Paella Paradise: Top Spanish Restaurants in Adelaide

Villa 77 Spanish Tapas Bar and Restaurant’s edge is its spacious pet-friendly outdoor dining space that makes it comfortable, lively, and great for families. 

It was made to replicate a Spanish dining atmosphere characterized by communal eating, lively music, and plentiful food. The latter is especially seen with their generous servings, from tapas to main dishes.

Its paella is a highlight of its menu, having 7 delicious variations like chicken chorizo, duck, spicy meatballs, and seafood. These can be adjusted depending on special dietary requirements. 

The staff also deserves praise for being responsive and professional. They keep a friendly atmosphere around clients, which helps build the overall ambiance and dining experience in the restaurant. 

That said, the restaurant’s serving times are a bit slow, sometimes taking 30–40 minutes. Also, it had issues involving serving the wrong takeout orders.

Cumbia Bar Kitchen boasts a prime location within Adelaide Central Market, featuring a sleek and elegant interior adorned with green tiles and brickwork. This enticing design immediately stands out at first glance.

The restaurant was founded by Salvatore Pittelli who has decades of experience in hospitality. Its name was inspired by a Latin courtship dance. 

Diners can order standout dishes like crunchy empanadas (breaded cheese, beef, and chorizo), savory corn and bacon fritters, and arepa (grilled corn bread) con guacamole. These filling options are also convenient for takeout.

Those who dine inside can expect friendly and accommodating service from their staff. The music, design, and overall atmosphere are relaxed.

The restaurant, however, has limited seating capacity. Also, they can take 30 to 45 minutes to prepare the food.

Hispanic Mechanic seamlessly integrates its automotive-inspired theme, evident in features like car-themed graffiti and trendy exposed pipes in a contemporary style that makes for a unique ambiance.

The restaurant aims to be accessible and casual, catering to diners of all ages. It’s particularly popular among adventurous eaters drawn to its fusion of Spanish-Mexican and Korean cuisine.

Here, you can enjoy elote (chargrilled corn) with Master Kim’s 5 Star Wings made with chicken, chipotle, and gochujang (red chili paste). The restaurant also provides a variety of wines and cocktails to complement your meal.

Adding to its appeal are the affordable prices and attentive service provided by the friendly staff, making Hispanic Mechanic a good overall choice.

Do take note, however, that it had cases of mixing up reserved seats, causing some to wait long even when they made a reservation. Also, its food flavors could be inconsistent.

Udaberri Pintxos Y Vino is a great spot for dates or casual hangouts thanks to its intimate lighting and chill music. It has an accessible location just inside the CBD.

It specializes in pintxos, Spanish snacks usually eaten with alcohol. Some of their standout choices include crunchy potatoes topped with brava sauce, marinated white anchovies, and savory chuleta valluna (pork cutlet).

The snacks go well with their broad collection of Spanish and Portuguese wines and cocktails. For the latter, the Tanqueray #10 (served with a finish of grapefruit) and the deliciously acrid The Botanist (with marmalade and apple) are great choices.

Their staff also has in-depth knowledge of their menu, which makes recommending dishes and drinks a breeze for them.

On the downside, their food is a bit pricey. Their portions are also limited.

Casablala, situated in the CBD, offers a delightful destination for those seeking a multicultural culinary experience. It has a unique menu inspired by cuisines from Spain, Cambodia, Nigeria, and more. 

It was founded by Rory Irie who wants to bring a festive and lively dining experience from cultures all over the world. Here, visitors can enjoy salsa classes, live bongo performances, and more. 

Tuesdays are paella nights. They’ve mastered the dish, ensuring that it’s hearty, savory, and fresh. 

Additionally, their crispy calamari is served with a tomato dip infused with shallots, assorted herbs, and olive oil, which enhance its flavor.

Their cocktails are recommendable, especially the zesty Melon Sour (made with midori and lemon), the sweet Bananarama (with bananas, coconut, and rum), and the Choco Coco that (Mozart dark chocolate with cherry). 

In terms of downsides, however, the restaurant’s rates are pricey. Also, the service is a bit slow.