Saskia Beer's favourite places to eat in Adelaide

If there’s one thing that Adelaide does very well it’s Italian. Of all the Italian restaurants Adelaide has to offer, my favourite place to experience authentic Italian is Osteria Oggi. Pastas are made in house daily and there are always interesting entrees and specials. I love to spend a few hours working my way through their delicious dishes.

In Adelaide we’re rather blessed with the quality of our markets. Everyone knows of the famous Adelaide Central Market, its great fun and you can find an abundant amount of delicious things there. My favourite market though is the Adelaide Farmers Market held at the Adelaide Showgrounds in Wayville every Sunday from 9am-1pm. 

The variety and quality of local producers is outstanding and the market has a great buzz to it. It’s a wonderful way to spend a Sunday morning – finding lovely things to cook for lunch and keep you going throughout the week.

Adelaide has a small China Town precinct that punches well above its weight. Having spent extensive amounts of time in the China Towns of Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth – I think that the best dumplings and yum cha in Australia are served at Ding Hao on Gouger Street. If you haven’t been – treat yourself. 

Order the prawn hargow, snow pea dumplings, traditional dumplings, parsley and prawn dumplings, chicken feet in black bean sauce, radish cake and egg tartlets. It elevates standard yum cha fare to food that you will walk over hot coals for!

Another Chinese gem is Ying Chow. This is a hole in the wall kind of place with great food – open until 1am – late night locals head here for food after work, after the party, after they should be fast asleep in bed. Try the shallot pancakes, BBC, and jellyfish salad. Next time you can’t sleep head to Ying Chow and have a midnight feast.

The best Brasserie in Adelaide would have to be Sean’s Kitchen located in the Adelaide Casino. Dining at Sean’s Kitchen is fun. It’s seriously good food but it doesn’t take itself too seriously. 

The vibe is laidback with jazz, great cocktails and wine list, good service and seasonal, largely local produce prepared with a deft hand. Sean’s Kitchen knows that the battle is won with good ingredients – all you have to do is show them off to their best advantage. That is what they do so well.

It would be remiss of me not to mention The Cellar Kitchen. If you’re visiting the Barossa Valley it is well worth stopping for lunch or dinner. The amazing panoramic view from the dining room provides a sweeping Barossa backdrop as you enjoy the best local wines and produce. 

The Cellar Kitchen is regional comfort cooking, book on the weekend and experience specials like roast suckling Berkshire pork with pickled quinces, or Hutton Vale Suffolk lamb – whole joints brought out to share at the table. Dishes reflect the flavour of the region and the hospitality of the Barossa – generous, bold flavours that represent the seasons. We invite you into our kitchen and to share a bit of our home.