If you love exploring the fresh and exciting attractions that pop up every year, Adelaide is the perfect place for doing just that! We’ve done the hard work for you and compiled a list of the newest restaurants, cafes, bars, places to call home, festivals and exhibitions in Adelaide city – all of which cater to a broad range of tastes and budgets.
To get the year off to a fun start, here are some of the best things to do and look forward to in Adelaide in 2021.
Restaurants, cafés and bars
Cocina Comida
If you stick to a plant-based diet and love Mexican food, Cocina Comida, a funky new Mexican joint on Pirie Street, will steal your heart and appetite! The restaurant is owned by an Adelaide native and vegan who couldn’t find much to eat in Mexico that catered to his dietary requirements. It’s affordable, flavoursome and, quite frankly, Mex-cellent!
Ikigai
Slightly out of the CBD, Ikigai is a coffee shop and conscious eatery serving classic brunch dishes made with organic and ethically sourced produce. It also happens to be Adelaide’s first zero-waste café; the venue sorts all its food scraps into chicken feed, home compost and commercial compost, which you can come and collect for free. You’re also encouraged to bring your own takeaway cups and meal containers.
Sushi Burri
Ever thought of combining sushi and a burrito? At Sushi Burri, this seemingly strange amalgamation is a reality! The restaurant makes burrito-sized sushi rolls, because normal-sized sushi rolls just aren’t enough! Not only are the rolls delicious, but they’re also totally Instagram-worthy. Plus, you can create your own giant sushi roll, which gets made on the spot. Let’s get rolling!
Blue Venus
Launched by the founder of Adelaide Central Market’s Real Falafel, Blue Venus is a fun new bar in Gilbert Place. The Mediterranean-inspired cocktail bar will host themed events and karaoke nights, and will serve drinks infused with Middle Eastern flavours. A percentage of the bar’s sales will go to LGBTQIA+ and women’s organisations – so you can enjoy your night out knowing you’re supporting a good cause.
Memphis Slim’s and Shotgun Willie’s
The owners of Adelaide institution, Cry Baby, are about to launch two neighbouring bars called Shotgun Willie’s and Memphis Slim’s House of Blues in Gilbert Place. The setting for both bars is casual and low-key, with pool tables and dart boards. There will be blues music at Memphis Slim’s and country-style songs at Shotgun Willie’s.
Festivals
Adelaide Fringe (19 February – 21 March) – With over 800 events on the 2021 line-up, this year is a fantastic opportunity to check out the biggest arts festival in the Southern Hemisphere. Take your pick from shows covering everything from theatre, music and circus to comedy, dance and magic. As well, the Adelaide Fringe has introduced a new ticket type – Watch from Home – where you can enjoy performances from the comfort of your couch.
Adelaide Festival (26 February – 14 March) – Showcasing local and international artists, this year’s Adelaide Festival will take place in traditional venues and new spaces in Adelaide, and will allow people to attend in person or live stream. The Plastic Bag Store art installation, which is made from plastic bags and rubbish ‘harvested’ from the streets and bins of New York City, is one not to miss!
Adelaide is also home to a range of fantastic food festivals. Some of this year’s best include:
Chili Fest (20 February) – Discover all things chilli, including food, produce, plants, cooking demonstrations and merchandise.
Food Truck Carnivale (19–21 February) – Enjoy SA’s best food trucks, plus a licensed bar, live music and carnival rides.
Vegan Film Festival (28 May) – Check out short and feature-length films on vegan living, animal rights and sustainability.
Adelaide Hills Gin Festival (19 June) – Learn more about Australian gin distillers, discover how gin is crafted, taste new varieties and purchase a few bottles to take home.
Exhibitions
A new exhibition called IT’S COMPLICATED recently launched at the MOD Museum and will run through to November 2021. Exhibits include raising a Tamagotchi-inspired octopus, and opportunities to build robots and hack the immune system.
The Art Gallery of South Australia is running an interesting variety of exhibitions this year. Check out Samurai to learn about Japanese warrior culture, Chromatopia to discover how and why artists use colour, or Rethinking Australian Art, which will make you see the country in a different light.
Samstag Museum of Art at the University of South Australia also has its share of immersive exhibitions lined up, which include local and international art. The 2021 Adelaide//International collection of exhibits has a future-focused theme, looking at how the world has paused due to the global pandemic and questioning where to from here.
The Captain Cook & the Art of Memorabilia exhibition is being displayed at The David Roche Foundation House Museum and will run until 29 May 2021. If you are interested in an artistic examination of Captain James Cook’s journey and his influence on Australia, then you’ll love this exhibition.
JamFactory Adelaide has its own sets of exhibitions, such as In-House (touching on the history and significance of chandeliers), Pop Mart (a replica of an ordinary supermarket that taps into essential and luxurious commodities in this world of consumerism), and Collect (which draws on sensory experiences using shapes, surfaces, textures and patterns).
Accommodation
If the new year has you craving a change in your living circumstances or you’re about to move to Adelaide to kickstart your study journey, the city has a few great places to consider. The suburb of Walkerville is quite close to the CBD, making it a great spot for students attending any of the city-based campuses. Glenelg North is a fantastic seaside suburb close to Jetty Road and all of the best Glenelg hotspots. Although slightly outside the CBD, Bowden is another great option, given the many new developments and things to do in the area. The upcoming Plant 3 Bowden development, which is adjacent to Plant 4, promises more of the food and drink fun that the original is renowned for.
If you’re thinking about moving into managed student accommodation, Y Suites on Waymouth is perfect if you want to live in the city centre. Located close to several of Adelaide’s educational institutions, including the University of Adelaide, University of South Australia (City East and West campus) and TAFE SA, as well as prominent locations such as Chinatown, Adelaide Central Market and Rundle Mall, Y Suites on Waymouth offers unparalleled convenience. You’ll also have access to a good selection of amenities, and you can get involved in a range of social events, career and networking programs or fitness sessions – all in the comfort of the building’s communal spaces.
Y Suites is the latest student accommodation provider in Australia, with their first flagship student accommodation, Y Suites on Waymouth in Adelaide, scheduled to open this coming Semester 2, 2021. Y Suites offers a range of different room types to suit your individual needs. Whether you’re looking for privacy, to share your space with a roommate, or find something to fit your budget, Y Suites can cater to your preferences.
