Restaurants in Adelaide

Jolleys Boathouse

Set on the banks of the River Torrens, this tucked away boathouse is a stylish restaurant with friendly, down-to-earth staff. Watch the boats and black swans sail by as you feast alfresco. Or gaze through the floor-to-ceiling windows, warmly sat by the flickering fire during winter, banqueting on elaborate seasonal produce.

The menu features suckling pig with caramelised shallots, grass-fed Cape Grim Scotch fillet, roast kangaroo loin and share plates. The crisp-skin barramundi is always cooked to perfection.

Peel Street

Hip and popular, this locale is a treat for wine-lovers and food connoisseurs alike. The menu, written by hand upon a huge black board hung on the wall, changes regularly, but each share plate is thoughtfully prepared and beautifully presented. The emphasis here is on creating the most favourable combinations of flavours and textures—but to fully enjoy the experience, be prepared to be adventurous! Consider trying, for instance, the Banana Blossom Chicken.

Penfolds Magill Estate Restaurant

At the birthplace of Penfolds wine, Magill Estate Restaurant is the number one establishment for discerning wine and dine connoisseurs. Their Michelin-starred chef doesn’t just match whites with whites and reds with reds, but expertly fine-tunes flavours, weights and textures between wine and food. The restaurant houses a state-of-the-art, purpose-built underground cellar. Choice menu selections are the Coorong mullet and blue swimmer crab, to be enjoyed overlooking the estate’s vineyards and city beyond.

2KW Bar and Restaurant

An eighth floor restaurant on the corner of King William Street and North Terrace, 2KW Bar and Restaurant offers great views of Adelaide in addition to a unique menu made up of traditional Australian dishes creatively prepared. These dishes are made for sharing, so grab a bunch of your friends and enjoy the food and views in 2KW’s rooftop garden.

Sq Restaurant

Overlooking leafy Hindmarsh Square, this modern restaurant is kitted out with a polished timber floor and furnishings between red and brown walls. Enjoy Asian-influenced modern Australian dishes using the freshest South Australian ingredients. Favourites include chargrilled prawns with watermelon nahm jim, green duck leg curry with rice and mango pickle, wagyu pie with beetroot chutney and twice-cooked goat’s cheese soufflé. Save a spot for the illegally good coconut panna cotta, laced with Malibu ice cream.

The Bistro

The Bistro cooks up succulently fresh Adelaide Hills produce within a stylish and contemporary space. The indoor décor of the restaurant is filled with nooks and corners that merge harmoniously with the leafy alfresco section.

Enjoy regional and seasonal local fare, and chew in time to the beats of the weekend DJs and live bands. It’s the perfect place to socialise over an exciting range of shared plates, with terrific examples including the Kilpatrick oysters and salt and pepper baby squid.

Burger Theory

Adopting recipes from Adelaide’s famous Burger Truck, this East End diner is a hip and funky joint that attracts the bohemian crowd. It’s so good that it often has queues into the street. Their Angus beef is ground by hand, with burgers dressed in the diner’s Truck Sauce (a tightly-held recipe containing 12 secret ingredients). It’s your typical American diner in the middle of South Australia.

Let Them Eat

Known locally as the vegetarian café that meat-eaters crave, Let Them Eat offers sophisticated, homemade dishes that are nutrient-packed and chemical and preservative free. Some dishes are suitable for vegans.

Tanya Angius, the café’s highly experienced chef, only prepares wholefood that she would be prepared to eat herself. The seductive cabinets have a multi-coloured display of salads that feature quinoa, cracked wheat, mung beans, lentils and chickpeas. Also enjoy outstanding handmade pies, quiches, wholemeal pastries and cakes. The pumpkin and red lentil lasagne is faultless.

Pancakes At The Port

For a fluffy range of sweet and savoury buttermilk-rich pancakes, head to Port Adelaide. As well as the traditional maple syrup, whipped butter and fruit types, this family operated business excels at Hawaiian pancakes topped with ham and pineapple. The sizzling Cajun chicken breast dish with potato chunks and salad is also a fine choice. Sit at a waterside table and watch the resident dolphins glide by.