Special Order: CBD
Craving a city hit? Whether it’s a pre-show pint, midday caffeine fix or cheeky bite to eat, we’ve tracked down the CBD’s tastiest haunts so you don’t have to.
West Oak Hotel
Image Grace Weber
A city pub with a country soul, the latest incarnation of the West Oak Hotel has served as a meeting place for a cross-section of city-goers for the better part of a decade. Students. Artists. Musicians. Mates. Tourists. Families. You name them, and this Hindley Street hotspot has likely welcomed them to its cosy, corner-spot digs. And there’s a reason why. This watering hole knows the way to people’s hearts (and loyalty) is through good, old-fashioned hospitality. In part, this is largely informed by its heritage roots (the hotel was first established in 1838 and is one of the city’s oldest, continually licensed venues). But as the vibrant community around the pub evolves, so does the West Oak, which has adapted to become the West End’s meeting place of choice from sunup to sundown.
Mornings here start at 7am with a coffee-to-go and a fresh pastry – both served to you via a quaint, hole-in-the-wall deli window. Come noon, you’ll find the West Oak teeming with professionals – from suit-wearers to those in scrubs – and students tucking into the weekly pub specials ($17 schnitzels on Thursdays, yes please) or freshly baked focaccias. Pavement beers are also particularly stunning at sunset, and the daily Happy Hour from 4pm to 6pm means they’re frequent (we’re only human). And when it comes to dinner, the hotel is a top pick – a midweek feed and milestone celebration feel equally at home here.
This season, you’ll find local ingredients sourced from the Adelaide Central Market throughout the menu that takes cues from modern Australia. Think sandos stuffed with mortadella, pesto and pistachios in the AM; stacked steak sangas or classic chicken schnittys in the PM. There are also plenty of veggie and gluten-free options available (the crumbed halloumi salad with Spanish onion and cherry tomatoes gets a big tick) and bougier courses to level up your dining experience – just look to the lamb cutlets drizzled in glazed red wine jus or spiced barramundi with a tomato chilli sauce on a bed of mash.
Drinks wise, expect South Australia to remain at the centre of West Oak’s offering. Cheers to the state’s wine-making legacy with glasses of McLaren Vale's Alpha Box & Dice, or treat yourself to a bottle of something special from the labels in the cellar, such as Barossa's Hentley Farm; sink tins crafted by independent breweries like Bowden Brewing, Prancing Pony and Yeo Haus; or taste your way through the impressive lineup of local gins. And come Friday, the West Oak clicks into another gear. The $15 espresso martinis signal the end of the working week, while the $15 Saturday spritzes kickstart the weekend in style
At its core, the West Oak has always been about one thing: good times on tap, seven days a week. Whether you’re knocking off work, catching up with mates, or just passing through, this city staple is ready to welcome you in. Whatever your reason for being in the area, chances are the West Oak is it.
Where: 208 Hindley Street, Adelaide
Follow: @westoakhotel
Get To Know West Oak Hotel
Take 5 with West Oak Hotel's General Manager, Fraser Collis.
If stopping past for lunch, what should we be grabbing?
It’s hard to look past the focaccias from the deli. Freshly baked bread, cured meats imported from Italy and the very best produce ensure each tasty bite will fill you up! For me, the prosciutto is a classic.
How about a Friday night feed?
We nail everything you could hope for in a pub classic, from a steak to a burger or chicken parmi. But if I’m treating myself on a Friday night, I’d level up with the lamb cutlets off our new menu. Our chef has outdone himself and really provided some diverse options.
Weekends at the West Oak are ones to remember because…
Because this place is an absolute melting pot! Locals, interstate tourists, artists in town before playing a gig nearby. Students on pub crawls, family dinners, milestone birthday functions. Pre-sport excitement, post-sport highs. All here to enjoy some company and some good old-fashioned hospitality.
Dream punter you’d love to shout a pint?
It’s hard to look past the late great Shane Warne. Warnie lovingly adorns our front noticeboard, so it’d be a dream to host him in the front bar and hear some stories first hand!
East West Cafe Bistro
Image @eastwestcafebistro
We consider ourselves bánh mì connoisseurs here at The Note, which is why East West Cafe Bistro is always on the top of our list if our bellies are rumbling. Tucked away on the west side of the city, this light and bright daytime eatery brings a laid-back vibe to Southeast Asian flavours. It’s the perfect pit-stop for a lunchtime feed. Tuck into a fresh Saigon roll bánh mì, stuffed with East West’s signature grilled meats, pickled daikon and lashings of chilli and coriander, or enjoy a fresh and vibrant vermicelli noodle salad bowl. There’s also quick bites if you’re in a rush (think dumplings, cold rolls and dimsums), as well as bao buns and a mouth-watering lineup of chef specials – the Bò Kho (beef stew), Vietnamese Pho or Pad Thai are our go-to's if the weather is grey and drizzly! Best of all, everything here is flavour-packed, freshly made and wallet-friendly.
Where: 70/255 Hindley Street, Adelaide
Follow: @eastwestcafebistro
Leisurely Coffe
Image @septimus_adl
Coffee, culture and community are three things synonymous with Gilbert Street cafe, Leisurely Coffee. In four short years, this contemporary eatery has become a favourite amongst locals thanks to its creative brunches that fuse flavours from around the world. Fluffy Japanese soufflé pancakes topped with seasonal fruit, housemade whipped cream and maple syrup are a major drawcard (and a rarity in Adelaide!). However, if your palette swings more savoury, the fried soft-shell crab croissant and chicken katsu sando are equal best-brunch contenders. A local lens arrives via the cafe’s coffee lineup, which includes SA’s Kindred Coffee, amongst others, whose beans are also available to take home. Order the Barista’s Breakfast – a seasonal rotation of single origin espresso, flat white blend and batch brew – to sample the best. Grab a coffee and fresh pastry to go, or settle in for a long lunch with friends – Leisurely Coffee operates on your time, seven days a week.
Where: 219 Gilbert Street, Adelaide
Follow: @leisurely_coffee
SARACENS HEAD HOTEL
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“Your local pint paradise” is the tagline of CBD favourite, Saracens Head Hotel. The historic watering hole underwent a glow-up when it reopened in 2022, today focused on good times, great beer and generous feeds. Don’t believe us? Just head to the charming Carrington Street institution to experience firsthand what we’re talking about. An exposed brick interior, cosy booth seating and eye-catching art give the circa 1873 hotel an edge, while its spacious beer garden is the perfect place to unwind on a weekend. It also lets you lock eyes with the venue’s Yoder Smoker – the backbone of the Saracens flavour-forward menu. Pub dining reaches a new level thanks to the smoker menu that features jalapeño-topped hot honey bacon, beef brisket with red chimichurri and pulled pork with pickled cherries. With mates? Order the smokehouse board and enjoy three mains, two sides, pickles and potato buns. Delish! Or, make a feed at Saracens a regular thing with the $15 ribs night on Tuesdays. Suit-wearers and city-goers are well looked after here, too. From Monday to Friday, you can order the express lunch special between midday and 3pm – a $15 feed that doubles as the best way to spend your lunch break. From Alabama chicken to a slow-cooked beef brisket roll and salt and pepper squid salad, every palette is covered. Staying true to its hotel roots, Saracens also serves a generous selection of pub classics that prioritise local ingredients. The SA Sustainable fish and chips and Mayura Station Wagyu cheeseburger are both must-tries, you can’t skip a chicken schnitty and the Thursday steak night is hard to resist!
Where: 82 Carrington Street, Adelaide
Follow: @saracensheadadl
The Cremorne Hotel
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There’s a reason why this pub took out top honours for best overall hotel in Australia (metropolitan) at the 2023 AHA Awards. Nestled in the heart of Unley, The Cremorne Hotel brings an inviting energy to its contemporary operation, redefining what a suburban watering hole can and should be. Your experience here can be as grand or as laid-back as you like. Book into the restaurant, fit with a custom-built boutique wine room, for an evening of modern Australian fare (think prawn and lobster pappardelle or slow-roasted lamb shoulder); kick back in the sports bar and sink your teeth into a one-kilo basket of chicken wings; or spread out in the newly-upgraded, spacious main bar. The Cremorne was also recognised as the top spot for casual dining in Adelaide at the same AHA Awards night, so you know the pub classics are always a winner. And with 18 beers on tap and sommelier-selected wines, you’ll never go thirsty. Community is also at the forefront here – park yourself in the beer garden (fit with a retractable roof) for an AFL match streamed live on the big screen, or book in for the weekly pub quiz night.
Where: 207 Unley Road, Unley
Follow: @cremornead
Bar 1854
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Tucked upstairs of The Cremorne Hotel, Bar 1854 is Adelaide’s latest suburban speakeasy. Fusing fun with international flavour, the venue is an open invitation to indulge late into the night. Cosy into the moody venue and let the evening unfold. From the table-service martini trolley right down to the build-your-own margaritas and extensive cocktail list (conveniently organised by taste), every detail at Bar 1854 is considered. Work your way through the lineup of international whiskies on offer or sip on the finest Champagne sourced from Reims and Epernay. Graze on Japanese-inspired bites in between rounds (think torched salmon sushi, seared yellowfin tuna and Coffin Bay oysters with smoked dashi) or treat yourself to some after-dinner sweets (the pistachio tiramisu is a must!). In the neighbourhood? Pop past between 4pm and 6pm, Thursday to Sunday for Aperitivo Hour, featuring $18 curated cocktails and complimentary truffle popcorn.
Where: 1/207 Unley Road, Unley
Follow: @1854adl
The Alma Tavern
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Everything the Alma Tavern does is with its local community in mind. This suburban spot is open seven days a week, serving good times and great beer on tap to the Norwood neighbourhood. It’s a favourite for a pub feed mid-week (you can’t skip past the eggplant parmi), but winter weekends are when this watering hole truly comes alive. Not only does the refreshed interior and fireplace bring cosy vibes, but the award-winning beer garden streams AFL matches live on its big screen, with unbeatable siren-to-siren specials to match. Besides, the Alma is all about action – between the quiz nights, acoustic music and weekend DJs, you’ll be more than entertained here. All there’s left for you to do is turn up and tune in. As for food, gourmet plates of burrata or Mediterranean dumplings never go amiss, while rounds of wood-fired pizza are perfect for laid-back gatherings. Best of all, pooches get a pass in – the Alma is dog-friendly and even has a dedicated pup menu!
Where: 66 Magill Road, Norwood
Follow: @almatavern
The Lion Hotel
Image @thelionhotelsa
The Lion Hotel is synonymous with good hospitality in South Australia. Its legacy dates back to 1881, but the recently refurbished venue balances its heritage charm with a contemporary mindset to continue winning over all of Adelaide. Visit in the AM for barista-made coffee, fresh pastries and breakfast; unwind in the PM over cold pints and plates of panko-crumbed prawns, calamari fritti and burgers. The operation here is world-class and award-winning. Seven days a week, find fresh, seasonal produce sourced from local suppliers throughout the menu handcrafted by Head Chef Ali Seedsman. There’s a space for every occasion, too. Celebrate with loved ones over elevated courses in the light-filled bistro; soak up the sun on the verandah; or be amongst the action in the beer garden. Reliable and renowned The Lion Hotel has retained its reputation as one of Adelaide’s best for sunny afternoon beers or an indulgent dinner. Discover why.
Where: 161 Melbourne Street, North Adelaide
Follow: @thelionhotelsa
