrap.
BURRATA, GREEN ‘NAHM JIM’, FRIED SHALLOT, ROTI
$26, Kiin, 73 Angas St, Adelaide
nominated by Simon Wilkinson
It was the dip of an era: grab a tub of Philadelphia cream cheese, tip it onto a plate and douse it liberally in sweet chilli sauce. New modern Asian diner, Kiin, takes inspiration from this and puts a cheffy spin on it. Chef Ben Bertei replaces the Philly with fresh, soft-centred burrata, placing the ball in the middle of a pool of green nahm jim – the Thai salsa of herbs, lime and chilli. It’s served with the flaky Malaysian flatbread, roti, which offers the perfect scoop for the sweet milky cheese and tangy dressing. It’s a real Eureka moment.
THE PÂTÉ (PART OF SET MENU)
$69 (set menu), Comida at Gluttony, Rymill Park / Murlawirrapurka
nominated by Jessica Ball
There was melt-in-your-mouth kingfish ceviche and smokey fire-roasted broccoli but the standout flavour bomb at Comida’s Gluttony pop-up was without a doubt the pâté.
Normally located in Hahndorf, the restaurant is currently serving up a ‘feed me’ menu lakeside at Rymill Park and I 10/10 recommend.
It was the smoothest pâté I’ve ever eaten, the pickles were delicious and the cherry on top was the specially prepared crunchy cracker (you wouldn’t even know it was gluten free).
START A RIOT MOLOTOV CAKE
$16, Bar Riot, Adelaide
nominated by Jessica Galletly
Is it acceptable to go to a bar just for dessert? Asking for a friend.
Holy moly the guys at new bar-led diner Bar Riot are onto something with their cocktail-meets-dessert creation, very loosely inspired by the Portuguese Molotof cake. Syrup-soaked cake is layered with pineapple, passionfruit and Amontillado sherry caramel, and topped with luscious, torched meringue. Served in a cocktail glass, it’s elegant, boozy, and downright delicious.
SPICY COLD NOODLES
$14.70, Thea Tea Shop, 110 Gawler Pl, Adelaide
nominated by Emily Olle
It’s slightly disingenuous to say this is the best thing I ate in February, given this crispy, chewy, spicy heaven-in-a-bowl dish has been a weekly lunch tradition for almost five years. Tucked inside an unassuming shop front on Gawler Place, family-run Thea’s perfectly al dente noodles, flavour-filled deep-fried tofu and crunchy veg are topped with a truly magical spicy peanut sauce that, depending on the day, will get your eyes watering and tastebuds zinging. Don’t stress if the kick isn’t your thing – there’s a non-spicy version for the more faint of heart. Grab a house-made iced tea and serving of basil nuggets on the side. You won’t regret it.
ZUCCHINI FRITTERS
$18, Bombora on the River, 94 Barrage Rd, Goolwa
nominated by Dianne Mattsson
Best zucchini fritters I’ve had for a long time – perfectly crisp and not too thick – with toasty asparagus, blistered tomatoes and delicious herbed sour cream. The perfect brunch in the picturesque holiday destination of Goolwa.
COMBINATION BROKEN RICE
$18 approx., Nhu Lan, 40D Hanson Rd, Woodville Gardens
nominated by Neely Karimi
I only recently discovered Nhu Lan and in the few times I have visited the entrance has been bustling with hordes of hungry diners. The combination broken rice was my February highlight. The crispy, yet tender, pork was perfectly cooked; the saltiness balanced against the fresh cabbage salad and rice. The broth is full of flavour and the chilli potent, making the trip to Nhu Lan very worthwhile.
BOUILLABAISSE
$46, A Prayer for the Wild at Heart, Adelaide
nominated by Simon Wilkinson
The bouillabaisse has a single jumbo prawn, mussels and pieces of barramundi, all cooked to the minute, but it isn’t the seafood or discs of waxy potato that rekindle treasured memories of lunch by a Marseilles fisherman’s harbour more than 20 years ago. It is the rust-coloured broth, made in a two-day process, an essence of fish bits, fennel, pastis, saffron and much, much more, combining to a flavour of Mariana Trench depth. Allow it to soak into pieces of dried baguette slathered in rouille, the traditional garlicky accompaniment. Mon dieu!
ITALIAN STYLE HOT CHOCOLATE
$5.50, Bocelli Caffe Ristorante, 81-83 Hutt St, Adelaide
nominated by Dianne Mattsson
Is it a drink? Is it a dessert? Whatever it is, it’ll keep you coming back for more. The Italian-style hot chocolate is like runny hot custard – not-too-sweet – in a cup. Had a second one the same day. Eep.
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Originally published as Best things we ate in Adelaide in February 2023
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