Discover The 9 Best North Adelaide Restaurants on O’Connell Street

We’ve been to Bondi, James Street and South Yarra – and this week? We’re heading south to find the best North Adelaide restaurants.

Adelaide has really come into its own in recent years. The food scene is beginning to rival even that of Melbourne and Sydney! From Orana – the city’s pride and joy – winning Restaurant of the Year at the AGFA to new laneway developments, Chinatown and an array of creative concepts opening regularly, there’s a whole world of top Adelaide restaurants to discover.

The standard of O’Connell Street restaurants has particularly caught our eye. A hub for cafés, bars and restaurants, this North Adelaide street is a foodie’s dream that must be explored!

9 Best O’Connell Street Restaurants

This iconic stretch boats a whole host of places to satisfy any appetite. O’Connell Street North Adelaide is surrounded by stunning parklands and public parks which divide the North Adelaide grids. The dining scene in O’Connell Street is truly infectious. You’ll find the street buzzing with foodies tucking into delicious dishes whipped up by talented chefs. So take a look and get thee to O’Connell Street North Adelaide for a feast to remember.

1. Krung Thep

Krung Thep does Thai dining like you’ve never seen or tasted before. This stylish and carefully-curated restaurant on O’Connell Street North Adelaide specialises in authentic Thai food. We’re talking regional dishes that you’ve probably never come across before. In fact, Krung Thep is actually the traditional Thai name for Bangkok. The space itself is chic with muted lighting and dark wooden furniture which complement the presentation of each dish just perfectly. This highly Instagrammable restaurant is one you should definitely keep an eye on!

Must-try: Crying Tiger grilled flank steak served with nam jim jaew.

147 O’Connell Street, North Adelaide; Lunch: Tuesday to Friday, 12pm – 2:30pm; Dinner: Tuesday to Sunday, 5:30pm – 10pm

Looking for punchy Thai flavours in other Australian cities? Here ya go:

Best Thai in Sydney

Best Pad Thai in Brisbane

Top 8 Thai Restaurants in Melbourne

Best Spots to Eat Thai in Perth

2. Tony Tomatoes

Tony Tomatoes is a firm fixture in the North Adelaide restaurant scene, both a local favourite and a highly sought-after spot. Home to an eclectic menu of Italian classics and signature specialties, it should be on any Adelaide foodie’s list of must-try restaurants. Mostly famous for its pizza – with good reason, because it’s next level delicious – the names of the dishes are a bit cheeky and will certainly bring a smile to your face. There are other dishes worth checking out too, though, including hearty mains and pastas among others. The space itself is stylish yet cosy with a lively atmosphere on O’Connell Street North Adelaide. This is the kind of place where fond memories are made and we just can’t get enough!

Must-try: Traditional Stracciatella with tomato, mozzarella, fresh prosciutto, cream of mozzarella, basil and black pepper.

155 O’Connell Street, North Adelaide; Lunch: Sunday, 12pm – 2:30pm; Dinner: Monday to Sunday, 5:30pm – late

3. Marrakech Restaurant

Flavour is high on the agenda at Marrakech Restaurant. This much-loved North Adelaide restaurant is one of the most enticing spots on the street and serves up truly exceptional Moroccan cuisine. Vibrant and colourful, the venue has an atmosphere that’s almost electric, and the menu is bursting with Middle Eastern dishes loaded up with saffron, coriander, cumin, cardamom alongside other aromatic herbs and spices. Couscous features heavily, as do dishes cooked in the tagine – so let’s just say you’ll be returning here time and time again to work your way through the menu. One of the best around, Marrakech is not to be missed.

Must-try: Djaj Mhemmer of saffron-infused Moroccan chicken cooked with coriander, garlic, ginger, preserved lemon and olives.

91 O’Connell Street, North Adelaide 5006; Dinner: Tuesday to Saturday, 5:30pm – 11pm; Sunday, 6pm – 11pm

4. Zaep Tastes of Thailand

Zaep Tastes of Thailand is changing the game when it comes to Thai cuisine in Adelaide. Why? Well, the menu isn’t just full of standard pad Thai and massaman curry dishes… Though you will find those on there, and yes, they are delicious. Rather, there are some really creative things happening at this North Adelaide restaurant. Chalit Peetisirikun is the man behind it all, and he’s got a passion for taking traditional Thai recipes and combining them with Adelaide’s best produce to create absolutely dreamy Thai food. The restaurant itself is relaxed with eye-catching design which matches the menu perfectly. One of the most impressive dining spots on O’Connell Street, Zaep is certainly worth a look.

Must-try: The Kanag moo krob of stir-fried brussel sprouts with crispy pork belly and plenty of chilli and garlic.

22 O’Connell Street, North Adelaide 5006; Lunch: Wednesday to Sunday, 11am – 3pm; Dinner: Monday to Sunday, 5pm – 10:30pm

5. Da Vinci Ristorante

On first glance, Da Vinci Ristorante may look like any other ordinary Italian restaurant – but there’s many more delicious layers underneath the wood oven pizzas, bruschetta and fresh pasta. It’s a place where the purists can stick to the traditional dishes they know and love, with the opportunity for others to opt for an entirely different cuisine if they wish. Margheritas sit alongside cheeseburgers, onion rings can be ordered on top of antipasto and spaghetti bolognese and burritos are popped on the pass together. It can be risky trying to do it all, but Da Vinci’s execution is truly admirable.

Must-try: Spaghetti Puttanesca with anchovies, capers, olives, garlic and chilli cooked in a Napoletana sauce.

10 O’Connell Street, North Adelaide; All-day opening hours: Monday to Friday, 8.30am – 3am, Saturday & Sunday, 8am – 3am

Seems like Australia has quite a thing for great Italian restaurants:

Discover the best fresh pasta in Sydney

Meet the 15 top Italian restaurants in Melbourne

Gorge on pizza and pasta in Brisbane

Slice up your life at Melbourne’s best pizza places

6. The Oxford Hotel

This North Adelaide pub brings a whole lot of energy to the street. The establishment is splashed in endless colour, with bright murals by well-known local artists dominating the walls, eclectic mismatched furniture and tables laden with vibrant dishes. The kitchen is led by Symon Conway-Lyden, who has designed a diverse menu that celebrates worldly cuisines, heroes well-sourced produce, and caters to vegetarian and vegan diets (as well as those who love tucking into a heart Angus scotch fillet). Drinks also reflect the flourishing region, with locally brewed craft beers, award-winning wines and boutique gin distilled down the road. As well as dining and drinking, The Oxford Hotel’s calendar is filled with non-stop entertainment from DJs and singer songwriters as well as quiz nights and craft beer takeovers.

Must-try: Signature Korean bibimbap topped with a fried egg, gochujang sauce and delicious crispy bits. The dish is also served in a sizzling hot stone bowl, adding an excellent crunch to the rice and other ingredients!

101 O’Connell Street, North Adelaide; All-day opening hours: Monday to Wednesday, 11am – 1am; Thursday & Friday, 11am – 2am; Saturday, 10am – 2am; Sunday, 10am – 1am

7. Burgastronomy

You know how us Aussies love our burgers. So when we discover a joint like Burgastronomy, we get prettttty excited. The casual eatery has two locations in Adelaide, on O’Connell Street and in Hyde Park. This North Adelaide one has been splattered with some seriously cool graffiti with bold signage shouting the words ‘burger’, ‘beer’ and ‘cider’. Sound like your idea of a good time? Thought so. Since reopening in May, the Burgastronomy has launched an all-new menu, extending their beef, chicken and veggie burger offerings. Plus, you can add almost anything inside your glossy bun, including onion rings, hash browns, pickles and pineapple. Gluten free options are also available (*air grab!*).

Must-try: The Crisp Brown filled with a double hash brown, double bacon, egg, cheese, rocket, mayonnaise and chipotle BBQ.

19 O’Connell Street, North Adelaide; Lunch: Monday to Thursday, 11:30am – 2.30pm; Dinner: Monday to Thursday, 5pm – 9pm; All-day opening hours: Friday & Saturday, 11:30am – 10:30pm; Sunday, 11:30am – 9.30pm

8. Pippo

Oh gosh. How do we even begin to describe the beauty of Pippo. The eatery is polished with a unique air of serenity that’ll send you and your pals to cloud nine. Every corner has been thoughtfully considered, with a soft dusty rose colour scheme, natural materials and lush greenery setting the tone of the space. Open 7 days a week, Pippo serves seasonal and refined dishes for breakfast, lunch and dinner – with a slight Mediterranean touch. Dine on chilli crab scrambled eggs in the morning, wood oven pizza at midday and 12 hour slow-cooked lamb shoulder in the evening. Perfect for every time of year, we recommend making the most of the terrace out front on those sunny Adelaide days.

Must-try: For a weekend treat, order the chia latte panna cotta with turmeric orange gel, spiced granola and Persian fairy floss.

67 O’Connell Street, North Adelaide (located in North Adelaide Village); All-day opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 7am – 10pm; Sunday & Monday, 7am – 5pm

9. Drunk’n Monkey Indian Tapas Bar & Restaurant

Tapas ain’t just reserved for patatas bravas, Jamón Ibérico and Spanish omelettes – or so says Drunk’n Monkey. Expect to be introduced to something new at this modern Indian restaurant, where the food philosophy is driven by innovation and curiosity. The dishes are diverse in texture and bursting with colour, intense aromas and exotic flavours. Sure, you’ll find the classic butter chicken and biryani – but there’s also creative and rather cheeky numbers like the pizza dosa, Samosadillas (a fusion of samosas and quesadillas) and Fiery Bum Lamb curry (need we say more?). Come for the food but also the exciting atmosphere and epic cocktails.

Must-try: If you’re dining with a group, go for the Drunk’n Feast to experience a bit of everything from all over India.

41 O’Connell Street, North Adelaide; Lunch: Friday to Sunday, 12pm – 3pm; Dinner: Monday to Sunday, 5pm – 10pm