Adelaide’s nightlife is buzzing with cool bars and endless fun, but finding a restaurant that stays open well into the night – past the usual 9pm kitchen closing time – can be a little tricky. Particularly during the cooler months, a lot of people prefer to enjoy dinner at home with their families, rather than dining out. But now as we move out of winter and into the longer, warmer days of summer – with sunsets stretching late into the evening – the hunt for late-night dining options is heating up.
Adelaide’s food culture has been beautifully influenced by Mediterranean and European immigrants who introduced the tradition of late-night dining, where long, leisurely meals were to be shared among friends and family into the night, even the early hours of the morning, filled with endless conversation and a deep appreciation for good food.
Across Europe, while dinner times vary, the trend generally leans towards later evenings. A typical European day might include an afternoon siesta at 4pm or 5pm, followed by a relaxed dinner around 9pm or 10pm. In Adelaide, you can experience a similar vibe at a few European-style restaurants. Fugazzi Bar & Dining Room on Leigh Street serves up New York-inspired Italo-American dishes daily from 11:30am to 11:30pm. While Midnight Spaghetti on Grenfell Street stays open until 11:30pm from Wednesday to Saturday, with its rock-and-roll Italian vibe.
But if you’re truly after the quintessential European late-night dining experience, one great place to check out is La Trattoria Restaurant and Pizza Bar on King William Street. This iconic spot fully embraces the tradition of dining late into the night. Whether you’re hungry after a show you’ve at the Festival Centre, or you’re just enjoying a night out with friends in the heart of Adelaide’s CBD, La Trattoria welcomes guests with open arms and a delicious menu. The restaurant keeps its kitchen humming until 10pm from Sunday to Thursday and extends the hours to 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
From award-winning pizzas to classic veal and chicken dishes, and a variety of pasta options, the menu showcases the best of authentic Italian cuisine. Regulars of La Trattoria flock for their spaghetti marinara, which is a true fan favourite that keeps people coming back week after week.
But, of course, La Trattoria is about more than just great food; it’s about the experience. The slower pace of dining allows for those meaningful conversations and hearty laughter to be had with friends and family. Guests often linger over a few courses at the restaurant, sipping on local wines, and enjoy a relaxed, unhurried atmosphere.
La Trattoria truly embraces the magic of Europe’s late-night dining culture. Whether you’re on a romantic date, or catching up with friends and family, it’s the perfect spot to soak in Adelaide’s nightlife, while enjoying delicious Italian food and great company.
With summer on the way, if you find yourself looking for somewhere to go and eat at 9pm or 10pm at night, somewhere where you can really stretch out the evening into a night to remember, head to King William Street and check this gem out.
What: La Trattoria Restaurant and Pizza Bar
Where: 346 King William St, Adelaide, SA 5000
When: Kitchen open Sunday to Thursday until 10pm | Fridays and Saturdays until 11pm
Facebook: La Trattoria Restaurant and Pizza Bar
For more information, click here.
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