While exploring the South Australian capital of Adelaide, CARA BOATSWAIN finds plenty of restaurants happy to accommodate gluten-free requests.
Adelaide has long been regarded as a Mecca for foodies in Australia. The good news is that those following a gluten-free or low FODMAP diet don’t have to miss out on the delights on offer in the South Australian capital.
DUKE OF BRUNSWICK HOTEL
If you’re putting together a list of safe places on dine in Adelaide you need to put the Duke of Brunswick Hotel (or The DOB as it’s affectionately known to locals) at the top of your list. The kitchen at The DOB is 100% gluten-free. Yes, you read that right. Two years ago, the pub owners took the plunge and remove gluten completely from the kitchen.
If you’ve been missing pub grub since adopting a gluten-free diet, this is the place for you. On the menu you’ll find all the classics, including chicken schnitzel with fries, fish and chips and pasta of the day. They also mark dairy-free meals on the menu and have options for vegans too, including a vegan bangers and mash.
While low FODMAP options aren’t currently marked on the menu, when I visited I find a number of dishes that the kitchen were happy to modifiy to suit.
Duke of Brunswick Hotel
207 Gilbert St, Adelaide SA
Soi.38
Soi.38 is an Adelaide institution. In fact, it’s the first Adelaide restaurant I ever dined in.
Located in the heart of the Adelaide CBD Soi.38 has been creating authentic Thai food since 2014. While the menu does change regularly, the staff are extremely accommodating and more than happy to adapt their dishes to make them safe for you to enjoy.
While the restaurant isn’t a dedicated gluten-free space, the restaurant guarantees that at least 70 percent of the dishes on the menu will be safe for coeliacs to enjoy.
Soi.38
74 Pirie Street, Adelaide SA 5000
AFRICOLA
I was expecting big things from this African restaurant from the moment I discovered their website. There they promise “many options and not one of them is an obligatory salad,” for coeliac diners, as well as for vegans and diners who are lactose intolerant, allergic to nuts or eggs and those who require halal or kosher meals.
From the moment we arrived, I knew it was going to be a special evening. The wait-staff took great care listening to our allergies and were knowledgeable about the dishes that were safe and others that required modifications.
Guests following a low FODMAP diet don’t have to miss out either. Using the Monash University FODMAP app they are able to work with the ingredients you can comfortably digest to create something you’ll enjoy.
If you’re planning a visit to Africola, I recommend booking in advance. It’s a popular restaurant (for good reason) and while staff do their best to accommodate walk-ins, it’s not always possible and this is a dining experience you don’t want to miss.
Africola
4 East Terrace, Adelaide, South Australia
SHOBOSHO
For an evening of food theatre request a seat at the bar of this modern Asian restaurant. The menu draws from the ancient Japanese tradition of yakitori, where smoke and fire add flavour and texture.
While Japanese restaurants can be a challenge for gluten-free diners thanks to the popularity of wheat-containing soy sauce, all of the dishes served at Shobosho are prepared using wheat-free tamari. This is great news for gluten-free guests as not only does it mean more dishes on the menu to tempt your tastebuds, but it also reduces the risk of cross-contamination.
When we visited staff were knowledgeable about the ingredients in each dish and what could be prepared safely for those on a gluten-free diet. There were a few dishes that kitchen staff were unable to modify (dumplings, gyoza etc), but there were so many other safe options, that we didn’t feel as if we were missing out.
The highlight for me was the raw tuna with bonito cream. While the menu is designed to share, on my next visit I’ll be ordering this dish just to myself.
Shobosho
17 Leigh Street, Adelaide, South Australia
TWO-BIT VILLAINS
There’s no denying that the people of Adelaide love a burger and there are a number of gluten-free options to choose from, but the first place I visit whenever I arrive in Adelaide is Two-Bit Villains.
Located in the grand ballroom of the Adelaide Arcade in Rundle Mall this ‘Botanical Soda Bar and Restaurant’ specialises in catering for vegans and those following gluten- and- dairy-free diets. There’s also options for those needing low FODMAP meals.
When ordering be sure to tell the staff that you need your meal to be gluten-free. They can advise on burger toppings (some mock-meat products can be derived from wheat) and will also ensure your chips are fried separately. You’ll want to save room for one of their house-made sodas too.
Two-Bit Villains
Level 1, Adelaide Arcade, Rundle Mall, Adelaide, South Australia
NUTRITION REPUBLIC
For gluten-free food that’s as good for you as it tastes, you’ll want to schedule a visit to at least one of the two Nutrition Republic gluten-free cafes. With a menu that is entirely free of gluten, dairy and refined sugar you can order with confidence too.
We can’t think of a better way to start the day than with a Power Bowl. The combination of leafy salad leaves with kimchi, avocado mash, eggs and seeds will fill you with the right kind of energy to keep you going until lunch.
Nutrition Republic
Nutrition Republic
Gluten-free cafes located in Goodwood and Bowden
Have we missed your favourite gluten-free cafe or restaurant in Adelaide? Let us know below so we can check it out on our next visit and add you to our dining guide.
