NOLA Adelaide - Adelaide, South Australia

SEEDOEATREVIEW

The perfect place to enjoy with work colleagues, friends or family. I also love coming here by myself, sitting in a booth and writing.

The atmosphere is always on point. Whether you want to chat, listen to some jazz playing in the background or want to hear some live music performed by local artists later in the week or on weekends.

The food is phenomenal. New Orleans-inspired, it covers everything from Po Boys to salads, jambalaya to shared snacks. I personally would suggest that you try the fried chicken. It was voted BEST IN THE CITY by Seedoeatreview for three years in a row after some extensive research.

Craft beers, whisky’s from all over the globe and delicious cocktails can also be found here.

Shoutout to the great customer service as well!

Cara M.

It was our first time eating here. We had crab & chorizo croquettes. They were disappointing, they had no flavour or seasoning, they were not hot, just luke warm. The classic chicken 6pc was a highlight. Their jalapeño & habenaro sauce were okay, but not amazing or hot enough. The beignets were a disappointment too, they were at least hot & the sauce that came with it was really nice. To drink, we had the Pandan & Mango soda. We thought the classic chicken & our drinks were a stand out. The service was good too.

Tahlia

I really wanted to like Nola Bar, but unfortunately, it missed the mark on multiple fronts. The music was very loud and way too much for a place that’s clearly set up for dining and conversation rather than dancing or partying. It made it nearly impossible to talk without shouting, which was frustrating.

Service and attention to detail were also disappointing. We ordered the 6-piece fried chicken but only received 4 pieces. Later, we ordered the beignet donuts which were supposed to come with a butterscotch dipping sauce, but instead we were served GARLIC AIOLI. Sweet donuts and garlic? It felt like a careless mistake and pretty much ruined the dessert and the taste of garlic sauce is still lingering 12 hours later.

Between the overwhelming noise, and incorrect orders this isn’t a place I’ll be returning to. There are too many better spots in the area to spend time and money.

Charlie D. (. C.

Undoubtedly the best place* we ate at in Adelaide, a vibrant sun filled spot with booths, a gallery wall with tributes to Jazz.
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🍞 Cornbread w smoked cheddar, jalapeno, salted butter + parmesan
🌽 Spicy corn ribs
🍗 Fried chicken - chilli, cheese + garlic, tossed in spicy garlic butter, covered in fluffy parmesan
🍩 Beignets - Traditional New Orleans style doughnuts, covered in powdered sugar w bourbon butterscotch sauce
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What to order? One of everything! We're here for the buttermilk brined fried chicken, adding this to my top 4 spots for chicken (QT Kitchen, Okra, Tian 38 are our other favourites), so juicy. There's three flavours to choose from, the chilli, cheese + garlic was perfect for that kick, not spicy said my brain, alas the nose disagrees. Crispy edged hot cornbread, it was beautiful. Much like the beignet, considered not that impressive in this century compared to all the other deep fried and delicious things, NOLA serves it up with a delightful bourbon butterscotch sauce that makes it an essential order.
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Staff were lovely, we were the first people in for lunch service. They have free filtered water! (Normally we have to pay for still bottled water, tap is gross)
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💵 $50
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Update - Oct 2024 return. Not sure if we made bad choices but it wasn't as amazing as last time. Original fried chicken was fried in old oil, can you really go back after pickled radish served w korean fried chicken, and light Japanese fried chicken? Shrimp dip served hot was good. Cornbread was cold on the inside, fridge cold. Atmospheric warm lamps, and live music was nice. A blues rendition of amazing grace.
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Last time: first one in for lunch
This time: Friday night, full house
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3/5 Hit & miss over two visits.

Paul H.

The food here was really good...but the cocktails are something else. We've been here a few times and every time the cocktails have been different and have been nothing short of jaw droppingly delicious. Each cocktail is hand crafted by someone that deeply cares about presentation, balance and taste! Just amazingly good and 100% worth the cost!

Katherine E.

Been here countless times, and the same issue occurs when it's busy – getting a drink takes far too long.
While the cocktails are amazing, the last visit was extremely frustrating. There was only one person serving during peak time, leading to a 25-minute wait in line and then another 40 minutes for the cocktails to arrive. Even ordering via QR code didn’t speed things up.

The food is good, with a nice selection for a cocktail bar, but the slow service during busy periods really needs improvement.

Melinda

Nola: An Unforgettable Experience for Whiskey Lovers and Food Enthusiasts Alike
Nola in Adelaide truly stands out as a gem, offering an experience that goes far beyond your typical bar or restaurant. From the moment you step in, you're enveloped in an atmosphere that speaks of passion, expertise, and genuine hospitality.
What truly elevates Nola to another level is their staff. Their knowledge, particularly when it comes to whiskey, is simply astounding. You could happily stand at the bar for hours, engaging in insightful conversations about the nuances of different drams – a testament to their dedication and genuine love for their craft. This isn't just service; it's an education delivered with enthusiasm and warmth.
And then there's the food. "Amazing" truly doesn't do it justice. Each dish is a testament to culinary excellence, perfectly complementing the impressive beverage selection. What's even more remarkable is the speed of service. Despite the meticulous attention to detail and high quality, the food arrives incredibly quickly, a testament to a well-oiled and efficient kitchen.
Even on occasions when they might appear to be understaffed, you would never even consider complaining. The attentiveness and personalized service remain consistently exceptional, with every detail taken care of. It's clear that the team at Nola operates with such dedication and professionalism that any potential staffing challenges are seamlessly absorbed, ensuring the customer experience remains paramount.
In a city with a vibrant hospitality scene, Nola shines brightly. It's a must-visit for anyone seeking incredible food, an unparalleled whiskey selection, and service that is genuinely attentive, knowledgeable, and delivered with a passion that is truly inspiring. Nola isn't just a place to eat and drink; it's an experience to be savored.

Cybill G.

Fried Chicken Cravings Satisfied! I was initially super skeptical about this place since I’m not really a fried chicken person. But the moment I tasted it, it was fried magic in my mouth. The Blue Cheese dip was divine!!

Service was great despite the hectic period. My only issue was walking in the restaurant was really smelly at the time I walked in. Could’ve just been a really crowded time. So we decided to eat outside!