Where to Enjoy the Best Lunch in Adelaide

Lunch, glorious lunch! There’s something truly decadent about sitting down for a delightful meal in the middle of the day. Whether you’re after a hearty feed at an Italian restaurant, a long lunch with friends, or a fresh meal using the best local produce, Adelaide’s chic dining rooms and modern eateries have you covered.

We’ve curated the ultimate list of where to book the best lunch in Adelaide, perfect for every mood, occasion and craving!

Sofia

Sofia, a chic addition to Adelaide’s Hutt Street, has quickly become a lunch hotspot. A sibling to Part Time Lover, Sofia dazzles with its light timber decor, vibrant artwork, and inviting vibe. Open from 7am on weekdays and midday on weekends, it offers a refined menu of shared plates and smaller bites.

For a standout lunchtime experience, try the “Don’t Even Think About It” option. For less than $50pp, you’ll get 3 snacks, 2 mains, and 2 sides. Menu items like Spanakopita dip, braised zucchini toast and Greek lamb shoulder get our tick of approval.

16 Hutt Street, Adelaide 

The Lodge

There’s something so tranquil about enjoying a meal surrounded by lush greenery and foliage, and you can do just that at The Lodge, which recently opened its doors in the Adelaide Botanic Gardens.

A laidback sibling to the award-winning Restaurant Botanic (which we recommend if your lunch calls for more fancy fare), you can expect to find a venue that is proud of its offering, from a seasonally changing menu that reflects the bounty of the surrounding gardens, to hand-crafted plates and a serene ambience. Open 7 days a week, stop in for coffee and sweet treats or dine a little longer with lunch served from 11.30 am.

Adelaide Botanic Gardens, Adelaide

Part Time Lover

… and a full-time friend. This hidden laneway hotspot boasts vibrant colours and an intriguing, organic fit-out that is hard to miss. Part Time Lover is all about punchy flavours, creative combinations and excellent vibes.

Gather the girls, sit back with a glass of wine or a delicious cocktail and enjoy their range of modern Australian dishes. Order the fried corn ribs with chilli, popcorn broccoli with vegan hot sauce or salt and pepper bug rolls – they’re all crowd favourites. 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!

Pilgrim Lane, Adelaide

ShoSho

For a fun and flavourful lunch, hit up ShoSho. Dive into their enticing lunch set menu, with three courses for just $65. You’ll start with vibrant snacks like prawn and nori tacos, then savour mains such as the succulent wagyu rump cap steak.

Complete your meal with a sweet touch, choosing from black sesame ice cream sandwiches or peach cheesecake. ShoSho’s unique, casual vibe and delectable dishes make it a must-visit for an unforgettable meal in Adelaide. 

164 King William Road, Hyde Park

Jolleys Boathouse 

Jolley’s Boathouse is the quintessential spot for a light, seafood-forward lunch in Adelaide. Perched above the River Torrens, this iconic venue celebrates South Australian produce with a touch of fine dining elegance. Whether you opt for their generous feed-me experience or select from the à la carte menu, you’ll dine on exquisite seafood, perfectly-plated proteins and fresh sides. It’s simply perfect for a long lunch with family or friends. 

1 Jolleys Lane, Adelaide 

Georges on Waymouth

Georges on Waymouth is open for lunch from Tuesday to Friday, with a seasonal Mediterranean menu that celebrates fresh, vibrant flavours. With its crisp white tablecloths and warm, old-school hospitality, the venue exudes Euro charm. Highlights include South Australian calamari and the signature lamb press with pancetta. Complement your meal with selections from their impressive 200+ wine list, featuring local and European varietals.

20 Waymouth Street, Adelaide

LOT.100

The ultimate spot in the Adelaide Hills to wine and unwind, LOT.100 is an all-encompassing dining destination, 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.

Whether you’re after a casual lunch in the courtyard or want to stretch it out across the afternoon in the cellar door, LOT.100 can comfortably accommodate you.

68 Chambers Road, Hay Valley

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. Opt for the Express Lunch to choose from a selection of Mayfair’s favourite lunch dishes, paired 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 bao, dumplings and filling noodles. It’s the perfect place to bring a group of friends and indulge.

Lunch is served on Fridays only, 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 from Wednesday to Friday. The three-course set 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!

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. 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 one of their favourite restaurants in Adelaide. This contemporary modern Thai restaurant offers a tasty selection of dishes in a chic fit-out within a heritage building in the East End. This bustling venue fills up quickly, so be sure to book your table in advance to avoid missing out.

309 North Terrace, Adelaide

Seafire on the Marina

Perched on the front of the bustling promenade, Seafire on the Marina serves up unbeatable views to match their award-winning menu. A short stroll up from the jetty, this is one of the best spots for those after a premium experience come lunchtime. It is the perfect place to savour a delicious meal with friends and family, serving only the highest quality beef, poultry, and seafood. 

Shop 2, Marina Pier, Glenelg

Press Food & Wine

Famous for its unique and innovative menu designed to share, Press Food and Wine is a standout 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. The menu has a European slant, changing often to reflect the best seasonal produce.

40 Waymouth Street, Adelaide

Magill Estate Kitchen

A short drive from Adelaide will have you in the stunning magic of Magill Estate, the home of Penfolds. Magill Estate Kitchen is our pick for a divine lunch in their sleek and modern space, overlooking the vineyards and lingering longer over some of the best wines in the state.

Sitchu tip: If you are feeling extra fancy, Magill Estate Restaurant is also on the property, serving a premium seven-course weekend tasting menu with optional wine pairings.

78 Penfold Road, Magill

Fishbank

Enjoy an elevated experience 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 lunchtime lures like freshly shucked oysters with a chardonnay and shallot mignonette, luscious crab meat piled atop a potato rosti, and succulent steaks. 

Ground Level, 2 King William Street, Adelaide

Osteria Oggi

Pretend it’s a Roman holiday (even for just a few hours) at this chic space, serving up fresh pasta and Italian bites that are impossible to resist. One of the most stylish Italian spots in town, Osteria Oggi is dripping in charm and finesse. Everything they do is top-notch, right down to the finest details. 

Linger awhile with their Casa or Villa tasting menus. 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

The Atrium at Hentley Farm

For a fine dining experience an hour from Adelaide, book a spot at the opulent Atrium at Hentley Farm in the Barossa Valley. A memorable extended lunch awaits – allow 3 hours to indulge in the Discovery tasting menu with optional wine pairings, or take it a step further with the Chef’s Table with wine pairing, where you will be seated in a private dining area by the kitchen, with prime views of the talented chefs cooking your dish to perfection.

Corner of Geral Roberts Road and Jenke Roads, Seppeltsfield

hungry for more after discovering 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.