(Classic South Australian treats from my childhood – Farmers Union Iced Coffee and Fruchocs)
When I was in Australia recently, I took a few days to head back to Adelaide, my hometown. It’s been a while since I’ve spent much time there (most visits were one or two days only over the past decade) so this time I wanted to spend a decent amount of time exploring. I have a lot of friends and family still there and as soon as people knew I was coming, my meal card quickly filled up. The food and wine (and coffee) scene in Adelaide has always been good (looking back, I realise how lucky I was growing up there) but now it’s booming. Adelaide has turned into quite the hipster hangout. Here’s a glimpse of what we saw, ate and drank during our 72 hours there
For old times’ sake, any trip to Adelaide for me must include a wander down Rundle Mall…
(Spheres, affectionately known as the “Mall’s Balls”)
Adelaide Arcade, since 1885 – exterior…
Trendy Rundle Street East…
A lot has changed about Rundle Street which is where “the” coffee shop of my high school and university days, Al Fresco (now closed, read the many fond reviews here) was located. While Al Fresco might not be there anymore, two of the pubs I hung out at during my university days are still there. The Exeter Hotel…
(kind of looks frozen in time, doesn’t it?)
On this recent trip, I enjoyed a lemon, lime and bitters, my non-alcoholic mixed drink of choice in pubs in Australia – sadly we don’t get those so much here in Canada).
Another old haunt is The Austral Hotel…
Where mum, my Auntie and I enjoyed a classic pub meal (and some rosé!)
I spent a wonderful, belly-laugh-filled afternoon with three girlfriends from my high school days (good for the soul, all that laughing!). We ate at the lovely, French-inspired Hey Jupiter.
Where there was a really good poulet-frites to be enjoyed…
A place I DIDN’T eat but walked by for nostalgia’s sake was Hungry Jack’s (this was a classic meeting point when I was growing up – everyone knew/ knows where it is…)
(looks like Burger King, huh? Well it should because it’s the Australian fast food franchise of Burger King)
One of the first things I do when I am headed to a different town is to Google “best coffee in ….” My Kingdom for a Horse, with its own on-side coffee roastery, appealed…
Beautiful space, fabulous coffee and…
Uh, huh. Sourdough bread, toasted, served with Vegemite. Uh huh. You can take a girl out of Australia but you can’t take away her love of Vegemite!
My good friend, Amanda, suggested we meet at Abbotts and Kinney, imagining I would enjoy the pastries and coffee.
Any trip to Adelaide always includes a visit to the mecca of Adelaide chocolate – Haigh’s Chocolates
The “Beehive Corner” building is quite striking and beautiful.
The French-inspired theme continued with a visit to La Buvette Drinkery
Just like being in Paris. Minus the smoke!
Drinks were also enjoyed along the Torrens River at R Bar @ Regattas.
An excellent dinner (so good there are no actual photos of the food!) was had at Peel St Restaurant
Per their mandate (“generous, abundant and bursting with robust flavours”), this place delivers. Check out these menus!
A heads up, the “Occy”(Octopus for those of you not versed in Oz-speak) and Chorizo Bake, The Banana Leaf Shredded Chicken Salad and the Panfried Haloumi are all winners.
So there you have it – along with a trip the Adelaide Central Market, this was a whirlwind trip of food, drinks, friends and sights. Made me wish I’d been able to stay even longer. Now there’ll just have to be a next time!
This makes me miss home! I need to go back for a visit! ❤️
You DO! Adelaide has, indeed grown up!
It was great to see you again. Adelaide has grown up a bit!
She has indeed! You are so lucky to live there!
…and I was delighted to have a care package of Haight’s (and more sweets) brought home for me to savour! 🙂
Lucky you!
Beautiful photos. Makes me want to visit and I live here! Love how you’ve captured the beauty of the buildings.
You captured it pretty well, Mardi…
Enjoyed all your pictures. I live off of a street named Abbot Kinney. I looked him up but he is not from down under. I hope you enjoyed your vacation.
Hi Mardi,
As an Adelaidean who loves eating out, I had to touch base to say how much I enjoyed your article about our fabulous dining scene. And your photos are worthy of a glossy tourism mag.
It is good to be reminded of how very lucky we are to have so much high quality tucker so readily available, usually sourced fairly locally and not too expensive.
If you get back here sometime I recommend a trip to the hills (just 10 minutes up the freeway from town) where great dining is plentiful, as are the many Cellar doors of great wineries offering a wide variety of tasting & dining experiences which make a visit worthwhile – even for a tea-totaller like me.
Even our pubs are now proudly focussing on providing good food experiences and have become the focal point for the revitalisation of many hills towns.
Thanks again for such a positive report on some of the hidden gems of this wonderful city.
Isobel
Thanks so much for reading and commenting! I was so impressed with how the Adelaide food scene’s “grown up” in the past few years!