Lunch Hour: Lucia’s
In this edition of Lunch Hour, we make our way to the iconic Lucia’s in the Adelaide Central Market to see if the sandwiches live up to the hype.
I’ve been venturing to Lucia’s for a very long time.
The first time I ate a Lucia’s sandwich, I was in my fussy girl era (I was like 11, so give me a break). Instead of eating the number one unharmed – it’s got prosciutto, mozzarella, tomatoes and basil – I instead ate it without the basil.
But it only took one small bite of Lucia’s number one back in 2011 to realise this was the real deal.
Times have changed, though, since then. I’m now a converted number four eater, but it goes without saying that Lucia’s sandwiches have stood the test of time.
Yes, this is a huge call considering every second hospitality opening is a sandwich shop (no, literally, this is my beat and I’ve spoken to too many sando store owners).
You might like
Lucia’s still reigns supreme.
We got hints of the sando renaissance back in 2022 with the openings of Pinco Deli, Carton Deli and more.
Then in 2023 to 2024, the sando bug infested all of Adelaide and we saw openings like Spread Deli, Tonino, Francesca’s and many, many more (in 2025, the list continues to grow as just this month, sandwich bar Ways Coffee opened for business).
I’m not here to bag the bread with fillings concoction because, as I’ve shown through multiple Lunch Hour features, I quite like a sandwich for lunch.
Subscribe for updates
But respect must be paid to the OG’s – Lucia’s.
Lucia’s co-founder, Lucia Rosella, was cooking Italian food in her home when Australian neighbour Dana Hill smelled the aroma. Dana instantly became curious, having never seen, smelled, or tasted Italian food in person, but had read about it in American Gourmet Magazine.
The pair then decided to open Lucia’s Pizza & Spaghetti Bar in the Adelaide Central Markets in 1957. It expanded to a fine foods and charcuterie bar next door – where you can find these glorious paninis – and a Lucia’s brand selling specially made Italian goodies, such as passata sauce, pesto, and more.
So, back to the number four – the tuna sandwich. This isn’t the usual tuna melt you’d expect at most sandwich places but something far greater. Instead of the regular American cheese, mayo and onion mix, they’ve kept it fresh.
Instead, they use preserved lime aioli, radicchio, fresh tomato and lettuce.
And it’s something about those flavour combinations together that have me wanting more every single time. Respect must be paid to this preserved lime aioli that has the perfect zing. It takes this sandwich from a strong 8 to a 10. It’s what sets this sandwich apart from the rest.
What’s your favourite CBD Lunch Hour spot? Let me know.
Lucia’s is located at Central Market, Shop 1-2 Central Western Mall, S68/44/60 Gouger Street, Adelaide.
