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.

This remote corner of Australia is one of the world’s last frontiers. This is how to see it properly.

Vast, rugged and deeply spiritual, the Kimberley coast in Australia’s North West feels a world away from everyday Australia – and there are countless ways to explore it. But if you want to reach ancient rock art, hidden gorges and lonely waterfalls, it has to be by boat. Whether you’re aboard a nimble expedition vessel or a luxury yacht with all the trimmings, exploring by the water brings exclusive experiences, shows unique views and makes travel easier than any other mode. And that’s just the beginning of Australia’s North West cruises.

The True North Adventure Cruise in between sandstone cliffs. — Adventure starts where the road ends.

1. Discover Broome, and beyond

Explore your launchpad before you set sail: Broome. Here camels and their riders stride along the 22 kilometres of powdery Cable Beach at sunset. That’s just the start.

At Gantheaume Point, red pindan cliffs plunge into the turquoise sea, whose low tide uncovers fossilised dinosaur footprints. Broome’s pearling history runs deep. Japanese, Chinese, Malay and Aboriginal divers once worked these waters, and their legacy lives on in boutiques where South Sea pearls still shine.

If the moon’s right, you may catch the Staircase to the Moon over Roebuck Bay. Or simply kick back with a cold beverage and a film under the stars at Sun Pictures , screening since 1916.

Ride a camel along Cable Beach as the sun sinks into the Indian Ocean, casting golden light across the sand and sea. — Ride a camel along Cable Beach. (Image: Nick Dunn)

2. Unmatched access to The Kimberley

Once you’re onboard, expect a backstage pass to some of the most isolated places on Earth. No roads. No ports. No phone reception.

At Horizontal Falls/ Garaanngaddim, 10-metre tides surge through twin gorges like a natural waterpark ride that’ll make your palms sweat. Then there’s Montgomery Reef/ Yowjab: a giant living platform of coral and seagrass, where the sea pulls back to reveal waterfalls, sea turtles and ospreys.

Up north, King George Falls/ Oomari rage 80 metres down red cliffs. Zodiac boats often nudge in closer so you can feel the spray on your sun-warmed cheeks. You might even fly in to reach Mitchell Falls/ Punamii-unpuu, a four-tiered cascade where you can swim in freshwater pools above the drop.

Come spring, some itineraries veer west to Rowley Shoals: an atoll chain of white sand and reef walls. Then it’s up the winding Prince Regent River to King Cascade/ Maamboolbadda, tumbling over rock terraces, and into a Zodiac to view the Gwion Gwion rock art, whose slender, ochre-painted figures are older than the pyramids.

A cruise drifts beneath King George Falls, where sheer sandstone cliffs frame the thunderous plunge into turquoise waters. — Get closer to the Kimberley than ever before.

3. Taste the Kimberley with onboard hospitality

You might spend your days clambering over slippery rocks or charging past waterfalls. But when you’re back on the water, it’s a different story. Meals are chef-prepared and regionally inspired: grilled barramundi, pearl meat sashimi, mango tarts, and bush tomato chutney. One night it’s barefoot beach barbecues with your shipmates; the next, alfresco dining on the ship.

Small expedition ships each have their own personality, but many carry just 12 to 36 guests, making being out on the water a whole other experience. You might sink into a spa on the foredeck or sip coffee in a lounge while watching crocodiles cruise by. It’s choose-your-own-relaxation, Kimberley style.

4. Expert-led excursions through the Kimberley

These voyages are led by people who know the Kimberley like the back of their sunburnt hand. Attenborough-esque naturalists might gently tap your shoulder to point out rare birds or tell the story beneath a slab of rock. Historians can explain exactly how that rusted World War II relic came to rest here.

If your ship has a helipad, you might chopper straight to a waterfall-fed swimming hole. If not, you’ll still be hopping ashore for that wet landing at a secret creek.

Then come the evenings: songlines shared by Traditional Owners under the stars, or astronomy sessions that link what’s overhead with what’s underfoot and what’s within.

A small group glides through Kimberley’s rugged coastline by boat, passing ancient cliffs. — Explore with naturalists and historians by your side.

5. Relax in luxurious lodgings

Just because you’re off-grid doesn’t mean you have to rough it. These Kimberley vessels are small in size, but mighty in luxury. True North’s ships come with their own helicopters and a no-sea-days policy, so you’re always in the thick of it. Try the luxurious offerings from Ocean Dream Charters for exploration in style. Kimberley Quest offers a fast boat for easy, off-ship adventures. On the larger end of the scale, Coral Expeditions has open-deck bars and curated wine cellars. And then there’s Ponant’s luxury yachts – sleek and incredibly stylish French sailing yachts.

A helicopter soars above the sea, with a sleek cruise ship gliding in the distance. — See the Kimberley from sky to shore.

6. The adventure continues with pre- and post-cruise experiences

You’ve already come this far – so, why not go further? Broome makes it easy to ease in before you board, or wind down when your voyage ends, and there is no reason to stop there.

Head an hour and a half south to Eco Beach to stay off-grid and off the clock. Join a Yawuru guide for a mangrove walk or ocean forage. Dive even deeper into Broome’s pearling past at Willie Creek or Cygnet Bay, where divers and craftspeople still pull the seawater-slicked gems from the deep.

If you’re still craving adventure, it’s time to go further. Soar over the Buccaneer Archipelago, or detour inland with a 4WD trip along the Gibb River Road. Book a scenic flight over the Bungle Bungles. Or – because you never know when you’ll be back – do all three.

aerial of people walking on eco beach in the kimberley western australia — Stay off grid at Eco Beach. (Image: Tourism WA)

Find out more about your trip to Australia’s North West at australiasnorthwest.com .

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