It’s no secret that East Terrace in the CBD has long been home to one of Adelaide’s grooviest restaurants, Africola. Nestled along the spiffy dining strip, the African-inspired eatery offers the whole kit and caboodle, not only serving exquisite cuisine, but an unforgettable dining experience amongst flamboyant artworks and eccentric decor; catering to all five senses. And blessed be, today the Africola team officially opened the doors to their second space, Africola Canteen on The Parade in Norwood.
At the new casual setting you can find an array of plant-focused flavours, along with plenty of grains and some impeccable meat cookery. The Canteen is all set to serve up a rotating selection of more than 50 mouth-watering salad offerings, alongside a revolving list of Africola’s greatest hits and future classics from Head Chef Joel Tisato and owner, Chef Duncan Welgemoed.
Whether you’re omnivirous, herbivorous, or gluten-free; all dietaries and lifestyles are catered for at Africola Canteen. The chefs aren’t shying away from utilising the best seasonal vegetables, making full use of good fats, and bringing a whole lot of garlic, chilli and acid into play too.
You’ll be greeted by two main menus on arrival at the Canteen; Salad and Not Salad. The Not Salad items are jam-packed with African-ish, Mediterranean-ish, Middle Eastern-ish and 80s family dinner-ish flavours including: hummus with lemon braised chickpeas and crudités; maple-glazed pumpkin spice cake; salted pepita brittle; as well as iconic 80s dishes with the likes of glazed meatloaf, and zucchini slice.
And judging by the continuous cooler weather here in Adelaide, it’s always going to be soup season and Canteen Cup-o-Soups are here to warm your insides. Keep an eye on the specials board though – the liquidy goodness will be flowing on a weekly orbit. But if soup isn’t your jam, sip on a range of Australia’s best non-alcoholic drinks; from shrubs to organic sodas and kombuchas. Or grab a bottle of Africola’s famous condiments, like the Mpumalanga Fire Sauce – whatever gets you going.
Duncan says, “Canteen ups the game for casual dining and take-away. We are super-excited to join our mates on The Parade with something truly different that will complement what’s already on this much-loved strip. Drop past to grab salads and canteen classics to take home, sneak back to work or be the hit of your family BBQ.”
The space is designed by acclaimed interior designer, Claire Markwick-Smith, and continues the funk of the East Terrace locale with stunning works by local artist and photographer, Emmaline Zanelli.
Claire says: “The shop feels like a home kitchen – welcoming, a bit mismatched, and familiar. The brief was a colour palette and the words ‘Africola at home’. It’s a departure from their wonderful flagship, but I wanted to pay homage by bringing the same warmth – something you always feel when at their East Terrace venue.”
You can guzzle and gulp your way through Africola Canteen’s dang delicious tuck from 10:30am to 7pm every day of the week.
All images supplied with photography by Jonathan van der Knaap.