Adelaide’s city centre has undergone one of the most exciting culinary evolutions in Australia. What was once a quietly confident food scene in 2020 has transformed into a vibrant, multicultural, highly competitive dining hub filled with award-winning chefs, innovative cafés, bold fusion menus and some of the best vegan and vegetarian offerings in the country. The CBD grid is now a playground for food lovers, where every laneway hides a surprise and every street seems to host a new gem.
If you’re planning a holiday built around eating well, Adelaide is now one of the most rewarding destinations in the country. And the best way to enjoy it is to stay right in the heart of the action at Adelaide Mansions Apartments. Located at 21 Pulteney Street, this historic property with apartment accommodation in the Adelaide CBD offers spacious, self-contained apartments with kitchens, balconies and room to relax, giving you the freedom to dine out every night or take a break and cook whenever you need. From here, you’re a short walk to every standout café, restaurant and wine bar in the CBD.
Below is your definitive, SEO-friendly guide to the best Adelaide CBD restaurants and cafés for 2026.
How Adelaide’s Food Scene Has Grown Since 2020
A lot has changed since 2020. Back then, Adelaide’s dining scene was already respected, but the growth since then has been extraordinary. The city has welcomed a wave of new chefs bringing global flavours, creative plant-based techniques and elevated casual dining that appeals to modern travellers. Cafés have shifted from simple brunch menus to creative, international-inspired dishes with premium coffee programs. Restaurants that once stuck to classic recipes now experiment boldly with South Australian produce, multicultural influences and unexpected ingredient pairings.
Perhaps the biggest shift has been the rise of vegan and vegetarian options. Adelaide’s plant-based scene exploded after 2020, evolving from a niche market into a mainstream culinary force. The city is now a leader in plant-forward dining, with menus that are just as exciting for non-vegans.
This guide highlights venues that reflect this evolution and are still open and trading for 2026.
Best Coffee in Adelaide CBD for 2026
My Kingdom For a Horse
If your Adelaide adventure starts with a great flat white, this is where you go. My Kingdom For a Horse roasts its own beans and delivers some of the richest, most consistent coffee in the CBD. Their all-day menu is generous, colourful and built around seasonal produce sourced from local suppliers. In 2026, this café remains one of the most popular morning spots in the city.
Expect thoughtful vegetarian options, pastries, grab-and-go coffee and the kind of quality-focused service that sets the tone for a foodie holiday. It’s only a short walk from Adelaide Mansions, making it an ideal first stop every morning.
Leisurely Coffee
Located on Gilbert Street, Leisurely Coffee is the more experimental sibling in Adelaide’s café scene. Known for innovative brunch dishes and next-level coffee techniques, this is the café for travellers who appreciate creativity on the plate.
You’ll find plant-forward dishes, mushroom bao with soy-braised mushrooms, coconut-based puddings, turmeric-cured eggs and a wide range of alternative milk options. If you want to taste how brunch in Adelaide has evolved since 2020, this café is a must-try.
Best Vegan and Vegetarian Options in Adelaide CBD
Staazi & Co
Adelaide’s most iconic vegan eatery. Staazi & Co proves that plant-based food can be exciting, bold and deeply satisfying. Their vegan Greek yiros, loaded fries and dairy-free tzatziki converted even the most committed meat lovers when they first opened, and in 2026 they remain one of the busiest lunch spots in the CBD.
If you want a flavour explosion in a casual format, this is your midday stop. The CBD location makes it ideal for a quick lunch between exploring Rundle Mall, North Terrace or the East End.
Peel St Restaurant (Veg-friendly)
Peel St Restaurant pioneered the modern Adelaide fusion style that has become so influential since 2020. Their handwritten chalkboard menu changes daily, reflecting whatever is freshest and most inspiring for the chefs. Expect influences from the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Mediterranean cooking and modern Australian flavours.
While Peel St offers outstanding seafood and meat dishes, their vegetarian plates are exceptional and full of texture and vibrancy. If you’re travelling in a mixed-diet group, this is the perfect venue.
Best Restaurants in Adelaide CBD for Dinner in 2026
Herringbone
Herringbone represents the elegant evolution of Adelaide dining. Located on Halifax Street, just off the main CBD grid, this restaurant balances sophistication with warmth. They specialise in modern Australian cuisine with a strong focus on South Australian produce.
Think hand-made gnocchi with porcini mushrooms, slow-roasted meats with fragrant herbs, scallop and prawn crudo, and seasonal vegetables prepared with attention and care. It’s the kind of restaurant where every dish feels polished, thoughtful and memorable.
It’s perfect for travellers wanting a refined dinner without the intensity of a full tasting menu.
La Louisiane
If you’re after romance, theatrics and true fine dining, La Louisiane delivers. Hidden beneath King William Street, the restaurant feels like stepping into a French brasserie in the 1920s, complete with live jazz and low lighting.
Expect classics such as steak-frites, scallops, escargot, mushroom dishes for vegetarians, cod in delicate consommé and beautiful desserts. The wine list is extensive and the service is refined yet friendly.
Since 2020, Adelaide’s fine dining scene has levelled up significantly, and La Louisiane is a standout example of that transformation.
Africola
Africola has remained one of Adelaide's most iconic restaurants for good reason. It’s loud, bold, packed with spice and personality, and it’s the perfect place to finish a foodie trip.
The African-inspired menu bursts with wood-fired flavours, chilli, fermented sauces, crispy vegetables, fresh seafood and their famous peri-peri chicken. Surprising to many, Africola is also extremely vegetarian and vegan friendly, with standout dishes that leave a lasting impression.
It’s energetic, colourful and unforgettable. A must-visit for anyone who loves a bit of adventure.
A Suggested 4-Night Foodie Itinerary
Night 1
Check into Adelaide Mansions Apartments and head straight to Peel St for a lively, flavour-packed welcome dinner. It’s the perfect introduction to the city’s creative spirit.
Day 2
Start with coffee and breakfast at My Kingdom For a Horse. Explore the CBD on foot, then enjoy dinner at Herringbone for a relaxed but refined meal.
Day 3
Have lunch at Staazi & Co for a flavour-filled vegan feast. In the evening, dress up and enjoy a long, elegant dinner at La Louisiane. Think jazz, wine and Parisian atmosphere.
Day 4
Start your morning at Leisurely Coffee and explore the Adelaide Central Market for snacks. Save your final night for Africola to finish the trip with a vibrant burst of flavour and energy.
Why Adelaide Mansions Apartments Is the Smart Choice for Food Lovers
Location matters when you’re dining your way through a city, and Adelaide Mansions Apartments puts you exactly where you need to be. You’re in the centre of the CBD, walking distance to all the venues listed above. With self-contained apartments, full kitchens, balconies and spacious living areas, it offers flexibility that a standard hotel room cannot.
Want to cook with fresh produce from the Central Market? You can. Want to store leftovers from Africola? Easy. Want a quiet night in between big dinners? No problem.
For travellers coming to Adelaide specifically for food, Adelaide Mansions Apartments is the perfect home-base.
Adelaide’s CBD in 2026 is nothing like it was in 2020. It’s more creative, more confident and more internationally relevant than ever. Whether you’re here for coffee culture, cutting-edge brunch, fine dining, plant-based innovation or global flavours, the CBD offers something exceptional on every corner.
Staying at Adelaide Mansions Apartments allows you to experience it all effortlessly. From here, every brilliant restaurant, café and bar is just a short stroll away.
