Best Restaurants in North Adelaide for Your Foodie Hitlist

North Adelaide is known for all sorts of wonderful things; the Adelaide Oval, gorgeous parks, picturesque walking trails and the River Torrens. It is a lively hub of activity that continues to grow in popularity, especially since one thing that is also guaranteed is a good meal. The restaurants in this pocket suit every mood, palate and occasion, from Japanese izakaya restaurants on Melbourne Street to floating restaurants overlooking the River Torrens.

This once sleepy suburb is now a bonafide foodie haven that is well worth a visit on your next date night or drinks with the girls. To guide you on your culinary travels, we've rounded up the best restaurants in North Adelaide for your feasting pleasure.

Rita's

North Adelaide is known for being home to some of the best Italian restaurants in town, and Rita's has joined the party! The fun, casual dining experience is an excellent choice for a group dinner, with plates made for easy sharing.

Entrees have never looked so good, with the Vanella burrata with melon, spiced lamb ribs and tuna crudo. For mains, the hand-cut Tagliarini with Blue Swimmer crab is a crowd-pleaser. Whether you order a la carte or opt for the 3 or 5-course tasting menu, just be sure to arrive hungry!

69-71 Melbourne Street, North Adelaide

Cottage Kitchen

Cottage Kitchen is North Adelaide’s newest all-day dining spot serving Mediterranean flavours with a South Australian twist within a gorgeous, heritage-listed and oh-so-charming cottage. Tucked off Wellington Square, this beautifully renovated 1885 gem blends charm and sustainability, offering a menu designed to delight, from early morning breakfast bites to cocktails on the deck.

Head Chef Justin Lee has crafted a menu featuring fresh, regional produce to create dishes like maple-glazed pumpkin, Cottage eggs benny, and a moreish cinnamon brioche. With gluten-free and vegetarian options to boot, an SA-exclusive wine list and signature cocktails, Cottage Kitchen calls for slow brunches and long lunches.

198 Tynte Street, North Adelaide

AMMOS Greek Bistro

AMMOS Greek Bistro is your gateway to a Mediterranean feast in Adelaide. It's a perfect blend of traditional and contemporary Greek flavours, including delightful Greek Cypriot dishes and a refreshing array of cocktails. 

A warm and inviting atmosphere sets the stage for unforgettable dining experiences, and for special celebrations, be sure to explore their underground bar, "MITILINI." A hidden gem, this is where the spirit of Greece truly comes alive and the ouzo flows well into the night. 

22 O'Connell Street, North Adelaide 

Lucky Dumpling and Noodle

This cheery and cosy Asian eatery serves up delectable hawker-style street food, with a strong Malaysian influence. Everything is around or under the $20 mark, making it a fantastic value for lunch or dinner in North Adelaide.

Their dumplings are an absolute must-try, offering some of the best in the city. From classics like pork and cabbage, and prawn and chicken dim sim with vinegar chilli, to unique varieties such as beef and kimchi cheese with sriracha mayo, every bite is a symphony of flavours.

26 O'Connell Street, North Adelaide 

ODÉ Bistro

ODÉ Bistro is as modern as it gets. Labelling its menu as contemporary Australian fusion, this venue combines fine dining with the lively environment of a European bistro. Infusing traditional techniques with contemporary flavour combinations from French, Spanish and modern Asian cuisines, this bistro is an elevated dining experience you won't want to miss out on.

151 O'Connell Street, North Adelaide

The Spot on Melbourne

For authentic Vietnamese packed with flavour, look no further than The Spot on Melbourne. Frequently visited by locals who have already discovered this hotspot, this unassuming restaurant is dishing up bao buns, pho, noodle salads and banh mis for lunch seven days a week.

Open for dinner from Thursday through Saturday, swing past and dig in on fried rice, salads and Vietnamese favourites. Always fresh and filled with warm hospitality, this is 'the spot' to be in North Adelaide.

125 Melbourne Street, North Adelaide

Gin Long Canteen

With a flavour-packed menu offering small bites, large plates and delicious desserts, this eatery is about getting amongst the action and sharing a mouth-watering feed with friends. Highlighting bites from Southeast Asia, Gin Long Canteen is the place to go when you're craving a Pad Thai, but your dining partner is set on dumplings.

Creamy curries, wok-tossed stir-fries and slow-braised pork belly are all on offer, so be sure to order a little bit of everything. Our pick from the menu? The pomegranate chicken exceeds all expectations.

42 O'Connell Street, North Adelaide

Tony Tomatoes

We always have time for a lively Italian restaurant – especially one with a playful menu and clever branding. Tony Tomatoes serves all the classics - pizza, pasta, shared starters and indulgent dolce (sweets) from Wednesday through Sunday. For a great dining deal, the cheeky dinner banquets include a three-course shared menu, with starters, pizza or pasta and the option to add dessert (if you have any room left). Bellissimo!

155-157 O’Connell Street, North Adelaide

Indii Flavours

Get set for authentic Indian flavours and a refined dining experience representing traditional recipes with a modern presentation at Indii Flavours. Taking inspiration from the past, all of Indii Flavours' dishes are prepared and created in-house, using a homemade selection of hand-blended spices and the freshest produce gathered locally.

The menu is full of dishes that will make your mouth water, from starters like samosas and buttered scallops. If you’re after something familiar, the usual suspects of butter chicken, tikka masala and rogan josh are all on offer — but there’s plenty more for your tastebuds to explore. 

114 O'Connell Street, North Adelaide

Bespoke Wine Bar & Kitchen

When you think of the Adelaide Oval, you may first think of a game of footy or a live concert, not stylish restaurant settings. Bespoke Wine Bar & Kitchen will make you think again, with warm, chic surroundings and a full-to-the-brim wine collection, complete with a fantastic view across the city's iconic oval.

Open for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or simply for those keen for a spot of charcuterie and a glass of local wine, this is the unexpectedly perfect restaurant in a unique location.

On game and event days, Bespoke Wine Bar & Kitchen is only available to MTX members

Oval Hotel Adelaide Oval, King William Road, North Adelaide

Sato

Japanese restaurant Sato has been in business for decades, so you know you're in good hands. Start with dishes of sashimi, tempura and edamame for starters, then switch it up with the various teriyaki dishes, soups and sashimi rolls on offer. Housed within cool black, white and wood-focused interiors and utilising Japanese irori table seatings, this North Adelaide restaurant has a truly authentic Japanese feel.

131 Melbourne Street, North Adelaide

Ruby Red Flamingo

Modern Italian food is Ruby Red Flamingo's bread and olive oil. A favourite for their refined yet soulful fare, all the important categories are covered, from primi and secondi to dolci – think big flavours with zero pomp.

Moreish pasta is the star attraction here, paired perfectly with well-priced wines from both Italian and local producers. The eclectic space is more than inviting too, with technicoloured artwork adorning the walls and a dreamy courtyard out back that's all too perfect during the warmer months.

142 Tynte Street, North Adelaide

Krung Thep

Well-positioned along O'Connell Street, Krung Thep is a firm favourite for locals who love traditional Thai dishes and friendly service. The menu is inspired by the street food of Thailand’s busiest city, Bangkok, and they certainly do it justice.

Every dish bursts with flavour, but if you’re stuck, opt for the devilishly delicious red duck curry and the tom yum seafood soup. If you can’t make your mind up, leave it to the team with the ‘feed me up’ menu and sample a little bit of everything – dessert included!

147 O'Connell Street, North Adelaide

ChulPan

Prepare your tastebuds for traditional, homestyle Korean eats at Chulpan. Honing in on Korean cuisine such as traditional dak-galbi and kalguksu recipes, this cosy little restaurant provides impressive flavours and price points, making it an easy and low-key date spot. Dak-galbi is a traditional and popular dish of marinated chicken stir-fried with cabbage, sweet potatoes and Korean rice sticks in a spicy sauce. We recommend ordering the one with cheese included; it's heaven in a Chul-pan!

suite 1/116 Melbourne Street, North Adelaide

Takumi Yakitori Izakaya

Offering diners an authentic Japanese gourmet yakitori in a casual & lively atmosphere, Takumi Yakitori provides a unique dining experience. From their intimate open kitchen izakaya, Takumi's yakitori master will grill the most delicious array of meat, fish and vegetables in front of you.

Go for the tsukune (chicken and ginger meatballs with traditional tare sauce), the nasu-dengaku (eggplant topped with yuzu and sweet miso), and the grilled wagyu beef, alongside some delectable tempura button mushrooms with green tea salt. Itadakimasu!

60/55 Melbourne Street, North Adelaide

Regent Thai

Taste the freshness, flavour and spice across all the dishes on Regent Thai's menu. Run by couple Sanom and Thao, this authentic Thai restaurant has served locals in the know for over 20 years.

There's an ideal mix of recognisable and popular favourites on the menu, such as satay chicken, spring rolls and red chicken or beef curry, plus a variety of regional dishes that are perfect for those looking to try something unfamiliar, but equally as tasty.

165 O’Connell Street, North Adelaide

If you have already explored all the best restaurants in North Adelaide and need more dining inspo, take a look at the best fine dining restaurants in Adelaide. If you're after something a little boozier, maybe a winery is more up your alley.