Where To Go For The Best Lunch in Adelaide

Lunch, glorious lunch. There's something quite luxurious about choosing to enjoy a delicious meal in the middle of the day and taking your sweet time to savour every delicious mouthful. Lunch, brunch, long lunch, bottomless brunch - take your pick. Add in the fact it often includes a cheeky mimosa or a morning espresso martini, and you’ve got yourself one of the best ways to pass the time. 

We've rounded up the best lunch in Adelaide for every mood, from luxurious multi-course decadence to the perfect spot for your next relaxed long lunch catch up with the gang.

Jasmin

Only open for lunch once a week, Jasmin is the go-to place for a comforting lunch that'll make you savour every single bite. This Indian restaurant is all about tradition, sourcing handpicked spices from abroad so that the dishes are as close to home as possible. Mrs. Singh focusses on refining her family recipes, rather than changing them, so that they are cooked to perfection. This is a go-to spot for a chillier day when you want a rich curry to warm you from the inside out.

Open for lunch Fridays, 12.00pm to 2.30pm

31 Hindmarsh Square, Adelaide

Gin Long Canteen

This South-East Asian canteen is another spot that's only open for lunch on Fridays, but trust us when we say it's definitely worth planning a lunch date here when you can. Gin Long Canteen is a vibrant setting to pick at shared plates and sip on cocktails over conversation, or if you're too hungry for small plates, they have an 'eat big' menu that's too good to pass up.

Open for lunch Fridays, 12.00pm to 2.30pm

42 O'Connell Street, North Adelaide

STH

STH is an understated Unley gem, recently extending their hours to offer Friday and Saturday lunch to those seeking something a little more fancy. This chic venue is dishing out deliciousness crafted from the freshest produce, with mouthwatering options like potato gnocchi with Napoli sauce, crispy skin Barramundi and a loaded seafood linguine. Feeling a bit indecisive? No worries! Let the pros take the reins with three 'feed me' menus catering to all taste buds, with vegetarian, meat and seafood options, while STH's well-stocked bar adds some extra flair to your lunch. So, whether you're marking a milestone or just celebrating the end of the week, STH is your go-to for a fabulous and oh-so-tasty experience.

'Feed Me' menu options from $70

27 King William Road, Unley

Part Time Lover

... and a full time friend. This highly sought-after hidden laneway café boasts vibrant colours and an intriguing, organic fit-out that is hard to miss. Punchy flavours paired with creative combinations are what Part Time Lover is all about.

Gather the girls to experience a lunch in Adelaide unlike any other. Simply sit back with a glass of wine and enjoy their range of delicious Modern Australian dishes. Don't forget to try the infamous fried corn ribs with chilli lime, popcorn broccoli with vegan hot sauce or kingfish sashimi with sesame cream. There are ‘feed me’ options for indecisive tummies, and if you’re up for it – a French 75 cocktail is a glamorous way to get the good times rolling. Cheers!

'Feed Me for a Short Time,' $46

'Feed Me for a Long TIme,' $76

Pilgrim Lane, Adelaide

Bai Long Store

This modern Asian restaurant on Hutt Street mixes style and authenticity perfectly. The menu at Bai Long Store features a mix of flavours and elements, with plenty of vegetarian options available if meat isn’t your thing. Be sure to try the fan-favourite Peking duck bao or dig into gyoza and lamb ribs. There are monthly specials too, so we don’t blame you if you pop back in regularly to try the flavours of the month. Did we mention Bai Long is the only Asian restaurant in Adelaide to have tea sourced exclusively by Master Foo, a Taiwanese tea master? How fancy! You can select dishes from the menu, or opt for 'Just Feed Us' or 'Feed Us Well' if you want to try a bit of everything.

'Just Feed Us,' $66

'Feed Us Well,' $88

Lunch available Tuesday to Friday, 12.00pm to 2.30pm

80 Hutt Street, Adelaide

LOT.100

The ultimate spot in the Adelaide Hills to wine and unwind, LOT.100 is an all-encompassing dining destination that's a mecca for foodies, and a home to a collective of South Australia's best food and craft beverage producers. Embracing a paddock-to-plate ethos, the modern Australian menu leans Mediterranean, with a refined focus on seasonality and locally sourced produce from neighbours and farmers. Their craft beverage selection is unmatched, setting itself apart from the many surrounding wineries with gin, cider, and beer reigning supreme. Pick a sunny day and sit outside to enjoy some fun and games while you drink. Whether you're after a casual lunch or want to stretch it out across the afternoon, LOT.100 can accomodate both options.

Casual shared lunch $55 per person

Long Lunch $70 per perosn

68 Chambers Road, Hay Valley

Brighton Metro Hotel

Need a hangout for a relaxed afternoon in the sun? The revamped Brighton Metro Hotel offers a stylish and laid back beer garden, and a pretty damn good lunch! We recommend turning up with an empty stomach and taking advantage of their new-look buffet area (who doesn't love a good buffet?) at Charlie’s Diner. Or, order off their vast menu, which includes something for every taste and palate including salads, pizzas, a ‘parmi-rami’ and fresh seafood.

All You Can Eat Buffet starts from $29.95 per adult

466 Brighton Road, Brighton

The Den at the Mayfair Hotel

Take the time for a bit of lunchtime luxury at the one and only Mayfair Hotel. The Den is open for lunch service with contemporary bistro dishes and of course, their delicious homemade sweets, as well as their Express Lunch offer. Choose from a selection of Mayfair’s favourite lunch dishes, topped off with a glass of wine, beer or soft drink for just $30 per person.

Express lunch served from 12.00pm to 2.00pm

45 King William Street, Adelaide

Concubine

Craving your fix of Adelaide’s finest Chinese food but can’t make the evening dinner sitting timings work? Concubine is an exclusive little spot, open for lunch just one day a week (on Friday), but believe us when we say it is worth it - easily ranking as one of the best lunch spots in Adelaide. Delight in the all-time favourite entrees of shallot cakes, classic baos, dumplings and filling noodles. It's the perfect place to bring a group of friends and cake up over shared plates.

Lunch served on Fridays 12.00pm to 2.00pm

132 Gouger Street, Adelaide

Fino Vino

Already a crowd favourite for their chic aesthetic and tasting and a la carte menus, you can catch Fino Vino’s All Day Express Dining for an elevated lunch. Their three course set lunch menu changes with the seasons, meaning more variety and the freshest ingredients throughout the year. Did we mention the special includes a glass of their Fino Vino wine? Delicious!

All Day Express Menu, $55 per person

82 Flinders Street, Adelaide

Hey Jupiter

What this vibrant French bistro lacks in size, it makes up for in character – boasting a unique blend of traditional ambience and modern and colourful flare. A great spot for a laidback lunch, Hey Jupiter dishes up hearty French-inspired café fare, paired with top coffee and hard to find imported wines and spirits. Not only one of the best lunch spots in Adelaide, they’re open for breakfast and dinner too - and have an exclusive brunch menu on Wednesdays. Bon Appetit!

11 Ebenezer Place, Adelaide

Golden Boy

Ask anyone who has had a booking at Golden Boy, and chances are they’ll say it’s easily one of their favourite restaurants for dinner or lunch in Adelaide. This contemporary Thai hotspot sits on the edge of the CBD, and offers a tasty selection of dishes in a chic fit-out within a heritage building. This bustling venue fills up quickly, so be sure to book your table in advance to avoid missing out.

Lunch is available Monday-Friday from 12.00pm

309 North Terrace, Adelaide

Restaurant Botanic

Serenely situated in a heritage rotunda in the fairytale-esque Adelaide Botanic Gardens, Restaurant Botanic is a light-filled restaurant with leafy views, serving Modern Australian cuisine from sustainable produce. It's a must-do for a long, languorous Sunday lunch, promising a one-of-kind sensory dining experience that starts long before the plates hit the table. Feast on house signatures, many of which incorporate fresh ingredients sourced right from the gardens themselves. Be sure to pair your plates with one of their custom wine flights for a truly decadent experience. We're calling it; it's not just the best lunch in Adelaide, but arguably in all of Australia.

Plane Tree Drive, Adelaide

Press Food & Wine

Famous for their unique and innovative menu designed to share, Press Food and Wine is a true stand out in the Adelaide food scene. A popular haunt for a mid-week long lunch in Adelaide, it’s a place for everyone to enjoy elegant and contemporary cuisine, celebrating the best of South Australia’s seasonal produce. The menu has a European slant, changing often to reflect the best seasonal produce. You can check out the current menu here.

40 Waymouth Street, Adelaide

Magill Estate Restaurant

Who said that tasting menus were for dinner service only? The decadent Magill Estate Restaurant is open for weekend lunch bookings of their seven course signature dish tasting menu, with the option for wine pairings. A short drive from Adelaide will have you in the stunning magic of Magill... and considering you won't ever want to leave, you might even end up staying for dinner too!

Lunch is served from 12.00pm Saturdays and Sundays

Tasting menu $265 per person

78 Penfold Road, Magill

Fishbank

Enjoy one of the best lunch in Adelaide experiences at the impeccably-refined Fishbank Bar & Grill, where some of the finest inner-city seafood is matched with moodily industrial and Art Deco style interiors. Throw a line into their succulent seafood menu, and go fishing for elegant lunch time lures like freshly shucked oysters with a chardonnay and shallot mignonette, luscious crab meat piled atop a potato rosti, and plenty of sashimi. Larger style dishes include the impressive Southern rock lobster with plenty of garlic and tarragon butter, and expertly cooked rib-eye straight from the grill. 

Not simply content to be the best seafood restaurant in the city, Fishbank is truly making a name for itself as the ultimate spot for a long lunch in Adelaide. 

Lunch served from 12.00pm to 2:30pm

Ground Level, 2 King William Street, Adelaide

Osteria Oggi

Pretend it's a Roman holiday (even for just a few extended hours) at this impossibly chic space, which is serving up a pasta-filled bites that are impossible to resist. Possibly one of the most stylish Italian piazzas going around, Osteria Oggi is dripping in charm and finesse. Everything they do is top-notch, right down to the finest details. A cobblestoned floor paired with arches, arbours and moody lighting make up this sleek venue and intimate booths contribute to the chic atmosphere.

'Oggi' means 'today' in Italian, thus the whimsical crew behind this restaurant aims to create sophisticated Italian food inspired by tradition, but with today's tastes.

Linger awhile with their Villa tasting menu. If you're feeling a little fancier, book out their private cellar and be wined and dined the proper Italian way.

76 Pirie Street, Adelaide

Herringbone Restaurant

Seasonal South Australian produce served in a rustic European style, Herringbone Restaurant has a communal focus that’s rich with culture and warmth. The light, airy and stylish surroundings are brought to life with colourful dishes packed with the freshest ingredients, and the menu changes with the seasons, so there's always something fresh and new to try. It's an elegant affair for an extra special long lunch in Adelaide with friends or family.

72-74 Halifax Street, Adelaide

The Atrium at Hentley Farm

For a decadent fine dining experience like no other, make a booking at the opulent Atrium at Hentley Farm in Barossa Valley. Less than an hour from Adelaide CBD, the journey out to the rolling vineyards of the boutique-winery Hentley is absolutely worth it for a memorable extended lunch. Indulge in the Discovery menu with optional two-tiered wine pairing, or take it a step further with the Chef’s Table menu with wine pairing, where you will watch the talented chef’s cook your dish to perfection.

Bookings required

Allow up to three hours for both options

Corner of Geral Roberts Road and Jenke Roads, Seppeltsfield

Still hungry for more after our guide to the best lunch in Adelaide? We've also rounded up the best cafes for a coffee catch up, and all of our favourite SA wineries to visit if you want to sip and swill away the afternoon.