The Best Restaurants in Adelaide CBD

Since the mid-eighties not much has changed; Adelaide folks can still rely on La Trattoria restaurant for fresh, authentic, mouth-watering Italian meals until late every night of the week. The menu comprises award-winning pizza, traditional veal and chicken dishes as well as every southern Italian pasta imaginable. The dining room is large and family-friendly but sit al fresco beneath the heaters for a bit of fresh air.

Adelaide's Peel St is a trendy, buzzing eatery in the heart of the CBD. Tawny exposed brick walls are teamed with white bentwood chairs to create an industrial yet elegant feel. The menu is a fusion, hybrid blend of Middle Eastern, Asian and Modern Australian cuisine. Share broad bean falafel with green tahini, and enjoy a main of whiting cured in tomato and purple onion, with celery heart and lemon.

On the Halifax Street strip on the edge of the Adelaide CBD is Herringbone, a place to see and a place to be seen. With a trio of hospitality heavyweights behind the venue, Peel St co-owner Ben McLeod and former Stone’s Throw head chef Quentin Whittle and manager Paul Tripodi, its rave reviews are of little surprise. An earth-to-table philosophy means the ingredients speak for themselves and a locally-focused wine list is a proud showcase of South Australian drops. $20 BYO corkage applies with a maximum of 2 bottles per table,

An always popular Adelaide eatery, Press* Food and Wine is all about sharing locally grown and prepared ingredients in a casual, modern atmosphere. Set over two levels, the downstairs bar is perfect for pre-dinner drinks or casual snacks with friends, while the light-filled dining room upstairs caters to groups of all sizes, with both a la carte and tasting menus available.

Once an everyday laundromat, Leigh Street Wine Room has injected a second lease of life into this cosy Adelaide alleyway shopfront. Modest and refined, while the name suggests there is a focus on wine- don't let it fool you. The food menu is equally just as impressive, with the likes of smokey oysters, parfait and ricotta dumplings decorating tables. Take your time to marvel at the extensive wall of wines, collected from all corners of the globe.

Italian cucina Osteria Oggi is located in Adelaide CBD, which is perfect because there's nothing like a plate of artisanal pasta to cheer you up after a long day in the office. Pasta is the specialty here and it's made in the basement by a team of ladies working on a marble table in the cellar. Expect light, simple flavours and melt-in-in-your-mouth pastas and gnocchis. There is also a substantial list of small plates for sharing.

Kiin Restaurant, located at 73 Angas Street in Adelaide, offers a modern Thai dining experience that pushes the boundaries of traditional flavours. Helmed by chef Ben Bertei, formerly of Same Same, Longrain, and Spirit House, the menu features inventive dishes such as prawn and lychee pop sticks, red curry cheeseburgers, and burrata with green nam jim and roti. The open kitchen adds to the vibrant atmosphere, allowing diners to witness the culinary process firsthand. The wine list showcases a selection of South Australian and European wines, complemented by innovative cocktails like the limoncello spritz with lemongrass and ginger. Kiin is open for dinner on Tuesdays from 5:00 PM and for lunch and dinner from Wednesday to Saturday, starting at 12:00 PM.

Wok up an appetite (yes) exploring the Botanic Garden opposite, then have this Golden Boy feed you. Take the Tuk Tuk banquet of chef's choices for a filling parade of flavours, or summon the individuality of an artful egg net salad. It's fragrant, herbed mound of pork, shrimp, yam, and papaya is cocooned within a web of spun omelette. An on-trend Thai restaurant, in the East End of Adelaide.

At Parisi's, contemporary Italian food is warmed with Italian hospitality and that's why this Hyde Park restaurant has been voted Adelaide's suburban best. Situated on the fashionista boulevard of King William Road, the cafe offers a number of different dining spaces, including a suave, modern dining room and an elegantly rustic courtyard area.

Part Time Lover is a bright, contemporary café-restaurant nestled within Adelaide’s CBD, just off Hindmarsh Square. From morning coffee to evening spritzes, it’s a space that shifts easily from breakfast to after-dark. The menu is driven by seasonal produce with Asian and European influence - miso scrambled eggs, fried chicken sandwiches, and shared plates like roasted carrots with labneh. The interiors blend pastel tones with timber and terrazzo, creating a calm, joyful feel. With a smart drinks list and friendly service, Part Time Lover is the kind of place you can visit on a whim and leave already planning your return.

Since opening in 1983, House of Chow has become an icon of Adelaide's dining establishments. Its reputation has been built on quality and service, resulting in multiple awards. House of Chow boasts a huge menu with Sichuan, Canton, Shanghai, Mongolia, Singapore and Thailand influences. Select your seafood from the live tank cooked with your favourite sauce. Banquets are available for groups, making House of Chow the perfect choice for any celebration.

Elegant and welcoming, Station Road is a modern dining destination nestled in the heart of Adelaide. Situated at Festival Tower, this centrally located venue offers a sophisticated setting ideal for everything from business lunches to intimate dinners. The menu showcases a curated selection of seasonal dishes, artfully presented and paired with a diverse drinks list to suit every palate. With its refined interiors and great service, Station Road is a must-try restaurant for locals and visitors alike.

Meat & Wine Co in the heart of Adelaide draws inspiration from the heart of Africa, both in its aesthetic and menus. Providing high-quality combinations of prime cuts and top wines with their popular chain of restaurants, now residing in the heart of Adelaide. Styled with high ceilings, bright pops of art and polished features, this is a space ideal for an intimate night of dining or for a group celebrating a special occasion. Select from a range of different cuts, types and ages of beef cooked just how you like it.

Award winning chef Duncan Welgemoed has slammed down his roots with Africola, a South African restaurant and bar on Adelaide's East Terrace. As robust as he, meats here feel the heat of a giant braai plate and spit. Grab a pig fat-washed whisky, charred octopus with Mpumalanga fire or slow roasted cow's head (yes) with spinach and dumplings, then learn some local lingo from the menu - cheerz, akubekuhle!