Adelaide

1. Asian Cuisine

Adelaide has a strong Asian food presence, with Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese, and Indian cuisines being particularly popular.

Chinese

• Popular Spots:
  • Concubine (Gouger Street): A modern Chinese restaurant known for its elegant ambiance and dishes like Peking duck and dumplings.
  • Ying Chow (Chinatown): Famous for its salt and pepper eggplant and late-night dining.
  • Ding Hao (Chinatown): A go-to spot for authentic dim sum.
• Cost: AUD 15–30 per dish; AUD 40–60 per person for a full meal.
• Best Time to Visit: Dinner hours (6 PM–9 PM) or weekends for dim sum.

Japanese

• Popular Spots:
  • Shōbōsho (Leigh Street): A fusion of Japanese and modern Australian cuisine, offering yakitori, sashimi, and ramen.
  • Sushi Train (multiple locations): Affordable and fun conveyor-belt sushi.
  • Ichitaro Dining (Hyde Park): Known for its refined kaiseki-style dining.
• Cost: AUD 20–40 per person for casual dining; AUD 60+ for fine dining.
• Best Time to Visit: Lunch for sushi or dinner for a more extensive menu.

Korean

• Popular Spots:
  • Korean BBQ Cow & Pig (Grenfell Street): A lively spot for Korean BBQ.
  • Plus 82 Pocha (Grenfell Street): Specializes in Korean street food and soju cocktails.
• Cost: AUD 25–50 per person.
• Best Time to Visit: Dinner, especially for BBQ.

Thai

• Popular Spots:
  • Golden Boy (North Terrace): A contemporary Thai restaurant with a "feed me" menu option.
  • Star of Siam (Gouger Street): A long-standing favorite for classic Thai dishes.
• Cost: AUD 20–40 per person.
• Best Time to Visit: Dinner.

Vietnamese

• Popular Spots:
  • Little NNQ (Prospect): Known for its pho and banh xeo (Vietnamese pancakes).
  • Vietnam Restaurant (Pennington): A local institution for authentic Vietnamese cuisine.
• Cost: AUD 15–30 per person.
• Best Time to Visit: Lunch or dinner.

Indian

• Popular Spots:
  • Jasmin Indian Restaurant (Hindmarsh Square): A fine-dining Indian restaurant with a focus on North Indian cuisine.
  • Beyond India (North Adelaide): Offers a mix of North and South Indian dishes.
• Cost: AUD 20–40 per person.
• Best Time to Visit: Dinner.

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2. European Cuisine

Adelaide’s European dining scene is rich, with Italian, Greek, French, and Spanish cuisines being particularly prominent.

Italian

• Popular Spots:
  • Osteria Oggi (Pirie Street): A modern Italian eatery with handmade pasta and a chic interior.
  • Etica (Whitmore Square): Known for its wood-fired pizzas and sustainable practices.
• Cost: AUD 25–50 per person.
• Best Time to Visit: Dinner.

Greek

• Popular Spots:
  • Estia (Henley Beach): A seaside restaurant offering traditional Greek meze and grilled seafood.
  • Yanni’s Taverna (Magill): A cozy spot for souvlaki and moussaka.
• Cost: AUD 20–40 per person.
• Best Time to Visit: Dinner or weekend lunch.

French

• Popular Spots:
  • Hey Jupiter Brasserie (Ebenezer Place): A Parisian-style café serving croissants, steak frites, and French wines.
  • Cliché Exhibition (North Adelaide): A modern take on French classics.
• Cost: AUD 30–60 per person.
• Best Time to Visit: Breakfast for pastries or dinner for a full meal.

Spanish

• Popular Spots:
  • La Rambla Tapas Bar (Leigh Street): Specializes in Spanish tapas and sangria.
  • Mothervine (East End): Offers Spanish-inspired small plates and an extensive wine list.
• Cost: AUD 30–50 per person.
• Best Time to Visit: Evening for tapas and drinks.

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3. Middle Eastern Cuisine

Adelaide’s Middle Eastern food scene is growing, with Lebanese, Turkish, and Persian options.

Lebanese

• Popular Spots:
  • Jerusalem Sheshkebab House (Hindley Street): A casual spot for kebabs, falafel, and hummus.
  • Le Souk (Adelaide Central Market): Known for its Algerian and Lebanese-inspired dishes.
• Cost: AUD 15–30 per person.
• Best Time to Visit: Lunch or early dinner.

Turkish

• Popular Spots:
  • Parwana Afghan Kitchen (Torrensville): Offers Afghan and Turkish-inspired dishes in a cozy setting.
  • Sufi’s Turkish Cuisine (Prospect): Known for its pide and kebabs.
• Cost: AUD 20–40 per person.
• Best Time to Visit: Dinner.

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4. African Cuisine

Adelaide has a small but vibrant African food scene, with Ethiopian and Moroccan cuisines being the most popular.

Ethiopian

• Popular Spots:
  • Addis Ababa Café (Torrensville): Known for its injera (fermented flatbread) and flavorful stews.
• Cost: AUD 20–30 per person.
• Best Time to Visit: Dinner.

Moroccan

• Popular Spots:
  • Marrakech Restaurant (North Adelaide): Offers tagines, couscous, and Moroccan mint tea.
• Cost: AUD 25–40 per person.
• Best Time to Visit: Dinner.

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5. South American Cuisine

Adelaide’s South American offerings include Brazilian, Argentinian, and Mexican cuisines.

Brazilian

• Popular Spots:
  • Brazilian Flame Bar and Grill (Glenelg): A churrasco-style BBQ restaurant.
• Cost: AUD 40–60 per person.
• Best Time to Visit: Dinner.

Mexican

• Popular Spots:
  • Lucky Lupitas (North Adelaide): Known for its tacos and margaritas.
  • Mexican Society (Leigh Street): A modern take on Mexican cuisine.
• Cost: AUD 20–40 per person.
• Best Time to Visit: Dinner.

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Dining Costs in Adelaide

• Casual Dining: AUD 15–30 per person.
• Mid-Range Restaurants: AUD 30–60 per person.
• Fine Dining: AUD 80+ per person.

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Dining Tips and Etiquette in Adelaide

1. Tipping: Tipping is not mandatory in Australia, but it is appreciated for excellent service (5–10% of the bill).
2. Reservations: Popular restaurants, especially fine dining spots, often require reservations, particularly on weekends.
3. BYO (Bring Your Own): Some restaurants allow you to bring your own wine, but corkage fees (AUD 10–20) may apply.
4. Dietary Preferences: Most restaurants cater to dietary needs, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. Always inform the staff in advance.
5. Peak Dining Times: Dinner service typically starts around 6 PM, and lunch is busiest between 12 PM and 2 PM.

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Additional Tips

• Adelaide Central Market: A must-visit for food lovers, offering a variety of international ingredients, fresh produce, and ready-to-eat meals.
• Festivals: Look out for food festivals like Tasting Australia, which showcases international cuisines and local talent.

Adelaide’s international food scene is a testament to its multicultural community, offering something for every palate. Whether you’re craving Asian street food, European fine dining, or Middle Eastern comfort food, you’ll find it in this charming city.