Adelaide's Best Restaurants for Vegetarian Food

We searched far and wide in Adelaide’s restaurants, bars and markets for the best vegetarian food in town.

Africola

Crisp fried eggplant, pickled samphire, cauliflower steak, cabbage hearts, falafel… is your mouth watering yet? Africola may serve up a celebrated peri-peri chicken but there’s no doubt chef Duncan Welgemoed’s vegetarian dishes are the stars.

4 East Terrace, Adelaide; (08) 8223 3885

The Best Restaurants for Vegetarian Food in Adelaide

Zenhouse Tea Corner

Tasty yum cha that’s well priced, entirely vegetarian, and in the heart of the East End: yep, no wonder Zenhouse Tea Corner is beloved. Celebrated South Australian chef Cheong Liew is a fan.

17/13-19 Bent Street, Adelaide; (08) 8223 2058

Peel St

Fresh and flavourful are the words that define Peel St, one of Adelaide’s first laneway diners – and still one of the best. On average, about a third of the ever-changing blackboard menu is suitable for herbivores, and the affable staff can tweak many of the dishes to suit plant-based eaters.

9 Peel Street, Adelaide; (08) 8231 8887

The Market Shed on Holland St

Part farmers market, part artisan showcase, The Market Shed on Holland St has a plethora of stallholders who focus on vegetarian, vegan and raw fare. Keep an eye out, too, for the upcoming Plant Based at Plant 4, a dedicated vegan event at Plant 4 Bowden, The Market Shed’s northern sibling.

1 Holland Street, Adelaide, 0411 201 760

Vego & Loven It

This offbeat eatery has been dishing up solid vegie fare for close to 20 years. Whether you choose a salad, wrap, soup or one of their much-loved vegies burgers, expect nourishing, wholesome, generous food, much of which is also vegan.

240 Rundle Street, Adelaide; (08) 8223 7411

Ballaboosta

This family-run contemporary Lebanese eatery located just off Hutt Street, prides itself on being vegetarian-friendly. Much of the menu, from dips to pizza bases, is made from scratch. Opt for a wild mushroom pizza (gluten-free bases are available) or a selection of street mezze like spiced rice vine leaves, shanklish and falafel.

289 Halifax Street, Adelaide; (08) 8232 1853

Argo on the Parade

With lines out the door most lunchtimes and weekends, Argo on the Parade is a notable Adelaide hotspot. The menu is longer than your arm and each page is bursting with vegetarian dishes, each as Instagram-able as the next. Try the standout tofu scramble or the Hipster Nachos with a special quinoa and corn mix and vegan mozzarella.

212 The Parade, Norwood; (08) 8431 1387

Parwana Afghan Kitchen

Afghan restaurant Parwana has gained a cult following with chefs, gourmands and pretty much anyone who enjoys great food. Vegetarian options are a significant part of the offering, and range from spiced vegetable fritters to start to the signature Banjaan Borani – eggplant simmered in tomato sauce with garlic yoghurt and mint. Even the dumplings can be tweaked to suit.

124B Henley Beach Road, Torrensville; (08) 8443 9001

Two-Bit Villains

There’s no mutton-dressed-as-lamb at Two-Bit Villains; instead, this is a vegies-dressed-as burgers kind of place. Any “meat” on the menu is of the soy or plant variety – and the entire menu is vegan. The Cheeseburger with house-made soy “beef” patty, pickles and cheese is a genuine crowd-pleaser.

Shop 150 Adelaide Arcade, Adelaide; (08) 8232 1302

Hispanic Mechanic

A suburban standout, Hispanic Mechanic boasts Latin American, Tex-Mex and even Korean-Mex fusions adored by locals. Head chef Greggory Hill is dedicated to crafting a menu that everyone can enjoy – including a solid range of vegetarian dishes, from starters and tacos to enchiladas and tostones.

205 Glen Osmond Road, Frewville; (08) 8338 6435

Top image: Two-Bit Villains