Visiting Adelaide but haven’t got much time up your sleeve? If you’ve only got a short stint in our fabulous city and not sure where to start when it comes to exploring our epic food scene, SA personality Ali Clarke has mapped out a quick guide for treating the tastebuds during your whirlwind trip.

Words: Ali Clarke

Welcome to our incredible city… so now what? 

Whether you’re spoilt for time or racing the clock, Adelaide has something for everyone.

Let’s presume you’re here for a good stretch, not a long one – here’s one of many ways to spend your day. 

After touch down, head straight to one of the largest undercover fresh produce markets in the Southern Hemisphere.  

The Adelaide Central Market has over 70 vendors, but I’d immediately pull up a stool at The Big Table’s ‘50s style counter. 

There’s a reason they’ve been serving breakfast for more than twenty years, and the Green Eggs and Ham is just one mouth-watering part of it.

Then, get exploring the food laden nooks and crannies, and ensure to include Le Souk to grab some of their house-made Merguez sausages or Algerian inspired spice mixes to take home. 

Call through Lucia’s you love authentic Southern Italian fare, and if it’s a Friday try their famous fourteen sheet lasagne – but otherwise, as we’re on the move, grab an amazing panini to go, dripping with pesto or overloaded with everything from bocconcini to mortadella. 

Now get walking (or jump on a tram or the free bus which circuits the city and nearby North Adelaide).  Swing past Haigh’s Chocolates at the end of Rundle Mall to satisfy your sweet tooth with free samples and a couple of take-home treats.

Grab your goodies and find yourself some green space at the Adelaide Botanic Garden, home of Botanic Lodge (sister restaurant to the award-winning Restaurant Botanic) for a relaxed take on our regional fare. 

If your panini has lasted that long, this is also the perfect place to you can unwrap and tuck in.

For wine lovers, it’s then just a short stroll to East End Cellars who’ll lovingly take you to every corner of the wine world with their offerings.  

Grab a bottle and wander down to Fino Vino, where on Thursdays and Fridays they encourage BYO, which is when your bottle of wine can come in (if you had more time, you’d definitely check out our regions and try their award-winning associated venues Fino Willunga or Fino at Seppeltsfield.

Still wanting a little bit more? Cry Baby lets you stand on their chairs to belt out the songs you love (no doof doof!) – but if a quieter nightcap is more your thing, on a beautiful night you can’t go past one of our sky-high bars at the Mayfair Hotel or 2KW.

Enjoy – and let me know when you’re there so I can tag along!

Ali Clarke is a SA media personality & passionate South Australian food enthusiast.