Suburb Spotlight: The Best Things to Do in Bowden & Brompton

We all know North Adelaide is a melting pot for buzzing restaurants and chic wine bars, but just a little further north, tucked between Prospect and Thebarton, the suburbs of Bowden and Brompton are getting their moment in the spotlight.

With a growing foodie scene, premium entertainment precincts, gorgeous streets and scenic bike trails, this is where old meets new in all the right ways. Whether you're grabbing a bite from a trendy cafe, catching live music, or exploring the area on two wheels, there's something for everyone in this growing pocket of Adelaide.

If you’re after good vibes and plenty to explore, read on for our list of the best things to do in Bowden and Brompton.

My Grandma Ben

Adored by some of Adelaide's top chefs (including Jake Kellie of Arkhe), My Grandma Ben is a top pick for breakfast bites and brews in Bowden. The all-day brunch menu delights, with crumpets with orange marmalade, overnight oats, avo on toast and sourdough toasties.

Beyond the brunch, the team behind My Grandma Ben are proud of their commitment to waste management and sustainability, regularly hosting workshops and classes on pickling, preserving and reducing waste in the kitchen.

5 Third Street, Bowden

A PLACE Coffee

Co-owners Jo and Huy had a clear vision when opening A PLACE in Bowden - serve outstanding coffee and matcha within a welcoming, warm space where locals and visitors can meet and connect.

Less than a year after opening, they have achieved their goal, with the industrial-chic coffee shop buzzing with energy from the early hours and drawing a crowd on weekends. Expect regulars stopping in for their Market Lane, Kindred or Red Brick brew to start the day, and cyclists grabbing a post-ride toastie, pastry or juice after riding along the nearby Outer Harbour Greenway. 

37 Second Street, Bowden

Daisy Sweetie Cafe

Sometimes finding a late-night dessert spot can be more trouble than it's worth, but Daisy Sweetie Cafe answers our sweet prayers! The newest cafe to enter the scene in Bowden, expect to find Vietnamese-inspired desserts such as boba milk tea cake, coffee flan and moffles.

The sweets are filled with flavour and texture, and the savoury menu covers vegan and vegetarian dietary requirements, so gather a group and head here for a laidback and delicious feed.

49C Torrens Road, Bowden 

Bobibao

Indulge in a taste of Taiwan in the streets of Bowden at Bobibao, a restaurant venture from a husband and wife team passionate about celebrating this delicious cuisine. Feast on fluffy bao buns filled with Katsu chicken, crumbed tofu or BBQ bean curd, veggie bites of corn ribs or Taipei cucumber salad and large plates of rice, noodles and flavour-infused meat.

The kitchen caters to gluten-free and vegan dietaries, and we suggest keeping an eye on their socials for tasty events, from bottomless dumplings to the Feed Me Festival. 

7 Second Street, Bowden

Nordburger

Sometimes all you need is a juicy burger, and Nordburger is serving some of the best in Adelaide. With a branch just over the road in Hindmarsh, you are well-placed for a chicken, beef or breakky burger.

Make it a meal with chilli cheese fries, cauli pops, chicken nuggets or Tator tots, and enjoy a hard-to-find drink that screams the USA with cans of Dr Pepper, creamy thick shakes and AW Creaming Soda. 

259 Port Road, Hindmarsh

The Brickmakers Arms

The Brickmakers Arms in Brompton has all the makings of an exceptional local pub. The fit-out includes bright and airy interiors, a great selection of local beers, and a hearty menu that covers classic Australian dishes and filling eats from Asia.

Tuck into Malaysian fried chicken or fried brie for a snack, or go all out and order the roasted pork belly with roasted pumpkin and cucumber kimchi. The recently completed beer garden is hard to resist on a sunny day in the 'burbs.

36 Chief Street, Brompton

The Brompton Hotel

Freshly renovated and as fabulous as ever, The Brompton Hotel is a gem in the suburbs. Decked with stylish checkerboard walls, light timber accents and marble tabletops, it's the perfect backdrop for a long Saturday social session.

Pick between their welcoming light and airy bar area, classy restaurant space or suntrap courtyard for drinks and excellent food options. The Brompton Hotel's bar menu offers lighter bites including steak frites and king prawn roll, while the restaurant’s larger menu includes pork loin and ocean trout. 

5 First Street, Brompton

Bowden Cellars

A new era has arrived at Bowden Cellars, the laidback, suburban bar tucked into a corner at Plant 3 Bowden. If you've dined here in the past, you may recall burgers and fries from the team at Caro Club (which we loved), but you can now expect something entirely new!

Things have taken an elevated turn, with the introduction of new Head Chef John Simpson-Clements, formerly of Icarus, who brings wine-bar style food (both large and small plates) perfect for sharing, accompanied by a glass of wine from local small batch winemakers.

Whether popping in for a pre-footy feed, making the most of Happy Hour, enjoying a Friday night tasting, grabbing a wine from the Bottle Shop or staying a little longer for dinner, it's always a good time here. 

Plant 3 Building, Red Shed Lane, Bowden

Plant 4 Bowden

No guide to this neck of the woods would be complete without suggesting setting aside a few hours (day or night) to check out the markets, eateries, bars and events happening daily at Plant 4 Bowden.

Shopping-wise, it's full to the brim with delicious South Australian goods and homewares, with night markets held every Wednesday and Friday. You’ll find locals sipping on a glass of wine and enjoying a feed before meandering around the diverse mix of stalls.

When hunger strikes, you’ve got Ali’s Pakistani Cuisine for authentic flavours; Fun2SeeYa Pizzeria, Ozzie Gozleme and so much more. Every eatery has vegan and gluten-free options, and you can even find dessert (or tomorrow’s breakfast) from The Lost Loaf or Cakeboy Donuts, serving up lip-smackingly tasty treats.

There's always something happening at Plant 4, from live music performed by local artists and trivia nights to Salsa Sundays and gin-tasting journeys.

5 Third Street, Bowden

Bike Ride From Bowden to Port Adelaide

After a morning coffee in Bowden (perhaps at one of the previously mentioned hotspots) jump on your bike and pedal to Port Adelaide along the Outer Harbour Greenway.

The bike trail spans just under 15km, but the safe, flat shared path and vibrant street art along the way make the ride feel effortless. You'll emerge at the iconic Port Adelaide Lighthouse, where you can continue down Commercial Road to enjoy a leisurely lunch at the charming Italian eatery, Carmine & Co.

Arriving before 12? Be sure to stop by Butter Canteen and Provisions on Lipton Street for a tempting selection of cakes, cookies, savoury pastries, and hearty salads to take away.

Bowden to Port Adelaide

Adelaide Entertainment Centre

When bigger artists make their way to our humble little city, the Adelaide Entertainment Centre is the place to see them, holding up to 11,000 concertgoers, and the best part? It's just a hop and a skip from Bowden and Brompton! 

Hosting the likes of Dua Lipa, Michael Buble, The 1975, Snoop Dogg and Rod Stewart – this will make for a memorable night out if you can snag a ticket to a concert while exploring the area.

98 Port Road, Hindmarsh

If you loved our guide to the best things to do in Bowden and Brompton, you're in luck! We have more where that came from, from the best beaches in South Australia to the best markets in town to help you make the most of your time in Adelaide.