Adelaide Hills Restaurants To Dine At

Any wine-tasting itinerary deserves to be balanced with beautiful meals to complement your enjoyment. Here’s our pick of the best Adelaide Hills restaurants.

Just 25 minutes from the city centre, the Adelaide Hills is one of the most accessible wine-growing regions in the country. Not only is there a proliferation of world-class vineyards to tour, but this gorgeously rolling countryside that rises to lofty vantages and descends into sweeping valleys is also home to plenty of noteworthy eateries.

To complement a day (or several) sipping your way from cellar door to cellar door, be sure to book yourself a culinary interlude at one of these top restaurants in the Adelaide Hills.

1. Pike and Joyce

Presiding over undulating vines in Lenswood, the restaurant at Adelaide Hill’s winery Pike and Joyce unlocks your long lunch goals. Head chef Mat Kinghorn sets about assembling the region’s finest ingredients for his seasonal menus that pair with the vineyard’s cool climate drops.

the view of vineyards and rolling hills from Pike and Joyce, Lenswood — Settle into Pike and Joyce winery that overlooks vineyards and rolling hills. (Image: Adelaide Hills Wine Region/South Australian Tourism Commission)

You may encounter small plates such as charred Tommy ruff with celeriac remoulade and pickled apple or larger servings of pan-seared duck breast with quince and sunchoke.

What you’ll most certainly encounter, though, is warm hospitality and vistas that unravel in a spectrum of soft greens.

al fresco dining under umbrellas at Pike and Joyce, Lenswood — Nab a table in the relaxed outdoor setting. (Image: Adelaide Hills Wine Region/South Australian Tourism Commission)

Address: 730 Mawson Road, Lenswood

2. LOT. 100

Once a cattle property, LOT.100 is now an eco-conscious collective of local craft and sustainable produce.

al fresco dining at Lot 100, Hay Valley — Sip cocktails from the al fresco dining of Lot 100. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)

Swing by the rustic shed where you can sample cider from Hills Cider Co., beer from Mismatch Brewing Co. and spirits from 78°, you can also settle in and soak up some of that alcohol with a shared long or casual lunch at the onsite Lot 100 Restaurant.

the restaurant interior of Lot 100, Hay Valley — There are also plenty of chairs to dine indoors. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)

Be seated in the cellar door or courtyard and graze your way through South Australian produce in dishes such as Boston Bay mussels with potato and buttermilk or a roo tail bao bun.

a spread of food on the table at Lot 100, Hay Valley — Dine on delicious South Australian produce at Lot 100. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)

Address: 68 Chambers Road, Hay Valley

3. Sidewood Restaurant

Brown leather banquettes and natural wood interiors bring warmth to the vast dining room of Sidewood Restaurant at the eponymous winery. Interior walls are adorned with artworks by Australian masters, while the dusty greens of eucalypts sway beyond the large-format windows.

lush greenery at Sidewood Restaurant — Sidewood Restaurant is set in a tropical garden. (Image: Sidewood Restaurant and Cellar Door)

At the table, attention is swiftly grabbed by plates of cider-brined pork with fig and macadamias or blue swimmer crab and ricotta ravioli. Opt-in for either two or three courses or the share-style chef’s selection menu.

the bar counter at Sidewood Restaurant — Pull up a chair and sample the ciders on offer. (Image: Sidewood Restaurant and Cellar Door)

Whatever you choose, be sure to sup alongside sips of the Sidewood Signature Range of small-batch pinot noirs.

the bar interior details of Sidewood Restaurant — The light-filled interior of Sidewood Restaurant adds to its vibrant ambience. (Image: Sidewood Restaurant and Cellar Door)

Address: 6 River Road, Hahndorf

4. Hardy’s Verandah Restaurant

Mt Lofty House has long been the pinnacle of elegance in the Adelaide Hills. And, of course, the luxury hotel’s three-hatted Hardy’s Verandah Restaurant follows suit nicely. You needn’t be a guest to dine or take high tea in this ambient 19th century dining room that spoils guests with sweeping Hills vistas and all the charm of a gentler era. On the plate, flavours are finessed to near-perfection and may include an assiette of Maremma duck, South Australian seafood fancied up with celeriac cream and foraged herbs, and a chocolate and tonka bean torte. At this point, a nightcap at the moodily-lit Hardy’s Bar makes for an appropriate finale.

Address: 1 Mawson Drive, Crafers

5. Stanley Bridge Tavern

Most drinking establishments you encounter in the Adelaide Hills are not slinging your usual, run-of-the-mill counter meals. So it is with the Stanley Bridge Tavern , which places a big emphasis on local and seasonal produce to elevate casual dining classics with plenty of refinement.

people dining inside Stanley Bridge Tavern — Stanley Bridge Tavern is a hotspot for hearty meals.

Pick a spot in the sunshine-filled courtyard or by the crackling fire and tuck into half-baked shell scallops, a pork cutlet with apple sauce and roasted parsnip or a very well-rounded cassoulet with all the requisite meats of duck leg, pork sausage and pork belly.

a kingfish dish on the table at Stanley Bridge Tavern — Relish in casual dining classics at Stanley Bridge Tavern.

The people shuffling the pans in the kitchen are also responsible for the excellent fare across the road at Fourth Hill Providore.

an al fresco dining setup with fairy lights at Stanley Bridge Tavern — Dine under brightly lit fairy lights at Stanley Bridge Tavern.

Address: 41 Onkaparinga Valley Road, Verdun

6. Patch Kitchen & Garden

Once a post office and general store, this light-filled 1880-era building is now set with tables to which arrive beautifully put-together dishes from chef-and-owner Andrew Davies (Osteria Oggi). Patch Kitchen & Garden is a come one, come all kind of deal, where you can settle in over vino and a few courses or pick your way through the afternoon in a snacking type of mood. The fresh pasta is supple perfection, the pot pies are crisp-topped and warming and the gelato is house-made and highly memorable.

Address: 143 Mount Barker Road, Stirling

7. The Scenic Hotel

Most pub menus don’t read as follows: stracciatella with French radish and vadouvan; pork terrine with Danish rye; and lamb rogan josh pie with fava bean puree. But also, most pubs don’t have the lofty vantage of The Scenic Hotel , which brushes the clouds at its Norton Summit location.

dining on the balcony of The Scenic Hotel restaurant, Adelaide Hills — The Scenic Hotel restaurant boasts verdant vistas.

The city twinkles in the distance and the days slip into the evening accompanied by beautiful wines, craft beers, good food and live music.

an aerial view of the crowds gathering outside The Scenic Hotel — Crowds gather at The Scenic Hotel.

Comfort food lovers aren’t left behind, though, you can still get your chicken schnitzel and beer-battered barra, just with a slight gastronomic polish.

a close-up shot of food on a plate at The Scenic Hotel restaurant, Adelaide Hills — Treat yourself to a satisfying plate.

Address: Old Norton Summit Road, Norton Summit

8. Dirty Doris

We’re not sure why Doris is dirty, but we’re down with her American diner-style menu. Perhaps the name is a nod to this all-day restaurant’s wholehearted embrace of anything that’s the antithesis of clean eating.

two people behind the Dirty Doris signage — Dirty Doris is an all-day American diner-style restaurant. (Image: Jack Fenby)

Put aside the rules for a moment and relish dishes such as hush puppies, pork scratchings, pancakes with all the trimmings and fried chicken benny. There are lighter (less dirty) options such as the egg salad sandwich on fresh rye, anchovies with pickles, and salads. But we do think Dirty Doris ’ the Everything Bagel with cream cheeses, pickled onion, dill and potato rosti has to be the go-to.

a spread of food and drinks on the table at Dirty Doris — Order comfort food at Dirty Doris. (Image: Jack Fenby)

Address: 2 Strathalbyn Road, Aldgate

9. Sequoia Dining

Although you do have to be a guest of the ultra-luxe Sequoia to dine here, we can’t dispense a list of the ultimate restaurants in the Adelaide Hills and ignore this elegant fine diner. But let’s say you do have a romantic minibreak on the horizon. Well, in that case, you might consider a stay here and with that an evening at the onsite restaurant where the dusty golden sunset falls over the Hills beyond like a shimmering veil.

a waiter at Sequoia Dining pouring wine into a glass in front of a couple — Book a romantic lunch at Sequoia and share a bottle of wine. (Image: Tourism Australia / South Australian Tourism Commission)

Dinner may be house-made gnocchi with local Section 28 cream cheese or Glacier 51 toothfish with Goolwa pippies preceded by Cape Jervis tuna tartare or a 20g tin of caviar. A deconstructed pavlova leads you to a natural conclusion and that gorgeous suite awaiting you.

a long table lunch setup at Sequoia Dining — Enjoy a sun-soaked lunch overlooking breathtaking vistas. (Image: Julian Cebo)

Address: 1 Mawson Drive, Crafers

10. Crafers Pizza Bar

Plywood booths, black-and-white checked floors and pops of red are signposts for a good-time pizzeria that brings family-style dining to the Adelaide Hills. With chef-and-owner Myles Cook flipping the dough at Crafers , you can be assured of top-shelf toppings. Tuck into classic styles, such as pork and fennel, potato and taleggio, and Margherita, or lean into the not-so-classic Hawaiian chicken, cheeseburger and greens and feta. Whether you’re all in for the traditional flavours or keen for the loosey-goosey toppings, you’ll find they’re all very good indeed.

Address: 5 Main Street, Crafers

11. Glasshouse Restaurant at Uraidla Hotel

The Uraidla Hotel has long been an anchor in the community and this charming country pub has shored up its position by creating a gorgeous menu at its Glasshouse Restaurant that’s inspired by the local market gardeners.

the vibrant restaurant interior of Uraidla Hotel with colourful stools — Snag a spot on one of the colourful stools at Uraidla Hotel. (Image: Julie Peter)

Dishes are given the wood-fire treatment either in a smoker or a josper, which is a Spanish-style grill, but there’s also a collection of classics if punters prefer. You can expect local ingredients to make up dishes such as the baked Onkaparinga triple brie, Reuben doorstop made with smoked pastrami, and the smoked lamb rump.

Try beer on tap at Uraidla Hotel. (Image: Tyrone Ormsby)

Interiors are upcycled and eclectic with touches of whimsy that err on the side of nannacore, making the whole experience inviting and wholesome.

the restaurant interior of Uraidla Hotel — The restaurant’s eclectic interior adds a whimsical feel to it. (Image: Dimitra Koriozos)

Address: 1196 Greenhill Road

12. Comida

Eschewing Hahndorf’s usual Germanic mode, Comida is slinging Spanish tapas in its sleek dining room and sprawling garden. Come for breakfast, lunch or later and see how you go trying to restrain yourself while ordering. You won’t. Instead, you might select a procession of plates including croquetas, pulpo a la gallega, paella and fabada asturina – a luscious chickpea stew with pork belly, morcilla and chorizo. Wines roam the state with a few Spanish drops thrown in. The cocktail list is small but noteworthy and perfect for sipping as you overlook the fruit tree-festooned backyard.

Address: 100C Mount Barker Road, Hahndorf

13. Mount Lofty Ranges Vineyard Restaurant

Jostle for the best position on the deck of the Mounty Lofty Ranges Vineyard restaurant , where eye-drawing valley views make sun-soaked lunches the best sitting – although Friday night sunset dinners have their own convivial appeal.

a server at Mount Lofty Ranges Vineyard Restaurant preparing the table fronting scenic valley views — Dine at Mount Lofty Ranges Vineyard Restaurant with excellent views of the valley. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)

If the weather is on the fresher side, the fireplace keeps diners cosy indoors, but seating arrangements are quickly forgotten once the food arrives.

group of people enjoying a candle-lit long table dinner at — Opt to keep your candle-lit dinner cosy indoors. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)

Focussed on provenance with an easy elegance, you might kick things off with saltbush focaccia before progressing to a smoked beef tartare and pork belly with black garlic. Slip into the cellar door before or after to sip your way through the vineyard’s collection of wine.

putting green sauce over a food presentation at Mount Lofty Ranges Vineyard Restaurant — Mount Lofty Ranges Vineyard Restaurant serves meticulously prepared dishes. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)

Address: 166 Harris Road, Lenswood

14. Yuki in the Hills

After enough wine tasting, a light landing on the palate is often required. If you’ve indulged in too many rich, wine-paired meals, head to Yuki in the Hills for a Tokyo touch.

sushi rolls at Yuki in the Hills — Yuki in the Hills has their own take on sushi rolls.

Elegant, fresh and beautifully presented, this Japanese restaurant is open for both lunch and dinner and rolls through the go-to favourites with deft mastery that has won it notable accolades, such as making the delicious. 100.

an array of Japanese food on the table at Yuki in the Hills — Head to Yuki in the Hills if you’re craving Japanese.

There’s everything from wagyu tataki to green tea noodle salad, sushi and sashimi as well as gyoza, karaage, ramen and okonomiyaki.

a Japanese food platter on the table at Yuki in the Hills — Dine authentic Japanese at Yuki in the Hills.

Address: 2 Strathalbyn Road, Aldgate

15. Tilbrook Estate

The cellar door at Tilbrook Estate has been lucky enough to snare pizza guru Enrico Sgarbossa to keep wine-sippers and day-trippers at the wood-panelled, barn-like venue well-fed. His stone-baked pizza menu unfurls with all the classics, from spicy diavola to Margherita, and there’s also a pasta of the day and a scattering of antipasti, sides and desserts.

the dining space of Tilbrook Estate — Pull up a chair in the bright and rustic dining space of Tilbrook Estate. (Image: Giuseppe Silvestro)

Open for lunch and Friday night dinner, it’s a great way to extend your wine tasting experience at this pretty vineyard.

pizza and wine at Tilbrook Estate, Adelaide Hills — Pizza guru Enrico Sgarbossa makes stone-baked pizza himself. (Image: Giuseppe Silvestro)

Address: 1856 Lobethal Road, Lenswood

Looking for somewhere to stay the night? Check out our guide to the best Mount Gambier accommodation.

Exploring the world’s largest sand island starts with the perfect K’gari homebase.

The morning light is still soft, but it’s already a perfect sunny day. We left our K’gari homebase at Kingfisher Bay Resort with our guide, Peter Meyer, at 9 am to make the most of our time to explore all that the world’s largest sand island holds. The size of K’gari is hard to grasp until you arrive here. This is no sandbar. Stretching 120 kilometres, unique lakes, mangrove systems, rainforest, 75 Miles of beach, historic shipwrecks, small townships and even one of Queensland’s best bakeries are all hidden within its bounds.

But first, one of the island’s most iconic sights: the pure silica sand and crystal clear waters of Lake McKenzie.

Laying eyes on it for the first time, I’m finally able to confirm that the photos don’t lie. The sand is pure white, without the merest hint of yellow. The water fades from a light halo of aqua around the edges to a deeper, royal blue, the deeper it gets (not that it’s particularly deep, six metres at most). The surface remains surprisingly undisturbed, like a mirror.

Arriving with our guide before 10 am means that no one else is around when we get here. Which means we have the pleasure of breaking the smooth surface with our own ripples as we enter. As a self-confessed wimp with chilly water temperatures, my fears are quickly assuaged. Even in the morning, the water stays around 23 degrees – perfect for lazing about all day. But we have more sights to see.

Exploring K’gari

ariel of in lake mckenzie on k'gari fraser island — Relax in the warm waters of Lake McKenzie. (Image: Ayeisha Sheldon)

This was the Personalised 4WD tour offered by Kingfisher Bay Resort, and my absolute top pick of experiences. Over the course of the day, we had the freedom to create our own bespoke itinerary (plus a provided picnic lunch along the way), with an expert guide who had plenty of stories and local expertise to give context to what we were looking at. From the history of the SS Maheno shipwreck, which survived the First World War only to be washed ashore by a cyclone in 1935, to a detailed description of how an island made of sand could sustain such diverse flora.

If it’s your first time to K’gari, the Beauty Spots Tour is another great option. Departing daily from Kingfisher Bay Resort (you’ll start to notice a trend, as many of the tours do start and end here), an air-conditioned, 4WD bus takes guests to the island’s most iconic locations, including the best places to swim, like Lake McKenzie and Eli Creek. The latter offers a gentle current, perfect for riding with a blow-up tyre out towards the ocean.

The next day, for a look at a completely different side of K’gari, I joined one of Kingfisher Bay Resort’s Immersive Ranger-guided tours to kayak through the mangroves of Dundonga Creek. This long, snake-like stretch of creek winds its way inland from the ocean outlet we entered by, at times too narrow for three kayaks to be side-by-side. Small insects buzz from leaf to leaf, while birds call overhead. Occasional bubbles indicate we’ve passed some fish that call this place home.

kayak tour through the mangroves at k'gari island — Learn about the island’s mangroves from your Ranger. (Image: Reuben Nutt/ TEQ)

If kayaking isn’t for you – or if, like me, you simply want more – other ranger-led experiences include nature walks and a dedicated Junior Eco Ranger Program for kids ages five to 12 (these run every weekend, and daily over the peak December holidays). Just ask for a timetable of upcoming tours when you check in.

While during whale season, Hervey Bay Whale Watch & Charters operates tours from the hotel’s jetty to get up close to the famous Humpback Highway of Hervey Bay, from 7 November to 31 May, attention turns to the Aqua Oasis Cruise . Departing from the resort every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday for resort guests, adventure along the island’s remote western coast, pointing out wildlife like dolphins, turtles, flying fish and eagles along the way.

The cruise drops anchor so guests can jump into the water using the boat’s equipment – from SUP boards to inflatable slides and jumping platforms. Then refuel with a provided lunch, of course.

Unwind at sunset

two people drinking cocktails at sunset bar, kingfisher bay resort — Unwind at the Sunset Bar. (Image: Sean Scott)

As much as days on K’gari can be filled with adventure, to me, the afternoons and evenings there are for unwinding. Sunsets on K’gari are absolutely unbelievable, with Kingfisher Bay on the west side being the best spot to catch the colours.

The Sunset Bar , located at the start of the resort’s jetty and overlooking the beach, is the ultimate location for sundowners. Let chill beats wash over you as you sip on cool wines, beers and cocktails in a relaxed, friendly vibe. Personally, a cheese board was also absolutely called for. As the sun sinks, the sand, sea and horizon turn a vibrant shade of orange, with the jetty casting a dramatic shadow across the water.

When the show is over, head back to the hotel for dinner at the Asian-fusion Dune restaurant, or the pub-style Sand + Wood. But if your appetite is still whetted for more lights and colours, the evening isn’t over yet.

Settle into the Illumina stage for Return to Sky, an immersive light and sound show leading viewers on a captivating journey through K’gari’s stories and landscapes.

Indulge and disconnect

woman setting up massage room at kingfisher bay resort Island Day Spa — Find bliss at Island Day Spa. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

Of course, there is a type of traveller who knows that balance is important, day or night. While Kingfisher Bay Resort offers more than one pool for guests to spend all day lounging by (they’ll even serve you food and drinks while you do it), you’ll find me at the Island Day Spa.

The masseuses could match the magic hands of any big city spa, and I felt the warm welcome as I walked into the light, breezy reception. Choose from a range of botanical facials, beauty treatments and soothing massages using traditional techniques (obviously, I couldn’t go past a relaxing massage). All products used contain organic, native botanical ingredients with nutrient-rich plant extracts to soothe skin and mind. To really indulge, try out one of the packages, couples treatment or even a pre-wedding day offering.

Getting there

kingfisher bay resort 4wd tour driving passed ss maheno on k'gari island — The world of K’gari awaits. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

Getting to K’gari is shockingly easy. Find daily flights into Hervey Bay from Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. Kingfisher Bay Resort offers a shuttle bus between the airport, their headquarters in Hervey Bay and the ferry to take you to K’gari.

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