We didn’t think it was possible with the current ‘cozzie livs’ (cost of living prices), but here we have it, 10 of the best and cheapest vegan eats in Adelaide, coming in hot at $15 and under. And while everyone’s stomachs are different, we’re hoping these 10 eateries will satiate your hunger for a few hours at the least, for the lowest possible price. But alas, if not, food courts are always a safe bet if you’re on the go. Happy snacking and penny saving!
1. City Indian Cuisine
You’ve probably strolled, or stumbled, past it numerous times during your travels along Hindley Street – City Indian Cuisine, that is. The no-frills, buffet-style eatery serves up Northern Indian curries and snacks accompanied by big flavours.
All of City Indian Cuisine’s vegan offerings are below the $15 limit, with their curries ranging between $8.20 and $14.40. While an onion or vegetable pakora will set you back just $1, and one allo tikka (fried, spicy potato patty stuffed with onion and green peas) is all yours for $2.
Where: 38A Hindley St, Adelaide
2. Lucias Pizza & Spaghetti Bar
It’s the South Australian institution that we all know and love, Lucia’s Pizza & Spaghetti Bar – operating out of the Adelaide Central Market since way back when in 1957. The Italian hotspot clearly knows what they’re doing when it comes to everything saucy and glutenous, and vegans are welcomed with open arms into the mid-century cafe.
Find: JR’s Special ciabatta with avocado, artichoke, tomato, and basil for $12; or go the extra mile for Lucia’s homemade pesto spaghetti for $18. If that doesn’t tickle your fancy, pop next door to Lucia’s Charcuterie for freshly made sandwiches, and a myriad of pay-by-weight salads.
Where: Shop 1-2 Central Western Mall, Adelaide Central Market
3. Pondok Daun Restaurant
As featured in our guides to casual dinner spots in Adelaide, and eateries to visit if you’re yearning for Thea Tea Shop, Pondok Daun is a surefire favourite on our end of things. The Indonesian restaurant may not be all that newfandangle aesthetic wise, but for what they lack in form they make up in the taste bud department.
Pondok’s vegan menu spans three pages with authenticity taking the lead. Sink your teeth into the: gado-gado (steamed vegetables and rice cakes with peanut sauce); bihun goreng (fried noodles with tofu, cabbage, and choy sum); or perhaps the nasi goreng (fried rice with tofu, cabbage, beansprouts, and choy sum), all for the ripe ol’ price of $13.90.
Where: 94 Currie Street, Adelaide
4. Two-Bit Villains
Ah yes, the overlord of Rundle Mall – Two-Bit Villains sits high and mighty above the main drag in all its vegetarian glory. Now known as one of the Adelaide OG’s, Two-Bit Villains serve up American diner-style eats with the likes of burgers, hot dogs, sundaes, and house-made sodas from their Adelaide Arcade outpost.
Majority of Two Bit’s menu is under $15, with highlights including: the chilli con carne hot dog for $14.50; the ‘long arm of the slaw’ burger with slow-cooked pulled jackfruit, apple slaw, and spicy maple BBQ sauce for $15; mac ‘n’ che*se for $9; or get into something a little sweeter like the sticky date pudding with caramel sauce and ice cre*m for $11.
Where: Adelaide Arcade, Shop 150, Level 1, 111/117 Rundle Mall
5. Dumpling King
Cheap, quick, easy, tasty – what more could you want in a good ol’ fashioned dumpling joint? Queue Dumpling King – a go-to Chinatown destination for many a vegan and non-vegan alike, as seen in our guide to the best vegan dumplings in Adelaide.
Here, you can sink your teeth into: sizable, juicy dumps’ stuffed with zucchini, onion, and chewy bits of tofu at $10.80 for eight, or $17.80 for 15 pieces; spring onion pancake for $7.80; and bunch of noodle dishes sitting around the $17.80 mark if you’re happy to break the budget.
Where: 85 Grote St
6. Levant Eatery
Located somewhat off of the beaten track, Levant Eatery continue to deliver delightful Middle Eastern eats at a reasonable price. You can wrap your hot little hands around their jam-packed, half pita pockets for bang on $10.
Get a load of the: classic falafel pocket with mixed lettuce, tomato, onion, capsicum, and ‘the chick sauce’; or the ‘falafel u’ pocket with mixed lettuce, grilled vegetables, and muhammara sauce. Popcorn cauliflower, hommous, and potato gems also grace Levant Eatery’s menu if you have a hankering for something wee-sized.
Where: 70 Pirie St, and 252 Hindley St
7. Veggie Vie
Highlighted in our guide to 100 per cent vegan cafes and restaurants in Adelaide, Veggie Vie are in it for the long game. Serving up a combination of wholefoods and healthful classics, burgers, salad bowls, sandwiches, and bakery goods, Veggie Vie’s siren call is too strong for the vegans of Adelaide to resist.
And while a solid chunk of their menu looms over the $15 mark, you can devour: the sourdough toastie of h*m, che*se, and pickles for $15; three different and brimming smoothie bowls for $14.90 a pop; loaded wedges with h*m, che*se, pickles, onion, BBQ sauce, and mayo for $13; or the che*se and tomato croissant for $10.50. Veggie Vie also has an extensive list of smoothies, juices, specialty hot drinks, and organic coffees and teas, as well as daily soups, and plentiful desserts.
Where: 16 McHenry St
8. Toast
It’s underrated in our opinion, and it’s Toast – the pint-sized, Bank Street cafe. The cosy nook serve up breakfast and brunch classics with jaffle-style toasties at the forefront of their menu, along with South American eats like empanadas and arepas, sweet and savoury pastries, soups, pies, and of course, coffee too. And while we currently can’t comment on Toast’s exact prices, rest assured knowing you’ll be digging into heartwarming eats for $15 and under.
Where: 19 Bank St
9. Midnight Spaghetti
Public service announcement: Midnight Spaghetti dish out a $15 and under menu on Wednesdays. The Italian restaurant keeps it cool with their vintage-grunge fit-out, and not to mention with some very cool prices too. It seems we’re a bit of a fan, as noted in our guide to the best vegan pasta in Adelaide, and the best vegan-friendly restaurants in Adelaide’s East End.
Fried cocktail potatoes with herb salt are all the go at $8; as is the spaghetti verde of cavolo nero and preserved lemon at $15; the alla vodka with lemon and chives at $15; as well as the tomatoey ‘midnight spaghetti’ with kalamata olives, chilli, and pangratatto at the $15 limit too.
Where: 196 Grenfell St
10. Pure Vegetarian
Get in while you can – Pure Vegetarian are set to shut up come 30 June 2024. The buffet-style, Taiwanese eatery has been doing God’s (vegan) work since the 90’s – with that said, the owners are heading in for a well-deserved retirement very shortly.
Here, absolutely piled plates are yours for the taking – a combination of three hot options with a generous serving of noodles come in at a mere $13.80. Sweet and sour p*rk, mutt*n curry, spicy stir-fried eggplant, crispy f*sh, and Chinese braised cabbage are regulars on Pure Vegetarian’s rotating menu, to name a few. They’re the best in the business when it comes to value and flavour for money, and we will miss them so.
Where: Shop 8, 14 Moonta St, Market Plaza Food Court
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