The best restaurants in Adelaide

What is it? Housed in a colourful, heritage-listed East End building, this Adelaide institution serves bold African-inspired cuisine bursting with smoke, spice and flavour.

Why go? African cuisine isn’t super common in Australia’s dining scene, but award-winning South African-born chef Duncan Welgemoed’s Africola is nothing short of legendary. It’s one of those restaurants that makes you consider booking a flight to Adelaide just for dinner. The super buzzy restaurant serves South African-style barbecue with the addition of North African flavours and ingredients, like pickled vegetables, hummus and flatbreads. The meat comes from animals bred and raised exclusively for the restaurant, which is then rubbed in aromatic spices and grilled or smoked in a woodfire oven. Good times are guaranteed!

Time Out tip: Try to nab bar seats so you can watch the open kitchen in action. 

Address: 4 East Tce, Adelaide 

Opening hours: Mon-Sat 6pm-11pm

Expect to pay: $85 for set menu

What is it? A seriously stylish (and never not packed out) dining room that churns out modern takes on Italian fare – some of the best in Adelaide, for that matter.

Why go? Worth visiting for the interior alone, Oggi upped the stakes for Adelaide dining when it opened in 2015. At once graceful and modern, the award-winning fit-out draws inspiration from a light-filled Italian piazza and is just as enticing. Book a seat at either the (seemingly) never ending concrete bar or somewhere along the communal tables – groups are encouraged to get comfy in one of the booths and peruse a highly seasonal menu that melds Italian tradition with the best local produce. Expect plenty of cured meats and seafood, as well as pasta that’s made fresh daily (‘oggi’ is Italian for ‘today’) on the deceptively undemanding menu that foregrounds fresh produce and bold flavours with a diverse wine list. Our go-to order is: a serving of Sicilian green olives to start, a main of spaghetti doused in smoked passata with capers, olives, chilli and basil (it’s simple, but gosh darn effective), a side of crispy potatoes tossed in salsa verde, and a glass of red to wash it all down, of course.

Time Out tip: Put your faith in Osteria Oggi’s staff – they know a thing or two about what’s good, and can eloquently guide you well on your way to a memorable, saucy affair.

Address: 76 Pirie St, Adelaide

Opening hours: Mon-Sun 11:30am-11pm

Expect to pay: More than $60 a head for a proper meal and glass of wine

What is it? An intimate, fine dining degustation room that just happens to be plant-based and doesn’t make you feel like you’re missing out in the slightest.

Why go? This compact 28-seat restaurant upstairs from Etica pizzeria doesn’t try to replace meat dishes with vegan alternatives. Instead, every one of the ten dishes on the set menu is designed from the ground up to reflect the season. The result is a sophisticated dining experience that never fails to delight vegans and omnivores alike with its next-level inventive fare. Flavour combinations you would least expect somehow work in ways unexplainable – take for example the coffee dip with Jerusalem artichoke chips, and the porcini-port jelly with spent sourdough. Not only is Allegra Dining Room one of the best vegan restaurants in Adelaide, but in Australia too. We’d go as far as saying that this wee, but mighty eatery has helped shape the country’s plant-based culinary scene.

Time Out tip: Go on an empty stomach – the courses start coming and they simply don’t stop coming. It’s a pretty cute spot for a date night or special occasion too.

Address: 1/125 Gilles St, Adelaide

Opening hours: Thurs-Sun 6pm-12am

Expect to pay: $150 a head for the set menu without drinks

What is it? Afghan comfort food that the New York Times raves about.

Why go? Since 2009, the Ayubi family has been introducing diners to fragrant, flavour-packed Afghan staples in Adelaide’s inner west. Despite revealing their secrets in a popular cookbook, no home cook can replicate their legendary jewelled rice or banjaan borani (strips of eggplant simmered in tomato sauce and a potpourri of spices until they’re so soft they fall apart). If you’re not feeling too adventurous within your taste bud journey, opt for the familiarity of fried dumplings, although Parwana’s are called ‘ashak’ and stuffed with chives and smothered in a rich, lamb mince sauce and dolloped with garlic yoghurt. As far as alcoholic beverages go, it’s BYO only (the owners use the proceeds to feed the homeless), but the atmosphere is convivial and the colourful interior is packed every night of the week. 

Time Out tip: If you’re on a mission to savour bits and pieces from across Parwana’s menu, it’s worth looking into the banquet menu for $60 per person.

Address: 124B Henley Beach Rd, Torrensville

Opening hours: Tues-Fri 6pm-10pm; Sat-Sun 12pm-3pm, 6pm-10pm

Expect to pay: More than $50 a head for a proper meal

What is it? A fine diner with a conscience (and an onsite music venue).

What is it? Taking sustainability beyond the plate and into the way staff and guests are treated, Aurora promises a feel-good fine dining experience. In the open kitchen, the custom-made braai laden (barbecue) with vegetables, meat and fish hints at produce-driven mod-Oz with a South African soul food influence. You can go à la carte or lean into a beautifully balanced, three- or five-course tasting menu – whichever you choose, just know it’s set to be simply sublime. How does the swordfish with davidson plum and saltbush sound? Or perhaps the pork with abalone and pearl barley is more to your liking – with a side of soy-chive young potatoes, of course. And because the profits from the restaurant help to fund onsite arts venues, on any given night there might be jazz, classical or modern dance performances happening throughout the 150-year-old building. How’s that for dinner and show?

Time Out tip: Aurora is ideal for your plant-based friends – the options are unusual, considered and downright delightful.

Address: 63 Light Sq, Adelaide

Opening hours: Wed-Thurs 6pm-9pm; Fri-Sat 6pm-10pm

Expect to pay: More than $100 a head for a proper meal with drinks

What is it? An elegant Italian restaurant inspired by lush-life New York joints – fittingly housed along Adelaide’s picturesque and slightly old-school, Leigh Street.

Why go? Walk through the brick exterior of this inner-city restaurant and you could convince yourself you’re in New York’s Little Italy. Fugazzi’s menu consists of refined Australian takes on classic Italo-American food. Top dollar will get you seasonal plates of local produce paired with  South Australian seafood, smoked and flamed meats, and some pretty outrageous plates of perfectly al dente pasta. The hand-picked, blue swimmer crab taglierini with chilli, garlic and salmon roe goes down a treat. Their woodfire oven also does some heavy lifting, and the bow-tied staff are the cherry on top. Famed food critic, Nigella Lawson, recently gave Fugazzi her overwhelming seal of approval, meaning your taste buds and carb cravings are in safe hands.

Time Out tip: This is one of the few times that we’ll not suggest to make use of the al fresco dining space. Fugazzi’s flash interior must be admired and an inside table will surefire enhance your overall experience.

Address: 27 Leigh St, Adelaide

Opening hours: Mon-Sun 11:30am-11pm

Expect to pay: More than $70 a head for a proper dinner without drinks

What is it? Classics done well; that's what they’re all about at this all-day Parisian café, bistro and bar. 

Why go? You know what’s cheaper than flights to Paris? A trip to Hey Jupiter. Behind a beautifully tiled, green and white facade that recalls the Metro stations of Paris, this brasserie hits the sweet spot between tradition and innovation. As a result, it’s as popular with boomers enjoying the chic brasserie vibes as it is with hospo staff ducking in before a shift. The extensive menu ranges from croissants, croque monsieur and cassoulet in the morning, to foie gras, steak frites and crêpes Suzette past noon and well into the night. Wine is a must and the bottles are proudly French, with beers, ciders, apéros and cocktails to play with too. Whether you’re in the mood to dress up or dress down, Hey Jupiter is worthy of a snap. Even the staff look the part.

Time Out tip: Nab a table curbside and plonk yourself on one of the street-facing, Parisian bistro chairs and watch the quirks of Ebenezer Place take place right before your eyes.

Address: 11 Ebenezer Pl, Adelaide

Opening hours: Wed-Sun 7am-10pm; Mon-Tues 7am-4pm

Expect to pay: More than $30 for a filling lunch and coffee

What is it? A high-end, modern Australian restaurant where the chefs are on full display.

Why go? At Adelaide’s first open-flame restaurant, main character energy comes from a three-and-a-half-tonne wood-burning oven that sizzles everything from local figs and spiced cauliflower to Murray cod with sweet corn sauce, as well as the dry-aged wagyu T-bone. Michelin-trained chef Jake Kellie heads this sleek barbecue restaurant, which is housed inside a heritage-listed sandstone building. You can dine à la carte from Arkhé’s seasonally-driven menu, or try for a seat at the exclusive chef’s table, located in the heart of the restaurant. Sip on enticing cocktails with the likes of a Wattleseed Negroni and Watermelon Fizz, which sit atop Arkhé’s extensive drinks list.

Time Out tip: We quite like the seating at the very back of the restaurant, which backs onto a leafy courtyard – it’s like you’re outside but you’re inside all at the same time. There’s something rather calming about it.

Address: 127 The Parade, Norwood

Opening hours: Wed 4pm-12am; Thurs-Sun 12pm-12am

Expect to pay: More than $130 a head for a proper dinner without drinks

What is it? A retro bar cross party-sized pizza joint cross nightclub, tucked down a city sidestreet.

Why go? Come for pizza and a pinot noir, and stay for a boogie at this kitsch laneway joint. Somewhere between a restaurant, a bar and a nightclub from your favourite 70s film, Sunny’s was always destined to become a cult classic. And no matter which way you slice it, this buzzing spot slings some of Adelaide’s best pizzas. Fluffy Naples-style pies with just the right amount of chew are the main game, while the ‘not pizza’ section of the menu includes wood-roasted veggies and killer fried chicken. Just make sure you’ve got enough energy to hit the potential dance floor afterwards if things get a little out of hand – typical.

Time Out tip: We’re not going to lie, Sunny’s is pretty rowdy as far as background music goes. If you’re in need of a proper yap sesh with your nearest and dearest, or a long-awaited catch-up with a past lover, we recommend perching up al fresco or in the secluded-ish, intimate dining room.

Address: 17 Solomon St, Adelaide

Opening hours: Mon-Sun 5pm-11pm

Expect to pay: More than $40 for a pizza and vino

What is it? An industrial hip establishment that almost single handedly reinvented Adelaide city dining.

Why go? Peel Street is ground zero for Adelaide’s burgeoning small bar scene. But before all that jazz, Peel St Restaurant redefined urban dining in Adelaide with trendy industrial décor and super-generous serves of creative modern Australian cuisine (with hints of Asian and Middle Eastern cuisines, too). The food, listed on a constantly changing blackboard menu, is divine, and the vibe is totally unpretentious: quick-fire, communal and democratic. Sink your teeth into fare with the likes of smoked beef short rib, and the mainstay roasted cauliflower with tahini yoghurt, date butter, curry leaves and harissa. A slice of the grilled focaccia with sumac butter is a necessity as well. Whatever you land on, you’re in for a treat that’ll linger on your mind for a hot minute.

Time Out tip: If you’re big on people watching, Peel Street (the actual street, not the restaurant) is a prime locale. Grab yourself a seat along the pedestrian laneway and nonchalantly observe the many and varied characters of the ‘20-minute city’.

Address: 9 Peel St, Adelaide 

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 11:30am-3:30pm, 5:30pm-10pm; Sat 5:30pm-10pm

Expect to pay: More than $60 for a proper dinner and wine

What is it? A bustling, modern Thai restaurant with a value-for-money Tuk Tuk experience and plenty of outdoor seating.

Why go? A far cry from the suburban Thai joints you’re used to, this trendy haunt in a historic building in Adelaide’s East End stays busy until late into the night with good reason. Zingy, spice-laden dishes burst with freshness and the hardest part is deciding what to order. Your best bet is to opt for the Tuk Tuk sharing menu, where the dishes will keep coming until you say stop (though you’ll still need to choose from the list of South Australian-leaning wines and inventive cocktails). Keep cool beneath the shade of the grapevine-lined patio (it’s on one of Adelaide’s busiest roads, mind you), or watch your spread in the making over the fiery kitchen bench – watch out for that wok.

Time Out tip: During Adelaide’s festival season (February and March), Golden Boy is an absolute hot spot for a pre-Fringe show feast and tipple. It’s highly recommended to book during these months to ensure your Thai cravings are met.

Address: 309 North Tce, Adelaide

Opening hours: Sun-Thurs 12pm-2pm, 6pm-10pm; Fri-Sat 12pm-2pm, 5pm-10pm

Expect to pay: $72 for the Tuk Tuk menu which includes dessert

What is it? A mash-up between an art gallery and wine room, with a 400-strong list of minimal intervention drops on full display.

Why go? In a former dry cleaner shop on super-hip Leigh Street, this narrow venue takes design cues from Parisian bistros that the owners visited on their honeymoon. It’s also kind of shaped like the innards of a rotund washing machine - you’ll see. Take a seat at the terrazzo bar and gaze up longingly at the enormous wall of natural wines sourced from near and far, before sitting down to elegant European-inspired share plates of house-made pasta, delicate seafood and proteins cooked over redgum coals. A medley from each section of the menu should have you well on your way to satiated. The Wine Room’s rum baba (a spongy cake saturated in rum syrup) with spiced pineapple and cream is a staple too, just for your information.

Time Out tip: Leigh Street Wine Room also has a mezzanine dining floor where inspecting the happenings of the bar below is pretty much tableside entertainment if you’re seated at a table for two on the edge of the platform.

Address: 9 Leigh St, Adelaide

Opening hours: Mon-Wed 2pm-10pm; Thurs 12pm-10pm; Fri-Sat 12pm-11pm

Expect to pay: More than $70 a head for a proper meal and a glass of wine

What is it? An old-school Italian joint serving pizza and pasta just like nonna used to make.

Why go? For 150 years, Adelaide’s sprawling Central Market has been ground zero for local cooks specialising in every imaginable cuisine – so it’s fitting that it housed the first pizzeria in the state (some say the country). Today, Lucia’s is better known for its housemade pasta and sauces (Friday is lasagne day); rich, silky espresso; deep pan pizzas and one of Adelaide’s best parmigianas. Lucia’s menu has seen little change over the years, so you can expect your favourites to stick around. Why change a good thing, right? We’re a huge fan of the cosy interior that’s complete with checkerboard, vinyl tiling – the ideal spot for slurping up saucy bolognese and subsequently mopping it up with some garlic ciabatta. Also, Lucia’s deli next door makes sandwiches so popular they have their own tea towel – think antipasti and cured meat-stuffed rolls that drop with rich, extra virgin olive oil.

Time Out tip: Escape the Central Market chaos inside the diner, or sit right in the thick of it – pretty much in the firing line of the thoroughfare.

Address: Inside Adelaide Central Market, Shop 1-2 Central Western Mall, Gouger St, Adelaide

Opening hours: Tues-Thurs 7am-4pm; Fri 7am-9pm; Sat 7am-3pm

Expect to pay: More than $20 a head for a filling lunch

What is it? A classy French-inspired restaurant and wine bar with traditional brasserie dishes, world-class wines and live jazz every night from 5pm until late.

Why go? Slip below street level into the dimly-lit den that is La Louisiane. Helmed by former head chef of Restaurant Hubert in Sydney, Alexis Besseau, this charming basement bar brings French cuisine to life by pairing premium local produce with specialty ingredients from France. It’s a two-for-one deal too, with interactive roaming caviar carts and live jazz every single night. Start with classic baguettes slathered in cultured butter, then treat yourself to caviar blinis, beef tarte, duck liver parfait, buttery escargots, gruyère cheese soufflé or steak frites. 

Time Out tip: Pop in during happy hour (Tuesday to Saturday from 5pm to 6pm) for snacks priced from $8 to $18, including petit saucisson, duck rillette, croque monsieur and La Louisiane’s signature gruyere burger.

Address: 89 King William St, Adelaide

Opening hours: Tue-Sat 5pm-11.30pm

Expect to pay: $90 for a four-course set menu

What is it? A breezy, all-day bistro tucked behind Adelaide Town Hall, offering plenty of gluten-free options.

Why go? You’re bound to fall in love full-time with this funky eatery in the heart of Adelaide. Part Time Lover lives in a light-filled timber pavilion designed by Sans-Arc Studio, featuring a mix of communal high-top seats, cosy dining tables and sunny spots outdoors. It’s a breath of fresh air from the hustle and bustle of the city surrounding it. We’re full-time obsessed with the seasonal menu, which is designed to share. It’s split between plants, seafood, meat, sides and sweets, with almost 100 per cent of the menu naturally gluten-free. Don’t miss the fried corn ribs with chilli, lime and mayo; the salt and pepper bug roll; or the chicken parm croquettes in tomato vodka sauce.

Time Out tip: Part-time restaurant, part-time café – this buzzy spot also opens for breakfast every day (except Sunday). Expect all the brunch classics paired with Five Senses coffee.

Address: Paul Kelly Ln, Adelaide 

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 7am-10pm; Sat 6am-10pm

Expect to pay: $46 for the lunchtime set menu or $76 for the four-course dinner set menu

What is it? A lively European-style bistro serving no-fuss food and exceptional wine, all set to a backtrack of vinyl LP (long play). 

Why go? Walking into Longplay feels like crashing your best mate’s dinner party – “a friend who happens to be a great chef, has a thoughtfully curated collection of records and a deep cellar.” Head chef Calum Horn (ex-Barrio, Harvest, The Summertown Aristologist) serves up food he unashamedly loves to eat, with a simple one-page menu featuring the likes of venison tartare, chicken liver parfait, vodka sauce rigatoncini and dry-aged rib-eye with jus and béarnaise. The ever-growing, 24-page wine list showcases Aussie icons and lesser-known artisan producers alongside gems from around the world. Grab a glass and settle in for a night of vino and vinyl, with records played in full on a single turntable.

Time Out tip: Longplay is brought to us by the same crew behind Clever Little Tailor and Pink Moon Saloon – both quirky bars to grab a drink before or after your meal. 

Address: 131 Pirie St, Adelaide 

Opening hours: Wed-Sun 5.30pm-10pm + Fri 12pm-3pm

Expect to pay: $90 for the classics sharing menu

What is it? A modern Asian restaurant in the heart of Adelaide by two hospitality legends: chef Ben Bertei (ex-Longrain, Spirit House and SameSame Brisbane) with maitre’d and sommelier David Wickar (ex-Café Di Stasio and Scusa Mi in Melbourne).

Why go? Kiin is the Thai word for ‘eat’, and that’s exactly what you’ll want to do plenty of at this mod-Asian diner. With a combined 50 years in the hospitality game, Bertei and Wickar know how to deliver impeccable service with old-school charm. Chef Bertei’s menu is mainly inspired by his research trips to Northern Thailand, with each dish given a little South Australian twist. Take the red curry cheeseburger stuffed with crispy onion, cheese and mustard mayo; the beer-battered Port Lincoln squid sandwich with Tom Yum crab mayo; or the green curry chicken pie with pandan ketchup. Signature cocktails add to the fun, including a Kin Spritz with hints of ginger and lemongrass, and the Café Boran, an Asian-inspired take on the Espresso Martini. 

Time Out tip: Kiin offers BYO every Tuesday and Wednesday night with a $30 corkage fee per bottle.

Address: 73 Angas St, Adelaide

Opening hours: Tue 5pm-9pm; Wed-Thur 12pm-9pm; Fri-Sat 12pm-10pm

Expect to pay: $59 for the lunch shared menu or $89/$119 for the dinner feasting menus

What is it? A vibey East Asian bistro and cocktail bar by the Makan team, who met while working at the neighbouring Paper Tiger.

Why go? Decked out in red neon lights with dim lighting and vinyl records spinning on weekends, Monica brings a taste of old school Hong Kong nightlife to the East End. Inspired by the late '80s and early ’90s, the menu takes you on a nostalgic tour through East Asia, featuring flavours from Japan, Korea, China, Mongolia and Taiwan. The bulk of the menu is packed with bold and punchy snacks, including sweet and spicy rice cake skewers, cheesy curry fish balls and king prawns grilled in Sichuan sauce. Don’t shy away from the funky cocktails, which play with traditional East Asian ingredients, like duck fat, tom yum and pandan. Take the Mango Sticky Rice (a clarified milk punch) with toasted rice rum, tropical fruit juices and coconut cream, or the Kopi Avo Float with whisky, Kahlúa, lemonade and homemade avocado ice cream.

Time Out tip: On Friday and Saturday nights, Monica Bistro is open until the wee hours – add it to your bar-hop list as you make your way along Rundle Street nightlife precinct.

Address: 14 East Tce, Adelaide

Opening hours: Tues-Thurs 5pm-10pm; Fri-Sat 5pm-2am

Expect to pay: More than $50 a head for a proper dinner

What is it? One of Adelaide’s best Japanese restaurants, featuring an open, sushi preparation station that’s safeguarded by kimono-donning chefs. 

Why go? Head to Yuki in the Hills for both midday snacking and evening feasting, where tidy sashimi platters go down a treat, edamame beans served on the branch are an eyebrow-raising sight (in a good way), udon soups fog slurper’s specs, and 28 rolls of soosh make for the toughest decision of the day. Vegans are welcome at Yuki in the Hills too, providing green options across every section of the menu. In terms of the ambiance, Yuki in the Hills has space for 50 guests and is enveloped with wood-cladding in typical Japanese style. The room is designed for a relaxing experience with the addition of food that you’d anticipate at a fine dining restaurant – it’s the best of both worlds really.

Time Out tip: Tell your gluten-free, nut-free and dairy-free friends about Yuki in the Hills immediately – there’s a plethora of super thoughtful choices up for grabs. No one is going hungry at this Aldgate eatery, not today.

Address: 2 Strathalbyn Rd, Aldgate

Opening hours: Wed-Sun 11:30am-2:30pm, 5pm-9pm; Mon-Tues 5pm-9pm

Expect to pay: More than $60 a head for a filling dinner without drinks

What is it? A blowout restaurant at the base of the foothills within Penfolds winery’s historic Magill Estate vineyard (est. 1844).

Why go? Though it’s only 15 minutes from Adelaide’s city centre, Penfolds’ Magill Estate Restaurant is set high enough among the foothills to offer stellar views back over the CBD. They’re matched by seriously sophisticated food; Chef Scott Huggins works with the finest South Australian produce in an innovative degustation menu that can be paired with predictably brilliant wines (go all out and order some Grange – you know you want to). “It is my honour to create dishes that are a combination of refinement, magic and flavour. So that every guest leaves with a sense of bewilderment, and that lingering question...how?” That's what Chef Huggins stands by, and we’re here to tell you that we whole-heartedly agree that bewilderment is what you shall get from the delicate dishes. The fire and coals play a big part in this, mind you. Magill Estate Restaurant only accommodates 34 diners at any given time, so bookings are recommended to avoid any disappointment.

Time Out tip: For a more laid-back dining experience with the same dreamy views, head next door to the newly revamped Magill Estate Kitchen. Here, you can enjoy classic fish sandos and Mayura Station rump cap bresaola for under $20, or indulge with the all-new grill menu featuring dry-aged tomahawk by the kilo, half lobsters with béarnaise and freshly made pasta.

Address: 78 Penfold Rd, Magill

Opening hours: Wed-Fri 6pm-11pm; Sat-Sun 12pm-4pm, 6pm-11pm

Expect to pay: A minimum of $220 a head for lunch, and $285 for dinner

What is it? The best of South Australian regional produce on a plate and in your glass.

Why go? Seppeltsfield’s Fino made its city debut in 2019 with the opening of a sleek restaurant and wine bar on Flinders Street. Five years on and Fino Vino is still one of the city’s best, with its largely local menu that heroes the best of the seasons. At $55, the all-day express menu is an absolute steal and will let you sample three share plates, along with a glass of vino for good measure. Think beef short rib atop celeriac purée, carrots and Tuscan kale. Finish on a sweet note with the crema catalana (crème brûlée’s Spanish cousin that hints towards cinnamon and citrus notes). It has been on the menu since day one, so you already know that it’s going to be absolutely bangin’. 

Time Out tip: It’d be appropriate to both debut your new suede shoes at a fanciful evening affair, or simply rock up in your office gear for a lunch break feed at Fino Vino’s contemporary dining room.

Address: 82 Flinders St, Adelaide

Opening hours: Wed-Fri 12pm-11pm; Sat and Tues 5:30pm-11pm

Expect to pay: More than $55 a head for a proper meal and wine

What is it? Part Italian restaurant, part inventive wine bar with a few new-wave twists up its sleeve.

Why go? Traditional Italian dishes mingle with other cuisines at Anchovy Bandit to create playful, imaginative dishes. Bucatini is tossed through Goolwa pippies, yuzu kosho and chives, and pepperoni pizza gets a revamp with hot honey and jalapeños joining forces atop their puffy dough. Anchovy Bandit's pizza crusts are so thick and round, you could roll your hair with them. Except don’t; it’s put to much better use paired with one of the house-made ‘crust dips’. Choose from garlic butter, taramasalata or XO sauce mayo. Wine is taken very seriously here too, with a great range of South Australian and Italian varieties to try. As for the atmosphere, Anchovy Bandit is an idyllic date night spot – it’s timber-clad, a little bit retro, warm-toned and the very friendly service is a bonus too. 

Time Out tip: Anchovy Bandit’s bellini cocktails are seasonal, meaning that you’re not just stuck with prosecco combined with store-bought orange juice – definitely not. Instead, you’ll be treated with house purées that hit much, much different.

Address: 96 Prospect Rd, Prospect

Opening hours: Sun-Thurs 5pm-10:30pm; Fri-Sat 5pm-11pm

Expect to pay: More than $75 a head for a proper dinner with drinks  

What is it? A chic 250-seat French-inspired brasserie helmed by a former Vue de Monde chef.

Why go? With late 2024 beginnings, Station Road is fresh, and we’re not just referring to its fit-out. Balanced yet bold, the menu showcases premium local ingredients through refined French techniques, with highlights including Mayura Wagyu tartare, Southern Rock lobster cannelloni, Tasmanian sea urchin omelette sandwiches and a dainty Paris Brest (praline flavoured cream squeezed between choux pastry and covered with flaked almonds) for dessert. Choose your vibe: perch at the central marble bar for relaxed drinks and nibbles, sample rare chardonnays in the intimate wine room, or take in the city sounds while dining al fresco on the recently reopened and revamped Festival Plaza. The ultra-modern eatery calls for your finest fit that you’ve been dying to flaunt.

Time Out tip: After your Station Road affair, take a stroll down to the River Torrens foreshore – just a two-minute walk from the restaurant’s locale. Here, you can gaze upon the illuminated footbridge, Adelaide Oval, and neighbouring (and gargantuan) buildings that line the water’s edge.

Address: 1 Station Rd, Adelaide

Opening hours: Wed 6pm-11pm; Thurs-Sat 12pm-11pm; Sun 12pm-6pm

Expect to pay: More than $80 a head for a proper meal without drinks

What is it? Fire rules at this izakaya, where flame-blackened timbers overlook an open kitchen filled with smoke and steam.

Why go? Leigh Street is at it again, putting forward another contender for one of the best restaurants in Adelaide. You can chat with the chef as you feast on flame-licked Japanese food at this intimate yakitori bar. Watch the action from the kitchen bench and start with delicate, intensely flavoured small bites, before moving onto larger share plates that hero proteins from the yakitori grill and wood oven. For an even more intimate experience, grab one of the eight seats at street-level for charcoal-grilled skewers and whisky highballs on tap. You can feel the lingering eyes of curious passersby as they slow their pace to see what all the fuss is about. Keep the spirits high with Japanese sake and tart umeshu tipples.

Time Out tip: Shobosho is big with Adelaidians when it comes to celebrating birthdays. There’s just something about the atmosphere that screams “you’re getting older” – so expect a packed dining room and plenty of laughter bounding from the timber-laden restaurant.

Address: 17 Leigh St, Adelaide

Opening hours: Mon-Wed 5pm-10:30pm; Thurs-Sun 12pm-10:30pm

Expect to pay: More than $60 a head for a proper meal without drinks