The Best Restaurants In Adelaide | Australian Traveller

Surrounded by rich wine regions and fertile agricultural land, Adelaide’s restaurant scene has long punched above its weight and the abundant local produce means that quality and affordability go hand in hand.

Balancing world-renowned wine with the freshest produce imaginable, South Australian chefs have long been known for making foodies’ dreams come true.

Book a seat at one of the best restaurants in Adelaide and you’ll discover kitchens working with local producers to create a distinct sense of place, resulting in memorable dining experiences that linger long after the last of the sauce has been mopped up.

The shortlist

Great for special occasions: Restaurant Botanic
Best wine list: Magill Estate
Best for long lunches: Sofia Bistro
Best for casual eats: Peel Street

1. Restaurant Botanic

With an unbeatable location in the middle of the 51-hectare Adelaide Botanic Garden, it’s no surprise that the kitchen at Restaurant Botanic makes liberal use of the many onsite plants. They find their way into everything from garnishes to garums, helping to add a hyperlocal touch to elaborate degustations that unfold over four hours and feature 20+ “flavour combinations".

the lakeside Restaurant Botanic in Adelaide — Restaurant Botanic sits by the lake in the leafy Adelaide Botanic Gardens. (Image: Jonathan van der Knaap)

The leisurely pace means that both dinner and weekend lunches see only a single sitting, allowing the kitchen and floor staff to be generous with their time.

a look inside Restaurant Botanic in Adelaide — Snag a seat with garden views. (Image: Jonathan van der Knaap)

Named the top restaurant in Australia several times over, a visit is as much about the experience as what’s on the plate, with presentation worthy of a gallerist, impeccable service and a drinks list (including a non-alcoholic “temperance" pairing) that benefits from as much care as the food.

a close-up of a dish at Restaurant Botanic, Adelaide — Restaurant Botanic cares about the experience as much as the food. (Image: Jonathan van der Knaap)

Cuisine: Modern Australian

Price: $$$$$

Atmosphere: Modern elegance

Review: 5/5

Location: Plane Tree Dr, Adelaide

2. Osteria Oggi

There are plenty of Italian restaurants in Adelaide, but this classy joint stands head and shoulders above the rest.

a female staff at Osteria Oggi arranging tables — Osteria Oggi offers intimate dining in the heart of the CBD. (Image: Josie Withers)

Whether you visit at lunch or dinner, simply follow the long marble bar through several arches into the piazza-inspired back room and you’ll feel like you’ve been transported from bustling Pirie Street to a regional Italian square.

pouring a drink into a glass alongside a dish on the table at Osteria Oggi — This classy joint serves up sophisticated Italian food. (Image: Duy Dash)

Then all that’s left to do is grab a seat in one of the arched booths and check out the menu that lives up to the restaurant’s name (“oggi" means today).

a table-top view of the Italian menu at Osteria Oggi, Adelaide — The Italian menu at Osteria Oggi stands above the rest. (Image: Duy Dash)

That means fresh pasta made every day, from classics like carbonara to tagliatelle with blue swimmer crab and campanelle with smoked eel, along with elegant piatti piccoli (small plates) and heartier offerings in the secondi section.

the dining area at Osteria Oggi, Adelaide — Grab a seat in one of the arched booths. (Image: Duy Dash)

Cuisine: Italian

Price: $$$

Atmosphere: Warm and inviting

Review: 4.5/5

Location: 76 Pirie St, Adelaide

3. Peel Street

There’s a reason this Peel Street favourite is busy every night of the week (except Sunday, when it closes its doors). The warm, personal service epitomises hospitality and the fabulously fresh plates that meld Middle Eastern and Southeast Asian cuisines are generous enough that you can almost guarantee there’ll be leftovers.

friends dining al fresco at Peel Street, Adelaide — Pop by Peel Street for casual eats. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)

A large blackboard menu changes regularly, but the banana blossom salad is a non-negotiable. Put it all together, and you have a people-pleasing joint that makes it easy to sit back and enjoy life, and if you fancy a post-dinner drink you can find some of Adelaide’s best laneway bars just a few metres away.

friends drinking outside Peel Street, Adelaide — Grab a post-dinner drink at laneway bars next door. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)

Cuisine: Modern Australia

Price: $$$

Atmosphere: Relaxed

Review: 5/5

Location: 9 Peel Street Adelaide

4. Parwana Afghan Kitchen

Since opening this labour of love in 2009, the Ayubi family have become legends in Adelaide’s hospitality scene.

the dining interior of Parwana Afghan Kitchen in Adelaide — Nab a seat in the charming and cutesy dining of Parwana Afghan Kitchen. (Image: Duy Dash)

A large part of that is the menu that packs in plenty of flavour without ever trying to be cutesy – the jewelled rice with slivers of candied orange and pistachios is justifiably famous, and the decadently gooey banjaan borani (eggplant braised in tomato sauce and served with tangy yoghurt) is to die for.

a close-up of a dish at Parwana Afghan Kitchen, Adelaide — Parwana Afghan Kitchen serves up dishes close to home. (Image: Duy Dash)

But there’s more to this spot in Adelaide’s inner west than what’s on the plate. Indigo and salmon walls adorned with old family photographs are a reminder that these dishes provide a very real connection to home, and the Muslim owners use corkage fees to buy and cook food for local homeless people on the weekends.

a spread of food on the table at Parwana Afghan Kitchen, Adelaide — Their Afghan menu is bursting with flavour. (Image: Duy Dash)

Cuisine: Afghan

Price: $$

Atmosphere: Warm

Review: 5/5

Location: 124B Henley Beach Rd, Torrensville

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

5. Magill Estate

Situated on the Penfolds estate in the foothills of the Mount Lofty Ranges, this sumptuous spot has set the bar for Adelaide’s fine dining scene for decades. Just a fifteen-minute drive from the city, it’s still high enough to afford magnificent views of the vineyards, city and the sparkling Gulf St Vincent beyond.

friends enjoying dinner at Penfolds Magill Estate — Magill Estate has set the bar for Adelaide’s fine dining scene for decades. (Image: Tourism Australia / South Australian Tourism Commission)

Expect plenty of wow factor on the plate as well – chef Scott Huggins curates an indulgent tasting menu that combines dramatic presentation, opulent flourishes like caviar and truffle and his signature snack – a crispy deboned chicken wing packed to the brim with lobster and scallop meat.

a winery tour at Penfolds Magill Estate — See the underground tunnels on a heritage-listed winery tour. (Image: Tourism Australia / South Australian Tourism Commission)

The drink pairing unsurprisingly makes liberal use of the Penfolds cellars – opt for the Icon Pairing and you’ll get to taste some seriously impressive back vintages pulled from the museum.

friends exploring the cellar of Penfolds Magill Estate — Peek into the Penfolds cellars. (Image: Tourism Australia / South Australian Tourism Commission)

Cuisine: Modern Australian

Price: $$$$

Atmosphere: Refined

Review: 4.5/5

Location: 78 Penfold Road, Magill

6. Sofia Bistro

The first thing you notice when entering this newcomer, which is part of a Hutt Street renaissance, is the warm welcome. The second is how well it uses its relatively small footprint. An abundance of natural light makes this all-day bistro feel surprisingly spacious, especially during daylight hours. The kitchen is open from breakfast (or brunch on weekends) right through to dinner, but it’s still worth booking ahead if you want one of the comfortable banquettes. Or you could sit at the bar and watch puffy flatbreads, vegetable skewers and proteins emerge from the wood-fired oven. Even the most voracious eaters will be satisfied with the ridiculously generous option, which pairs selections from the oven with cold plates like Sicilian-style crudo featuring kingfish, tuna and scallops. And if you want to settle in for the afternoon, you’ll find a wine list that pairs local classics with some lesser-known lights.

Cuisine: Italian

Price: $$$$

Atmosphere: Cosy

Review: 4/5

Location: 16 Hutt St, Adelaide

7. Black Dog Gallery

There’s no shortage of Japanese restaurants in Adelaide, but this unassuming diner in the city’s leafy Eastern suburbs sits comfortably among the best.

a bowl of noodles at Black Dog Gallery, Adelaide — Slurp on a comforting bowl of noodles at Black Dog Gallery.

A menu that covers plenty of Japanese classics is augmented by daily specials that skew more contemporary, leaving room for rich, creamy bowls of soy and miso ramen, karaage soft shell crab sliders and colourful poke bowls topped with sweet braised eel.

a Japanese dish at Black Dog Gallery, Adelaide — Choose from their Japanese menu.

The anything-goes spirit carries over to beverage offering, which always includes an idiosyncratic selection of specialty Japanese teas and craft beers that help make every visit feel like a journey of discovery.

black dog Kuro posing for a photo at Black Dog Gallery, Adelaide — Black Dog Gallery was named after black dog “Kuro".

Cuisine: Japanese

Price: $$

Atmosphere: Casual

Review: 4/5

Location: 4/455 Greenhill Road, Tusmore

8. Topiary

There’s no mistaking the time of year when you visit this casual restaurant that occupies a 140-year-old cottage in the centre of a suburban nursery. Whether you’re ordering breakfast eggs served with roast pumpkin and miso or tucking into a lunch featuring fresh figs in a bed of honey-spiked feta and celeriac schnitzel topped with fennel oil, it’s important not to get too attached to any dishes as the menu constantly changes to make the most of the seasonal bounty. Owner Kane Pollard draws much of his produce from the site and follows a no waste, made from scratch philosophy that sees bread and cheese made in house and even the smallest by-products repurposed into tasty morsels.

a table-top view of the menu at Topiary, Adelaide — Topiary offers a plant-based dairy-free degustation menu.

Cuisine: Modern Australian

Price: $$

Atmosphere: Serene

Review: 4.5/5

Location: 1361 North East Road, Tea Tree Gully

9. arkhé

When chef Jake Kellie says he likes to cook over fire, you’d better believe it. With no gas or electrical stovetops, everything at this stylish neighbourhood fine diner is grilled, toasted, charred, roasted, caramelised and even fried over glowing chunks of river red gum. And the menu is far from a parade of proteins slapped on the grill (though the richly marbled steaks, butterflied fish and southern rock lobster are all done to perfection).

the classy black and white restaurant interior of arkhé, Adelaide — The interior at arkhé screams classic elegance. (Image: Timothy Kaye)

Kellie shows a surprisingly light touch on flavour-packed small bites like the signature parfait tartlet à la Burnt Ends, a slightly more than bite-sized pastry filled with plush duck liver parfait and topped with a delicate brûléed shell, while ingredients cooked over flames also make their presence felt in several smoky cocktails.

cocktail glasses alongside a plate of oysters at arkhé, Adelaide — Order smoky cocktails to pair with your oysters. (Image: Duy Huynh)

To top it off, Kellie has leveraged his international connections to host regular collaborations with some of the finest chefs from around Australia and the world, ensuring there’s always something new happening at arkhé.

Chef Jake Kellie preparing in the kitchen of arkhé, Adelaide — Chef Jake Kellie likes to cook over fire. (Image: Duy Huynh)

Cuisine: Modern Australian

Price: $$$

Atmosphere: Contemporary chic

Review: 4.5/5

Location: 127 The Parade, Norwood

Weekly travel news, experiences
insider tips, offers, and more.

10. Fino Vino

The city outpost of Fino Seppeltsfield may lack the Barossa restaurant’s broad courtyard and cellar filled with ageing tawny, but the creations emerging from the kitchen here are every bit as enticing.

pouring wine into a glass at Fino Vino, Adelaide — The three-course express menu lunch includes a glass of wine that is an absolute steal for $55. (Image: Julian Cebo)

A fit-out that goes heavy on exposed brick and natural materials mirrors a culinary philosophy that leans towards the classics and allows the flavours in the fresh local produce to shine.

the restaurant interior of Fino Vino in Adelaide — Fino Vino is a contemporary chic restaurant perfect for night outs. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)

Add in front-of-house guru Sharon Romeo’s note-perfect service and the legendary crema catalana for dessert, and you have all the ingredients for a perfect night out. And if you’re popping past at lunch, the three-course express menu lunch that includes a glass of wine is an absolute steal for $55.

a spread of food on the table at Fino Vino in Adelaide — Fino Vino leans towards the classics. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)

Cuisine: Modern Australian

Price: $$$

Atmosphere: Contemporary chic

Review: 4.5/5

Location: 127 The Parade, Norwood

11. Makan

Accessed via a narrow set of stairs, this venue is billed as a wine bar but the name (which means “to eat" in Malaysian) points towards a broader ambition.

a plate of shellfish at Makan restaurant, Adelaide — Makan serves up pan-Asian dishes.

Enticing flavour combinations abound on both sides of the offering, with a 60-strong wine list featuring local natural wines alongside Chinese and Japanese drops (plus some sake and umeshu) and a pan-Asian menu that stretches from Indonesia to Japan.

a table-top view of a dish at Makan restaurant, Adelaide — Enjoy enticing flavours at Makan.

Punchy snacks including prawn “doughnuts" and betel leaves with salmon and green mango match the playful tone of the neon-lit interior, while bolder Chinese flavours shine through in larger plates like jiao ma chicken and smoked chacha cauliflower.

a snack platter with a dip at Makan restaurant, Adelaide — Kick it off with a punchy snack platter.

Cuisine: Japanese

Price: $$

Atmosphere: Trendy

Review: 4/5

Location: Lv1 116 Flinders Street, Adelaide

12. Aces

This old-school Italian restaurant in Adelaide’s Chinatown has been through many iterations, but the latest one might just be the best. Plush red carpet and dim lighting give the downstairs dining room the retro air of a classic Little Italy joint, while the black and white tiled upstairs bar features DJs and a dancefloor on weekends. It’s no surprise that hearty pasta dishes do most of the heavy lifting on the menu, but you’ll also find a few surprises in an appetiser section that features tender lobster ravioli and neatly cut lasagne skewers. Look further and you’ll even find a nod to Aces’ location with Italian-Chinese crossovers including spaghetti vongole à la Golden Century and a “yum ciao" lunch menu of small plates made for sharing.

Cuisine: Italian

Price: $$$

Atmosphere: Vibrant

Review: 4/5

Location: 96 Gouger St, Adelaide

Check out our guide to the 12 best cafes in Adelaide.

Traipse Jurassic cliffs and wander secluded beaches on Australia’s most enchanting walks.

Australia’s landscapes are made for hiking. Take the Red Centre, dusted in shifting sands and dotted with miraculous geological formations. Or our rainforests, left behind as the sole souvenir from continents that no longer exist. Down south, mottled night skies hang above crashing seas and unwavering cliffs. It makes sense, then, that hiking holidays are rising in popularity. No wi fi, no traffic. Just you and the path less travelled on the Great Walks of Australia in remote and iconic destinations.

What are the Great Walks of Australia?

If nature is your happy place, you’ve likely heard of the Great Walks of Australia, part of Tourism Australia’s Signature Experiences program since 2013 – a curated collection of 15 all-inclusive, eco-luxury journeys showcasing the country’s most spectacular landscapes with expert guides and incredible meals. GWOA launching in 2013 as

From exploring the peaks of a World Heritage listed island, to journeying through the heart of Australia, and the gentle pull of the majestic Murray – there’s a walking holiday to suit walkers of all experience levels (and interests).

Joining a Great Walks of Australia hike means the pressure is off with all meals, guides and eco-luxury accommodation included.

Where can you hike?

1. Scenic Rim Trail, Queensland

great walks of australia tour group on Scenic Rim Trail, Queensland — Enjoy incredible food along the way.

Around 23 million years ago, volcanoes spewed magma across Queensland’s Scenic Rim. Now, what’s left of the fiery landscape takes the form of the UNESCO-listed Gondwana rainforest.

The Scenic Rim Trail is a four-day guided hike that takes you through the ancient rainforest. You’ll venture out into breathtaking viewpoints across the Main Range National Park. Enjoy a packed lunch, listen out for the duplicitous calls of the lyrebird and enjoy the silence.

You’ll spend your nights in boutique eco-cabins and incredible hospitality.

2. Murray River Walk, South Australia

great walks of australia tour group on — Walk through vibrant wildflower fields.

Murray River Walk pairs easy hiking with blissful evenings cruising the Murray River. Over four days and nights, you’ll follow kangaroo trails through red dirt dusted with vivid patches of wildflowers.

Each day ends on a solar-powered, custom-built houseboat. Watch towering, red sandstone cliffs float by from the top deck spa. Then, it’s three-course meals sourced from local produce and served alongside the region’s best wines.

The entire region you’ll be traversing is within the Riverland Ramsar site. Watch as spoonbills forage for food in the tranquil wetlands, emus parade through the wildflowers, and regent parrots flit above.

3. Maria Island Walk, Tasmania

wombat along the Maria Island Walk tasmania — Spot adorable locals.

Your Maria Island walk begins with a private boat transfer to an untouched, white sand beach. Barefoot in the sand, you’ll quickly realise – aside from your guide and group – you’re completely alone. Spot countless wombats and hear the distant calls of Tasmanian Devils as you spend four days leisurely traversing the island.

Nights are split between private, comfortable wilderness camps and queen-size beds in a historic cottage from the island’s convict history. Meals are built around fresh-caught seafood and served with East Coast Tasmanian wine.

4. Seven Peaks Walk, New South Wales

hiker on Seven Peaks Walks on Lord Howe Island — Explore the incredible Lord Howe Island. (Image: Luke Hanson)

Lord Howe Island feels like another world. With its patchwork blue coral lagoons and magma-honed peaks, it’s easy to forget you’re in New South Wales.

This walk has the highest level of elevation in the Great Walks of Australia’s collection. It’s because of this that you’ll witness nature like never before. UNESCO-listed volcanic peaks and coral reefs that grew out of solidified lava will become your daily norm.

Along the way, step onto beaches that lie undisturbed for weeks at a time. Then, snorkel the southernmost reef in the Pacific Ocean.

5. Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa Signature Walk, Northern Territory

This five-day, fully guided, premium hiking experience inside Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park was developed in partnership with Aṉangu Traditional Owners. Begin your walk dwarfed by the shade of Kata Tjuṯa’s towering dome formations. Following remote desert trails through the red sands, crest dunes and traverse mulga woodlands as you draw closer to the monolithic walls of Uluṟu.

Each night, dine under the lamp light of the Milky Way in the warm desert air and sleep in new flagship, environmentally sensitive private camps and lodge. This is the first time that travellers have ever been allowed to spend the night inside the national park.

6. The Twelve Apostles Signature Walk, Victoria

great walks of australia tour group on The Twelve Apostles Signature Walk, Victoria — See the Twelve Apostles in a new way. (Image: Ken Luke)

The Great Ocean Road’s rugged splendour is best experienced on this signature four-day, 44-kilometre guided walk. You’ll follow the rugged limestone stacks of the shipwreck coastline: wild, crashing waves, curious wildlife, and two national parks.

Finish each day at your luxurious lodge, where you’ll sit with your feet soaking and a glass of wine in hand. You’ll have a single lodge to call home on this walk, meaning you’ll only need to set out with a day pack.

7. Three Capes Signature Walk, Tasmania

On Tasmania’s Three Capes Signature Walk, you’ll feel like you’re walking along the edge of the world. From your boat landing on a remote beach, climb slowly upward for spectacular views and wildlife encounters with pods of dolphins, fur seals and echidnas. Spend days walking Jurassic dolerite cliffs with the wild Southern Ocean as your only constant.

Stay in architecturally designed eco-lodges nestled at the very edge of the world. Think floor-to-ceiling windows, a plunge pool and even an on-site spa to tend to ailments from the hike.

Discover more Great Walks of Australia and start planning your next adventure at greatwalksofaustralia.com.au.

The best restaurants in Adelaide for every occasion

Surrounded by rich wine regions and fertile agricultural land, Adelaide’s restaurant scene has long punched above its weight and the abundant local produce means that quality and affordability go hand in hand.

The shortlist

1. Restaurant Botanic

2. Osteria Oggi

3. Peel Street

4. Parwana Afghan Kitchen

5. Magill Estate

6. Sofia Bistro

7. Black Dog Gallery

8. Topiary

9. arkhé

10. Fino Vino

11. Makan

12. Aces

This new SA luxe glamping experience allows you to wake up with zebras

Adelaide’s corpse flower is about to bloom – and thousands are expected to line up for the smell

This new bathhouse in Adelaide is focused on community

This new coastal walk connects two of Adelaide’s most popular beaches

7 Great Walks of Australia providing unforgettable adventures

Traipse Jurassic cliffs and wander secluded beaches on Australia’s most enchanting walks.

What are the Great Walks of Australia?