Discover the best places to buy food in Adelaide. Find everything you need for your culinary adventures, whether you're after daily essentials or unique ingredients from around the world.
Image: Marino Meat and Food store | Julian Cebo
Home to some of the world’s best supermarkets, Adelaide offers several food retailers where you can find all your daily essentials. Major chains include Woolworths, Coles, Aldi, and Foodland. These supermarkets are conveniently located throughout the city and suburbs, ensuring easy access from most residential areas.
When heading to the shops, remember to bring your reusable shopping bags – Adelaide is an environmentally friendly city that helps reduce plastic pollution by avoiding single-use plastic bags.
Image: South Australian Tourism Commission | Adelaide Central Market
Located in the city centre, the Adelaide Central Market is a must-visit for fresh produce, meats, seafood, cheeses, desserts, and more. It’s one of the largest covered markets in the southern hemisphere and a cultural melting pot of flavours and aromas. Take your time exploring the stalls, taste-test some free samples, stock up on locally grown produce and enjoy a hearty lunch surrounded by busy shoppers. You’ll find ingredients from a huge range of international cuisines, including Asian, Middle Eastern and European. A few popular spots in the Market include Cumbia, known for its South American tapas; famous for its signature Algerian dishes; and Asian Gourmet, which has been serving steaming bowls of Malaysian food for almost 40 years.
The market is open from Tuesday to Saturday
Image: Madame Hanoi | Duy Dash
If you are cooking a homemade feast and looking for ingredients from your home country, there are numerous Asian grocery stores scattered around Adelaide and the suburbs. Chinatown, located on Gouger Street in the City, is home to many of these stores. Here, you can find a wide range of products from various Asian countries, ensuring you can get the exact spices, sauces and other ingredients you need to prepare your favorite dishes from home. In addition to grocery stores, Chinatown offers a variety of affordable eateries, making it a great spot for both grocery shopping and grabbing a bite to eat.
Adelaide’s dining scene is diverse, offering everything from budget-friendly eats to fine dining experiences.
The CBD and Rundle Mall are the bustling heart of Adelaide, offering a vibrant mix of retail stores, cafes, and eateries. It's an excellent spot for a shopping spree followed by a quick bite. Popular coffee spots include Rundle Place's Dawn Patrol and Cibo Espresso, or for a decadent hot chocolate try Koko Black. For bubble tea enthusiasts, you can’t go past Chatime or Gong cha for a variety of delicious flavors and add-ons.
Just outside the CBD, North Adelaide boasts a vibrant dining scene. For Mediterranean cuisine, visit AMMŌS for authentic Greek dishes, Byblos serving Lebanese classics or Tony Tomatoes for wood-fired pizzas. Asian flavors shine at Gin Long Canteen with modern Southeast Asian fare, Sato for traditional Japanese or Ceylonspot serving authentic Sri Lankan dishes. Lucky Lupitas offers a taste of Latin America with its Mexican-inspired menu. Indii serves rich Indian curries and tandoori dishes, while Marrakech delights with Moroccan specialties like tangine and bestella.
Located in the city’s East End, Rundle Street and Ebenezer Place together offer a diverse and vibrant dining experience. Rundle Street is a bustling hub with a lively mix of cafes, restaurants, and pubs, perfect for any time of day. It features a variety of cuisines, including Italian at Amalfi Pizzeria Ristorante, Thai at Lemongrass Thai Bistro, modern Australian at The Austral, Indian at Daughter in Law, and Southeast Asian at Paper Tiger. In contrast, the charming Ebenezer Place provides a more relaxed atmosphere with boutique cafes and artisan eateries, ideal for brunch or a casual dinner. Highlights include the French-inspired Hey Jupiter Brasserie and Exchange Specialty Coffee, known for its exceptional coffee and light meals. Together, these streets make the East End a must-visit destination for food enthusiasts, offering something for everyone.
Leigh Street and Peel Street are celebrated for their vibrant atmosphere and outstanding food offerings. These bustling laneways in Adelaide’s West End feature trendy bars, bistros, and eateries.
Leigh Street boasts spots like May Q Korean Restaurant, Pink Moon Saloon, and Shobosho, each offering quality international dining experiences. Neighbouring Peel Street is known for Maybe Mae’s hidden cocktail bar, Bread & Bone’s gourmet burgers, and Clever Littler Tailor’s cosy drinks. Whether you’re after a casual meal or a lively night out, these streets offer a great mix of culinary delights and vibrant nightlife.
Gouger Street is the heart of Adelaide’s Chinatown and is famous for its Asian restaurants and vibrant food scene. Whether you’re craving dumplings, sushi, or Phó, Gouger Street has it all. Highlights include Gyoza Gyoza, known for its authentic dumplings, and Phở Nguyễn offering authentic Vietnamese Phở. One of the trendiest Korean restaurants around, Plus 82 Gogi serves up delicious Korean BBQ, or check out Star House Chinese Restaurant for its bustling atmosphere and authentic Cantonese cuisine, a go-to for Adelaide’s Chinese community. Chinatown is also home to a number of affordable eateries and Asian grocery stores, suitable for any budget.
Hutt Street offers a range of dining options from cafes to upscale restaurants. It’s a quieter street compared to others but offers some of the best food experiences in Adelaide. Notable spots include Chianti, a renowned Italian restaurant perfect for a special night out, and Ballaboosta, known for its Mediterranean-inspired dishes and relaxed vibe. Hutt Street also features cosy cafes like Coffylosophy and Queen of Tarts, ideal for a casual coffee or brunch.
Discover a variety of affordable options, including international cuisines, fast food, and local favorites, perfect for satisfying your cravings without breaking the bank.
Many shopping centres in the Adelaide CBD, such as the Myer Centre, Adelaide Central Plaza and Chinatown have food courts that offer affordable dining options. Perfect for a quick and inexpensive meal.
In the suburbs, large shopping centres like Westfield Marion, Westfield Tea Tree Plaza, Churchill Centre, and Burnside Village also offer diverse and affordable dining choices, from classic fast food to healthy salads and international dishes.
Image: Star Dumplings | Duy Dash
Adelaide has a variety of takeaway shops and fast-food outlets that cater to students for a delicious and affordable food option.
Start with Pondok Daun Restaurant, which prepares traditional Indonesian specialties. Dumplings R Us and Sit Lo are popular spots for those craving Asian flavors, offering a range of dumplings and Vietnamese street food. The Logical Indian serves up delicious lunches and Friday dinners while Sushi Train provides a fun and affordable sushi experience, perfect for a quick bite.
A local staple meal is fish and chips - you can search for your local shop or try favourites like The Stunned Mullet in Henley Beach or Blue and White Cafe in North Adelaide.
If you're craving kebabs, Yianni's Hellenic Yiros and Staazi & Co serve up mouth-watering wraps with fresh ingredients. While burger enthusiasts will find a tasty bite at Betty’s Burgers or Nordburger.
Many of these spots also offer vegetarian and vegan options, making it easy for everyone to find something they enjoy.
Yes, Adelaide is very vegetarian and vegan-friendly. Many restaurants and cafes offer vegetarian and vegan menus. Some of the most popular vegan and vegetarian-centric eateries in the city include Argo Espresso, Two-Bit Villains, Staazi & Co and Veggie Vie cafe.
Halal food is widely available in Adelaide. Many supermarkets, butchers, and restaurants offer halal options. Areas like Gouger Street and the Adelaide Central Market have several halal food outlets.
The cost of eating out in Adelaide varies. There are many affordable options, especially in food courts and takeaway shops. Mid-range restaurants might cost around $20 - $30 AUD per meal.
Absolutely. The Adelaide Central Market or Gouger Street both offerand numerous specialty grocery stores offer a wide range of international ingredients, including Asian, Middle Eastern, and European foods.
