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The Best Italian Restaurants in Adelaide for Every Occasion
Adelaide does Italian dining exceptionally well, with everything from handmade pasta and wood-fired pizza to long lunches and lively trattorias.
The best Italian restaurants in Adelaide know that a good meal is about more than what’s on the plate. Think seasonal fine dining at Chianti on Hutt Street, handmade pasta at Borsa Pasta Cucina in the CBD and wood-fired pizza at Tony Tomatoes in North Adelaide. There’s Pinco Italo for a date night, Lucia’s for a taste of Italian history, and plenty more worth booking a table for. Whether you’re planning a special occasion or simply craving pasta and a glass of something Italian, these are 23 Adelaide restaurants to know.
In This Guide
The Best Italian Restaurants in Adelaide for a Special Occasion
Imma
Small in size but wonderfully ambitious in its approach, Imma is the intimate 30-seat restaurant from the team behind Mercato in North Adelaide. Executive Chef Nick Bergin leads a five-course set menu that follows the seasons, with a focus on regional Italian cooking and ingredients that don’t always get their moment in the spotlight. Expect game, offal and lesser-known vegetables alongside beautifully handled produce, all served in a relaxed, intimate setting that invites you to settle in.
Suburb: North Adelaide
Price Guide: $$$
Cuisine: Italian
Best For: Date night, Special occasion, Group dining
Need To Know: Five-course seasonal set menu only.
Chianti
A Hutt Street institution with an enduring appreciation for the finer things, Chianti lets the seasons set the pace. Local produce takes centre stage, with thoughtfully prepared pasta and a wine list that more than holds its own, including a reserve collection of some of the world’s finest bottles. And whatever you order, leave room for the tiramisu, layered with savoiardi, marsala, coffee and mascarpone before a generous shaving of fresh chocolate.
Suburb: CBD
Price Guide: $$$
Cuisine: Italian
Best For: Special occasion, Wine lovers, Long lunch
Fugazzi Bar & Dining Room
With its New York-meets-Italy sensibility, Fugazzi brings a little theatre to Adelaide’s dining scene. The restaurant is the work of MasterChef alumna Laura Sharrad and her husband, fellow chef Max Sharrad, and has played host to an impressive roll call of guests, including Nigella Lawson, Henry Winkler, Axl Rose and Jimmy Barnes. The room is every bit as considered as the menu. Make a beeline for the wood-roasted spatchcock with charred lemon and salmoriglio.
Suburb: CBD
Price Guide: $$$
Cuisine: Italian
Best For: Special occasion, Date night, Cocktail lovers
ORSO
Just beyond the CBD in Rose Park, ORSO makes a convincing case for a night of Italian fine dining. The interiors set an elegant scene, while the menu brings a considered approach to classic flavours. Pasta might not be the main event, but the fazzoletti with porcini, funghi, parmesan broth and truffle cream is reason enough to order it. A lovely choice when the occasion calls for something a little more special.
Suburb: Rose Park
Price Guide: $$$
Cuisine: Italian
Best For: Special occasion, Date night
Osteria Oggi
A little slice of Italian piazza life on Pirie Street, Osteria Oggi pairs cobblestone floors, architectural arches and atmospheric lighting with a menu that gives tradition a contemporary turn. The cooking is polished without losing its Italian roots, making it an easy choice for a long, wine-filled evening. Settle into one of the intimate booths and let dinner take its time.
Sitchu Tip: Book the private cellar for a wine-filled Italian feast.
Suburb: CBD
Price Guide: $$$
Cuisine: Italian
Best For: Date night, Special occasion, Business lunch
Need To Know: Private cellar dining room available for up to ten guests
The Best Italian Restaurants in Adelaide for Date Night
Pinco Italo
The effortlessly stylish sibling to Pinco Deli, Pinco Italo brings a little Italian romance to Exchange Place. Grab a table out front for an afternoon Aperol, or settle in as the evening unfolds over antipasti, handmade pasta, mains and dolci. It’s intimate without feeling too serious, with just the right balance of good food, considered wine and a setting made for lingering.
Suburb: CBD
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Italian
Best For: Date night, Business lunch
Need To Know: Lunch Monday to Friday, dinner Thursday to Saturday
Tutto Cucina + Bar
Dinner comes with a little theatre at Tutto Cucina + Bar, where old-school Italian dining gets the full treatment. The star attraction is the tableside wagyu lasagne trolley, with layers of rich wagyu beef, stretchy mozzarella and silky béchamel freshly plated in front of you. Beyond the showstopper, expect a nostalgic Italian spread of antipasti, pasta, desserts and drinks. Come for the lasagne, stay for the occasion.
Suburb: CBD
Price Guide: $$$
Cuisine: Italian
Best For: Special occasion, Group dining
Ruby Red Flamingo
Tucked inside a heritage North Adelaide building, Ruby Red Flamingo has all the makings of a memorable evening. The intimate dining room is dressed with technicoloured artwork, while a leafy courtyard offers a lovely alternative when the weather plays along. Moreish pasta leads the menu, alongside Italian and local wines, cocktails and a line-up of primi, secondi and dolci worth taking your time over.
Suburb: North Adelaide
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Italian
Best For: Outdoor dining, Group dining, Date night
Need To Know: Banquet menu available for groups of ten or more.
Tarantino’s
A little New York Italian attitude has arrived in Adelaide’s East End. From the team behind Anchovy Bandit and La Louisiane, Tarantino’s takes over the former House of George space on Vardon Avenue with a lively bar-and-grill approach to Italian dining. Expect house-made pasta, flame-grilled meats and plenty of retro charm. Stylish, spirited and made for a dinner that turns into another drink.
Suburb: CBD
Price Guide: $$$
Cuisine: Italian
Best For: Date night, Cocktail lovers, Group dining
Need To Know: Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
The Best Pasta in Adelaide
Borsa Pasta Cucina
For the sort of pasta that makes you want to mop up every last bit of sauce, Borsa Pasta Cucina is a CBD favourite. The atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming, with a loyal local following and a menu that puts handmade pasta firmly in the spotlight. From buttery, indulgent sauces to slow-cooked ragù, this is Italian comfort food at its most satisfying.
Suburb: CBD
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Pasta
Best For: Business lunch, Quick bite, Locals
Need To Know: Closed Sundays and Mondays.
Farina 00 Pasta & Wine
Fresh pasta is the order of the day at Farina 00, where each batch is made in-house and the menu gives familiar Italian favourites a thoughtful twist. Slow-braised sauces are a particular draw, alongside comforting mains, pizzas and homemade tiramisu. Round things out with a glass from the Italian and South Australian wine list.
Suburb: Goodwood
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Pasta
Best For: Wine lovers, Group dining
Eccoci Ristorante
Bringing a taste of Italy to Burnside Village, Eccoci Ristorante has all bases covered, from a leisurely brunch to an evening aperitivo and dinner. Fresh pasta, made on site, is the speciality, with locally sourced ingredients and authentic Italian flavours informing the menu. There’s also a 20-seat horseshoe bar for a pre-dinner drink or a nightcap, with the team behind South Australia’s Cucina Classica at the helm.
Suburb: Glenside
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Italian
Best For: Brunch, Long lunch, Cocktail lovers
The Best Pizza in Adelaide
Est Ovest
A state title for its pizza is another reason to have Est Ovest on your Adelaide Italian hitlist. But there’s more to this neighbourhood favourite than a very good slice. The menu takes inspiration from cucina povera, the Italian tradition of making something wonderful from simple, seasonal ingredients, with fresh pasta and classic dishes rounding out the offering. Equally suited to a casual lunch or an easy dinner with friends.
Suburb: CBD
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Italian
Best For: Group dining, Families, Locals
Anchovy Bandit
What began as a small pizza and pasta bar in Prospect in 2018 has grown into one of Adelaide’s best-known neighbourhood Italian haunts. Anchovy Bandit’s booth seating and warm interiors make it an inviting choice for a bottle of red, a cocktail and a table full of good things. The name takes inspiration from a Quentin Tarantino screenplay, with the restaurant sitting beneath a cinema. Go for the chef’s selection or make your own way through the menu of smaller bites and more substantial plates.
Suburb: Prospect
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Pizza
Best For: Group dining, Cocktail lovers, Families
Chicco Palms
With a little Palm Springs nostalgia and plenty of Italian-American charm, Chicco Palms puts a playful spin on the classic pizza bar. Start with antipasto misto, burrata or fried tomato supplì filled with mozzarella before moving on to vodka pasta, ravioli cacio e pepe and retro-style pizzas, from potato to capricciosa. Cocktails and gelato make a rather good case for staying a little longer.
Sitchu Tip: Gathering a crowd? Order a couple of jugs of Bianco Spritz for the table.
Suburb: Brooklyn Park
Price Guide: $
Cuisine: Pizza
Best For: Group dining, Cocktail lovers, Families
Bandit Pizza & Wine
The younger sibling of Anchovy Bandit, Bandit Pizza & Wine keeps things refreshingly simple. Neapolitan-inspired pizzas, seasonal snacks and a handful of desserts make up the concise menu, while carefully chosen wines and pre-batched cocktails are made for an easy evening. Despite its modern apartment-block address, the low ceilings, charming curtains and neighbourhood wine bar feel give the space a cosy trattoria sensibility.
Suburb: Hyde Park
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Pizza
Best For: Wine lovers, Cocktail lovers, Locals
Tony Tomatoes
A North Adelaide favourite with a playful streak, Tony Tomatoes is all about good pizza, generous flavours and an easy-going atmosphere. The menu moves between familiar favourites and more adventurous combinations, including the Mr Pig with broccoli, mozzarella, pork and fennel sausage and fresh chilli, and the Gamberetti with fior di latte, smoked pancetta, zucchini, prawns and chilli. Pair your pick with a Negroni or a glass of the house red.
Sitchu Tip: Choose your crust, with white flour, a lighter crisp base and a gluten-free alternative all on offer.
Suburb: North Adelaide
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Pizza
Best For: Families, Group dining, Locals
Pizzateca
A weekend drive to McLaren Vale is always a good idea, particularly when Pizzateca is involved. In the warmer months, wood-fired pizzas and cocktails spill onto an expansive lawn dotted with white tables. Come winter, the weather-proof pergola keeps the good times going. The pizzas strike that ideal balance of fluffy and crisp, while gluten-free options and generous share plates make it an easy one to gather friends around.
Suburb: McLaren Vale, SA
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Pizza
Best For: Weekend plans, Outdoor dining, Group dining
Need To Know: Set menus are compulsory for groups of eight to 14.
Discover more of Adelaide’s best spots to grab a slice in our guide to the best pizza in Adelaide.
The Best Casual and Classic Italian in Adelaide
Market & Meander
Inside Hotel Indigo, Market & Meander brings a distinctly South Australian touch to rustic Italian cooking. The scent of oven-baked focaccia and slow-cooked pasta sauces sets the scene, while earthy brick interiors, handmade local ceramics and American Oak furnishings give the dining room a warm, considered feel. Much of the produce comes from the Adelaide Central Market, and the award-winning wine list is a celebration of South Australian drops.
Suburb: CBD
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Italian
Best For: Wine lovers, Group dining
Need To Know: Tables of eight or more dine on the feed-me menu.
Carmine & Co
Over in Port Adelaide, Carmine & Co serves up Southern Italian cooking in a welcoming space of exposed brick, natural timbers and rustic-modern touches. The menu covers all the classics, from eggplant rollatini and antipasti to pizza, pasta and chargrilled Black Angus scotch fillet. Settle into an alfresco table with a spritz and enjoy an Italian-inspired evening at an easy pace.
Suburb: Port Adelaide
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Italian
Best For: Outdoor dining, Locals
Italian Street Kitchen
Italian Street Kitchen has found its first South Australian home in the CBD, bringing a relaxed approach to Italian dining that’s well suited to long lunches and unhurried evenings. House-made pasta and wood-fired pizza lead the menu, alongside limited-run specials that venture a little further, including truffle tiramisu and truffle lasagne. The drinks list brings together South Australian favourites and Italian classics, making it easy to settle in for another course.
Suburb: CBD
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Italian
Best For: Long lunch, Group dining, Wine lovers, Weekend plans
Lucia’s Pizza and Spaghetti Bar
An Adelaide Central Market institution, Lucia’s has been serving Italian favourites since 1957. Small, bustling and full of old-school charm, it’s the sort of place that reminds you why the simplest Italian classics are often the most satisfying. Come for pizza and pasta, and stay for a little slice of Market history.
Sitchu Tip: Not after a full meal? Head next door to the foodery for charcuterie and its famous paninis.
Suburb: CBD
Price Guide: $
Cuisine: Italian
Best For: Quick bite, Budget-friendly, Locals
Jasmine’s
The former HNLY site has entered a new chapter as Jasmine’s, a 130-seat modern Mediterranean and Italian restaurant from the Chahoud Group. Melbourne chef Jimmy Garside, of Julietta and Mamasita, leads a menu of wood-fired plates, handmade pasta and generously topped pizzas. Think wagyu beef and ox cheek ragù, roast chicken moghrabieh and cacio e pepe, alongside thick-crust pizzas topped with calabrese, prawn or mortadella and pistachio. Upstairs, timber panelling, marble tables and long banquettes open onto a wraparound deck overlooking the coast. And for a little tableside theatre, dessert arrives via a roving chocolate mousse trolley.
Sitchu Tip: Every pizza is available to take away.
Suburb: Henley Beach
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Italian
Best For: Waterfront, Long lunch, Cocktail lovers, Outdoor dining
Need To Know: Bookings recommended, walk-ins welcome. Open for dinner Tuesday to Sunday and lunch Friday to Sunday.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Italian Restaurants in Adelaide
Yes. Jasmine’s in Henley Beach is a 130-seat Mediterranean and Italian restaurant with a wraparound upstairs deck overlooking the coast, serving wood-fired plates, handmade pasta and pizza. Pizzateca in McLaren Vale sets white tables across an expansive lawn in the warmer months, with a weather-proof pergola for winter. Closer to the city, Ruby Red Flamingo in North Adelaide has a leafy courtyard, Carmine & Co in Port Adelaide offers alfresco tables, and Pinco Italo in the CBD has tables out front for an afternoon spritz.
Pinco Italo on Exchange Place is one of the best Italian restaurants in Adelaide for date night, with handmade pasta, a considered wine list and tables out front for an aperitivo. Ruby Red Flamingo in North Adelaide pairs an intimate heritage dining room with a leafy courtyard, while Tarantino’s in the East End brings New York Italian energy and house-made pasta. For something more special, Osteria Oggi on Pirie Street offers intimate booths, and Tutto Cucina + Bar in the CBD adds tableside theatre with its wagyu lasagne trolley.
For some of the best pizza in Adelaide, Est Ovest in the CBD is an award-winning pizzeria whose menu draws on cucina povera traditions. Tony Tomatoes in North Adelaide offers classic and adventurous pizzas with a choice of crusts, while Anchovy Bandit in Prospect and its sibling Bandit Pizza & Wine in Hyde Park are known for wood-fired and Neapolitan-inspired pizzas. Chicco Palms in Brooklyn Park serves retro-style pizzas in a Palm Springs-inspired setting, and Pizzateca in McLaren Vale is worth the drive for wood-fired pizza on its lawn.
Some of the best pasta in Adelaide is found at Borsa Pasta Cucina in the CBD, where handmade pasta is the focus and the sauces range from buttery and indulgent to slow-cooked ragù. Farina 00 in Goodwood makes its fresh pasta in-house and is known for its slow-braised sauces. Eccoci Ristorante at Burnside Village in Glenside makes fresh pasta on site, from the team behind Cucina Classica. For a more refined setting, Osteria Oggi on Pirie Street and Chianti on Hutt Street both put pasta at the heart of a polished Italian menu.
The best Italian restaurant in Adelaide depends on the occasion. For special occasion dining, Chianti on Hutt Street is a long-standing institution with a seasonal menu and a wine list that includes a reserve collection, while Imma in North Adelaide offers an intimate five-course set menu focused on regional Italian cooking. Fugazzi Bar & Dining Room in the CBD brings New York-inspired Italian dining from Laura and Max Sharrad. For handmade pasta, Borsa Pasta Cucina in the CBD is a local favourite, and Lucia’s at the Adelaide Central Market has served Italian classics since 1957.
Had your fill of Italian and hungry for more? Head to the best pizza in Adelaide for more slices, or see the best new restaurants in Adelaide to try in 2026. For the full picture, browse the best restaurants in Adelaide.
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