Casablabla

Casablabla was born when owner Rory Irie was drunk on a tuk-tuk in Cambodia and couldn’t pronounce Casablanca.

After being temporarily deported from Australia, the British-born Irie travelled the world for two years, gathering experience and inspiration from every country he visited before returning triumphant (and legal) to Adelaide to open up the culture explosion that is Casablabla.

The venue incorporates design cues and cuisine from the Mediterranean, North Africa, India and Asia, resulting in a unique atmosphere that sees Chinese guardian lions rubbing shoulders with statues of Buddha.

The menu is made up of a range of sharing plates including Nigerian piri piri with bug tails; massaman goat pies; grilled lamb with prune and almond glaze; and salt and pepper eggplant.

The drinks list is extensive. There’s a stack of South Australian wines and imported beers, 17 different tequilas and rums, and a cocktail list that includes a litre of alcoholic iced tea… because, why not?

Tuesday is paella night and Wednesdays see Casablabla patrons treated to a free salsa class. On Friday and Saturday nights there’s also dinner and a show, whether it be bongo drummers, belly dancers or a Balinese busker.