The Best Restaurants in Adelaide’s East End for Every Craving

Not all dining districts are created equal, and the East End of Adelaide has long been considered the place to go for a glass of wine on a balmy evening or long lunches with friends.

Make your way east from Rundle Mall in the heart of Adelaide – if you hit Rundle Park, you’ve gone a step too far – and soon you will be surrounded by the pubs, wine bars and restaurants that make up East End, more often than not with patrons sitting streetside to soak up the last rays of the day. 

Whether it’s a quick bite to eat after work, a fuss-free date night or a well-overdue catch-up with the girls, the best restaurants in Adelaide’s East End will always have a table for you… if you book ahead!

Africola

It’s not every day that you stumble across contemporary African cuisine in the heart of an Australian cosmopolitan city, but Africola offers just that. This unique and vibrant eatery has secured itself on the Adelaide food map thanks to its creative menu of wholesome dishes, snacks and sweets drawing a regular crowd. Recipient of multiple awards, Africola is a must-try for any food lover looking for new and exciting flavours. 

Sitchu tip: we don’t want to play favourites, but the crispy chicken tea sandwich with Peri Peri drippings is a menu mainstay for a reason!

4 East Terrace, Adelaide

Golden Boy

This gorgeous green botanic restaurant on North Terrace oozes style and deliciousness. Golden Boy serves up contemporary Thai dining that packs a punch. Their fresh and flavourful menu is best shared with a group, with dishes designed for sharing as part of the ‘Tuk Tuk’ curated menu.

Start with Kingfish sashimi served with coconut cream and kaffir lime, followed by a selection of curries, stir-fries and salads, and finish with their roti with pandan custard. Just be sure to tell them your spice level before ordering, because the food can get to scorching heights!

309 North Terrace, Adelaide

East End Cellars

Something of a neighbourhood institution by now, East End Cellars is one of Australia’s top traders, connecting wine-obsessed Adelaideans with the best emerging local makers and those from around the globe.

At this slick tasting room-meets-bottleshop with over 15,000 bottles at your disposal, and while you’re welcome to drop in for a glass, in our opinion, the food is too good to miss out on. Come weekends in summer, regular street parties see East End host a flood of locals as they fill up plastic tables and chairs on Vardon Avenue for sunset sips and live music.

25 Vardon Avenue, Adelaide

Paper Tiger

The ever-changing food scene of Rundle Street is a haunt for enjoying some of the best restaurants in town, and Asian fusion restaurant Paper Tiger lives up to this stellar reputation. Bringing a diverse range of Southeast Asian flavours and an electric atmosphere, they draw inspiration and merge flavours from Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia.

Paper Tiger’s Chin Chin-inspired eatery serves up plates of succulent lemongrass lamb skewers, grilled scallops, chilli roast eggplant and pork belly bao. Fundamental to the restaurant’s energy is the in-house curated soundtrack and Instagram-friendly interiors, which is a modern take on Hong Kong’s neon-lit night markets.

Sitchu tip: Prefer to go bottomless? Book a table at lunchtime on Saturday for a 3-course meal and bottomless (and delicious) spritz’!

285 Rundle Street, Adelaide

Hey Jupiter

Step into the charm of a Parisian-style cafe tucked in the corner of Ebenezer Place at Hey Jupiter. Whether it’s a leisurely morning petit déjeuner with coffee and croissant or an indulgent au Champagne, this spot radiates effortless French flair.

Mid-afternoon cravings? Dive into oysters, saumon fumé, beet and chervil salads or a classic croque monsieur. As the sun sets, settle in for steak frites, or poisson du jour, each dish a warm embrace of French comfort. The best way to savour that Parisian vibe, with no plane ticket required.

11 Ebenezer Place, Adelaide

Enoteca Lounge & Cucina

For a family-friendly feed, Enoteca is a chic space combining classic Italian dishes and flavours with modern charcoal-infused techniques for a delicious feast. With an upbeat vibe from the minute you walk in and top-tier service, it’s the place to be for exquisite wines, mouthwatering food, and great company.

With a menu of cured Kingfish with lime dressing, 300g scotch fillet (add the truffle butter) and linguine with blue swimmer crab just a few of the standouts, this contemporary gem won’t disappoint for your next night out.

281-283 Rundle Street, Adelaide

Mother Vine

This East End local is a real crowd-pleaser – Mother Vine’s extensive wine list encompasses everything from old-world classics to boundary-pushing pét-nats while also offering finely-honed food – halloumi and potato hash anyone?

With a modern fit-out that’s refined yet warm, they’re equally hospitable to a quick glass of Pinot as they are to long evenings of bottles and cheese boards.

22-26 Vardon Avenue, Adelaide

Staazi & Co – The Greek Vegan Project

Ranked the 5th best vegan food truck globally by Lonely Planet in 2019, Staazi & Co is all about compassion, kindness, and sustainability – with incredible food to match! This street food spot makes plant-based eating easy and exciting, offering Greek-inspired delights that shatter myths about vegan limitations.

Try their specialty “lamb” gyros with homemade tzatziki, fresh tomato, and chips wrapped in fluffy pita, or treat yourself to loaded fries.

Sitchu tip: can’t make it in-store? The team pop up around town in their Staazi & Co van to spread their delicious vegan eats at markets and festivals – check out their socials to find out where they’ll be this week. 

224 Grenfell Street, Adelaide

Now that you are ready to book a table at one of the best restaurants in Adelaide’s East End, how about a cheeky pre-dinner cocktail? From established wine bars to brand-new venues, Adelaide’s bar scene is booming. 

Writer

Kelly Mills

10 December 2024

A Melbourne native, Kelly has spent the past two years getting well acquainted with her new home in Adelaide—one great glass of wine and even better meal at a time. As Sitchu’s Adelaide Editor, she’s your go-to for the city’s best eats, must-attend events, and hidden gems beyond the CBD. When she’s not rounding up the best of SA, she’s likely at Pilates, exploring a new winery (for research purposes, of course), reading on her Kindle, or out on a long walk with a millennial podcast in her ears.