Restaurant

NOLA Adelaide

28 Vardon Ave, Adelaide SA 5000, Australia

Recommended by 45 people

Updated

Find NOLA Adelaide

28 Vardon Ave, Adelaide SA 5000, Australia

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HoursMonday: Closed Tuesday: 4:00 PM – 12:00 AM Wednesday: 4:00 PM – 12:00 AM Thursday: 4:00 PM – 12:00 AM Friday: 12:00 PM – 2:00 AM Saturday: 12:00 PM – 2:00 AM Sunday: 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

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About NOLA Adelaide

Vardon Avenue trades dining formality for New Orleans swagger, where rare whiskeys meet late-night Southern bar grazing. Walk-ins snag stools upstairs or down for custom pours—bartenders will chart a whiskey journey on the fly or pull craft taps you can sample before committing. The kitchen skips stiff sit-down pacing for shareable plates built around drinks. Crisp fried chicken arrives piping hot alongside jalapeño-parmesan cornbread and slow-smoked brisket po'boys. Later into the evening, orders turn toward warm, powdered-sugar beignets paired with a cold Sazerac or fresh-pressed apple cocktail.

  • Tailored Whiskey Flights: Bartenders curate custom tasting pours and share backbar stories directly at the counter.
  • Late-Night Creole Grazing: Southern share plates like fried chicken, brisket po'boys, and beignets run past standard dining hours.
  • Walk-In Social Vibe: No advance reservations needed—walk in and grab a spot across both lively bar floors.

What's On at NOLA Adelaide

Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.

No events or specials listed right now.

Why Choose NOLA Adelaide

Discover why guests choose NOLA for guided whiskey tastings, late-night Cajun dining, and spontaneous gatherings.

  • Bartender-Led Whiskey Journeys

    Bartenders guide guests through tailored whiskey flights, offering educational background on origins and flavour profiles.

    He guided us through a curated selection of whiskies, sharing fascinating details about each one’s origin, flavour profile, and character. It felt less like a tasting and more like a journey.

    Martin Sharp
  • Signature Cocktails & Flavourful Southern Fare

    Handcrafted whiskey sours and inventive cocktails are paired alongside Southern favourites like jalapeño cornbread and pork bites.

    The food was good - standouts were the burnt pork bites and the amazing jalapeño cornbread- they should sell that to takeaway because it was amazing and so full of flavour .

    bonbon and pumpkin
  • Late-Night Cajun Kitchen Service

    The kitchen serves hot Cajun and Southern share plates late into the night well past the hours of surrounding spots.

    What a lovely bar, with food available later than surrounding establishments.

    David Thornley
  • Reliable Post-Show Bites & Sips

    A full late-night menu provides warm, hearty meals and drinks after evening shows or performances.

    This was a great late night venue to grab a bite to eat after our final performance. Cajun/Creole/Southern Style American food, paired with great cocktails and whisky.

    Jade Fitzgerald
  • Effortless Walk-In Seating

    Operating strictly without table bookings, NOLA makes it simple to drop in on a whim for food and drinks.

    We advised the staff that we didn’t have a booking and were pleasantly surprised to hear they don’t take them so this got our dining experience off to a great start.

    Sharyn
  • Relaxed Social Atmosphere & Live Beats

    With split levels, diverse craft beer paddles, and live music, it offers an easygoing setting for small groups or date nights.

    Easy to find and a great little eclectic pub. Large range of craft beers in a cosy setting. Staff are always great and the small food menu won’t disappoint. Perfect for groups of 5 or less or taking a date.

    JONK3R

Other favorites

Southern treats, crunchy bites, and craft beer samplers

  • Beignets

    The beignets are really good, not like Cafe Du Monde in New Orleans but still a tasty treat.

    Joshua Whitaker
  • Frickles

    Frickles which were Lightly battered dill pickles with fermented jalapeno aioli.

    Sharyn
  • Tater Tots

    The Tater Tots were divine

    Jade Fitzgerald
  • Beer Paddle

    Try the beer paddle, great value for money and opportunity to try a few beers at once.

    JONK3R

Beyond the menu

Distinctive touches and personalized hospitality that set NOLA apart

  • Tailored Whiskey Journey with Bartender Storytelling

    Bartenders curate custom tasting flights tailored to your palate, explaining each pour's origin, flavour notes, and character directly at the bar.

  • Dedicated Follow-Up on Custom Flights

    Even during peak rush, bartenders actively follow up with guests across tables to check in on their tasting flights and discuss the pours.

  • Full Hot Food Service Past Standard Dining Hours

    A full Cajun and Southern share food menu remains available well after 9:30 PM, providing hot meals when neighbouring kitchens are closed.

  • Zero-Friction Walk-In Access with Split-Level Seating

    Rather than requiring advance bookings, the venue operates on a strict walk-in policy across two levels with fast QR code ordering for effortless casual dining.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need to book a table in advance?

NOLA operates as a walk-in venue and does not take table bookings. Guests can walk in, head upstairs or downstairs, and order directly via table QR codes.

Is the menu suited for a full sit-down dinner or bar snacks?

The kitchen is tailored for casual snacking and grazing between drinks rather than a structured multi-course dinner. Expect shareable Southern plates like fried chicken, brisket po'boys, cornbread, and frickles.

Can you do a custom whiskey tasting flight?

Yes. Bartenders create custom, guided whiskey tasting flights tailored to your preferences, walking you through origins and flavor profiles right at the bar.

Can you get food late at night?

Yes, food service runs late into the evening, with Southern share dishes and snacks available after 9:00 PM when nearby kitchens have closed.

Is there live music?

Yes, live musicians perform regularly on the second floor, while the downstairs area allows guests to enjoy the background sound and conversation.

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