The Adelaide food and drink scene has never looked so good.
Gone are the days of Adelaide being called a ‘big sleepy country town’. Now, we’re finding hot new spots to gather our gals where we’d least expect them — and they’re absolutely blowing our socks off. Adelaide is quickly becoming the home of incredible local produce, coffee, cocktails and more… and we’re loving every second.
To celebrate some of these local finds, we’ve pulled together five of the hottest new cafes, bars and restaurants across Adelaide. Cheers to fabulous food and drink!
Image Credit :: Jack Fenby
Kiin
Starting strong in the city, we’ve got Kiin — a modern Asian restaurant with a big Thai influence. Owners Ben and David aren’t new to the game, having spent their lives training and working on the east coast. “We decided to make the move to Adelaide, as we really saw an opportunity to be part of the rapidly developing scene here! We think Kiin can become a unique part of the local foodscape,” says Ben.
On the menu is Ben’s take on classic Thai dishes but with innovative flavours that aren’t comparable to anything else in Adelaide right now. Hungry diners can enjoy a prawn and lychee pop stick with chilli sugar-salt; or burrata with green nahm jim, fried shallot and roti, in the relaxed atmosphere of the Angas Street restaurant. “Dining with us isn’t just about food and service — it’s more of an immersive and memorable experience that people will remember and talk about,” David says.
Image Credit :: Jack Fenby
For a tasty drop to round out your meal, you’ll be thrilled to know that the wine list has been expertly curated to match the menu and features wines from boutique local producers and Europe. “We don’t sell wines from anywhere else in Australia besides SA, as we want to acknowledge how diverse and incredible the industry is down here,” David explains.
Svago Cucina Artigiani Italiani
Svago Cucina Artigiani Italiani on Unley Road gives you the opportunity to eat classic Italian food with a modern twist. It’s a truly Italian artisan kitchen, which allows the team to create unique foods while keeping their traditions alive.
Image Credit :: Wayne Pearson
At Svago, it’s all about keeping it real and sticking to handmade recipes that have been passed down for generations. Their pasta is all made in-house, and their pizza dough rests for 48 to 72 hours, creating a light and easily digestible dough. And then, the goods are paired with perfect flavours. “Our head chef has extensive culinary experience — he’s got some incredible dishes up his sleeve!” says the owner, Nancy.
The menu celebrates fresh produce that speaks for itself — whether that’s locally caught fish or a simple, fresh tomato sauce, the ingredients will sing. The spaghetti frutti de mare is a great example, filled with calamari, prawns, vongole, mussels, cherry tomatoes, lobster bisque, chilli and finished with bottarga (a cured grey mullet roe). And that’s just the beginning! Our eyes lit up at the risotto funghi with porcini and swiss brown mushrooms, parsley, parmesan, fontina cheese and a drizzle of truffle oil, and we did a little dance when we saw tiramisu on the menu.
Image Credit :: Wayne Pearson
Whether you’re looking for a dinner party with expertly crafted specialty cocktails at Svago (a venue that caters for up to 120 people), or you’d like them to feed your next function at home, these guys are ready to serve you a taste of Italy.
Bandit Pizza & Wine
Bandit Pizza & Wine, sibling venue to Anchovy Bandit, has taken the best parts of what made the original Prospect venue iconic, and has transformed it into an entirely new iteration on Unley Road. With a menu centred around a custom-made hearth and wood fired oven, the distinct charred scent is unparalleled and totally inviting.
Executive Chef and CoOwner Shane Wilson champions seasonality in the menu, with the support of Head Chef Antonino Pruner. They mix things up often, giving diners a unique and memorable dining experience to be savoured every time.
Image Credit :: Duy Dash
Naturally, pizza features on the menu, but it’s the dishes with inspired combinations, such as the grilled Pacific oysters with seaweed butter, and the tiger prawns with native curry butter and grilled lime, that really set Bandit Pizza & Wine apart.
Wash down each bite with a pick from their wine list, which is filled with hard-to-find drops that the team has kept tucked away in their cellar since 2019. Expect to find wines from some of the best local producers, as well as the occasional Barolo for good measure — all without the stuffy service that can come with wine culture. We’ll drink to that!
Thirty Five Stirling
If you need a newbie to visit during the day, head to Thebarton and pay Thirty Five Stirling a visit! They’re open for breakfast, brunch and lunch, six days a week (Tuesday to Sunday), and they’re ready to welcome you inside like an old friend.
Image Credit :: Thomas Lane TwinSocial
Home is a historic factory, which they’ve decked out to make it ultra Instagrammable (hello, indoor swings!), which sets the scene for their flavoursome meals and delightful drinks.
Owner Jess has a background in local produce and baking, making her the ideal force to build a menu around South Australian businesses, producers and growers. “It’s always been a dream of mine to bring my love of local produce and breakfast together, and Thirty Five Stirling really has been a dream come true. We’ve made sure the menu has some unique dishes that absolutely surprise every one of your senses, as well as your trusty cafe favourites — but with a Thirty Five Stirling twist!”
Image Credit :: Thomas Lane TwinSocial
Some of the crowd favourites on the menu include the cinnamon doughnut French toast, apple crumble hot cakes, and zucchini and corn hush puppies, as well as their wide range of freshly squeezed juices, house cocktails and Will & Co coffee. Everyone is welcome (including the kiddos), and the relaxed atmosphere will have you sitting back with a smile on your face as you enjoy their warm customer service.
30 Acres
From brunch and business meetings to romance and feasting, 30 Acres does it all! And it all started with a dream.
Image Credit :: 30 Acres
“We live in the Adelaide Hills and always wanted to open a modern Australian eatery, sourcing products right from our back door. So, we created 30 Acres on The Parade, where our chefs, bakers and bartenders take local and seasonal produce and turn it into an experience for the whole family. Our small farm even provides the stone fruit and some of the vegetables for the restaurant!” says Alex, Co-Owner of 30 Acres with their partner Rik.
The walls of this beautiful space are lined with local wine, loaves of fresh bread, condiments, pottery and more. Each and every detail has been considered, and this is reflected in their menu. Order off the all-day menu or their dinner menu, and you’re in for a treat! Some of the mouth-watering options include the breakfast coconut, chickpea and lentil curry with fried potatoes, mango chutney, green sauce, yoghurt, poached egg and tarka; the avocado and Woodside chèvre on toasted rye with honey-spiced seeds, roasted pumpkin and a poached egg; or the chargrilled saltbush lamb rump with burnt cabbage puree, pickled currants, pepitas and honey fermented radicchio. So exotic!
Image Credit :: 30 Acres
The drinks menu boasts bubbling cocktails, housemade sodas (that pair nicely with gin!), hundreds of wines, as well as coffee and tea. There’s definitely something for everyone!
Next time the group chat is firing with: “Where should we catch up?”, you’re fully equipped to impress with some fabulous recommendations. You’re welcome!
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