South Australia’s dining scene is celebrated globally, yet the modern hospitality landscape is brutal.
Facing soaring operational costs, staff shortages, and shrinking consumer spending, many venues have been forced to close. But amid the turmoil are dining institutions that continue to draw big crowds.
Their endurance is not accidental, with the state’s iconic restaurants a result of the hard work and talents of many chefs, producers and venue owners.
Some restaurants have stood the test of time, operating for decades through changing trends and evolving dining habits.
Others have emerged onto the hospitality scene in the last decade, making an impact almost immediately with their new take on modern day cuisine.
From pioneering city institutions and finer diners to neighbourhood favourites and regional destinations, we take a look at 37 restaurants which have played a role in creating the vibrant food culture South Australians enjoy.
SCROLL TO THE END TO VOTE FOR YOUR FAVOURITE SA DINING INSTITUTIONChianti Ristorante & Bar
160 Hutt St, Adelaide
From humble beginnings in 1985, Chianti has carved out an indelible place in Adelaide’s dining scene.
Founded by Frank and Maria Favaro and now led by their children, Jessica Favaro‑Richards and Nicholas Favaro, this culinary institution combines authentic Italian cuisine with modern innovation in an elegant restaurant setting.
Renowned for its top-notch breakfast, Chianti has long been a haunt for the rich and powerful, from politicians to Adelaide’s business elite.
Yet it remains an ideal special occasion venue for anyone seeking tasty, up-market Italian dishes.
Parwana Afghan Kitchen
124B Henley Beach Rd, Torrensville
This treasured restaurant has captured the hearts of diners everywhere since owners Farida and Zelmai Ayubi opened its doors in 2009. The couple, who migrated to Australia with their family from war-torn Afghanistan, introduced traditional Afghan cuisine to the community, highlighting dishes such as banjaan borani (eggplant), mantu dumplings and Kabuli palaw (rice).
Their heartfelt cooking has earned them glowing reviews, including one from the New York Times in 2020, while famous guests over the years include international food queen Nigella Lawson, global media megastar Oprah Winfrey and TV foodie Phil Rosenthal.
The Ayubi family received the Outstanding Contribution to Hospitality prize at the 2024 Gourmet Traveller awards, and Parwana was named SA’s favourite diner in the 2022 delicious.100 People’s Choice campaign.
Restaurant Botanic
Plane Tree Drive, city
Nestled among the Botanic Gardens’ foliage you’ll find this nationally acclaimed restaurant, which in recent years has taken Adelaide’s fine dining scene to the next level.
A longstanding lunchtime favourite in the city, it’s undergone many incarnations, always offering consistently high-quality Australian fare.
Owners Steve Blanco and Christopher Horner took over the restaurant in 2009, raising the culinary bar with executive chef Paul Baker at the helm from 2014, before the arrival of American chef Justin James in late 2021.
There was a major renovation and name change to Restaurant Botanic, heralding a new fine dining era for the venue. Using ingredients from the picturesque gardens surrounding it, James transformed the restaurant into a world-class destination, rated no. 1 in the country by Gourmet Traveller and among the 50 best in the world by a global publication.
James has since departed but new executive chef, Jamie Musgrave, continues the legacy he started.
Star of Siam
67 Gouger Street, Adelaide
The city’s first Thai restaurant and the longest-running family eatery on Gouger Street, Star of Siam has long set the standard for Thai cuisine in Adelaide.
Now run by Sebastian Ninkumvongs, Shelley Ninkumvongs and Alexander Siow, it’s an enduring favourite for generations of diners, attracted to their tantalising dishes and generous hospitality.
“The venue hasn’t changed, but we do regular renovations to keep fresh,” says Sebastian.
“The menu has been modified over the years but there is an item – the Sea Stars dumplings – which is an original dish of ours that can absolutely not be removed or else there would be a riot from our customers.”
La Trattoria Restaurant & Pizza Bar
346 King William St, Adelaide
There was a changing of the guard in 2022 at the eatery affectionately known as ‘La Trat’. After 47 years, owner Andy Parisi and brother Chris handed over the reins to long-term staff member Billy Duff and a group of investors including former Crows chief executive Steven Trigg and leading wine entrepreneur Warren Randall.
But the same dining principles remain: high quality, Italian-style comfort-food just like Nonna used to make, delivered with warm hospitality, and old-school atmosphere. It’s a simple philosophy which has served this institution well, winning plaudits from high-profile guests ranging from Jon Bon Jovi to late Formula One icon Ayrton Senna and current Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Magill Estate Restaurant
78 Penfold Rd, Magill
Set against the stunning backdrop of Penfolds’ historic winery, this establishment has been a culinary benchmark in SA for many years, combining unforgettable dishes and a peerless wine list into one memorable dining experience.
Chef and owner Scott Huggins uses modern cooking techniques, with an emphasis on fire-and-coals, and seasonal local produce to deliver a high-end tasting menu of great skill and creativity. And most importantly, it complements the winery’s top drops.
In 2015, Huggins launched sister project Magill Estate Kitchen, a more relaxed, accessible version of the restaurant, allowing this much-admired venue to attract a broader range of clientele.
Star of Greece
1 Esplanade, Port Willunga
With its spectacular views looking out over Port Willunga, it might be easy to overlook Star of Greece’s culinary offerings.
But make no mistake, this beachside eatery’s seafood-focused cuisine is worthy of its stunning-yet-unpretentious setting.
Local Kangaroo Island King George whiting and squid are just some of the fresh SA produce that make up the bulk of the Mediterranean-inspired menu.
Owners Doug and Nikki Govan have reimagined elevated coastal dining, cultivating a relaxed atmosphere that has entertained guests for over two decades including celebrities such as Sam Smith, Sting and Kylie Minogue.
Africola
4 East Terrace, Adelaide
Rock star chef Duncan Welgemoed’s celebrated East End eatery has reinvented the city’s dining landscape since its doors first opened in 2015.
Drawing upon his South African heritage, Welgemoed uses smoke, spice, and open-fire cooking to craft his flavoursome, signature dishes.
These include the Peri-Peri Chicken and their cult-favourite starter, chicken skin tea sandwiches, but it’s his range of vegetarian offerings that have pioneered a shift towards vegetable-forward dining.
Africola broke the mould, proving that a high-energy, eclectic eatery can earn critical acclaim for its bold cuisine.
Maggie Beer’s Farm Shop and Farm Eatery
50 Pheasant Farm Road, Nuriootpa
The Australian food legend’s rise to fame began in 1979 at her acclaimed restaurant, The Pheasant Farm. Beer operated the much-loved eatery, which kickstarted the “paddock-to-plate” philosophy until 1993 when she decided to shut its doors to focus on her burgeoning food and media empire.
Now her daughter Elli continues her culinary legacy on the very same property with the Farm Eatery, a stylish diner serving four and five-course menus, plus snacks, that offer a contemporary version of the hyperlocal fare that made Beer an icon.
Located next to Maggie Beer’s Farm Shop, it’s become a Barossa food and wine destination, inspiring a new generation of devotees looking to go on an SA epicurean journey.
La Popular Taqueria
226 St Vincent St, Port Adelaide
This Port Adelaide gem has transformed the way we eat Mexican cuisine over the past decade by championing authentic dishes over Tex-Mex or Oz-Mex style offerings.
It was founded by Daniella Guevara Muñoz, a former marine biologist, who moved to Australia with her husband Kor in 2012, along the way securing her dream job working on the Great Barrier Reef.
But food was always her first love and she set about bringing traditional Mexican to Adelaide, with her colourful taqueria gaining a following for its traditional tacos – including house-made tortillas from nixtamalized Australian maize. Everything is handmade from scratch, ensuring local diners enjoy some of the best tortillas in the country.
Muñoz has shared her story, and some culinary secrets, in her first cookbook, Provecho: Real Mexican Food at Home, which was released last year.
Osteria Oggi
76 Pirie St, city
Few Adelaide venues have made as much of an impact on a city’s dining culture as Oggi.
Launched a decade ago by leading restaurateur Simon Kardachi, this much-loved eatery draws diners in with its vibrant, convivial atmosphere, stylish interiors and focus on that Italian culinary delight: pasta.
Everyone has a favourite dish on the expansive menu, from the spaghetti carbonara to the tagliatelle with blue swimmer crab. There’s also a host of more modern options, all made fresh in-house, which come alongside a delicious cocktail and wine list.
Oggi is fun and fabulous, and has helped turn Pirie St into one of the city’s most popular dining strips.
d’Arry’s Verandah Restaurant
d’Arenberg, Osborn Rd, McLaren Vale
Housed in a restored 19th century homestead, this revered restaurant has redefined world-class winery dining since the 1990s.
Its array of modern Australian and European-inspired dishes, always using seasonal produce, include signature offerings, such as the lobster medallion with blue swimmer crab and prawn ravioli in lobster bisque. Some are so good they have remained on the menu for 20 years.
Boasting spectacular views of the rolling hills and vineyards, d’Arry’s has a list of honours as long as your arm, highlighted by the prize for Best Restaurant in a Winery at the National Restaurant and Catering Awards for Excellence.
2KW Bar and Restaurant
2 King William St, Adelaide
More than just a restaurant, 2KW’s influence comes from its complete package: a landmark, 8th floor, rooftop location combined with a SA-focused menu and outstanding wine program.
Ingredients and beverages from all the state’s key regions are showcased here, from the Barossa Valley to McLaren Vale, Clare Valley and the Adelaide Hills.
Since its advent in 2015, it’s helped shape our hospitality scene, showing that sophisticated yet approachable CBD dining above the skyline was possible in the City of Churches.
Beyond India
168 O’Connell St, North Adelaide
With the closure of Jasmin in Hindmarsh Square, this O’Connell St staple has become arguably Adelaide’s pre-eminent Indian diner.
Perhaps it’s unfairly compared to the Singh family’s institution, because Beyond India has developed its own reputation for quality for well over two decades.
Opened by Robby Gupta in 1999, it was instrumental in changing local perceptions of Indian cuisine, moving beyond basic curries to offer a comprehensive menu spanning the country’s north and south. Each dish is full of robust flavours, delivering on authenticity and consistency.
Over time, Beyond India’s success has seen it expand into additional restaurants, catering and food trucks.
The Salopian Inn
Main Rd, McLaren Vale
This historic property, which opened almost 180 years ago, rose to prominence in the late 80s and 90s as one of the state’s first regional restaurants to focus on local produce.
In 2013, McLaren Vale chef Karena Armstrong and her husband Michael revitalised the venue, yet maintained the same ethos, creating an innovative menu that reimagined modern Australian cuisine with the introduction of bold Asian flavours. Armstrong’s signature house-made dumplings quickly became a perennial favourite.
Much of the restaurant’s produce is grown on site in their organic kitchen garden or sourced locally and ethically. That exceptional farm-to-table philosophy has garnered a host of fans and earned many accolades, including The Advertiser’s Restaurant of the Year in 2018.
There’s also a cracking wine list and a huge range of exotic gins and tonic waters for thirsty guests.
Golden Boy
309 North Terrace, Adelaide
Always full and always buzzing, Golden Boy changed the way Adelaide diners viewed Thai cuisine.
Right from the start, it’s been one of the city’s “it” restaurants, a trendy dinner destination serving up flavour-filled, Asian fusion dishes with Thai-based origins.
Located on the corner of East and North Tce, Golden Boy also gained a following for its famous “Tuk Tuk” menu, a “Feed Me” style tasting concept which has only grown in popularity since the venue launched in 2013.
Concubine
132 Gouger St, Adelaide
Chinatown is favoured for its cheap and cheerful Asian cuisine but Concubine gave diners a new experience when it arrived on the popular food strip in 2007.
Unlike some of their nearby counterparts, guests are encouraged to take their time, soak in the stylish atmosphere, and enjoy superior table service and hospitality etiquette – all while indulging in exquisite Asian fare.
This white-table cloth restaurant delivers on all fronts. Their classic Chinese dishes with the occasional Malaysian, Thai and Singaporean spin have secured Concubine the title of best Chinese restaurant in SA on several occasions.
Eros Kafe
275 Rundle Street, Adelaide
A much-loved East End fixture, Eros is as celebrated for its alfresco dining, relaxed vibe and warm hospitality, as it is for its authentic Greek share plates.
Originally twin venues when it launched in 1995 – a cafe next to a more formal dining space – the restaurant, Eros Ouzeri, closed its doors in 2016.
But owner Jim Dimitropoulos continues to operate the Kafe with distinction, offering breakfast, a quick meze or leisurely lunch or dinner for lovers of traditional Greek flavours.
Hentley Farm Restaurant
Gerald Roberts Rd, Jenke Rd, Seppeltsfield
Regarded as one of the state’s best regional restaurants, the cooking at Hentley Farm has long been seen as a step ahead of the rest.
It’s theatrical, creative, beautifully plated, yet not at all over-complicated – a harmonious mix which has won critical acclaim from good judges.
Their spectacular Discovery Tasting Menu is a feast for the senses; a three-and-a-half hour immersive journey showcasing the best local ingredients, either foraged from their farm’s garden beds or grown by nearby farmers and backyard producers.
Coupled with warm and attentive front-of-house service, Hentley’s standing in the industry is well-deserved.
Marcellina
Various locations around SA
Marcellina’s pizza makers have been slinging pies for nigh on six decades – and there’s no signs of slowing down.
Established in 1967 by Sicilian migrants Giovanni Russo and Nino Parisi on Hindley St, Marcellina has been credited with popularising pizza in SA as well as shaping late‑night, accessible Italian dining in the city.
Now the man behind the family-run pizza empire is Brian Aoukar, who joined as a part-owner in 1973, before becoming sole proprietor in 1984.
All these years later, the Aoukars are still in charge and the business has gone from strength-to-strength, with the team now serving up their signature slices at 11 stores around Adelaide.
Lenzerheide
146 Belair Rd, Hawthorn
Renowned for its silver service and old-school elegance, this white-table cloth restaurant has set a benchmark for dining excellence since 1989.
Some of its more notable guests over the years have included former prime ministers Bob Hawke and John Howard, with customers drawn to its reputation for sophisticated European cuisine.
Located in a heritage-listed property called Ardmeen House, Lenzerheide is also famous for its atrium filled with lush greenery which adds charm to the culinary experience.
Now operated by Tim Pearson, his wife Brionie, and their business partner Mark Gaston, the trio continue to maintain the venue’s high standards, with five and seven-course degustation menus on offer.
Mr Pearson said dishes have changed over the years but they always stay true to Lenzerheide’s ethos of “consistency and quality”.
SCROLL TO THE END TO VOTE FOR YOUR FAVOURITE SA DINING INSTITUTIONVintners Bar & Grill
752 Stockwell Rd, Angaston
This welcoming eatery, on the main road into Angaston, is the one of the cornerstones of SA’s regional dining.
Chef Peter Clarke has headed the kitchen since day one in 1996, and front-of-house specialist Rami Heer has done the same for the last 20 years.
Together, the talented duo has been the force behind this Barossa institution, which offers an innovative, contemporary menu, mixing flavours yet always utilising local, seasonal produce.
Vintners delivers polished, fine dining in a relaxed, rustic atmosphere.
The Lane Vineyard
Ravenswood Lane, Hahndorf
The Lane’s dreamy vistas of rolling vineyards and lush fields provide an idyllic location for a memorable meal.
Yet the cinematic views are merely window dressing for what has developed into an exceptional culinary treat.
Their estate-to-plate fine dining offering is among the best in the country, using seasonal ingredients grown directly on the property or by local farmers, growers and suppliers.
Importantly, each course is designed to complement the wine, which is expertly paired with the modern Australian creations of head chef, Cameron Ahl.
It’s a complete experience that has taken the winery restaurant concept to another level.
Amalfi Pizzeria Ristorante
29 Frome St, Adelaide
The Capoccia family established Amalfi in 1981 and ran it for about 20 years, turning it into a popular choice for anyone wanting to enjoy a hearty Italian meal in the CBD.
They sold it in around 2002 but the East End restaurant, now with Frank Hannon-Tan at the helm, has remained a no-frills Italian diner, serving up thicker-style pizzas and generous pasta dishes, along with other traditional fare such as melanzane and veal.
It’s a formula which many have attempted to replicate since but only the best have succeeded.
Amalfi’s terrazzo floors, wooden chairs and tables have not changed and portions have remained generous, helping maintain its status as one of the city’s most beloved Italian eateries all-year round.
Fino Vino and Fino Seppeltsfield
82 Flinders St, Adelaide, 730 Seppeltsfield Rd, Seppeltsfield
Chef David Swain and front-of-house dynamo Sharon Romeo first made magic together just over 20 years ago in a Mediterranean-style cottage in Willunga.
Swain’s masterful menu, full of harmonious flavours and fresh produce, coupled with Romeo’s homespun hospitality, won numerous accolades including The Advertiser’s Restaurant of the Year.
About a decade later, they managed to transplant Fino Willunga’s signature charm to the majestic surrounds of Seppeltsfield, as part of the historic winery’s redevelopment.
In 2020, they bottled that spirit and transported it to the city at Fino Vino.
Fino’s “producer-first”, regional philosophy was among the first of its kind in Adelaide and continues to shine through at its pair of venues.
Jolleys Boathouse
1 Jolleys Lane, city
On the banks of the River Torrens, Jolleys took modern waterfront dining to another level when it was established in the late 1980s.
Once a rundown kiosk, it was revived as a destination restaurant, demonstrating that fine dining could thrive by the river.
Now one of Adelaide’s most celebrated restaurants, Jolleys is renowned for its contemporary Australian fare with a focus on fresh, local ingredients, crafted by its team of chefs in the venue’s open kitchen.
Lucia’s Pizza & Spaghetti Bar
Central Market, Gouger St, Adelaide
Immigrant Lucia Rosella founded this SA food icon at the Central Market almost 70 years ago. Believed to be the first pizza bar in Australia when it opened in 1957, Lucia’s brought post-war Italian food culture to town, and helped forge a path for other culinary pioneers around the state.
The business has remained in the family with Lucia’s daughters, Nicci Bugeja and Maria Rosella, still at the helm carrying on the tradition. The menu has stayed largely the same over the years, from the spaghetti bolognese and beef ravioli, to the pizza and Friday lasagne drawing big crowds at the Market every day.
Yet the business has expanded. Next door to the restaurant, is Lucia’s Fine Foods Store – where you can buy fresh pizza dough, pasta and soups, Lucia’s products and more – and its charcuterie.
The Vietnam Restaurant
73 Addison Road, Pennington
Refugees Dinh Phan and his wife Suong Thi Ho had only the clothes on their back when they arrived in Australia, as some of the first people to come from war-torn Vietman.
After years of hardship, the couple launched their suburban eatery in 1984, bringing Vietnamese cuisine to Adelaide, long before pho and bahn mi became lunchtime staples around town.
The Phan’s remarkable story is the backbone of this much-loved restaurant, which is now operated by their children Tien, Linda and Ben.
Customers still pack the wood panelled dining room every night, and its walls are adorned with many awards, including a coveted spot in the Restaurant and Catering Awards’ Hall of Fame.
These days there’s plenty of competition in the area but The Vietnam Restaurant is the original – and the best.
Maxwell Restaurant
19 Olivers Rd, McLaren Vale
Regarded as one of the country’s best regional dining spots, Maxwell Restaurant has consistently showcased fresh, seasonal produce from local suppliers since its inception in 1979.
Part of Maxwell Wines, launched by Mark Maxwell in the same year, the venue has evolved over time into a celebrated fine dining destination led by longtime executive chef Fabian Lehmann, who learnt his craft in Michelin-starred restaurants in Europe.
Originally from Germany, he elevated their tasting menu using innovative techniques and ingredients, often sourced from the estate’s own garden, with every dish carefully crafted and cleverly presented on the table.
Maxwell received 4 Chef Hats in the 2026 Australian Good Food Guide, placing it in the highest category, and was also named SA’s 2024 Restaurant of the Year by Gourmet Traveller.
Estia
255 Seaview Road, Henley Beach, Adelaide
The meze approach of shared plates became a fixture at Henley Beach following the launch of this Greek eatery way back in 1992.
Founded by Kyriakos Mavridis and run by his sons Nick and Anestis, Estia has always had a strong family ethos, serving up traditional Greek hospitality inspired by their homeland.
Taverna classics are crafted with passion here, and their “no rules” banquet style of dining has transforming how we enjoy Mediterranean cuisine.
Situated on Henley Beach within site of the water, you’d be forgiving for thinking you’re in the Greek Islands as you tuck into some grilled octopus or saganaki on a warm summer’s night.
Press Food & Wine
40 Waymouth St, Adelaide
This stylish two-level venue helped kickstart a dining renaissance around the CBD when it launched in 2011, creating a vibrant food and beverage precinct in the city’s West End.
Opened by a group led by hospitality powerhouse Simon Kardachi, Press pioneered nose-to-tail cuisine in Adelaide with a strong emphasis on hyper-local, sustainable SA produce.
It became a must-visit for its famed burgers, or suckling pig offering, and it also made communal dining trendy with long, high tables a distinctive feature of the dining room.
Press has since undergone significant change with new owners and a major renovation but its influence remains to this day.
FermentAsian
90 Murray St, Tanunda
Owner and chef Tuoi Do has firmly cemented FermentAsian as one of the Barossa Valley’s most treasured eateries.
Its mouth-watering menu, which celebrates Do’s Vietnamese roots, is loved by locals and visitors alike, and has raised the bar for regional, Asian-inspired cuisine.
Opened in 2010, FermentAsian relies on its own vegetable and herb garden for some of those hard-to-find ingredients, while organic, ethically-sourced SA produce is a huge part of the restaurant’s philosophy.
Then there’s the diner’s award-winning wine list, which broke from convention to feature a vast array of top local and international drops.
Hardy’s Verandah Restaurant
Mount Lofty House, 1 Mawson Dr, Crafers
In a relatively short space of time, Hardy’s has well and truly made its mark on Adelaide’s gastronomic scene.
Situated in the historic 1852 Mount Lofty House, there’s panoramic views of the Piccadilly Valley which are best enjoyed at sunset.
An intimate, degustation‑focused restaurant, it delivers an epicurean journey from start to finish. The menu has a ‘Valley to Verandah’ concept that sources produce from the surrounding areas and uses indigenous and international cooking techniques.
Taking high-end, luxury dining to the Hills, Hardy’s – along with the stunning Sequoia Lodge accommodation next door – has solidified the complex as a world-class tourism hub.
The Victory Hotel
Main South Rd, Sellicks Hill
Perched atop a hill overlooking the Fleurieu Peninsula, this historic venue was originally established in 1858 as the Sellicks Hill Hotel, before evolving into one of the state’s first gastropubs.
Publican Doug Govan bought the Victory over 30 years ago, gradually transforming it into a culinary powerhouse of the south, seamlessly blending elevated pub classics and more upscale modern Australian dishes.
Given its proximity to the coast, seafood has always been a feature of the innovative menu while the Victory is also renowned for its outstanding cellar, which is home to over 8000 bottles and magnums including some of McLaren Vale’s best.
Peel St Restaurant
9 Peel St, Adelaide
Perpetually filled with guests, Peel St is the crown jewel of the city’s laneway dining scene.
The eatery’s bustling, open-kitchen vibe and massive portions of modern Australian food, infused with Southeast Asian and Middle Eastern flavours, have made it a crowd favourite since 2013.
Part of its wide appeal comes from its industrial, rustic decor, and large, communal tables, which helped bring share-style dining to town.
There’s a blackboard menu of rotating dishes but the drool-worthy banana blossom salad has become a near-permanent staple and is one not to miss.
Windy Point Restaurant
Windy Point Lookout, 339 Belair Rd, Belair
With its iconic location offering sweeping, 180-degree panoramic views of Adelaide from the Hills to the coast, Windy Point is a one-of-a-kind dining experience.
Old-fashioned elegance abounds inside the venue, and the sense of occasion can be felt from the plush, comfy chairs to the friendly-yet-formal style of service.
Custom-built in 1982, Windy Point has maintained a consistently high level of dining thanks to longtime chef and owner Justin Miles, known for his inventive dishes using largely SA native and regional ingredients. There’s also an extensive wine list to match.
It continues to be the state’s premier destination for celebratory occasions, in particular, wedding proposals and anniversaries.
Lemongrass Thai Bistro
289 Rundle St, Adelaide
Restaurants come and go on Rundle St but Lemongrass has endured.
Owned and operated by the Nguyen family since 2010, this Asian diner has become a cultural staple, offering consistently high-quality, authentic dishes, alongside fast, welcoming service.
It’s a formula which has served the Nguyens well and the family has since opened additional locations in Goodwood and Prospect.
That rich legacy has become the launch pad for other hospitality businesses, including several of the city’s most celebrated and innovative Asian eateries such as Ong Vietnamese, Noi Vietnamese Eatery, Shibui Dessert Bar and Shmochi by Shibui.