Lucias

There's a reason why this place is always packed. Good old fashion Italian and extremely cheap. My partner and I ordered two pizzas and garlic bread, cost: $26.40. The pizza is thick and very filling (you won't leave here hungry). The food isn't upmarket but still very enjoyable. The restaurant itself is basic (no frills) but it has a great vibe and buzz to it.
The staff are run off their feet but do a wonderful job serving people as quickly as possible.

As always as a foodie in an unfamiliar town, I turned to Yelp for instruction on somewhere nearby for breakfast...

Lucia's is tucked away inside the market and has a great buzzing vibe. I was really there for the beans but they'd run out by the time I got there for a late breakfast (around midday). My mushrooms & roast tomato on toast ($8.50) was really good, but my coffee was the best coffee I've had in a long time. Not kidding, THE BEST!

Finding a table proved problematic but the staff were so lovely and obliging that it didn't even bother me that much. Choose your table BEFORE ordering though or you may end up sweltering amongst the filth of the communal Market tables- personally I'd rather wait a bit longer and enjoy my meal. I'm devastated they're not open today (Sun) as I was excited about getting in early for beans or alternatively trying a pizza. And no coffee will ever taste as good.

I was indoctrinated into this simple setting of "The Beautiful Life" at the ripe ole' age of 4. A cheese sandwich, OJ and half of Dad's tartufo was my Friday night meal here for a good 10 years as part of our routine Friday night Central Market shop.

I have to say that those memories may have somewhat cloudied with a chance of meatballed my judgement of this place. The interior has not changed since the 1800's and does feel a tad caked in 100 years of Central Market grime but to me this is part of the romanticism of this place.

I am one of those people they write about in Stuff White People Like and so coming here makes me feel like I'm truly immersing myself in the Italian culture, and I get a sick rush from doing so.

The simple handmade pasta dish of ravioli (that you have to order fresh basil and ricotta with) or the ridiculously simple tuna salad (that you also have to order ricotta with) are my go to dishes now as an adult. Pair this with a glass on wine, 1990's prices (cash only counter) and a never changing menu and you have a comfort food cavern worth the 5-10 minute wait in line!

As Andrew C. said, this place is iconic. And with good reason. The food is simple and hearty, the staff are (mostly) friendly and efficient and most importantly everyone always seems to be having a pleasant time here. I love the old brown and orange decor with the giant 'P' and 'L' letters on the wall in memory of Lucia and Pasquale who started the place in the 50s.

A few tips:

1) Always get fresh basil and ricotta with your pasta. It costs a few extra dollars but you're not a philistine are you? It's worth it.

2) If you're hungover the Avon Gole is the way to go - salty little clams in a tomato sauce. Think of me when you're feeling better.

3) Winter time is gnocchi time. You need the starchy carby goodness, don't fight it.

4) Are you really hungry? Get a fluffy little pizza to share before your pasta or order the slightly larger sized bowl for a few extra dollars.

5) Desserts - look out for the italian berry trifle. It will change your (dessert) life.

6) Are you on a health kick? Well, you're stupid but order the warm chicken salad.

7) Go to the store next door if you want to get some fancy fine foods for later. Pricey but there is some highlights. I recommend the desserts and salads in the fridge along the back wall, and give the nonya popiah (two big cold roll sort of things, except the wrapping is not rice flour like cold rolls. Delicious peanut sauce inside, with lots of fresh crispy veges) a try.

The pasta served was overcooked and tasted stale. The sauce that accompanies the pasta tasted like they came out from a can. It is affordable i must say

The food here is as good as any expensive restaurant. Be prepared to spend time waiting for a table without reservation, it's complete chaos, but worth the wait and effort. I know there are bad reviews but if you want table service go to La Trattoria. No frills Italian cuisine.

Lucias pizza and spaghetti bar is an Adelaide institution of the Baby Boomer generation. It was established in the late nineteen fifties and is going strong today on fabulous cappucino and excellent pizza that is almost like a savory cake its base is so light and spongy. The minestrone is also wonderful and the pasta is a delight so you can't go wrong if you enjoy good traditional home made Italian food. It is a busy little cafe bar and the inside seating is quite often difficult to get, so there is a bench outside whre you can sit and wait for someone to move on after their meal.

Outside there are plenty of tables as well, but on a market day it is hard to get a seat anywhere. It is inside the undercover Adelaide Central Market, so sitting outside is great fun mainly because you are still inside; the maiin difference being you are part of the hustle and bustle, and there is plenty of that!

The wait can get a little boring if you have a lot of people who are just sitting and enjoying the atmosphere as people in cafes often do; so they've finished their meal and they know they are in prime seats but they just stay there - selfish? Yes. Particularly when it's during the week and it's your lunch break from work! But relax, they will go eventually and once you have ordered your moderately priced meal it will turn up on your hard won table pretty promptly. The service is usually really nice, the food is top notch and the amiance is fun and cosey.

One of the nicest tasting coffee places I've been to in Adelaide... Especially if you're a soy drinker.
The only thing letting this place down is the lack of customer service & room to move... Ordering a small take-away coffee took around 10 minutes - with no other customers before me - and while standing in a tight squeezed spot waiting, I was not offered to go take a seat for someone to bring it to me, not even after they had to remake it from the barrister mistake & they could see my hands were full carrying other things...
No doubt - I will come back again since the coffee is tasty... But what has happened to hospitality ??

yrscore: F3,E4,R4
yrscore.com

This is my second time here. The first was before I started writing reviews on food and restaurant. I remember vaguely that Lucias serves good pasta. Hence I decided to visit again. Ordered the spaghetti Napoletana. It was served in a humble bowl with a generous portion. However, the cheese was slightly overwhelming. The balance between pasta, tomato and cheese was off. Less cheese and it would taste just like a good home cooked pasta.

The setting of this place reminds me of old cafes in Italy - Checkered floor, wooden walls. Staffs are polite and friendly too!

I will drop by again to order that "very nice pasta" from my memory.

Lucia's is one of the most iconic cafes in the Adelaide Central Market, and can guarentee that its reputation for great, yet inexpensive food is recognised far and wide. In fact, Lucia's was the very first cafe I visited in Adelaide when my family moved here.

Despite its somewhat shabby and unassuming decor, the place is always completely full with would-be patrons crowding around like a pack of vultures, vying for the next free table.

In my opinion the dishes aren't anything too special, but they are still enjoyable and most importantly, innexpensive. They are one of the only Italian cafes which serve portions reasonable for a single person to eat, which is to their credit.

My go to dish is the carbonara with gnocchi, which dispite being more of an omelette on gnocchi is strangely delicious.