The Best Adelaide Neighbourhoods for Foodies!
The Best Adelaide Neighbourhoods for Foodies
Adelaide might look laid-back on the surface, but underneath it’s quietly (and deliciously) becoming one of Australia’s best food cities. Whether you’re into street eats, wine-bar grazing, or long lazy lunches, there’s a suburb or precinct here ready to feed you properly. Here are the must-visit areas for anyone who travels with their stomach.
1. Adelaide Central Market & Gouger Street — The Heart of It All
If Adelaide had a “food HQ,” this would be it.
The Central Market is pure sensory overload in the best possible way: piles of fresh produce, artisan cheese, cured meats, pastries, pasta, and more samples than you can politely accept. Grab a coffee, wander, nibble, repeat. A great way to experience it is on Radelaide Tour’s A Taste of Adelaide Central Markets Tour.
Right outside, Gouger Street picks up the pace with some of the city’s favourite restaurants—think Asian fusion, super-fresh seafood, dumpling bars, and late-night spots that keep the buzz going.
Perfect for: people who just love being surrounded by food.
2. Peel Street & Leigh Street — Adelaide’s Coolest Little Laneways
These two parallel laneways are tiny but absolutely packed with character. They’re made for bar-hopping, snacking, and generally pretending you’re a local.
You’ll find inventive small plates, natural-leaning wine lists, and bars that take cocktails very seriously. The vibe is lively but never pretentious—just good food, good drinks, and the occasional tipsy wander between doorways.
A great way to experience these laneways is to first take an Adelaide Hidden Bar Tour and then pick a spot to eat at after the tour.
Perfect for: grazing, drinking, and discovering your new favourite place by accident.
3. North Adelaide — Relaxed Eats with a City View
Head a little uphill and you’ve got leafy streets, heritage buildings, and a surprisingly diverse food scene. From cosy cafés to upscale dining rooms, North Adelaide is all about relaxed meals and nice walks afterwards.
O’Connell Street is the main foodie strip—think brunch spots, pizza joints, gelato bars, and pubs that do a proper schnitzel.
Perfect for: brunch people and anyone who wants good food without the city noise.
4. Henley Beach & Glenelg — Eat by the Water
Adelaide’s coastline is kind of underrated, and that goes for the food too. Henley Beach especially has grown into a mini dining hub with modern eateries, bars, and fresh seafood right next to the sand.
Glenelg is a little busier and more touristy, but it’s great for casual fish and chips, gelato stops, and sunset drinks.
Perfect for: seafood lovers and anyone who believes snacks taste better with ocean views.
5. Port Adelaide — Old-School Charm With a Fresh Food Scene
Port Adelaide has had a serious glow-up in recent years. Alongside the street art and heritage buildings, there’s a fun mix of pubs, creative cafés, and breweries. It’s the kind of place where you wander in for a coffee and end up staying for lunch and a drink.
Weekend markets also mean lots of pop-up food stalls and local goodies.
Perfect for: people who like their food with a side of history and personality.
6. Adelaide’s East End — Dining in a redeveloped market area
In the city centre on the eastern side of Rundle mall you will find the old market area of Adelaide. A produce market was based in this area from 1861 to 1988. It has now been redeveloped into one of Adelaide’s best dining areas filled with cafes, restaurants, boutique shop, heritage pubs and bars.
The best streets to visit are Rundle street, Vardon Avenue, Ebenezer place and East Terrace. An evening food tour takes in this delightful area and runs from 6pm to 8:30pm from Thursday to Saturday.
Perfect for: those who enjoy heritage buildings surrounded by street art and top dining establishments.
7. Norwood & The Parade — Stylish Suburban Eating
Just east of the CBD, The Parade is one of Adelaide’s most reliable dining strips. You’ll find everything from Italian institutions to modern Australian restaurants, classy wine bars, bakeries, and gelato spots.
It’s polished without trying too hard—perfect for dinner plans that don’t require a whole itinerary.
Perfect for: anyone who loves variety and a bit of suburban charm.
Final Bite
Adelaide’s food scene is one of those things you don’t fully appreciate until you dive in—small enough to explore easily, but full of hidden gems. Whether you’re chasing fresh market produce, waterfront seafood, cosy laneway bars, or suburban surprises, there’s a neighbourhood that’ll feed you well. For award winning tours that take in some of the best food experiences that Adelaide has to offer, please follow this link.