5 Delicious Vegetarian and Vegan Restaurants in Adelaide’s CBD
Your guide to the best vegetarian and vegan food in Adelaide’s CBD!
Adelaide may be a small city, but it has a thriving foodie scene, with inspiration coming from all over the world. Plant-based restaurants are popping up all over the city limits, including the beloved Zenhouse in West Hindmarsh and Joy of Flora in West Croydon.
While there aren’t a huge number of strictly plant-based restaurants in the CBD itself, most eateries will have a strong vegetarian or vegan menu. But the good news is: when you’re looking for somewhere 100% meat-free in the CBD, quality over quantity reigns supreme!
I spent three weeks living and working in central Adelaide, and during my visit I took the opportunity to dig a little deeper into my plant-based options. Grab and go bites, cosy cafes and even innovative fine dining – there’s a bit of something on offer for all dining styles.
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Veggie Vie
I fell in love with Veggie Vie a little bit. A cosy city retreat with a warm, lively atmosphere, Veggie Vie offers exactly what I love in a plant-based lunch spot.
Firstly, the vibe here is gorgeous. Plenty of natural light, high ceilings and lush indoor plants, it’s a homely and relaxed spot with a classy edge. Although most tables inside were full, I grabbed a window seat – perfect for solo diners!
On the menu, you’ll find vibrant bowls and burgers, alongside toasties, croissants and loaded fries. The star of the show is Veggie Vie’s hot pot, which changes daily. You can order the hot pot by itself, or as a whole food bowl – served with salad, tofu, nuts, pickles and dressing. On my visit, the hot pot was a rich vegetable and lentil lasagna, and I loved the mix of flavours in the whole food bowl.
Filling, nourishing and full of flavour – this hidden gem is my favourite must-visit vegan cafe in Adelaide!
Veggie Vie | 16 McHenry St
Staazi & Co
Greek is one of my favourite cuisines, and Staazi & Co serve up delicious gyros and chip boxes – all fully vegan!
Staazi & Co started off as a food truck business, but quickly gained popularity and opened up the trendy brick and mortar joint in the CBD. The shop is more of a takeaway joint, but there are some outdoor tables and indoor bench seating.
You can choose from vegan ‘lamb’ or ‘chicken’ protein; or grab a combo deal with both. We’re talking ‘you wouldn’t even tell its vegan’ levels of good here. If you’re a more traditional plant-based eater, falafel is also on the menu, alongside loaded hot chips with plant based feta and nooch.
And if it’s good enough for Travis Barker, it’s good enough for me…
Staazi & Co | 224 Grenfell St
Two Bit Villains
Two Bit Villains had been saved on my Google Maps before we even crossed the border to South Australia! Although Australia is a pretty vegan and vegetarian friendly country, the majority of strictly plant-based eateries lean into the healthy side. Great in theory, but sometimes a girl just craves a bit of vegan junk food comfort…
Two Bit Villains brands themselves as the home of vegan fried chicken in Adelaide, alongside traditional American style vegan burgers and hot dogs. I’d say I found the plant-based chicken to be the better choice over the ‘beef’, the latter being a bit flat and not the best tasting!
However, their seitan-based fried chicken burgers absolutely hit it out of the park! The burgers and buns are made completely in house, and the generous size had me not eating dinner that day. I went for the Buffalo Chicken, which arrived dripping in rich spicy sauce.
Pair with fries and one of their house-made sodas for a delicious, naughty (and messy) vegan lunch!
Two Bit Villains | Adelaide Arcade
Allegra Dining Room
For fine dining with an earth-friendly twist, head to Allegra Dining Room, where you can expect innovative plant-based cooking with minimal waste, for $150pp. The intimate space seats just 28 people, which means reservations are essential!
There’s no a la carte here, and instead diners are treated to a full course set dinner of up to 16 courses. Taking inspiration from cuisines around the world, dishes are made using locally sourced, seasonal produce. From mushroom schnitzel to pumpkin soup, Allegra’s dishes are creative, fun, and – most importantly – good for the planet!
Allegra Dining Room | 125 Gilles Street
Let Them Eat
I first discovered Let Them Eat’s stall when I worked at the Adelaide show – and luckily, they have a full-time cafe in Adelaide Central Market!
Perfect for a quick lunch, Let Them Eat bring a healthy twist to ‘grab and go’, with a selection of sandwiches, wraps, colourful salads and light snacks. The jalepeno pastry’s stuffed with mixed veg and vegan mozarella; and the vegan toasties offer ham and turkey alternatives, as well as the goodness-packed ‘Vego To Go’
Don’t skip on the sweet treats here either – the chocolate raspberry cake is to die for!
Let Them Eat | Adelaide Central Market
While you’re in the area, explore the vegetarian and vegan options on offer at Adelaide’s biggest permanent food market, with a morning tasting tour of Central Market!
