With Melbourne and Sydney taking all the food glory, it’s easy to overlook that other southern city - Adelaide.

From the extraordinary to ultra-quirky, Adelaide is right up there when it comes to travel worthy drinking and dining destinations.

Lucky for us Adelaide joined the line-up of destinations flying direct from Newcastle Airport this year making the journey a whole lot easier. All that’s left to do is book those flights, take the 30 minute drive to Williamtown and start enjoying that weekend (or week-long) Adelaide escape. Here's where to start... 

1. Adelaide Central Market 
Where: 44-60 Gouger St, Adelaide 
Every visit to Adelaide should include the Adelaide Central Market on the itinerary. With more than 80 fresh food stalls and culinary experiences to taste it is the ultimate foodies paradise.

Top Picks: Be sure to drop into the Charcuterie Traiteur for one of their famous panini, or for some authentic French terrines, rillettes and tapenades visit Les Deux Coqs. The cutesy Jamu offers all your cold-pressed and healthy treats, for all your sourdough and baked goods head to Dough. For the cheese lovers dedicate some time at Say Cheese and The Smelly Cheese Shop and it would be a sin not to try the freshly pipped Cannolli from Marino Meat & Foodstore (see first pic). The list is endless so be prepared to lose an entire day here! 

2. Restaurant Orana
Where: 1/285 Rundle St, Adelaide 
Awarded Two Hats by the 2017 Good Food Guide, Named Gourmet Traveller 2018 Restaurant of the Year and 2018 Hottest Chef Restaurant Orana is a must visit! Chef Jock Zonfrillo’s has taken his respect for the Aboriginal people and their land to an extraordinary level with more than 16 years worth of research and exploration coming together to create a dining experience like no other. 

Through modern techniques, Australia’s ancestors and their diverse use of incredibly varied indigenous ingredients are honoured in a 16 – 18 course Dinner Tasting Menu. 

3. Explore The Small Bar scene 
When it comes to sophisticated cocktails, classy wine menus and quality staff, Adelaide is punching well above its weight. The city has in recent years exploded with an array of small bars and cocktail lounges that you'll need to go searching for. 

The list of bars is an evergrowing one with highlights including; Maybe Mae, Hains & Co, Clever Little Tailor, La Buvette Drinkery, Bank Street Social, La Rambla, Proof and Pink Moon Salon. You may need to book for longer than a weekend?!   

4. For The Best Smoothie Bowls In Town Visit - Argo.Love 
Where: 4/211 Victoria Square, Adelaide 
Would you fly all the way to Adelaide for a smoothie bowl? probably not, but after checking out Argo's collection of bases, toppings and optional mixes you'd seriously consider it. Even with two locations, be warned, Argo's gets seriously busy and with a MASSIVE menu that has loads of vegan options, choosing what to eat will be tricky. 

Whatever you go for one of those awesome looking smoothie bowls, the Purple Toast, I Dream of Chocolate Belgian Waffle or a classic like the Benny-Way-You-Like, you are going to fall in Argo. Love.  

5. Pie Floaters
Where: 112 The Parade, Norwood 
Possibly the only pastry in the world to be recognised as a Heritage Icon, the Pie Floater dates back to 1870’s. Originally sold out of Pie Carts which were dotted around the Adelaide city centre, unfortunately for us none of the originals remain, but the legend that is the Pie Floater lives on.

If you’re keen to give it a crack there are a few different places to head to, but the easiest is without doubt Enjoy Café Bakery, home to the 24hr Pie Floater!

Image credit - Wandercrooks 

6. Cheese After Dark Master Classes
Where: The Smelly Cheese Shop, Shop 44, Gouger St, Adelaide 
When: 6:30pm-8:30pm. 
If you're a cheese nerd then be sure to book into one of The Smelly Cheese Shop's After Dark Master Classes. Held at their market store within the Adelaide Markets you will spend the evening exploring some incredible varieties that have been produced by skilled artisan makers from around the globe.

7. Visit Poh's Cafe - Jamface 
Where: Stall 28/29 Adelaide Central Markets 
For Masterchef fans, circa 2009, you’ll no doubt remember, and most probably have a little crush, on Poh. Poh has gone onto foodie fame since coming runner-up with her newest venture being Jamface. Located within Adelaide's much loved Central Market the quirky little café sells all kinds of delicious pastries and sandwiches all with Poh’s unique foodie touch. 

8. 48 Flavours
Where: 78 Gouger Street, Adelaide 
Says it all really, except, those 48 flavours come in the form of our favourite food group - Gelato. All produced on site using ingredients sourced from the Adelaide Central Market, and along with the regulars there are some whacky ones like the; Orange Fig and Macadamia, Oreo with Soy, WT?!, Black Sesame & Blood Orange Sorbet or mix and match your flavours, like the above, with Strawberry Balsamic Panna Cotta on top and Taro & Coconut on the bottom. These guys know how to get your taste buds buzzing. 

9. Frog Cake

Where: 91 Exeter Terrace, Adelaide

This charming little edible amphibian is an iconic sweet treat beloved to locals in South Australia. The frog cake consists of sponge cake, jam, topped with a scoop of buttercream and coated with silky green fondant icing. This sweet little gem has been an exclusive addition to Balfour Bakery since 1922.  

10. Haighs Chocolates