Eat and drink your way through the Australian city of Adelaide armed with our handy guide to its best restaurants.
As the capital of South Australia, Adelaide is home to some of the hottest restaurants in the country. Think botanical-influenced degustation menus, African-inspired food and the finest dining experiences in historic cellar doors or open verandas. The city practically hums with creative talent offering exceptional dining options focusing on sustainability and plant-based goodness. If you’re planning a trip there, you’ll want to sample your way through Adelaide’s most memorable restaurants.
Best restaurants in Adelaide, Australia
1. Topiary
You had us at breakfast, Topiary! For those in the know, this extraordinary eatery has wholesome goodness running through its DNA. For starters, it’s a restaurant run in a similar way to the household of our ancestors 100 years ago, where you’d source produce locally and make everything from scratch without waste. Plough into a Landscapers Breakfast of poached, fried or scrambled free-range eggs, sourdough made on-site, nasturtium and wilted silverbeet washed down with coffee or cleansing breakfast ale.
Meanwhile, lunch and dinner offer a degustation harvest menu and a sumptuous plant-based option. Topiary is the brainchild of chef Kane Pollard, who gives his heart in a big way to this sustainable dining experience within the grounds of a stunning nursery. It’s delightful, healing and wholesome.
Topiary, 1361 North East Road, Tea Tree Gully, (within Newman’s Nursery), SA 5091
2. Restaurant Botanic
Nestled within the beautiful Adelaide Botanic Garden, this award-winning restaurant takes you on a garden-to-plate journey offering modern Australian cuisine with an ever-changing seasonal menu. Ethically farmed and sustainable Australian produce feature heavily. Imagine 20 combinations dished out as part of a curated tasting menu by chef Justin James.
Expect quirks like cured emu, green ants, finger limes, paperbark parsnip pie, kangaroo tail and bunya bunya branches on the menu, where there’s never a dull moment. Take your time here (it’ll be rude not to) and enjoy the exquisite dining experience. Tip: don’t forget to make a booking before you arrive!
Restaurant Botanic, Plane Tree Drive, Adelaide, SA 5000
3. Arkhé
Jake Kellie, formerly of Burnt Ends in Singapore, helms this restaurant – so you can rest assured you’re in good hands. It’s tough to nab a seat here, but it’s well worth the hassle as you get to indulge in modern Australian barbecue-style fare. The menu offers starters like oysters and caviar followed by Spencer Gulf king prawns, lobster or tomahawk port, before finishing off with a burnt lemon meringue tart. Up for an adventure? Try the popular chef’s select tasting menu!
Arkhé, 127 The Parade, Norwood, SA 5067
4. Fino Vino
Things done simply are often done best – that’s the philosophy of veteran chef David Swain. Fino Vino, his 70-seat wine bar and restaurant, is his ode to that. The large open kitchen is where culinary magic takes place. Every part of the animal or vegetable that comes through the kitchen is lovingly prepared in-house with nothing wasted. We love how the focus is always on seasonal produce and supporting local producers.
Expect an uncomplicated tapas-style affair with dishes like charred sourdough focaccia, marinated olives and jamon serrano, followed by mushrooms, celeriac and walnuts, then charred octopus with skordalia. We recommend an angus flat iron with anchovy butter to seal the deal, finished off with a chocolate pavé and roast pear spiced praline. Try the reasonably-priced tasting menu for a well-rounded experience. And don’t forget to elevate your meal with a 100-strong wine list of mostly local brews.
Fino Vino, 82 Flinders Street, Adelaide, SA 5000
5. Star of Greece
Oh, Star of Greece, you had us at sunset. This is one of those really great finds that you’ll be telling anyone who will listen after experiencing the amazing cuisine (not Greek, though). It’s set in a relaxed beachside restaurant perched abreast a cliff edge, overlooking an old shipwreck.
As for the food, it’s simple, local and always fresh. Think fish and chips in the kiosk, a three- or four-course meal (make sure you try the salt and pepper squid), or just drinks on the deck (totally Insta-worthy). The wine list is to die for and the service is slick and inviting – no matter if you’re wearing flip-flops or the latest Louboutins.
Star of Greece, 1 The Esplanade, Port Willunga, SA 5173
6. Africola
One of the hottest tables in town? The genius that is Africola. Grab your favourite crew for this one because it’s a place best shared. Enjoy the flavours and aromas from Northern Africa when you opt for the four-course chef’s selection. You’ll be dining on plates like golden dahl, sprouted lentils, fried cauliflower, sardine with harissa, falafel and marinated eggplant. Make sure to book ahead so you don’t miss the quirkiness of this slow food hang!
Africola, 4 East Terrace, Adelaide, SA 5000
7. Penfolds Magill Estate Restaurant
If you’ve been living under a rock for the last 10 years, you might be forgiven for not knowing this award-winning fine dining name, as it’s one of Adelaide’s best restaurants. Located just 15 minutes from the CBD in Adelaide’s beautiful foothills, the view of the vineyards and city is nothing short of breathtaking. This is a bucket list for any foodie wanting a decadent dinner.
Head chef Scott Huggins takes inspiration from seasonal produce and Penfolds’ vast array of wine. There’s an underground world of tunnels and bluestone cellars to explore if you have the time, but our guess is you’ll be happy to sit and enjoy the fine fare. The kitchen constantly aims to invent seasonal plates of extraordinary flavour using regionally unique ingredients. Our thoughts? It’s clean, natural cuisine at its best.
Penfolds Magill Estate Restaurant, 78 Penfold Road, Magill, SA 5072
8. Parwana Afghan Kitchen
You’re in great hands under the expert skills of chef Farida Ayubi, as she expertly presents three dinner menus on rotation every week. This is a place for groups of friends and family with open hearts and hungry bellies. Wholesome Afghani food means feasting on steamed dumplings stuffed with carrot and onion alongside aged long-grain rice topped with candied orange, slivered almonds and pistachios. Try the grilled lamb or chicken lovingly marinated in herbs and spices, served with sides, chutney, dips and naan bread. This wholesome dining experience will feed your heart, stomach and soul.
Parwana Afghan Kitchen, 124B Henley Beach Road, Torrensville, SA 5031
9. D’arry’s Verandah Restaurant
As the name suggests, this place provides a quintessential veranda dining experience housed in a restored 19th-century homestead. The spectacular views of rolling hills and vineyards make this the perfect setting for relaxing lunches. Meanwhile, the kitchen effortlessly exhibits the best of local and seasonal produce in dishes like fresh Coffin Bay oysters and lobster bisque rounded off by a killer dessert menu.
Everything’s accompanied by the extensive and world-renowned d’Arenberg wine portfolio. The seasonal degustation menu is also thoughtfully offered as a plant-based option. After lunch, check out the Salvador Dali exhibit, which showcases 25 authentic bronze sculptures and graphic artworks, at the D’Arenberg Cube.
D’arry’s Verandah Restaurant, 58 Osborn Road, McLaren Vale, SA 5171
10. Shobosho
The perfect blend of smoke, steam and fire can be discovered at this traditional Japanese yakitori joint. Skill and texture take centre stage on the menu, focusing on raw, cured, pickled and fermented meat and vegetables. There’s little wonder why this establishment keeps growing in notoriety. Open daily, the bar and kitchen welcome one and all for lunch and dinner. If you love it, be sure to check out Sho, its premium yakitori BBQ experience, as well as Shomen, which specialises in a mini menu of ramen bowls and sandos.
Shobosho, 17 Leigh Street, Adelaide, SA 5000
11. The Salopian Inn
Seasonal, fresh and eclectic are what you’ll find at this regional gem. The much-loved organic garden provides most of the fruit, vegetables and herbs for the restaurant. Only the best ingredients make an appearance. Think pasture-fed, locally-sourced beef and lamb, pasture-raised free-range poultry and Berkshire pork, and ethically sourced South Australian seafood. Take your time with the tasting menu and enjoy the kitchen’s most-loved dishes from the garden, paddock and sea. This is a no-brainer for any foodie worth their salt when visiting The City of Churches.
The Salopian Inn, Corner Main Road and McMurtrie Road, McLaren Vale, SA 5171
12. Muni
Within a 5-minute drive of The Salopian Inn, you’ll find a fabulous little diamond of goodness called Muni. It’s only open for dinner seatings on Friday and Saturday, as well as Sunday lunch, so you’ll want to book in advance to enjoy the unforgettable degustation menu. This is a delicious infusion of tradition and innovation against the backdrop of Korean inspiration. Think daikon radish cake with squid garum sauce, tube rice pudding and scallop sashimi. Simple, beautiful, elegant and genuine.
Muni, 2/3 High Street, Willunga, SA 5172
Add these to your bucket list of top restaurants in Australia when you visit Adelaide!
