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Places to Eat, Drink and Dine In the West End of Adelaide
Hindley St is the link to all the laneway bars, restaurants and live music in the west end of Adelaide. Don't get lost, just crawl through this list of suggested dining and drinking locations!
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14 Places
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Chloe’s 5-star review: Oranges and I get along like a cat with fleas. No really, I'm allergic to citrus. So you can imagine what I was like walking into a place that was called Peel St and it was on Peel St...well probably not... Apart from their delightful Lemon Meringue cupcakes and moist orange and almond cakes for sneaky afternoon tea, this place has nothing to do with citrus. What it does have to do with is a simple, wholesome, unpretentious lunch and dinner menu that Martin (Head Chef and owner) has designed to remain seasonal and interesting. Every time I go in here, even if it is for just a sneaky G&T or even sneakier Iced Coffee with orange vanilla ice cream (not on the menu but just do it) the menu on the blackboard painted main walls is different. Coffin Bay oysters one week, snapper wings the next. It's a shame I forgot to look at the seasonal menu on the board the day I dined in as there were some great options up there too! Even just a crappy specials of the day printed menu would be useful, especially when they are busy, and that is every dinner at the moment. We were seated at the window overlooking drunk passersby on a balmy Friday night and the atmosphere was buzzing. We ordered warm olives, dripping in oil (the way it should be), tuna crudo so fresh it fell apart on the fork (sashimi for the unofficiated) with a horseradish dressing, bean smashingly good smash with goats cheese and a half chicken with quinoa. Note on the chicken: a half is enough for 2, the quinoa has a caramalised onion and fresh cucumber in it that means it no longer tastes of cardboard but was so good my meat eating partner asked..."mmm what's this delicious rice dish stuff?" Overall with multiple drinks and 4 dishes between us we rolled out of there, saving more than we would in most other restaurants of that quality. All I can say is book (thank god they allow this). The people of Adelaide have already spoken about how popular this place is by the looks of the Friday night waiting lists. -
Chloe’s 5-star review: When you are made to feel like you are the only person in the bar worth serving (despite how chaotic everything is around you) you know you are in for a good night. We stood up at the bar and enjoyed the buzz of the place (not with doof doof music or loud obnoxious patrons) but with chatter and people weaving together a night of fun for themselves. You can also sit at a booth upstairs and watch over the crowd, perch in one of the windows at the front or sit on stools at small benches. If you are someone who hates making decisions, this tiny hole in the wall, 65 person bar has already made half of them for you. Their simple menu includes 3 beers on tap and a selection of craft brews by the bottle, 3 whites and 3 reds by the glass, a selection of wines by the bottle and then any cocktail you request can be made. The staff are incredibly knowledgeable about all of the drinks on offer and make a point of telling you about what you are drinking, what it tastes like, or giving you recommendations. There are also only 4 food items on the menu - Coriole Olives, Pickels and 2 charcuterie boards made from The Charcuterie (a spin off from Lucia's Deli in the Central Market). We had the duck pate which doesn't sound or look that appetising but is actually not a paste but more of a shredded duck in pork belly fat goodness. The proscuitto platter again only came with bread and pickles but it didn't need anything else because of the quality of meat - it was a young cut of meat so not too typically proscuitto salty, very thinly sliced but still not bland. Now I have to warn all those typical Adelaidians our there who "refuse to line up." At 7pm on a Friday the line up was about 8 persons deep but we were inside within 20 minutes. Because this isn't a bar for spending hours and hours at people move in and out pretty quickly. So suck it up princess because CLT is worth the wait. -
Chloe’s 5-star review: Baristas who remember your name, have beards and ironic mustaches and bang out a quick, smooth coffee while engaging you in non-idle conversation are worth this kind of rave. Coffee Branch are doing everything right from their coffee and knowledge about it (for the better informed than I), their hole in the wall layout that manages to house enough people having weekday meetings and their service/hot men with beards/same thing. Their biggest flaw is that they aren't open weekends and this really does nearly kill me when I have friends from interstate in town and want to brag about this place to them! The guys that run this place are also always active in making Leigh St a destination on weeknights, hosting pop-up bars and activities with the rest of the crew on the street. Round of applause for these boys, looking forward to seeing more! -
Chloe’s 4-star review: Hooray! The classy all American dive bar has hit RAdelaide and has inconspicuously slotted itself into a little hole in the wall on Hindley St like many other patrons try to do in other establishments on Hindley St on a Saturday night. I've only been here at nighttime but I think this is when Downtown would come alive. 90s R&B music booms through the speakers, B&W 80s and 90s rock bands cover the walls, goat hide bar stools and dull lighting set the scene. The action is at the front bar at the moment as up in the booths would be too loud to think [insert some old "put some pants on" comment here]. The main bar service is super speedy and friendly. As soon as our drinks were empty we were offered top ups. Don't be disheartened by the fact that they only serve cans of beer either - there is Brooklyn Beer and Moritz on the menu to maintain the class amongst the dive. I'm also waiting on the right occasion to shot a tequila from their tiki shot glasses... And the food is go hard or go home kind of stuff. They have a token vego option on the menu but if I'm paying $12 for a hot dog I want some slow cooked meat. I have tried the Diego Dog with chorizo sausage and the Barack Obama porchetta party with pulled pork. All must be ordered with a side of chilli fries. Ok well not really, but you have to try the chilli fries with hot jalapenos and hungover/drinking too much kinda good beef mince. This place is still on the down low and dirty cool in a not too try hard kind of way. I'm currently petitioning for wings to be put on the menu and the downstairs to be opened up for R&B 90s DJ nights, but we'll see if they get the memo. Stay classy Adelaide. -
Chloe’s 4-star review: Why? "Just cos." Cos Restaurant has served me well on date night twice now and I have to say I can't go past the attentiveness, welcoming and working knowledge of each waiter/waitress we have had here. The food, although on the higher side of moderately-priced, is of a very high standard from their cuts of meat, portions of fish or large side dishes. My partner has dined on T-bone Steak and a 300g special here at different points in time and both he has experienced steak cooked to rare perfection with the meat being left to shine through and not relying on a sauce to add flavour. I have dined on Atlantic Salmon and Snapper here and although my Salmon was cooked to perfection unfortunately my Snapper was not. I could not take off more than one star for the initial under-cooking and then overcooking of this fish though because of the way my issue was handled. I wasn't blamed, I wasn't made to feel in the wrong, the service value of admitting a mistake, apologising and quickly restoring the faith was a higher price than the meal itself. The environment at Cos is always warm, intimate and makes you feel like you are dining with silver service, while paying half the price. On a side note about a side dish - The seasonal greens are so wrongly covered in butter and garlic that it is so right. Meanwhile their freshly cooked warm complimentary bread to start is something you don't see in many places now days but is a welcome addition and quickly devoured and smothered in the crisp oil provided. It gets 4 T-Bones for me and 2 shakes of a lamp rump! -
Chloe’s 5-star review: The great dumpling debate rages on while everyone "in the know" (including the Koreans) of Adelaide go to Mandoo. Mandoo is a tiny little hole in the wall in Bank St, run by the sweetest Korean couple who on the night proved to us there were famous (they were featured in the Advertiser). It is the most welcoming venue on a cold winter's night but you will struggle to get a table if you get there anywhere between 6pm-7:30pm in the cold season. Our eyes were almost bigger than our stomachs when we saw the Mandoo Hot Pot on the menu until we saw one come out - not recommended for a 2 person share (more like 3-4)! We settled for 6 pork and 6 chicken steamed dumplings with a serving of Vegetarian Bibimbap. Like a true foreigner we ate our meal the completely wrong way, and were given some concerning looks by our waitress, when mixing the clear soup broth we were given with the Bibimbap ingredients and with our steamed dumplings. Note to self: Bibimbap is meant to be eaten like a salad. Despite that little hiccup everything was so refreshingly light and packed with flavour. The meat was cooked to perfection and the dumplings had plenty of "juice" to suck from them. The salad was crispy (prior to being dumped in salty soup goodness) and a huge serving - enough for 2. Meals came out quickly and this is a great place to go if you are on the run. They also do takeaway which is on the cards next season for me on the way home from work!
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Chloe’s 5-star review: I am so wary of sushi spots - often going to the ones familiar to me and not down streets intersecting Hindley St. But with the re-development of Bank St to now include outdoor seating and my Yelp app recommending I go here in hand I decided to "give this place a go." I now have this theory...the smaller the sushi spot and the more plastic meals they have on display the better and more freshly made the sushi roll. Being a huge raw tuna and sushi fan I was not overly astounded at the fish variety on the menu here (aside from 1 raw salmon sushi roll) however because I was feeling adventurous I thought I'd tried eel in a Dragon Roll and Caterpillar Roll. Ignore everything you know about eel and just put it in your mouth and swallow - it is really tasty. The rolls are made fresh in front of you - hence an enormous line up at lunch from 1pm. The rice is still soft and fluffy and does not have that stiff caked refrigerated taste. I also couldn't get over prices. My friend and I shared 12 pieces (larger than normal) of sushi + 2 green teas for a total of $15. Who would have thought I could get such great savings from this Bank St hole in the wall? -
Chloe’s 4-star review: Bring a friend. In fact bring 10 friends here, as this place is made for feasting and banqueting. Yes, the interior has not change since 1984 but stick a plastic orange booth seat in any other venue and you'd be calling it hipster. And didn't you know green plastic cups and 70's plates were retro baby? Firstly, something no one has mentioned yet is that this place is BYO. Don't expect to have any beers on the order here but if you want you can bring your own in. However, as everyone has mentioned, the food is cheap, cheerful and relatively healthy. My favourite dishes are any kinds of chargrilled meat (especially the chilli chicken) - perfectly cooked and still tender to chew. The felafels are hands down the best in Adelaide with the perfect amount of spice and a balance of crispy exterior with moist interior. Sides of creamy hummus and unusually spiced rice and lentil salad with yoghurt and cucumber are perfect additions to the meal. Now to be honest, I have always had attentive-ish service here. Sure you're not welcomed when you walk in the door and the speed at which you can order your food/get a menu is a bit hit and miss, but staff have always been friendly and food has always come out quickly. -
Chloe’s 4-star review: A perfect meeting spot and a business well deserving of some support. I love the phat orange Budda painted on their black walls, their many seats, the quick service and the diverse uni crowd that frequents this spot. It's a clean, bright and big space They have lovely looking take away salads, freshly squeezed juices, perfectly brewed and created coffee (not Bonsoy milk though) and delicious wraps. Everything is fresh daily (apart from the sweets) and there are coffee shops few and far between down this end of the city worth even a look in while Phat is around. -
Chloe’s 4-star review: If you survive making your way past the debaucherous cluster of inebriated, high heeled, and low crotched, youths embroiled in quandaries of whether "he really is into you" and stumbling along Hindley St at 10pm on a Friday or Saturday and into Laneway Bar then you will be rewarded. It is a true blessing for us old folk that this little sanctuary has been squeezed in between Dog and Duck and Red Square on Hindley St. Jarrad and Cara have transformed 2 shipping containers, a couple of pallets, old doors and recycled timber into a multitude of booths, storeys and nooks for you and a date or a group of friends to start or finish your night in (and yes that means you're looking more for lounge like conversation not dance floor convolutions). The coolest thing about the space is that it will be "seasonal" - meaning every 8 months they shut down the bar to knock, bump and rebuild it into something different for patrons in the warmer months! Obviously the most important thing is the cocktails. Freshly squeezed juices like kiwi, apple and spiced rum or watermelon, grape and vodka leave my head, stomach and liver singing. They are far too easy to drink, too cheap for what you are getting and I have no idea why anyone would even bother ordering anything else off the menu. And if you were wondering what the answer to your "should I try the Snap, Crackle and Pop shot" question is? The answer is a resounding yes. This innovative shot of chambourd, zappo infused vodka and pop rocks will have you giggling like a giddy school girl. -
Chloe’s 5-star review: Don't bother putting the belt on, or maybe just wear elasticised pants. JR's is not for the calorie counting designated driver, it's for the ballsy, hard hitting criminal in us all who says yes to a dozen buffalo wings, mac n' cheese balls and a burger with that. A backboard menu of ciders, craft beer, "fizz" and wine and a selection of sneaky rums, whiskeys and spirits will wet your whistle at a reasonable price for a bar. But you can't come here and not eat. Whether it be their very reasonably American share menu of dishes for $7-14 a pop that will feed 2-3 people (crocodile popcorn is a must) or the fancy schmance $18-20 something burgers of snapper, Tex Walkers, pork, carrot and lentil (a great alternative for the vegos/fake vegos like me) these guys have taken an American themed menu and made it palatable without loosing out on the fun of eating fried. DJ's or live bands entertain at night and large groups dine in for lunch on weekdays. Be prepared to wait for a table if you're eating, or try and book beforehand if there are a few of you. Delightful service and straight to your table means you won't stop at just one spiced rum and dry, but enjoy 3. Bravo Jack!
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Chloe’s 5-star review: Step off of Peel St and into a modern Tuscan cucina and bar. Floor tiles fresh off the boat from nonna's hallway, swathes of natural brown and green furnishings and a tapas style menu of share plates, Italian wine and strong la moka coffee means I no longer have to dream of my Italian holiday in a few months and I can start living it up here! When every staff member who serves you looks like they've stepped out of a Gucci catalogue it's hard not to gush, but the table service was impeccable, quick and not too intrusive, even though we were sitting up in the balcony area. My friend and I arrived at 5:30pm to a surprise welcome that it was Aperitivo Hour until 7:30pm every Thursday, Friday and Saturday and our drinks would come with a plate of nibbles. Normally that means, a piece of cheese and an arancini ball but my delightful Sangiovese was delivered with a platter full of salami, proscuitto, bread, cheese, olives and bite sized zucchini frittata which was delicious. We topped that off with a huge platter of charcuterie for 2 (could have served 3) for $18 and a coffee and I was ready to pitch a tent and spend the night up on the cosy balcony in time for a la moka coffee and a brioche for brekky in the morning. Sadly they kicked me out but I will return for Aperitivo Hour and a morning coffee or two many times again. -
Chloe’s 5-star review: This place could be a co-op or out house for all I care, the coffee is smooth, food hearty and staff lovely every time I've been. A small space full of mismatched wooden tables and vinyl chairs, this place is a simple and cosy spot for lunch or meetings. There are daily lunch specials for $10 and then even cheaper options for $7-8 for breakfast and lunch. The red lentil soup I had was well flavoured but could have been a bit spicier (just me). Coffee is smooth, smashable and served quick for the one guy that sits behind the machine. I'm coming back for the evil looking chocolate tart mud cake thing too. The staff are chatty and incredibly friendly and do not rush you to turn the next table. I'm surprised more students aren't hanging around, doing their group assignments and tethering the free (actually ok working) Adelaide w-fi to every device here. Until they do I'll love this place like my fav teddy bear - slightly worn but good for a snuggle on a winter's day. -
Chloe’s 4-star review: I know what you're thinking, "hang on, I thought Station Arcade was full of druggies and dodgy newsagents?" So was I when my friend insisted she had found this super healthy, gf cafe in the arcade. Dubiously I accepted her invite and luckily I did! Station Arcade is still a busy and quite noisy thorough fair between the train station and Hindley St, and it does act as a wind tunnel in winter, but it has somehow collected a whole set of healthy, fresh, home style cooking cafes. My Goodness serves up GF rolls, soups, salads and baked potatoes every day to the masses. Most things are home made and the menu changes daily. I had a thick, and well spiced, pumpkin soup of the day which was served with a kilo of pita bread and my friend had a crispy baked potato with deliciously fresh salad and a dollop of sour cream that gave me food envy. Prices are incredibly reasonable and the service is friendly Mom and Pop style. You really do feel like you've done a good deed to yourself by eating here. Dine in or take away from breakfast til late lunch and thank me later for helping you uncover this hidden gem!
