AFL Gather Round food guide: Best places to eat near Adelaide, Norwood and Mount Barker ovals
Whether you’re after pub grub or something fancier here are the top 17 places to eat around Adelaide Oval to Norwood, Mount Barker and beyond.
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Adelaide’s festival of footy is here and watching all that Gather Round action will make you work up an appetite.
From those visiting South Australia for the first time to locals looking to enjoy everything the city has to offer we have put together a guide for the best places to eat near all three grounds.
But if you’re yet to book accommodation for the Thursday, April 4 to Sunday, April 7 event recommend acting quick with Airbnbs going for well over $10k for the four nights.
Here are the hot spots to try before and after the matches at Adelaide Oval, Norwood Oval and The Summit Sport and Recreation Park in Mount Barker.
Looking for a watering hole? We have you covered with a Gather Round drinks guide featuring the best pubs and bars near all three grounds.
ADELAIDE OVAL
QUEEN’S HEAD HOTEL
117 Kermode St, North Adelaide
Dating back to 1838, this cute little watering hole has big bragging rights. It can boast to being “the oldest licensed venue in its original location in South Australia”. The grub is also legendary, especially the pizzas from the anything-but-standard pepperoni to the bougie funghi, with mushrooms, potato, mozzarella, rocket and tastebud tantaliser truffle oil. You can sit inside, in the beer garden, out the front or in an “if you know, you know” private dining room. But be sure to book because on game day this pub is packed.
It’s a short walk from Adelaide Oval. Stick to the main route on King William Rd past St Peter’s Cathedral, which is truly a thing of beauty at night.
Or you may want to take the shortcut; past Oval Hotel and through the parklands and up the laneway Abbott Lane. Just try not to walk directly under the trees because bats like to wee on unsuspecting passers by! We warned you.
DA VINCI RISTORANTE
10 O’Connell St, North Adelaide
There is nothing more frustrating than trying to find somewhere to eat only to discover everything is closed when you are hungry. A short walk from Adelaide Oval, this late-night restaurant – where you can get pasta, pizza and parmis (that’s parmas, if you’re from Melbourne), plus desserts including Nutella waffles – is almost always open 24/7; okay, until 3am. And, should Da Vinci happen to be shut when you stumble upon it, there’s always the 24-hour Bakery on O’Connell just up the street at 128-130 (yes, it’s that big).
ITL ITALIAN KITCHEN
SkyCity Adelaide, 125 North Terrace
This Riverbank favourite on the ground floor of SkyCity Adelaide serves up tasty yet uncomplicated Italian fare, with their wood oven fired pizzas, pastas and seafood among the most popular – and delicious – items.
Pop in early for a negroni or similar, and gear up for the first bounce just across the bridge.
FUGAZZI BAR AND DINING
27 Leigh St, Adelaide
Take a short trek up the city’s laneways and you’ll find this New York-inspired, Italian fine diner.
Popular with visiting international celebrities including Paul McCartney, Nigella Lawson, Michael Buble and most recently, Henry Winkler, Fugazzi’s the place to see and be seen. You might even spot an AFL heavyweight or two.
Unassuming from the outside, step inside and you’ll find a classy and stylish brasserie with flavoursome pasta dishes and small bites.
A couple of personal faves include the mortadella and crisp salami sando, and the gnocco fritto
BESPOKE WINE BAR & KITCHEN
Oval Hotel, Adelaide Oval
The sweeping views of Adelaide Oval make this spot the perfect venue before and after Gather Round matches.
Part of the Oval Hotel, Bespoke is located on level three and features a modern Australian menu from top chef Daniel Simpson, highlighted by a range of entrees and larger plates.
Among the most popular include the braised rib, cockle and king prawn spaghetti or confit duck, plus several steak dishes.
Punters should note though that Bespoke is exclusive for MXT Club members during games, but open to the public at other times.
AFRICOLA
4 East Terrace, Adelaide
Just like Fugazzi, celebrities seemingly make a beeline for this award-winning East End restaurant as soon as they arrive in town, with big names including Oscar winner Olivia Colman, Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl and tennis legend Novak Djokovic among recent guests.
Rock star chef Duncan Welgemoed packs plenty of flavour into his African-inspired dishes, and while the menu is ever evolving, you’ll find a wide variety of quality plant-based fare alongside meat offerings such as peri peri chicken and seafood.
It’s a little down the road from Adelaide Oval but the Botanic tram stops nearby and it’s well worth the extra trip.
THE STRATHMORE HOTEL
129 North Terrace, Adelaide
There’s something for every footy fan at this iconic, renovated city location, which features a bar, restaurant, beer garden and cafe, all in one.
Tuck into pub classics downstairs, plus their famous stonegrill options, or check out their garden bar with two giant 85-inch mega screen TVs.
If you’re looking for a view, head upstairs to their all-weather veranda complete with retractable roof and enjoy a bite or a meal from their bar/restaurant menu.
LA TRATTORIA RESTAURANT & PIZZA BAR
346 King William St, Adelaide
Known and loved by locals – and legends like the late, great Ayrton Senna, Mick Jagger and Jon Bon Jovi – as “La Tratt”, this iconic Italian restaurant is like something out of The Godfather. And the spaghetti puttanesca and house-made tiramisu are to die for. Also, if you can’t score a ticket to Gather Round on Saturday or Sunday, you can catch all the action on big screens at La Tratt over an $80 three-course set menu and a Peroni or two (the first one’s free!). Book online or call Billy on 0419834921.
NORWOOD OVAL
ARKHE
127 The Parade, Norwood
Everything in this sleek and stylish eatery is cooked over open flames, from their grilled fig and eggplant, to their hot roasted bone marrow and Southern Rock Lobster with garlic brown butter sauce.
Located just up the road from Norwood Oval, this acclaimed venue is led by award-winning chef Jake Kellie (best known for his time at the Michelin-starred Burnt Ends in Singapore), and offers a $150 chef’s tasting menu – an ideal way to sate that pre-game hunger.
Personally, we suggest trying to snag a chair at the counter and watch Kellie and his team work their magic in the open kitchen.
CAFFE BUONGIORNO
145 The Parade, Norwood
This Italian eatery is the ‘burbs answer to La Tratt in the CBD. On The Parade for more than 30 years, it’s an institution. Family-friendly, Buongiorno has a kid’s menu and gelati, and is also open for breakfast from 7am, when the house special brekky, eggs and bacon with mushroom and tomato plus continental toast, is on the menu. While the kitchen closes at 10pm most nights, you can order “pizza ‘til late”.
THE BATH HOTEL
If you fancy a good feed in a posh yet unpretentious setting, you will definitely want to dip your toes into the water that is The Bath. The heritage hotel, which dates back to 1856, is the perfect place to met up before or after the match. There’s something for everyone on the menu – from trad pub-grub beef burgers to bougy tempura, salsa verde oysters – and a drinks list that includes a so-hot-right-now Chilli Margarita and alcohol-free sparling, sauv blanc and shiraz.
400 GRADI
121 The Parade, Norwood
This award-winning pizza institution has built a loyal following since its first restaurant opened in Melbourne in 2008. Conceived by pizzaiolo Johnny Di Francesco, Gradi expanded to The Parade in 2019 and is conveniently located for those looking to carb-load prior to or post Gather Round match.
Pizza connoisseurs won’t be disappointed with their Neapolitan style pies either. The chain was recently ranked sixth on the global 50 Top Pizza list of artisan pizza chains, and its signature Margherita pizza is a previous winner of the world’s best pizza award at the World Pizza Championships. Bon appetit!
30 ACRES
233 The Parade, Norwood
A little further up the Parade you’ll find this light and airy cafe/diner which opened in 2021 and has quickly become a favourite of locals.
Using a farm-to-table philosophy, the venue’s operators Rik Fisher and Alex Smith live in Ashton, in the Adelaide Hills, on a property of – yep, you guessed it – 30 acres.
Their farm supplies the restaurant with its stone fruit and vegetable produce, plus there’s an on-site bakery for all your bread and pastry needs.
Open seven days including late on Friday and Saturday, the expansive menu also features a range of smaller and larger dishes including separate brunch, lunch and dinner options.
MOUNT BARKER
SUSA CAFE
1 Aston Parade, Mount Barker
If you fancy your coffee with a view, head over to SUSA, from hospitality duo and siblings Taylah and Maddison Canny.
Launched in August last year, it’s the sisters’ second Hills venue (after Lady Luck Cafe, also in Mount Barker) and is situated in Ashton Hills Estate overlooking a small pond, a picturesque spot to enjoy their tasty brunch and lunch offerings.
Head chef Kirk Mortimer is the brains behind Susa’s delicious dishes, which includes crispy fish sanga, southern fried chicken benny, broccoli toastie, and pumpkin hazelnut gnocchi.
Open Wednesday to Sunday, SUSA’s fully licensed serving local wines and Degroot coffee.
Grab a table on their outdoor deck and soak in the scenery before heading to the footy.
GAWLER STREET CAFE
46 Gawler St, Mount Barker
This Canadian/New York-style diner serves up hearty bagels, burgers, salads, doughnuts, cookies, coffees and more for breakfast and lunch across seven days.
They’ve recently hired a new chef and he’s wasted no time putting his stamp on the menu, adding the Wisconsin burger to their offerings: a beef patty with roasted peppers, fried cheese curds, lettuce and caramelised onion. Yum.
SAZON ESPRESSO
1/24 Gawler St, Mount Barker
This charming cafe has been a staple of Mount Barker for about 15 years, and there’s no signs of it slowing down.
Cousins Jose and Oswaldo Estrella first plied their trade in Mexico City before bringing their authentic, Mexican-inspired brunch dishes – with a hint of the Mediterranean – to the Hills.
This includes everything from fresh-flavoured quesadillas, tacos and burrito-focused fare, all delivered in a warm and welcoming environment.
Just as importantly, Sazon is also known for brewing some of the best coffee in the Hills region.
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