5 Hottest Summer Alfresco Dining Spots in Adelaide

Eleven has a unique spot in between high-rise office buildings in the Adelaide CBD. This makes it a great spot for office people who want quick bites or a convenient place to dine. 

Business folks may appreciate their fast serving times. Moreover, their prices are reasonable, especially considering their prime location.

The restaurant was founded by Themys Chryssidis and Callum Hann who were inspired by cosmopolitan spots in New York and Paris. It incorporates the aesthetics of the two cities in an elegant manner, mixing natural lighting and muted colors. 

They primarily serve Australian and French food. Some highlights include the Smoky Bay oyster with peppery mignonette (shallots with vinegar) and the tasty lobster roll on a brioche bun. 

For new customers, we recommend their tasting menu because it’s priced reasonably. 

That said, they’ve received some complaints about rude service. Also, some diners reported not receiving their food fresh.

River Cafe has an iconic location floating directly above River Torrens, giving it an amazing view. The windows are rolled down during the summer, making dining here breezy and relaxed. 

The restaurant primarily serves modern Mediterranean food, drawing inspiration from the cuisines of Morocco, Spain, Greece, Turkey, and more.

Standout dishes include nduja toast (cured spicy sausage) that has a savory kick, cheesy mozzarella and pea arancini, and sardine filets, where the fishy taste is skillfully balanced with feta cheese.

The staff is noteworthy for being warm and accommodating, and the dishes are reasonably priced as well.

One point of improvement for the restaurant is they could serve dishes more quickly, as they can take up to 30 minutes to serve the entrée. Another drawback is they don’t always serve the food fresh.

Established in 1975, La Trattoria Restaurant & Pizza Bar is notable for being one of the oldest restaurants in Adelaide. Offering a wide-ranging menu, their specialty is Italian cuisine.

For starters, they offer 18 variations of pasta alone, with standout choices being the meaty and savory bolognese pasta, the rich-tasting risotto ai porcini (gnocchi with garlic, bacon, and sundried tomatoes), and the briny spaghetti cozze (mussels).

Their pizzas are also noteworthy, especially the creamy and earthy Pizza Vegetarian (with mushrooms, olives, and oregano) and the satisfyingly meaty and cheesy Pizza Americana (with tomato, cheese, and salami).

Most of their staff have decades of experience, and it shows in the level of attention and food recommendations they offer. They also serve their food fast and do regular rounds for customers dining alfresco.

A drawback to the restaurant, however, is their limited alfresco dining space. In addition, some clients complained of still having to wait for about 30 minutes before being seated even if they had a reservation. 

Hey Jupiter is a solid choice for anyone looking for a taste of France. Their design is inspired by Paris Metro stations, as seen in their tiled facade.

The restaurant was founded by Christophe Zauner and Jacqueline Lodge, who wanted to create an authentic Parisian dining experience. Aside from the restaurant’s ambiance, this mission is well-reflected in their extensive French menu.

Standout dishes include poulet roti (roast chicken) with herb and bean and ratatouille that balances the natural sweetness of tomatoes and eggplant with a savory blend of garlic and thyme.

The wine list doesn’t disappoint, including French bottles like the rose Domaine Ott from Provence and the red wine Pierre-Marie Chermette from Beaujolais. These are especially enjoyable to drink in the spacious alfresco dining space of the restaurant.

In terms of points of improvement, however, the restaurant’s staff could be more responsive to clients’ requests. Also, they sometimes cancel reservations a day before.

Golden Boy serves an authentic Thai dining experience, from its spicy and intriguing food down to its warm and lively staff.

Their best offering is the Tuk Tuk set meal where the chef chooses the dishes for you. 

Notably, they specialize in serving spicy dishes that are hard to find in Adelaide.

The best ones include the green chicken curry with Thai basil and scud chili, which leaves a fiery kick on the tongue, and sweet-and-sour pad thai noodles with tamarind.

Their desserts are also remarkable, especially the pleasantly sweet roti (flatbread) with pandan custard that is a good meal ender. 

In terms of drawbacks, however, one is that they are pricey. Another is that they take a while to serve the food, especially for set menus, taking more than 30 minutes in between dishes.