Food and Dining Out in Adelaide

Nothing accompanies fine wine better than fine food, so it is unsurprising that Adelaide residents enjoy dining out. With more restaurants per capita than any other Australian city, Adelaide offers many choices of cuisine, including Greek, Italian, Indian, Thai, Japanese, Malaysian and vegetarian specialties.

It is important to remember that smoking is outlawed in all restaurants and cafés, though some may offer outdoor tables for smokers.

On Campus

The University Staff Club has an extensive casual lunch menu featuring roasts, grills, daily specials, rolls, sandwiches, cakes and snacks. Take away platters of sandwiches and cakes are available for departmental convenience. An evening light meal and snack service is also available daily, Monday to Friday. Membership is open to all academic and general staff, postgraduate students, and partners of members.

Students frequent the Union cafés, bars and refectories where staff also can purchase lunchtime food such as sandwiches, rolls, hot chips, pastries, soups and salads.

Around Adelaide

The city has an enormous selection of snack bars, food halls, cafés and restaurants which offer a variety of international cuisine. It can be fun to wander through the arcades and streets and try a different place each time you dine out.

Rundle Mall has many coffee shops and places to grab a quick bite, particularly in the department stores, such as the basement cafeterias of David Jones and Myer, as well as in the Harris Scarfe building. There is also a Woolworths Supermarket near the centre of Rundle Mall.

For a great café visit Rundle Street, which specialises in alfresco dining, as well as being home to several fine restaurants.

If you want variety go to Gouger Street. There are a range of fine restaurants alongside cheaper eateries, including fish cafés and noodle bars. In addition to having great places for a budget meal, the Adelaide Central Market also has an enormous variety of fresh foods in the International Food hall, including Halal butchers (see below). There are also Coles and IGA supermarkets on Grote Street.

Halal

Halal beef, lamb, chicken and various other meats can be purchased from Rainbow Halal, Shop 31, Market Plaza, Gouger Street, Adelaide (telephone 8231 5424). Always ask the butcher first before buying any meat from a butcher shop or supermarket if you are uncertain about the label. Some butcher shops may only stock some halal meat products while other butcher shops will not stock any. However, if you tell your local butcher shop that you wish to buy halal products only, then they will often be able to order them for you.

Pubs

Pubs (or bars) often sell meals, ranging in quality and price, depending on the location and customer profile. They often also have varying menu options depending on where you choose to dine within the pub - 'counter meals' are usually cheaper and served in the front bar, whereas more formal expensive fare may be available in the bistro or dining room. Speak to your colleagues - they may be able to recommended a good pub to eat at. It is not uncommon for work lunches or after work drinks to be held at a local pub, so don't be surprised if you are invited along! If you feel uncomfortable about being in a setting where alcohol is being served, politely decline attendance and instead make plans to socialise somewhere else or eat with your colleagues at an alternative venue on another day.

BYO - Bring Your Own

Most restaurants in Adelaide are licensed to sell alcohol, though many allow you to bring your own wine. However, there will be a corkage charge per person (or per bottle) and it is advisable to check with the restaurant that BYO is allowed before bringing your own beverages.