Country pub crawl: South Australia’s top 11 country pubs according to locals

No one knows a great country pub better than a local. Take a tour of the state’s best watering holes and counter meals recommended by regional South Aussies.

SA's best country pubs as nominated by locals. Pictures: Supplied / Facebook

If country pubs could talk they’d tell tales of local footy premierships, farmers finding wives and events that bring the whole town together.

They’re the places where everyone knows your name – and if they don’t, you’ll be welcomed with open arms.

South Australia’s great country pubs are second homes to locals and destinations for tourists.

We’ve already listed 18 establishments to stop by on your next country pub crawl including one The Advertiser’s food reviewer Simon Wilkinson in December referred to as “one of the great discoveries of the dining year”.

But no one knows a great pub better than a local.

So we asked for a shout and regional South Aussies delivered nominating their favourite watering holes and counter meals from Port Neill to Langhorne Creek.

CHARLESTON HOTEL

26 Onkaparinga Valley Rd, Charleston 8389 6088, charlestonhotel.com.au

Husband-wife duo Kati and John Lewis have been visiting country pubs every Sunday for several months, and named a few favourites – among them, the Charleston Hotel.

“Not far from the city, but just off any main roads, the Charleston is a cute little gem,” Kati said. “The dining room, while small, was warm and encompassed that country ambience. Service was personable and efficient.” Kati also noted the range of craft beers, a small but “very good” menu and excellent beer garden.

Weird and Wonderful Schnitzels. Charleston Topping at Charleston Hotel

OLD BUSH INN

51 High St, Willunga 8557 1000, oldbushinn.com

“This is real rustic country-feel pub with an unusual bar and excellent roomy dining room,” Kati said. “There are also quite a few outdoor settings on the balcony.

“The menu was fairly extensive with numerous specials on the specials board, including fish.”

THE NORMANVILLE HOTEL

46 Main Rd. Normanville 8558 3200, normanvillehotel.com.au

A few votes for “The Normy”, one of SA’s oldest country pubs. It’s a comfortable setting (it underwent a refurb in more recent years) and offers great dining, bars, accommodation, gaming, wine-tasting, art displays and entertainment.

DALRYMPLE HOTEL

4 Anzac Parade, Stansbury 0456 597 689, thedalrymplehotel.com

“The best food of any regional pub in SA,” reader John wrote. Menu items include lobster sliders and kingfish sashimi, to larger dishes of chicken larb gai, eggplant katsu burger and roast barramundi in jungle curry.

BRIDGE HOTEL

70 Bridge Rd, Langhorne Creek 8537 3010, langhornehotel.com.au

“Never had a bad meal in years,” wrote Kevin. Bridge Hotel also got a vote from Kati and John Lewis, who noted “delightful historic stone” build of the hotel, as well as the friendly front bar. “The menu was of that country feel with my husband’s pie-of-the day being a stand out,” Kati wrote.

PORT NEILL HOTEL

7 Peake Terrace, Port Neill

Reader Griffin wrote: “A tiny bar with the best veranda view of the Bay and summer evenings to die for

THE BLYTH HOTEL

20 Harley St, Blyth 8844 5004, theblythhotel.com.au

Another suggestion from reader Griffin, who wrote: “the owners have revived and revitalised the food and the life of the town with it”.

THE GREENMAN INN

1351 Bull Creek Rd, Ashbourne 8536 6363, thegreenmaninn.com.au

Reader Kevin nominated The Greenmann In for its ambience, “sitting outside alongside beautiful meadows”.

MT PLEASANT HOTEL MOTEL

43 Melrose St, Mount Pleasant 8568 2015, mountpleasanthotelmotel.com.au

Another suggestion from Kati and John Lewis, who wrote, “while a little difficult to locate, this little pub is a beauty”. “The menu was small but enticing,” Kati said. “My chicken breast and mushroom sauce on mashed potato was outstanding. The best mash I’ve ever tasted.”

PORT HUGHES TAVERN

Port Hughes Tavern, 2 Minnie Terrace, Port Hughes 8825 2640, facebook.com/porthughestaven

Overlooking the Port Hughes jetty, the Tavern is open daily for lunch and dinner, and also offers a beer garden, front bar and pool table.

GREAT EASTERN HOTEL

71 North Terrace, Littlehampton 8391 1712, thege.com.au

Just off the Freeway, the historic stone pub is welcoming and staff attentive, say Kati and John Lewis. “The menu provides quite a selection … and the servings were extremely generous,” Kati said.