Restaurants in South Australia
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A
Drift Cafe
A funky little vegetarian eatery - earthy and feel-good - Drift do burgers (such as the monster veg burger which has a pattie of the day, pesto, avocado, sundried tomato, roast eggplant, fresh sprouts, cashews and organic lettuce), salads, bruschetta and rolls, as well as the odd curry and pizza.
reviewed
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Augè
‘To continually strive to be at one’s peak’ is the motto here, and palate-peaking cuisine is what to expect. Try the seared medium-rare pigeon breast with soft parmesan polenta, cured pork-cheek pancetta and confit pigeon legs. WOW! (Augè rhymes with ‘R-J’, in case you want to name-drop).
reviewed
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B
Mesa Lunga
In a fishbowl corner room with an amazing dark-wood wine wall, sassy Mesa Lunga serves tapas and quality pizzas. Order some queso manchego (aged sheep cheese with quince paste) and anchovies stuffed with Manzanillo olives, washed down with some sparkling sangria. Magic.
reviewed
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C
Store
A much-needed slice of bohemia amid the North Adelaide affluence, Store is a casual corner eatery with a built-in deli, serving great coffee, pastas, risottos and gourmet mains like crispy chicken breast on mascarpone mash with grilled asparagus, prosciutto and sage butter.
reviewed
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D
Biga
A cool cafe popular with Adelaide’s weekend cycling set, who exhaustedly sprawl across the outdoor tables. Head-kicking coffee and creative breakfasts – try the uova e pancetta (baked free-range eggs wrapped in pancetta with roasted mushrooms and fat toast).
reviewed
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E
Enoteca
In a timber-floored glass box dangling off the side of the Italian Chamber of Commerce, Enoteca plates up superb modern Italian. The gnocchi with Spencer Gulf prawns, shredded pork belly, roast tomato, white beans and truffles is heaven-sent. Classy, classy, classy.
reviewed
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Hector's
Standing under the ugly (in more ways than one) span of the Hindmarsh Island Bridge, eating at Hector's (festooned with fishing rods) is like hanging out in your mate's boathouse. Seafood chowder and spinach-and-fetta pie are sweetly complemented by jazzy tunes and local wines. Good coffee, too.
reviewed
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F
John's Pizza Bar
Serving up table-sized pizzas, hearty pastas and heat-beating gelato, you can't go past John's. Grills, salads, burgers, yiros, and fish and chips also available. Sit inside, order some takeaways, or pull up a seat with the bedraggled pot plants by the street.
reviewed
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Café de Vili's
Vili's pies are a South Australian institution. Next to their factory just west of the West End, this is an all-night cafe serving the equally iconic 'pie floaters' (a meat pie floating in pea soup, topped with mashed potato, gravy and sauce − outstanding!).
reviewed
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G
Umberto's Restaurant
This atmospheric restaurant with a moody desert view offers bush-tucker influenced cuisine such as kangaroo kebabs dusted with desert spices with broccolini and yoghurt dressing, as well as other inspired Mod Oz dishes and a motivating wine list.
reviewed
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Thali Room
Tacked onto the more upmarket British India restaurant, the moody Thali Room offers a selection of nine thalis (curry platters), all served with dhal, mango chutney, rice and naan. Try the Goan (hot beef) or the Malabar (prawns in mild coconut).
reviewed
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Café Lime
Pick up heat-and-eat gourmet dinners or a takeaway cone of salt-and-pepper squid with lime-salted fries. If you feel like lingering, nab a table for beer-battered Coorong mullet (not a description of a haircut at the pub), baguettes, curries, soups and pasta. Espresso perfecto.
reviewed
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I
A Taste of Jamaica
A slice of the West Indies in Adelaide - why not? If you're looking for a change from the usual international cuisines on offer, try these fiery Caribbean dishes (best mellowed with their delicious tropical punch). Go for the spicy jerk chicken.
reviewed
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J
Farina Kitchen & Bar
Wander downstairs into this contemporary Italian restaurant, festooned with white/yellow/black Miro-meets-Rorschach graphics and industrial light globes. Sip a cocktail at the bar while the effortlessly hip staff check if your table’s ready.
reviewed
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Ocean Grill @ Anchorage
This salty sea-cave, with fishing nets trawling from the ceiling and an old whaling boat for a bar, has a Med-meets–Mod Oz menu with plenty of seafood. There’s great coffee, tapas, cakes, Euro beers and a beachside terrace to drink them on.
reviewed
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Rock Pool Café
Don't worry about sandy feet at this casual, alfresco joint in Stokes Bay. 'What's the house special?', we asked. 'Whatever I feel like doin'!', said the chef (usually seafood, washed down with local wines and decent espresso).
reviewed
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K
Akasha
Modern Greek fills a niche on upper O’Connell St at Akasha, a classy glass-fronted restaurant serving meze (tapas-style plates) and hefty platters. Ouzo, ascending bouzouki music and knowledgable staff. The $36 lunch for two is top value.
reviewed
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L
Jasmin Indian Restaurant
Magical North Indian curries and consummately professional staff (they might remember your name from when you ate here in 1997). There’s nothing too surprising about the menu, but it’s done to absolute perfection. Bookings essential.
reviewed
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M
Nino's
Nino's cafe has been here since 1974, but it manages to put a contemporary sheen on downtown VH. Hip young staff and a mod interior set the scene for gourmet pizzas, pasta, salads, risottos and meaty Italian mains. Good coffee too.
reviewed
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Thuy-Linh
Astonishingly unpretentious Vietnamese/Chinese eatery at the city end of Jetty Rd, with attentive service and a swathe of fresh seafood, meat and noodle delights. Bring some mates and spin the lazy susan (banquets $20 per person).
reviewed
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King Po
For all the usual Sino-treats, the King will not let you down, though the décor is tacky and the muzak odd. The addition of some 'Australian' dishes (steak or fish, mostly) means there's something for even the tamest palette.
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Jerusalem Sheshkabab House
A skinny Hindley St room that's been here forever, serving magnificent Middle Eastern and Lebanese delights: falafels, hummus, tabouleh, tahini and (of course) sheshkababs. The plastic furniture and draped tent material are appropriately tacky.
reviewed
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P
Ding Hao
Ding Hao is the place for yum cha. Even if you book a table, you might find yourself waiting outside as reluctant-to-leave diners spin lazy susans full of prawn dumplings, shredded duck, pork buns and (eek…) chicken feet.
reviewed
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Q
Italo-Australian Miners Club
Vinyl chairs reflect the sunset at this elevated local watering hole, attracting beer bellies most nights. Meals (monster steaks, schnitzels and damn fine pastas) make an appetising appearance. Cheap fish and chips on Fridays and roast dinner on Thursdays.
reviewed
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Gottabe Fish
Here at the top of Spencer Gulf, you expect quality seafood. This sweaty takeaway joint serves fresh king fish, snapper, King George whiting, prawns, butterfish and Smoky Bay oysters, plus burgers, yiros and steak sandwiches.
reviewed