The Best Italian Restaurants in Adelaide for Bellissimo Food

When it comes to an Italian feast, nothing but the finest authentic meals will do. From beautifully blistered wood-fired pizzas to homely restaurants rich in tradition, there is plenty to see, taste and experience in Adelaide. Whether you are after a hearty serving of pasta or the best aperitif to accompany your meal, there is a place to suit every appetite. Once dinner is done – why not check out the best of Adelaide's bar scene?

Before you book your next dinner date, take a look through our lineup and say ciao to some of the best Italian restaurants in Adelaide.

Rita's Bar & Restaurant

New kid on the block,Rita's,is turning traditional Italian food on its head...but in the best way possible. They're not only serving up contemporary Italian dishes, they're doing so using ingredients typically used in Asian cooking. And you'd be surprised how naturally these two cuisines fit together to create a melody of incredible flavours, such as burrata with Chinese chilli oil or their pan roasted pork loin with green apple relish and a vermouth sauce.

69-71 Melbourne Street, North Adelaide

Osteria Polpo

Northern Italian food is full of comforting, rich flavours, and Osteria Polpo is bringing a slice of that to Adelaide. Inspired by the Veneto region, Osteria Polpo is all about making food fun from the notion that it should also be sustenance. Come with an empty stomach, because you'll want to have plenty of room for all the delicious options on the menu. You'll find elevated classics from wood grilled octopus with parsnip puree and crispy potato to a hearty duck ragu.

207 East Terrace, Adelaide

Fugazzi Bar & Dining Room

Fugazzi Bar & Dining Room not only is an incredible Italian restaurant in Adelaide, but it's also seemingly the go-to spot for celebrities. The likes of Nigella Lawson, Henry Winkler (AKA the Fonz), Axl Rose and Jimmy Barnes are all recent stars to come and try out Masterchef Alumni, Laura Sharrad's, hot restaurant alongside husband (and fellow chef), Max Sharrad.

This isn't any ordinary Italian joint, though. Inspired by the great Italian restaurants of New York, Fugazzi oozes class. The wood roasted Spatchcock with charred lemon and Salmoriglio is a must try - it's divine.

27 Leigh Street, Adelaide

ORSO

ORSO is a beautiful Italian restaurant in Adelaide, right next to the CBD, and its interior is just as stunning as the food they bring out from the kitchen. Here, you'll experience authentic Italian fine dining, and while pasta isn't the main focus here, you'll find a few delicious options on the menu, including Fazzoletti with porcini, funghi, parmesan broth, truffle cream...yum!

36 Kensington Road Rose Park

Valentinos 101

Step in through the arches and discover a delicious land of burrata, cannoli, calamari, coffee and chianti. An Italian hybrid even chicer than a Fiat, Valentinos 101 is an antipasto bar, cafe and pasticceria all in one - and it's serving up the goods morning through night.

For city workers and Italian-lovers, it provides everything from a Roman breakfast of espresso and bombolini, to antipasto and a daily roast for lunch, and dinner on a Friday. We can't think of a better way to end the work week than with a Limoncello Spritz, a heaped bowl of olives and a deep pan funghi, truffled mushroom and ricotta cream pizza. 

101 Grenfell Street, Adelaide 

Market & Meander 

Step into this vibrant Italian restaurant in Adelaide and be greeted by the comforting aroma of oven-baked focaccia and slow-cooked pasta sauces. Also tempting you into Market & Meander is the the warming and inviting atmosphere created by earthy brick interiors, local handmade ceramics, and beautiful American Oak furnishings.

Chicco Palms

Chicco Palms is a Palm Springs-inspired pizza bar serving Italo-American classics alongside old-school hospitality. The space is a cool and airy retro hangout where you and your friends can delve into wood-fired pies, pasta, cocktails and gelato.

Start with antipasto misto, burrata and fried tomato suppli oozing with mozzarella, then devour vodka pasta, ravioli cacio e pepe and plenty of retro-style pies, from potato to capricciosa. Coming in with a large group? Order up a couple of jugs of bianco spritz. Salute! 

437 Henley Beach Road, Brooklyn Park 

Carmine & Co

Looking for traditional, fine dining Italian food in Adelaide? Head a little further north to neighbouring Port Adelaide and make a booking at Carmine & Co. The owners and chef's are stalwarts of the Port Adelaide dining scene, having served up no-nonsense, delicious Southern Italian dishes to locals for over 50 years. 

A warm ambience thrums throughout, with huge windows, exposed brick and natural timbers serving rustic-modern flair. There's even alfresco dining for you to enjoy, drink spritz and devour plates of antipasti and pasta out in the sunshine.

Pizza, pasta, antipasti and other mains are the name of the game at Carmine & Co, with heartier fare like the eggplant rollatini and chargrilled Black Angus scotch fillet some the restaurant's more classic dishes. 

49 Commercial Road, Port Adelaide 

Bambini

Say ciao to an Italian restaurant in Adelaide that's offering up a taste of homecooked Italy. Inspired by his family and recipes from his village upbringing in Abbruzzi, Bambini owner and executive chef Franco Sorgini uses fresh, local produce to serve up dishes steeped in tradition and authentic flavours.

The wine list is just as good as the pastas and mains, perfect for your next post-work dinner or lunch with colleagues. Squid ink tagliolini, eggplant parmigiana, roast porchetta and a duck and radicchio risotto are just some of the menu highlights.  

6/10 Peel Street, Adelaide 

Tony Tomatoes 

Tony Tomatoes is a North Adelaide local gem adored for its authentic pizza and family friendly atmosphere. It's all about traditional favourites mixed with creative inventions here, using fresh local produce to deliver the goods.

Highlights include the Mr Pig (broccoli, mozzarella, pork and fennel sausage and fresh chilli), and the Gamberetti (fior di latte, smoked pancetta, zucchini, prawns and chilli). You also get to choose crust thickness, and whether you want a white flour base, a lighter crisp base, or gluten-free base. As for drinks, sip on the easy house red or a classic Negroni.

155-157 O’Connell Street, North Adelaide

Bandit Pizza & Wine

Bandit Pizza & Wine's menu is short but sweet, consisting of classic and unique Neapolitan-ish pizza, flavour-packed snacks and a few desserts to close out the meal. The menu will change according to the seasons and inspiration, ensuring only the best quality produce. There are pre-batched cocktails and a winning wine selection to enjoy, and the space is cosy despite its location on the ground floor of a modern apartment block. Low-ceilings, classic trattoria-esque curtains and inviting neighbourhood wine bar vibes make this a place you'll want to frequent. 

248 Unley Road, Hyde Park

Farina 00

Farina 00 is as fresh as it gets! It prides itself on creating high quality gourmet Italian dishes made from local and imported Italian produce. Their speciality is fresh pasta, all served up with a unique twist. Pasta is made fresh daily, and the space is open for lunch and dinner.

A selection of Italian and South Australian wines compliment the house made, flavourful sauces, made using slow braising techniques. There are a range of lovely entrees, scrumptious pizzas, comforting mains and a delightful  homemade tiramisu for dessert. We highly recommend trying a little bit of everything, as this could be one the best Italian restaurants in Adelaide.

122-128 King William Road, Goodwood

Borsa Pasta Cucina

Homey, comforting Italian food is Borsa Pasta Cucina’s bread and olive oil. The central Adelaide eatery is casual yet character-filled, sporting its own brand of Euro appreciation and a loyal local following who can’t seem to get enough. They do a hearty selection of crowd-pleasing favourites, with their main game being hunger-busting handmade pasta featuring indulgent buttery sauces, rich ragus and fresh Italian flavours. 

1/25 Grenfell Street, Adelaide

Ruby Red Flamingo

A modern Italian eatery with plenty of charm, Ruby Red Flamingo is loved for its hearty and flavoursome dishes. Add in top-quality wines and insta-worthy cocktails, and it's easy to see why this is one of the best Italian restaurants in Adelaide. Housed within a beautiful heritage building in North Adelaide, both the intimate dining room and leafy outdoor courtyard offer a relaxed dining experience to remember. Adored for their refined yet soulful fare, all the important categories are covered, from primi to secondi and dolci – think big flavours with zero pomp.

142 Tynte Street, North Adelaide  

Chianti

This sophisticated and upscale venue has been a fan favourite for many years. The menu at Chianti changes with the season and uses some of the finest local produce to maximise flavour and finesse. The selection of pasta dishes are full of flavour and a drawcard that has local Adelaideans coming back time and time again. Their wine list is equally - possibly more - impressive than their menu, featuring a reserve list that hosts some of the finest wines in the world. 

160 Hutt Street, Adelaide

Osteria Oggi

Possibly one of the most stylish Italian piazzas going around, Osteria Oggi is dripping in style and finesse and everything they do is top-notch, making it one of the most popular and best Italian restaurants in Adelaide. A cobblestoned floor paired with arches, arbours and moody lighting make up this sleek venue and intimate booths contribute to the chic atmosphere. As 'Oggi' means 'today' in Italian, the whimsical crew behind this restaurant aims to create sophisticated Italian food inspired by tradition, but with today's tastes and touches. If you're feeling a little fancier, book out their private cellar and be wined and dined the proper traditional Italian way.

76 Pirie Street, Adelaide

Lucia's Pizza and Spaghetti Bar

It would be obscene to mention the best Italian restaurants in Adelaide and not mention Lucia's Pizza and Spaghetti Bar. This small restaurant in the heart of the Adelaide Central Markets exudes tradition that dates back to 1957. Don't let the size fool you! This restaurant boasts Italian charm and personality. If you're not in the mood for a meal, pop next door to their adjoining fine foodery that specialises in charcuterie and is home to their famous paninis. There are often lines so be prepared to wait, but we guarantee it's worth it!

Shop 3, Adelaide Central Markets, Adelaide

Prezzo

Located in the heart of Hutt Street, Prezzo serves as a nice little reminder that indulging in spaghetti and pizza is good for the soul. Priding themselves on their wood-fired oven creating smokey goodness day in and day out, their authentic classics like antipasto, carpaccio and burrata will get your meal running. This venue takes a simple approach to dishing up Italian goodness with its clean and simple elements. Be sure to try one of the restaurant's classic dishes like their cheesy Paccheri pasta or choose from their extensive wood-fired selections.

173 Hutt Street, Adelaide

Midnight Spaghetti

Gather your lovers and friends and meet us on the balcony at this ever so cool and low-key Italian restaurant in Adelaide. Dine on a modern take of traditional Italian and Mediterranean dishes, and sip on plenty of plummy red wine and Aperol spritzes. Chicken and chive meatballs swim in a corn puree and prosciutto
XO sauce, mussels sit pertly atop sourdough and served with tomato, fennel, shallot and parsley, and the heaped bowls of pasta are as comforting as they are slurp-a-licious! No matter the season, it'll feel like a pasta party at Midnight Spaghetti. 

196 Grenfell Street, Adelaide

Anchovy Bandit

We previously mentioned Bandit Pizza & Wine in this list, well – this is where it all began. Anchovy Bandit opened in Prospect in 2018 and this once small pizza and pasta bar has only grown bigger and better with each expansion. Booth seating and warm design bring a sense of nostalgia to the venue, and it is the kind of place family and friends will mingle for hours over a bottle of red or an expertly prepared cocktail. Named after a Quentin Tarantino screenplay - the restaurant does sit beneath a cinema after all - guests can dine in on the chef’s selection or opt for small bites and larger meals from the a la carte menu. Either way, this is an Italian restaurant you won’t want to miss!

96 Prospect Road Prospect

Pizzateca

While this is a list of the best Italian restaurants in Adelaide, we firmly believe this gem in McLaren Vale is absolutely worth the weekend drive out to wine region. In the summer months, the expansive lawn at Pizzateca hosts white tables and plastic chairs to enjoy your meal in the sun, while in winter you can cosy up inside the weather-proof pergola. The wood-fired pizza being turned out from the imported Italian pizza oven is fluffy and light– and the option for a gluten free base means no one has to miss out! There are plenty of share plates to try with friends too - in case you need a little extra. Come for the pizza, stay for the good vibes and the delicious cocktails.

319 Chalk Hill Road, McLaren Vale

Luigi Delicatessen

Created with rich Italian traditions of sharing meals made with love with your loved ones in mind, Luigi Delicatessan is a warm and inviting haven in the heart of the CBD. One of the most authentic Italian experiences leaning towards fine dining, award-winning Luigi encourages customers to gather and reminisce on the day over a beautiful meal or accompanied by relaxing live music on the weekends. The café is open each morning before welcoming dinner guests to choose from an array of exquisite pasta dishes, antipasti, fresh seafood and desserts. Make a booking in advance to avoid missing out!

 43 Franklin Street, Adelaide

Had a taste of all the best Italian restaurants around Adelaide and after more foodie inspo? Head down to the glistening bay in Glenelg and enjoy a sunset meal overlooking the ocean. Or if you're after something a bit fancier, take a tour through the best rooftop bars in Adelaide and enjoy a drink under the stars.