The best restaurants in Adelaide in 2026 are Restaurant Botanic for a native-ingredient tasting menu in the Botanic Garden, Africola for bold East End cooking, Press* Food & Wine and Osteria Oggi in the city, arkhé for open-fire cooking in Norwood, Shōbōsho on Leigh Street and Parwana for Afghan food.
Adelaide's dining is concentrated in the CBD's laneways (Leigh Street, Peel Street and around Waymouth Street), the East End around Rundle Street and East Terrace, and inner suburbs such as Norwood. South Australian produce and wine, from Spencer Gulf seafood to Barossa and McLaren Vale bottles, is the theme. Book ahead during the Fringe and Festival season (February and March). For cellar doors, see our best wineries near Adelaide.
A native-ingredient tasting menu in the Botanic Garden.
Restaurant Botanic sits in a heritage building in the Adelaide Botanic Garden and serves a long tasting menu built on native Australian ingredients, many grown in the gardens around it.
It's Adelaide's top special-occasion restaurant and books out well ahead.
Good to know: Book as early as possible and allow a whole evening.
Friends Gate, Plane Tree Dr, Adelaide SA 5000
Bold, produce-driven cooking with African influences on East Terrace.
Africola is a loud, colourful restaurant on East Terrace serving bold, produce-driven food inspired by southern Africa, cooked over coals, with natural wines.
It's one of Adelaide's most fun places to eat. It opens for dinner Tuesday to Saturday.
Good to know: Let the kitchen choose; the feed-me option is the best way to eat here.
4 East Tce, Adelaide SA 5000
A loft-style room for chargrilled South Australian produce.
Press* serves seasonal South Australian produce from the chargrill in a two-level, loft-style room on Waymouth Street, with a strong local wine list.
It works for lunch or dinner and is a reliable city favourite.
Good to know: Ask for a seat upstairs for a quieter dinner.
40 Waymouth St, Adelaide SA 5000
Open-flame cooking and shared plates on The Parade.
arkhé cooks over open flame and wood, serving shared plates in a warm room on Norwood's Parade, with a private courtyard.
It's one of the city's most exciting kitchens and suits a long dinner.
Good to know: Sit near the open kitchen to watch the fire cooking.
127 The Parade, Norwood SA 5067
Japanese-inspired charcoal cooking on Leigh Street.
Shōbōsho on Leigh Street cooks Japanese-inspired food over charcoal, with yakitori-style skewers, share plates and a good drinks list.
It's lively and great for groups.
Good to know: Order plenty of the skewers from the charcoal grill.
17 Leigh St, Adelaide SA 5000
Fresh pasta in a sleek Pirie Street dining room.
Osteria Oggi serves Italian food with fresh pasta made in house, in a sleek dining room on Pirie Street.
It's a dependable choice for a smart dinner in the city.
Good to know: Share a few pastas across the table.
76 Pirie St, Adelaide SA 5000
Italian food and wine in a Leigh Street laneway.
Fugazzi on Leigh Street serves Italian-style pasta and dishes with a good wine list, in a stylish laneway room.
It's a good choice for a relaxed dinner with friends.
Good to know: Save room for the tiramisu.
27 Leigh St, Adelaide SA 5000
Generous, affordable Afghan home cooking.
Parwana is a family-run Afghan restaurant in Torrensville, famous for its dumplings, eggplant dishes and generous banquets at fair prices.
It's a much-loved Adelaide institution and great value.
Good to know: Order the banquet to try a bit of everything.
124B Henley Beach Rd, Torrensville SA 5031
A long-running Greek restaurant by the beach.
Estia is a long-running Greek restaurant on Seaview Road at Henley Beach, serving mezze, grilled seafood and meats in a relaxed room near the sand.
Combine it with a sunset walk on the Henley jetty.
Good to know: Book an early table and watch the sunset first.
255 Seaview Rd, Henley Beach SA 5022
Restaurant Botanic, in the Adelaide Botanic Garden, is the most acclaimed, with a long tasting menu built on native Australian ingredients. Africola, arkhé and Press* are other favourites.
Leigh Street and Peel Street in the CBD, the East End around Rundle Street and East Terrace, Gouger Street and Chinatown near the Central Market, and The Parade in Norwood.
South Australian seafood (King George whiting, Coffin Bay oysters, Spencer Gulf prawns), Barossa smallgoods, wine from nearby regions and a strong Greek and Italian food culture.
For the top places, yes, especially on weekends and during the Fringe in February and March. Restaurant Botanic books out well ahead.
The Adelaide Central Market and Chinatown, Parwana for Afghan food, and the yiros shops are good-value options.