There’s electricity in the air in Adelaide right now. Only five years ago the city’s dining scene was waning, mediocrity was winning as emerging bartending and chef talent skipped town for Sydney and Melbourne, and their small bars with great snacks. But Adelaide’s once-vacant laneways are now filled with a vibrant eating and drinking scene, and it’s getting better. Another new hot place to eat and drink is one of the city’s oldest institutions; the Adelaide Central Market.

Tapas guru Brad Sappenberghs runs his Comida Catering business from a permanent stall inside the market. Pull up a stool wrapping around the kitchen, settle under the hanging jamon with a plate of croquetas – crispy balls stuffed with jamon and manchego – drink a tumbler of Moritz lager or a Sherry. You could be in Barcelona; the jamon are plastic here, but the vibe has it all.

A breakfast that will make a champion out of you: a black sausage, fried potato number topped with soft fried eggs. Sandwiches are generously stuffed with jamon and cheese, and fly out the door (or over the open market counter). On Friday nights and Saturday lunch, paella is served from a giant pan of rich, crisp-bottomed, saffron-fragrant bomba rice, chicken, chorizo, mussels, cauliflower, eggplant, peas and the essential sofrito. There’s some pizzazz in this food, an exciting spark, just like the city’s dining scene.
Tel: 0421 833 375