Best East End Adelaide bars and restaurants

Craving a global food tour? Sip a French Quarter cocktail, knock back a negroni sbagliato and feast on everything from Turkish snake peppers to lobster rolls — all within the beating heart of Adelaide’s East End.

East End is the city's trendiest pocket, where Victorian architecture blends with boutique shops, theatres, creative agencies, outdoor markets and a thriving food scene. Sip craft cocktails in a New Orleans-inspired bar, dine where icons like Eric Andre and Katy Perry have dared to indulge, or taste your way through award-winning wines at a local cellar. The East End of Adelaide, stretching from Hutt Street to Rundle Street, comes alive throughout the seasons, drawing crowds for its festive vibe. During peak times like Mad March and Illuminate Adelaide, Rundle Street shuts down and transforms into a lively epicentre, with traders and eateries spilling out into the streets. It’s no surprise that the East End is home to some of the best bars and restaurants in Adelaide, and we’ve handpicked the top spots for you to explore. 

Adelaide's East End restaurants 

House of George, Vardon Avenue 

House of Geroge is where Mamma Mia! meets Euro-disco-inferno. Serving up a true Mediterranean feast with top-notch hospitality, you can expect a few shots of ouzo, Montenegro or Campari to get the party started. Flavours from Greece and the wider Mediterranean make their debut, as well as those from northern and southern Africa—a reflection of head chef Sav Sexton’s heritage. Think woodfired halloumi topped with honey and fragrant sage, Turkish snake peppers blistered over an open-flame grill and braised lamb shoulder with confit garlic and jus. The atmosphere at this East End hotspot is more friendly neighbourhood diner than polished restaurant, which is perfect for when the evening shifts into gear—Opa!

Golden Boy, North Terrace 

Golden Boy isn’t just golden by name; it’s earned its shine with a top spot in the 2024 Australian Good Food Guide Chef Hat Awards. This isn't your average suburban Thai joint—its menu pays attention to freshness, flavour and detail. Favourites include fried whole barramundi with green apple and peanut salad, son-in-law eggs with tamarind chilli caramel and grilled chicken salad with coconut samba. For dessert, you can’t go past the banana fritter with coconut ice cream—it’s a Golden Boy staple. The restaurant in Adelaide’s East End is housed inside a historic building wrapped in lush foliage on the corner of two iconic terraces: making it the perfect spot to start your nighttime exploration of Adelaide. Writer’s tip: It’s tough to beat the Tuk Tuk option, where the staff take the reins, and you end up with a huge banquet of food. Just be sure to discuss chilli levels before diving in…

Africola, East Terrace

When icons like Eric Andre, Justin Vernon (Bon Iver), Novak Djokovic and Katy Perry flock to try Chef Duncan Welgemoed’s acclaimed dishes at Africola, so do we! Housed in a colourful, heritage-listed building filled with eclectic decor and retro vinyl chairs, this multiple award-winning East End restaurant is Australia’s most dynamic Afro-inspired eatery. The menu offers a freewheeling tour of continent-spanning flavours with a nod to Duncan’s South African roots. Expect vibrant dishes like African-inspired vegetables, grilled and smoked meats, flatbreads, pickles, ferments and bold vegan desserts. Writers tip: Be sure to try one of the impressive minimal intervention wines or inventive three-ingredient cocktails. 

Koomo Restaurant and Bar, Frome Street

Ever dreamed of dining among the clouds? At Koomo—Adelaide’s highest restaurant inside the Crowne Plaza Hotel—you can take in the breathtaking views of both the CBD skyline and rolling Adelaide Hills. The Pan-Asian fusion menu features seasonal and locally sourced produce, with standout share plates: lobster rolls, Icon Farm wagyu beef sirloin, salmon sashimi and vegetable tempura. Inspired by "kumo", the Japanese word for "cloud”, this dining experience will lift mealtime to new heights—both literally and metaphorically—as you get a feel for the city down below. 

Daughter in Law, Rundle Street 

Step into Daughter in Law, a vibrant space with multi-coloured walls and pink and peacock blue seating. Silent Bollywood films are projected on the walls and contemporary Indian music sets the scene—but it’s the food that takes centre stage. The Rundle Street restaurant serves up 'unauthentic Australian Indian' cuisine (yep, you read that right). According to Jessi, Indian home cooking often defies rigid recipes and universally agreed-upon techniques. Writer’s tip: A must-try dish is the Balls of Happiness; India’s most loved street food of fried flatbread spheres. 

Midnight Spaghetti, Grenfell Street 

If you follow the neon sign calling you “upstairs for Angel Hairs,” you’ll find Midnight Spaghetti—a laid-back pasta bar offering a modern twist on classic comfort foods. Start with herby focaccia topped with anchovies, then dive into the East End restaurant's namesake dish: Midnight Spaghetti—a rustic red-sauce pasta with anchovies, kalamata olives, chilli, pangrattato and a sprinkle of pecorino. “You won’t believe it’s just water, eggs, and flour once it hits your lips,” says principal pan-handler JP. Whoof it down with an Italian wine, either indoors or on the balcony, with both settings seen to have forgotten framed celebrities hanging from the walls, irreverent paraphernalia and delicious mood lighting. 

East End Bars 

Bar Torino, Hutt Street 

Bite into crispy patatas bravas, slice up juicy steak tarte or swig back a glass of velvety vermouth at this European-style bar. The relaxed location of Bar Torino draws the after-work, pre-dinner and all-night crowds, with a menu that’s split to accompany your first, second and third drinks. Unwind with a gin (35 small-batch options to choose from), a cocktail, a glass of sherry or a perfectly selected wine inside (or outside) this cosy East End bar. 

Latteria, Hutt Street 

If you’re all about local ingredients with a twist, love a good DJ spinning vinyl into the night or can’t resist a classic aperitivo to kick off the evening—Latteria’s got you covered. This lively East End bar blends the best of Milan’s 1950s “latterie Milanesi” culture with an Adelaide edge—shifting between lunch, aperitivo, dinner and beyond. Sip on a negroni sbagliato with a group of friends in the ruched leather booths, hang around the central bar for chat, dine in the front for a quieter convo with your bestie or head into the thick of it late at night to match delicious snacks with delicious tunes. Writer’s tip: Wondering how to order at Latteria? It’s all about the snacks! When we popped in, the pork and veal polpette with sugo and parmigiano sauce were a definite winner, and don’t miss the savory cannolo stuffed with whipped ricotta, prosciutto and drizzled with spiced honey.

Smokelovers, Rundle Street 

What was once a longstanding tobacconist is now one of the coolest Rundle Street bars. The name may remain, but that's where the similarities end. The real draw? Smoky margaritas, wines and beer from self-distributing producers with a “light touch”. Add simple yet irresistible bites like olives, cheese and tinned Cuca anchovies to tie the flavours together. Smokelovers is all about the lo-fi, the unpretentious and the easy going. 

NOLA, Vardon Avenue 

The blue notes and flat sevenths of swinging jazz weave through NOLA, the home of Cajun deep-fried chicken, fine whiskies, Louisiana cocktails and craft beers. This East End bar—tucked inside what was once a 1903 horse stable—offers a curated selection of 16 independent craft beers on tap, a whisky collection of over 350 bottles and a banging cocktail list. Sip on The French Quarter, filled with cognac, mandarin liqueur, citrus and bitters, as you relax under arched doorways, your drink placed on a dark wooden bench. The space is brought to life with soft pastel hues, vibrant shrubbery and rustic tables, capturing the charm of New Orleans. Writer’s tip: Catch live talent rocking the upstairs stage at NOLA every Wednesday and Thursday night. They’ve got a full schedule of live bands on their website, so you can see who's playing when and plan your night accordingly!

East End Cellars, Vardon Avenue 

Drop in for a tasting or perhaps meet a local winemaker at this East End institution. Part wine retailer, part cellar door, part restaurant—East End Cellars has a knack for pairing you with the perfect bottle every time. It makes sense when they’re one of Australia’s top traders, connecting you with the best emerging makers from both South Australia and around the globe. With over 15,000 bottles at your disposal, the selection is second to none. You’ll find imported cured meats, Spanish cheeses, terrine, pâté and delicious platters perfect for sharing. Pair that with an award-winning drop, and you’re set.  

Roxie's Garden and Bar, Grenfell Street 

Whether you’re craving a lazy Sunday in the garden or need a boogie by the DJ decks, Roxie’s Garden is arguably the perfect jungle for it all. What was once a former furniture store left abandoned for years has since undergone plenty of re-incarnations since. Now this hidden oasis in the East End of Adelaide—filled with birds of paradise and disco balls—is considered one of the best beer gardens in the city. Kick back in summer with pizzas and cocktails or get cosy in winter with the open fire pits and electric local wine. 

For the meat-free devotee...

Love the sound of our must-try East End Adelaide bars and eateries, but you're after a delicious meat-free meal? Here's our guide to the best vegetarian restaurants in Adelaide.