Why the stretch of coast between Pt Willunga and Aldinga is the new place to eat
From a contemporary seafood restaurant with a killer view, to homemade gnocchi served from a van, here are the places you need to eat in Aldinga right now.
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For more than two decades, Cono Gorgone has been travelling to Fleurieu Peninsula’s famed beaches for a swim, Aussie fish ‘n’ chips and breath of fresh air.
“Port Willunga beach is absolutely amazing,” says Mr Gorgone. “And there is a really good family vibe.”
The seaside escape was the ideal location for Mr Gorgone’s third Sicily Pizzeria; it’s called, Sicily Mare. Mare is the Italian word for “sea”.
The restaurant, at 107 Esplanade, Aldinga Beach, is the latest of a string of eating destinations in the area.
Just down the road, Pitstop Italian Food van has been dishing up homeley Italian fare for the past year. “We bought a house in Aldinga because we want to live near the beach,” says chef Giovanni Cologni, who runs the van with his wife, Silvia.
“We keep the van at the same place on the esplanade, because we have regulars.”
Inland, Lot 8 Aldinga is earning praises for its Nonyan laksa, and Little Rickshaw is a cult favourite for South East Asian food lovers.
The venues join longstanding Port Willunga drawcard, Star of Greece restaurant and adjacent kiosk.
At Sicily Mare, resident pizza maker, Filip Daher, is serving up crowd-pleasing, wood-fired pizzas, made with hand-stretched, 72-hour proved dough.
Locals and tourists alike can also get a taste of housemade arancini, involtini, melanzane (eggplant) cooked with basil and ricotta, and sausage caponata, as well as traditional Sicilian cannoli. A gelataria is also in the pipelines for the site.
“We’re very happy with the response we’ve had so far from the locals, and a lot of people coming from the city for a Sunday drive,” Mr Gorgone says. “There is a children’s playground in front of us, trees, water … we are so happy to be here.”
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PITSTOP ITALIAN FOOD
Italian-born chef Giovanni “Vanni” Cologni and his wife Silvia built their Pitstop Italian Food van 18 months ago as a change of pace from busy restaurant life.
In February last year, they pulled up stumps (or released their van’s breaks) in Bendigo, Victoria, where they lived, and set out for the seaside of Aldinga Beach, where they now live and operate their popular food truck.
“We have regulars, locals, people from Adelaide, a few people come every night when we open,” says Vanni. Especially in summer when the weather is nicer; we put out tables and chairs and people can watch the sunset while enjoying the pasta. It’s beautiful.”
The van is best known for its homemade pasta and gnocchi, which is cooked to order, as well as Italian doughnuts or “bomboloni”.
“Everything is made from scratch – we mince our own mince for the bolognese; same with the Italian sausage,” Vanni says.
Popular dishes include gnocchi with gorgonzola and walnuts, fettuccine puttanesca and – Vanni’s favourite – gnocchi with Italian sausage. But he can prepare whatever one’s carb-loving heart desires.
“We have one customer, he’s five or six, who orders ‘noodles with extra sauce, no chilli, garlic and parmesan,” Vanni says with a smile. “So I basically make him a soup with spaghetti!”
Find them at Snapper Point, Wed-Sun from 4.30pm
THE LITTLE RICKSHAW
This rustic, character-packed Vietnamese restaurant opened its doors in 2018 and quickly became a local favourite.
Owners Mike and Trinh Richards serve up fresh Vietnamese inspired dishes, McLaren Vale wines, Vietnamese coffee and laid-back charm. The tiny kitchen serves up small plates such as crispy Szechuan fish gua baos with sriracha mayo, kim chi, cucumber and pickled onion; bowls of spicy chicken wings, and a choice of four kinds of dumplings (the beef and basil beauties in bone broth with chilli and charred onion petals are memorable).
Bigger dishes such as crackling roast pork belly with papaya salad or orange and star anise duck leg cooked three ways also hit the spot. Desserts are also Vietnamese-inspired (save room for the banana fritters with chocolate soil and salted coconut chocolate ice-cream). Or, just opt for the ‘feed me option’ and let the good times roll.
24 Old Coach Rd, Aldinga, Thurs-Sat from 5pm; Sun 12pm-3pm. Bookings essential, 0403 784 568.
PEARL
Location, location, location. If it’s lunch with a view you’re after, this place has it in spades.
Built, and now run by respected chef Jules Rydon and partner Bec Seidel, the shack-like design is just metres from the sandy shore.
It’s one of the reasons why the five-month-young restaurant has fast won over fans. The other reason is, of course, the food. It’s takeaway-only while restrictions are in place, but luckily there’s plenty of picturesque spots to perch – or enjoy your meal from the heated comfort of your car. Grab a roast eggplant and haloumi roll, fish and chips made with local yellowfin whiting or crispy school prawns, dusted with saltbush and nori salt. Keep the restaurant on your hitlist for when normality returns, because this is where you’ll want to celebrate with friends.
Lower Esplanade, Aldinga Beach, Fri-Sun 9am-3pm. See the menu at pearlaldingabeach.com.au – call 7477 7177 to preorder.
ZAN’S VAN
As workplace views go, it doesn’t get much better than the stretch of azure ocean at Port Willunga.
That’s what Zan’s Van owner Zanny Twopenny looks out on as she serves at her mobile coffee caravan. At eight-foot long, it’s a tiny little van but you can’t miss it. The bright orange and blue is an unmissable dot on the horizon.
“My surfboard is longer than my business,” Zanny said. “I love that people get excited when they see me parked on the esplanade.” Zanny is a local from way back and a familiar face on the hospitality scene. Back in 1997, she started the nearby Star of Greece restaurant.
After 14 years in the restaurant game, she wanted a change. “Coffee is transportable and it’s something that people need. It’s comforting.” So too, is her demeanour. As Zanny serves Soul City Roasters coffee and small sweet treats, she also loves to chat with regulars and visitors to the region. Patrons may have spotted cameo appearances from fellow hospitality face Sharon Romeo, of Fino, who got behind the coffee machine during the restaurant’s shutdown.
The experience is utterly non-pretentious. “It’s a simple little van for complicated times,” she said. “If you see the flash of orange and blue on the horizon, I’m here.”
Find Zanny on the Port Willunga Esplanade 7.30am-11.30am, but it’s best to check Instagram (@zans.van) for daily updates.
LOT 8 ALDINGA
It’s the secret locals don’t really want you to know about. This Singaporean restaurant is in the unlikeliest of places but the joyous welcome is worth the drive.
It’s nestled at the entrance of the Aldinga Arts EcoVillage and looks much like a suburban home. There’s no real signage as such but from the footpath, Francis Tan and his wife Eileen can be spotted preparing the hawker-style they miss from their homeland.
The small but beautifully executed and hearty menu comprises street food dishes such as Nonyan chicken laksa; vegan laksa; char sui (barbecue) chicken noodles (dry or soup versions), char siu chicken rice, spring rolls and curry puffs.
The bright green pandan macarons and pandan cakes are coveted treats. Get them if you can. When the couple opened their little business in December 2018 (after cooking for pals proved popular), diners sat around a long table but due to social distancing restrictions, that isn’t an option (for now). Instead, takeaway is available.
173 Port Rd, Aldinga, Wed-Fri from 5pm (last order 7pm). Order via facebook.com/Lot8Aldinga or text on 0481 796 951.
Know of another local restaurant worthy of praise? Let us know in the comments below.