A woman accused of biting a waiter on the arm and trying to strangle him after failing to pay for a meal at an Adelaide restaurant has been charged with aggravated assault.

Police alleged the 48-year-old Woodville Gardens woman left the Gouger Street seafood restaurant last night without paying and when stopped, she bit the waiter on the arm.

Senior Constable Mick Abbott said the waiter needed to go to hospital for stitches.

"[It's] certainly an unusual incident, I'll give you that," Constable Abbott said.

"Apparently she tried to leave without paying and when she was stopped she tried to strangle the waiter and then bit him on the arm, causing a nasty cut.

"Actually the waiter had to go to hospital requiring stitches so it was a fair chunk."

As well as being charged with aggravated assault, the woman was also charged with failing to pay for meals and is due to face court next month.