Where can you find flavours from around the world, the freshest fruit and veg and local, artisanal produce? The Adelaide Central Market, of course!
South Australia is home to the largest undercover market in the southern hemisphere – the Adelaide Central Market is not only an excellent lunch option for when you forget your Tupperware at home – it’s also a bucket-list gourmet destination on the world map! Discover huge pans of paella, mountains of locally made brie and even special tipples like green ant gin all located within this bustling foodie hub. Fill your tote bag – and your tummy – with our guide to the Adelaide Central Market.
Lucias Pizza and Spaghetti Bar If you happen to visit Lucia’s at midday, don’t be surprised to see a line of customers snaking out the door – this authentic Italian eatery is an Adelaide institution. Lucia’s was first opened in 1957 by Italian immigrant Lucia Rosella – today, her daughters carry on the family legacy by dishing up fresh sandwiches, enormous plates of pasta and house-made pizza to the market crowds. Writer’s tip: skip the packed lunch and try out one of Lucia’s panini specials, like the trento salami, fresh rocket and remoulade!
Cumbia Bar Kitchen
If you’ve ever visited the Adelaide Central Market, you’ve probably spied the chefs at Cumbia whipping up a huge pan of paella in front of an adoring crowd – and if you haven’t yet tasted said paella, this is your sign to. The word ‘cumbia’ refers to a genre of dance music that originated in Africa and Colombia and has since become popular globally. So, it makes sense that this colourful tapas bar – which combines Latin flavours with a contemporary Australian edge – should be named after a genre of music that celebrates and unifies so many different regions and cultures. Our pick? Keep it simple and try the traditional South American paella, ‘arroz atollado’.
Something Wild
Something Wild Have you ever tasted green ant gin? How about quandong hot sauce? Step into Something Wild and discover both products and more, all inspired by Indigenous food and native ingredients. Owned and operated by Larrakia and Torres Strait Islander family, the Motlops, Something Wild is more than just a market stall – the company is also one of the only wholesalers of Indigenous produce in Australia. Working with remote communities, Something Wild brings Indigenous food into the spotlight by supplying seasonal fruit, native herbs and game meats like kangaroo, crocodile and wild boar to some of the country’s top chefs. Luckily, you don’t need to eat at an award-winning restaurant to taste delicious Indigenous produce – simply pop into Something Wild’s stall at the Central Markets to try native Australian ingredients.
Les Deux Coqs
Hungry for something a little more ‘ooh la la’? You don’t have to hop on a plane to taste authentic French food – Les Deux Coqs is serving it up right in the heart of our boutique capital. Owned by French couple Bastien and Katia, this stall boasts the very best of both patisserie and charcuterie, so you can choose whether to indulge in sweet or savoury (we recommend both!). Be whisked away to the streets of Paris with paté en croute (a traditional dish made with meat pate wrapped in pastry) and finish your French affair with a canelé (a small, picture-perfect pastry with custard at its centre). Oui s’il vous plait!
SiSea
Seafood lovers, rejoice! We’ve found the ultimate seafood and tapas bar in Adelaide. You’d be forgiven for thinking that SiSea had been plucked straight from the streets of New York – this ‘stall’ isn’t a stall at all but a chic square-shaped bar with the chefs and bar staff at the centre of all the action. Watch as mussels are wok-fried right in front of you, baby octopus is char-grilled and yellowtail kingfish is artfully sliced into sashimi. Paired alongside South Australian beer and wine, SiSea’s mouth-watering menu and intimate vibes are perfect for a mid-week lunch or knock-off dinner and drinks on a Friday night.
Providore
Feast your eyes upon lemon curd cheesecake, Belgian chocolate brownies and strawberry torte at this sugary sweet market stall. Providore is the market’s most popular dessert spot, and a top contender for best birthday cakes in Adelaide. Boasting sweet treats from around the world, you’ll find the shop shelves lined with pastel-pink macarons, sugar-coated Italian zeppoli and even the iconic Aussie treat, golden honey crackles. Satisfy your sweet tooth with a visit to this confectioner’s paradise and try a few Australian delicacies.
Real Falafel
The Adelaide Central Market is a hive of constant activity – from grocery stall owners hawking their wares to throngs of hungry shoppers bustling through the aisles, there’s a lot to take in. If you’re looking for a filling, delicious meal that won’t break the bank, we recommend making a stop at Real Falafel. Here, you’ll find falafel, hummus, eggplant and halloumi dominating the menu, making this unassuming stall a favourite amongst vegetarians and anyone with a hankering for Mediterranean flavours.
Saudade Portugese Tarts
Saudade specialises in one thing and one thing only: pastel de nada, or Portuguese custard tarts. The word ‘saudade’ means a yearning for absent things – it was this longing that inspired the Portuguese creators of Saudade to bring the flavours of their homeland to the streets of Adelaide. In no time at all, these delicious desserts cemented their place in the hearts of South Australians, with crowds lining up to get their fill of freshly baked pastries each week. Writer’s tip: on the last Friday of each month, Saudade sells gluten-free custard tarts! Get there early to avoid missing out.
Asian Gourmet
Take a seat at Asian Gourmet, where a delicious Malaysian menu and no-nonsense service awaits. The stall has been run by husband and wife duo Doreen and Charles since 1985, and in that time the pair have perfected the art of the lunchtime rush, serving up steaming bowls of laksa while chatting with their regulars – some of whom have been dining at Asian Gourmet for more than 30 years! Writer’s tip: the menu offers up all sorts of mouth-watering Malaysian dishes, but laksa is the hero here – choose from one of two sizes and dig into the spicy coconut noodle soup.
Say Cheese
When it comes to wine pairings, South Australians know that cheese is the ultimate complement to any glass of vino. Luckily, the state has no shortage of dairy products, and there’s no better place to taste test local and imported delicacies than at Say Cheese in the Adelaide Central Market. Peruse golden circles of French camembert, giant wheels of Italian parmesan and wedges of South Australian buffalo blue cheese, as well as a dizzying array of pates, dips, bread and more. Visit on a Friday afternoon to take advantage of free cheese tastings but be warned – you won’t be leaving this market stall empty handed! Writer’s tip: looking for a knock-out nibble to blow your friends and family away? Our pick is the Udder Delights Ash Brie, made locally in the Adelaide Hills.
Marino Meat and Food Store
Step through the cherry-red doors of Marinos and prepare to get lost in the delicacies inside. Located on the Gouger Street side of the Market, Marino Meat and Food Store is an old-school deli and butcher dishing up fresh rolls alongside smallgoods and pantry staples. Fill your basket with hand-made pappardelle and gnocchi, tins of olives imported from Italy and strings of salumi, then grab a porchetta panini for the road. Let Them Eat Calling all vegetarians and vegans! Leave the soggy lettuce and overcooked mushroom burgers behind – we’ve found the best stall in the market for feel-good plant-based dining. With locations throughout Adelaide, Let Them Eat is a deli-style eatery serving up handmade, veg-heavy dishes that are sure to wow even the most stubborn carnivore. Writer’s tip: we can’t go past the broccoli and halloumi fritter, paired with the Persian cous cous salad – serving sizes are big and sure to keep you full!
Dig into Adelaide’s foodie scene
Ready to taste more of South Australia? Discover the city’s top eats with our guide to the best restaurants in Adelaide, then wash it all down with our best bars guide.
