European Cafe is a very typical Italian cafe on The Parade. What attracted me to this place is the fact that it's largely separated from the rest of the Italian cafes all bunched together further down the street, and it seemed to be a bit of a loner in this sense. I was intrigued, and glad that I succumbed to my curiosity. The first thing I noticed was that we had to squeeze in passed other customers to get an outside table. The tables are made of stone and very heavy - I've always liked tables like this, but it does make it hard to reorganise seating arrangements. The outdoor area was a little tight, but I wasn't prepared to ruin the jovial mood of the place over something so petty. The cafe's approach is very casual, where the waiting staff neither pester you with suggestions, nor do they neglect to notice that you're there. It seemed suitable for this kind of cafe as many of the patrons sitting outside seemed to be regulars and friends of the staff, so there wasn't too much the waiters had to ask of them. The staff was very friendy, and even cared to have a chat after they finished their shifts. I believe I had the traditional calzone the last time I was there. It was far better than many of the calzone's I've tried, which are usually drowned in bolognese sauce or don't have enough filling. I've been trying to find a good calzone all over Adelaide and I think European Cafe's is the best one so far. However, I will continue my search and let you know of the results! read more

European Cafe - Fast Food Near Me - Norwood, SA

On the prowl for dessert a mate of mine and I spied our prey at the European Cafe. When we went in the admittedly charming and inviting cafe we were greeted (eventually) by a somewhat surly waitress who apathetically told us we could sit wherever we wanted. On a balmy night wherever we wanted happened to be outside at the granite tables. As everyone seemed to have that idea, we snagged the last outside table on offer. The waitress came out and told me abruptly that they didn't do soy when I asked for it to be the white part of a flat white. As she just told me "no soy" I do not know whether they had run out of it, whether their European sensibilities abhor Asian beans and therefore never stock it, or whether she thought I needed more calcium. The coffee was actually very good despite the prevalence of full cream milk. After returning with the desserts we never saw the waitress (or any waitress) again. Then again what would she ask us? Whether we wanted dessert with our dessert? Although I probably would've had another coffee. The dishes were absolutely exquisite. The apple crumble draped in raspberries and ice cream was probably the best crumble in town (aside from my grandpa's of course). As the crumble was wholesomely made with excellent fruit and museli, we mused that the European Cafe and their crumble would make an excellent breakfast meeting choice. With a crumble like that the waitress could've spat in my face... but I'm glad she didn't because I had the baked cheesecake. read more

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Fantastically superb, as always. Fresh ingredients, rich food, efficient service. There's no doubt why the long-serving European has become an institution along Norwood's Parade. read more

Sure it can be a little cramped; bit too noisy for an intimate meal. Even the service can be a little iffy depending on the person you get or the night in question. But the food is divine. Absolutely magnificent. And that's why I keep coming back. I haven't received bad service, just mediocre I guess, but I've made peace with the fact that amazing Italian cuisine is more important than feel good service in this particular case. Make sure you try it before you decide for yourself. read more

An Long term Adelaide institution that's been serving up good Italian since way back when. Cafe convenience with restaurant quality. Their polenta and deserts are well known. The calamari and spaghetti marinara are great. Hey, Rob Gerrard was eating next to me and the big fella knows where the good food is! read more

I love this restaurant - but there's a hitch. The tables and chairs are so packed in you pretty much can't take anyone to eat there who isn't a size 6 - 8... slightly oxymoronic, as the generous Italian serves cater for a decidedly different audience. Okay - I exaggerate a little but it is true, this place is tight in the truly European style - imagine waiters pulling out tables to trap you into bench seating, never to pee again. Or at least, until after dessert. The service is very casual in this family run affair and us regulars are very loyal. Occasionally you'll get looked after by a professional, and on these occasions it's an absolute joy but the star of the show is the nosh. Simple and mediterannean in style the pizzas are great but I can just never seem to get past the polenta. I'm not often a serial orderer - you know, those people who decide they like the schnitzel, or the pad thai and then on subsequent visits, never get any further with the menu. On this one I confess - I fall for it virtually every time. Polenta, blue cheese and spinach to start, you'll need to share this, or have it as your main in the entree size, as it is very rich. Then the polenta with the mediterranean veg and nap sauce business, oh my guts - it's huge and so, so tasty. read more

The food is brilliant and well worth the money, waiters are excellent, however, waitresses are disengaged and lack serving skills.

Once a fabulous restaurant but our experience tonight was terrible. Although the main restaurant was not full and we had booked well in advance we were given a table in a back room which from my seat had a view of a toilet bowl, as the toilet door was open. We were told we would be moved into the main restaurant when a table became available. It didn't happen. In total it took 35 minutes from start to end of our meal. My microwaved risotto arrived in 5 minutes! As we left the same two empty tables were still empty. Why??? Never again! read more

One of the hottest Italian places on the Parade. It shows considering the busy dining room that personally I've had some bad experiences with the service. Little bit snide and snappy here and there. However overall this is a great place to eat (especially for those with a love of pasta). Fantastic Gnocchi, you can tell it's home-made with that little spice of love. The atmosphere is authentic and vibrant, complete with wooden decore and Italian decadence. Just be sure to book ahead and confirm to avoid any unwarranted waiting. read more

This place has always looked fairly busy and we were curious as to what the attractions were, as the restaurant itself looks fairly nondescript. But pretty much 80% of tables were taken up last night and it was a Monday, so that was impressive in itself. The food was tasty, the mussels came in a chunky, tomato-y stew, and the ravioli was very creamy and tasty. Only problem was serving size of the ravioli. For a main we got four large pieces which, quantity-wise, wasn't filling at all. The mussels were actually more filling, and they were entree size. We also ordered a side of oven baked vegetables which unfortunately came out drowned in a bowl of oil. The desserts were great, large portions of both brownie and the apple cheese cake (which was more like an apple crumble). They came out nice and warm with vanilla bean ice cream. The service was friendly and the food came out about 10-15min post order. If you want a simple, comforting meal, this place is pretty suitable, but the main serving size did let it down and keep it from being a hearty feed! read more

European Cafe - Oily vegetables - Fast Food Near Me - Norwood, SA

This cafe has it all... Atmosphere, great food and friendly staff. Seating wise it is a little crowded but once you are seated and start enjoying the food you forget about the seating situation. The menu is all home made traditional Italian food and portion size is just perfect. The desserts are a "Harry met Sally moment" in themselves!! Try the Ferrero Rocher dessert and you will totally understand where I coming from Pricing is $$ - for 2 people you can get a entree, 2 mains, 1 dessert (as they are huge so easily share worthy), plus 4 drinks all for under $80.00 read more

I've probably come here about thrice a year - over three decades in the district. I am not a regular. Staff don't know me from Adam and their impersonal efficiency makes that clear. They are not the Italian family types I have encountered in the past. This used to be famous as a family restaurant. I was told there is one original family member in the kitchen and another "next door with the books". Today's staff members seem deeply entrenched and when the regulars do arrive, the adoring, caressing fusses made are quite disconcerting Waiters converge on their VIPs with absolute preoccupation. My husband moved his chair to another side of the table when he realised that they were squeezing past in their rush attend on table of newly-arrived regulars. That's when I decided we'd skip dessert, although I know from past experience that the European desserts are superb. Unfortunately, the new European atmosphere was not so superb and we felt plain superfluous - like the third person on a date. Ironically, our food had been very nice and quite promptly served. The Saltimbocca was tender with a delicious wine gravy. The salad was excellent. The menu special chicken and fungi ragu with pappardelle was lovely, gentle comfort food, albeit that Georges on Waymouth will not be losing its title for the best pappardelle in town. There was one other disconcerting experience with the staff. When my husband asked for water, he was asked what kind. He said tap water would do. The waiter then warned him it could not be served cold. He would have to have it at "room temperature". Oh, do you have cold filtered water? No. Only the imported bottled water was able to be cold. I noticed the Italian family which soon filled a neighbouring table was not lectured about the water temperature or encouraged to buy imported bottles. They were served "house water" without comment. It was in bottles. read more

Best Italian I have had in a long time. No booking and walked straight in on a Sat night. Waitress Amanda couldn't do enough for us!! Definitely going back. Tasty Fresh Fairly priced winner winner chicken dinner read more

I booked a table for 4 people at 7.30pm. When we arrived the waitress told us that "the people on our table hadn't gone yet". The people on the table indicated appeared to just be starting their main courses. We stood in the corner for fifteen minutes. There doesn't appear to be a bar and we weren't offered a drink, or even a menu, to pass the time. We left and had a lovely meal across the road at the Bath Hotel, where the service was excellent. I should have paid attention to the reviews about the "Iffy" service. It doesn't matter how good the food is , there are lots of other places to eat with excellent food and service. read more