Best vegetarian restaurants in South Australia

 

South Australia’s vegetarian restaurants serve cultural delicacies in secluded city gardens, on lively terraces, by the heat of open grills and overlooking tranquil vineyards. 

Wondering what South Australia’s best vegetarian restaurants are? Get ready to dig in! We’ve got a list that covers all the bases, whether you’re after a light lunch, an innovative degustation, a colourful smoothie bowl or flame-grilled mains. With fresh local produce and top chefs hailing from around the globe, you can bet our vegetarian restaurants — and eateries with delicious plant-based options — are always serving up something exciting. Take your taste buds on a world tour with our top picks — the crème de la crème of Adelaide’s vegetarian restaurant scene.

Peter Rabbit, Adelaide

Stroll into Adelaide’s west end and you’ll find Peter Rabbit Café, a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of busy Hindley Street. Surrounded by a rich canopy of trees and pot plants, this charming garden-like oasis with cosy rustic interior boasts an inventive array of vegetarian-friendly dishes, made using local produce. Think scrambled eggs with apricot reserves, smashed avocado with pea tendrils and a mushroom udon, topped with charred corn and nori crackers. The coffee is some of the best brewed in Adelaide too. Open till 3pm every day, this lush little escape is bound to be a breakfast or lunchtime favourite to rival any vegetarian restaurant.

Joy of Flora, West Croydon

One of the few 100% plant-based cafes in Adelaide, this relaxed vegetarian restaurant is located in West Croydon and has a garden space for art, live music and various social events and workshops. Most of their menu is made lovingly from scratch on site with a range of fresh and raw options. Think smoothie bowls, vegan cakes, crisp salads and a soup of the day. Their burgers are adored for both their portions and taste, while their tofu scramble is a must-try. 

Part Time Lover, Adelaide

For full-time foodies, Part Time Lover is guaranteed to impress. Tucked away along the unassuming Paul Kelly Lane, this chic bistro oozes architectural cool. From the light timber housing, bold teal accents and historical stonework, it’s an unsurprising favourite for lunch dates and after-work drinks. Best of all, an entire third of their fusion menu is plant based, making it a top vegetarian restaurant. Try a spicy fried corn rib or delectable beetroot carpaccio with whipped tahini, candied almonds and a sherry vinaigrette. Their delicious heirloom carrots are an absolute showstopper too. It looks so gorgeous, you’ll feel guilty for eating it.  

Africola, Adelaide 

Big flavours, smoke and spice is what you can expect from this piece of South African-inspired dining, where vegetables take centre stage. This popular vegetarian restaurant is located in Adelaide’s vibrant east end precinct, a brightly coloured haunt nestled within a grand old heritage building with contrasting architecture and colourful décor promising a feast for the eyes as well as the tastebuds. Africola offers a seasonal menu that serves up fresh takes on African classics, like charred cabbage with almond and garlic sauce or their chickpea salad with tahini, lemon and sumac. Be sure to try their famous peri-peri cauliflower too – always a crowd pleaser.

Daughter In Law, Adelaide

This is Indian food, but not as you know it.  Daughter in Law is the brainchild of chef Jessi Singh, who says there’s no such thing as ‘authentic’ Indian cuisine anymore. Singh’s menu will challenge your tastebuds as you journey through a range of seemingly familiar favourites, unheard of dishes and surprising flavours. Try the Balls of Happiness to start – fried spheres of flatbread with mint, two kinds of chutney and spiced yoghurt. You should know that his Colonel Tso’s Cauliflower with spicy sauce has been reviewed as ‘to die for.’ Bite into an intriguing Papadi Chaat – a quirky take on nachos for the adventurous diner to sample. With plenty more unique vegetarian dishes and desserts, you’ll have a real tasting experience in the lively ambiance of this modern east end, vegetariant restaurant.

House of George, Adelaide

They say the Mediterranean diet is best for your health. This alone makes House of George a winner, but their tasty vegetarian (and vegan!) offerings and lively atmosphere make this haunt a must-try. With a kitchen headed up by chef Sav Sexton, you’ll be treated to an experience inspired not only by the Mediterranean Sea but the African continent as well (a nod to Sexton’s family heritage). As many of the vegetarian dishes are smaller plates, we’d recommend this spot for groups so you can order a bunch to share. Who can say no to woodfired halloumi with honey and sage, followed by cabbage with chickpea miso? Of course, there’s also the popular pita with three kinds of dip for those who love their bread. 

Golden Boy, Adelaide

Offering the trifecta of a buzzing atmosphere, scrumptious Thai flavours and a central city location, Golden Boy is a favourite choice for locals. Dig into a vegetable curry with apple eggplant, sweet potato and mushrooms or maybe a fresh papaya salad with snake bean. Be prepared for exciting bursts of spice and citrus as you taste your way through their delectable menu. For an effortless feast, opt for the ‘Tuk Tuk’ selection – just let them know you’d like it vegetarian and they’ll curate a delicious spread for you!

Soi 38, Adelaide

Try Soi 38's Thai lunch or dinner with a seasonal menu that focuses on six regions of Thailand, showcasing dishes from their unique history and ethnic minority groups. Located in a sleek recess of Adelaide’s Pirie Street, you’ll enjoy the glow as you step into the warmly lit space - featuring an elegant barrel vault ceiling adorned with curtains resembling Thai prayer flags. Savour pan-fried chive cakes and sago peanut dumplings with coconut cream from their central district, or a yellow curry of sweet potato stuffed with capsicum from the south. Their ‘pad cha’ mushroom stir fry is also a treat.

ShoSho, Hyde Park

This Japanese izakaya-style restaurant offers a seasonal street-food experience in Adelaide’s Hyde Park, with unique restaurant options for vegetarains. Enjoy bite-sized delights of wild mushroom sushi with truffle mayo, shiitake, broccoli and water chestnut dumplings, or the pickled cucumber salad with mint and black vinegar. Cauliflower fans will love their roasted creation that comes with a golden curry. However, no dining experience at ShoSho is complete without a taste of their Tempura - think broccolini, green bean or onion rings lightly battered, delicately fried and served with caramelised French onion dip. If the cosy wood panelling and carpeted floors of Shosho’s interior beckons you to linger, try their desserts that includes a decadent mandarin and yuzushu (Japanese citrus) crème brulee with dark chocolate ice cream. 

JUST BEYOND THE CITY LIMITS…

Maxwell Wines, McLaren Vale

For a real treat, head to South Australia’s Best Restaurant for 2024, Maxwell Wines. While technically a 40-minute drive out of Adelaide in McLaren Vale, its unique vegetarian offering makes it well worth the slightly longer commute time. Complex, delicate and beautiful, their dishes are as artistic as they are delicious and come paired with their top tier wines. Their seasonal menu changes every 10 to 12 weeks, but the real treat is that they offer a fully vegetarian degustation! A must-try is their cave-grown mushrooms from onsite limestone caves. Enjoy a true vegetarian fin dining experience as you gaze out over a patchwork of green vines. To experience their degustation menu in all its glory, be sure to book ahead and specifically ask for your dietary request. 

For those who thrive on strictly plant-based goodness...

Adelaide has a great line-up of dedicated plant-based eateries dotted around the state, just choose from our roundup of best vegan restaurants and cafes in Adelaide.