Top new Adelaide restaurants in 2022
From an inner-city French brasserie with hospitality at its core, to an Italian disco diner in McLaren Vale, here are the top SA restaurant openings of the year.
Food & Wine
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A pandemic couldn’t stop Adelaide’s restaurateurs from opening a slew of new venues to wine, dine and celebrate with friends. From the revamped Press* Food and Wine, which shot to number 4 on the delicious.100 list of SA’s best restaurants, to an Italian disco diner in McLaren Vale, diners are spoiled for choice.
Here are the newest restaurants in South Australia:
A Prayer for the Wild at Heart
44 Hurtle Square, Adelaide
Hospitality maven Emily Raven, of My Kingdom for a Horse cafe (and coffee) fame, has opened a French-inspired brasserie in Hurtle Sq. She’s hired French-born chef Stéphane Brizard (The Crafers Hotel) to create a menu of elegant comforting fare, such as beef cheek and wild mushroom pithivier with heirloom carrots, and flat iron steak with butter, roasted potatoes and greens.
Lunch from 12pm. Dinner Wed-Sun from 5:30pm.
Bandit Pizza and Wine
248 Unley Rd, Hyde Park
The anticipated sequel to popular Prospect pizza haunt, Anchovy Bandit, is now open and slinging excellent Neapolitan-style dough and snack plates. Think, Hutton Vale lamb arrosticini (meat skewers), Murray cod with gnoccho fritto, creme fraiche, anchovy and chive; and SA King Prawns with nduja butter and lemon. Pizzas range from traditional margherita to pickled mushrooms, onion and cheddar, and a lamb ragu with pecorino and basil.
Dinner daily from 5pm.
Frankie Italo Dining and Disco
141 McMurtrie Road, McLaren Vale
Sunday lunch just got a whole lot more fun. This jaunty pizza diner from the team at Mitolo Wines offers three set menus, from a choice of pizza and a side, to a full banquet of pizza, pasta, protein (cotoletta, perhaps) and a side. The fit out, by award-winning studio gram, is light and bright, with terrazzo tables and plush lounge areas.
Lunch Sundays from 12pm.
Kiin Restaurant
73 Angas St, Adelaide
Opened in November, Kiin is a new mod-Asian diner from hospitality stalwarts Ben Bertei (Longrain, Melbourne; Longtime and SameSame, QLD), and sommelier David Wickwar. A vast Thai-leaning menu ranges includes smaller share-style plates, such as oysters with coconut, chilli and lime oil; and bao toast with blue swimmer crab and satay butter, as well as larger noodle and curry dishes. Diners can choose between dining in front of the open plan kitchen, relaxing at the bar or at a table.
Wed lunch, Thurs-Sat lunch and dinner.
99 Gang Social; Thirsty Tiger
99 Hindley St, Adelaide
Is it a bar? Is it a restaurant? As the famous phrase goes: why not have both? Thirsty Tiger is the new bar extension to 99 Gang Social – the city burger joint that opened a little earlier this year. Walk up the stairs, away from the hustle and bustle of Hindley St and be welcomed to Paradiso. Enjoy tropical cocktails and a selection of mini sliders, Californian-inspired fish tacos and a shared wagyu steak destined to be paired with Korean egg noodles.
Les Deux Coqs
In front of Hotel Richmond, Rundle Mall, Adelaide
Croissants, creme brulee tarts and croque monsieur – oh my! Popular Central Market stall, Les Deux Coqs, has opened a Rundle Mall takeaway cafe, whipping out its delectable French pastries from a shipping container in front of Hotel Richmond.
“When we traded in Rundle Mall with our (pop up) shop trailer, we noticed that there was a real need for customers to find a place where they could grab a croissant or a dessert and go shopping,” said co-owner, Katia Vincon. “This is very common in France to have boulangeries and patisseries where the shops are.”
Mon-Thurs 8am-5.30pm; Fri until 9pm; Sat-Sun 9am-5pm
Dawn Patrol
402 Main Rd, McLaren Vale
Popular specialty coffee roasters. Dawn Patrol, have returned to McLaren Vale with a new tasting room on the Main Rd (opposite Richard Hamilton Wines). As well as excellent coffee (we recommend a tasting), you’ll also find quick bites such as bagels and sourdough choc chip cookies, plus a great outdoor area complete with a little toy play kitchen for kiddies. There's plenty of merch to browse, too – and bags of coffee beans, of course.
Daily 8am-4pm
The Brompton
5 First St, Brompton
The Brompton Hotel has reopened following a million-dollar revamp, with a light and bright bar, poolroom in place of pokies and Michelin-trained chef in the kitchen. Chef Andrew Wandless is serving up a “modern European” menu to the 74-seat dining area, including a crumbed chicken Kyiv in place of the common schnitzel, smoked potato and hen egg ravioli with prosciutto broth, and crab omelette with mornay bouillabaisse glaze.
Lunch and dinner daily
Mozza
77 Port Rd, Thebarton
Adelaide top 20 chef Adam Liston, of Shobosho fame, will open the doors to his new restaurant in just a few weeks. Mōzza will resurrect an unused function space of the Southwark Hotel as a 50-seat Italian-American diner – expect epic, wood-fired New York-style pizzas, handmade pastas and a posh parmigiana. “It’s a nod to Italy and pub culture,” Liston said.
Open in December
Pastel Wine Bar
47 O’Connell St, North Adelaide
Adelaide’s newest suburban wine bar takes over the former L’Italy space in North Adelaide. Food covers a range of cuisines, from Asian pork and prawn dumplings in a chilli and ginger broth, to a Middle Eastern-inspired hummus, lamb mince, tomato and shatta (fermented green chilli relish).
Open Wed-Thurs 4pm-late; Fri all day dining; Sat 4pm-late
Side Hustle Pizza
1 Broadbeach Dr, Carrickalinga
An idea that came about “on a whim” has grown into one of the hottest places to eat pizza down south. Siblings Nichloas and Anna-Lisa Barone, and Anna-Lisa’s partner Stelios, run Side Hustle Pizza, slinging out traditional Neapolitan-style pizzas from their homemade wood oven. “We really love what we do and we love our product, and all our customers,” says Anna-Lisa. “Our pizzas area made in the authentic Neapolitan way, with a crisp and chewy crust, and simple, traditional toppings. The semifreddo gelato that we serve is an original recipe made by my dad.”
Lunch and dinner, Thurs-Sun
Valentino’s 101
101 Grenfell St, Adelaide
The foyer of a CBD office block has been transformed into an al fresco diner, cafe and bar that wouldn’t look out of place in the heart of Roma. Coffee, drinks, pastries and other treats come from a bar at the front flanked by booths and other seating. The kitchen at the back has a large display of stuffed vegetables, meatballs, croquettes and other antipasto goodies. The crisp-based, Roman-style pizza slices are irresistible, particularly those topped with mushrooms and ricotta. Valentino’s stays open late on Fridays for post-work drinks and eats, offering an expanded menu with pasta and classic saltimbocca.
Mon-Fri lunch, Fri-Sat dinner
The Local Canteen (TLC)
32 Main St, Henley Beach
Great spot for an on-the-go brekkie (think pancetta and egg rolls; coconut granola and acai bowls) and coffee, from Tom Rodger of The Seller Door in Brighton. “Our goal is to build a vibrant corner store coffee shop located among the buzzing redeveloped Henley Square that provides specialty coffee and (mostly) on-the-go brunch bites,” Tom says. Coffee is by Elementary and they’ve also got Mischief Brew on tap, while sweet treats include Butter & Toast sourdough doughnuts and Sweet Nectar vegan desserts. Toasted sandwiches are available at lunch.
7am-2pm daily
Yuki in Burnside
548 Portrush Rd, Glen Osmond
Four years ago, in the little town of Aldgate, Mike Oh opened a family-friendly restaurant specialising in sushi and tempura that he christened Yuki in the Hills. The name, perhaps, hinted at plans for more than one Yuki, and Oh’s dream of showing diners a more sophisticated style of Japanese food. To achieve this, he moved into the Burnside site towards the end of last year and recruited a pair of chefs from the acclaimed Ishizuka in Melbourne. An impressive execution The Advertiser’s Simon Wilkinson ranked 16/20.
Dinner Wed, Lunch and dinner Thurs-Sun
Silver Sands Beach Club
Norman Rd, Silver Sands
A revamped beach club, run by a crew with serious hospo experience. It’s the relaxed setting and good-food-doesn’t-have-to-be-fancy approach that make this new-age clubhouse such an appealing destination for a Sunday afternoon. That, and the setting, which opens out to a deck, then an expanse of lawn, before a ramp leads down to Silver Sands beach. A “Nipper’s Menu” includes fish, calamari, nuggets and pasta, also available as a meal with a drink and housemade smiley cookie.
Dinner Wed, Lunch and dinner Thurs-Sun
Bistro Francais
144a King William Rd, Hyde Park
Bistro Francais doesn’t care for revisionist gastronomy. Rather this is a tour de force of French classics – soupe a l’onion, boeuf bourguignon, crème brulee – that shows recipes like these are timeless when cooked with respect. For Parisian chef and co-owner Fabien Streit there can be no shortcuts or half measures: what he presents on the plate is a reflection of himself and his heritage. Streit and co-owner Nazzareno Falaschetti have taken over a narrow space in Hyde Park, previously run as a cafe/gin bar, and touched it with a little Gallic charm.
Lunch and dinner Tue-Sun
Dirty Doris
6 Strathalbyn Rd, Aldgate
Cheeseburger and fries for breakfast? Pancakes for dinner? Mealtimes are flipped at this retro American-style diner in the Adelaide Hills. It’s an all-day menu – those pancakes are incredibly popular and come loaded with everything from ice cream to fried chicken. There are also sandos (the turkey club is a hot pick), sardine soldiers and corned beef hash. Larger meals might include miso-spiked spaghetti carbonara or breakfast ramen.
Thurs-Tue Breakfast and lunch; Friday dinner
Our Boy Roy
114 East Ave, Clarence Park
Enjoy a meatball panini or deli sando, then grab a few items from the deli section for home. Our Boy Roy is both a cafe and general store, and a welcome addition to Clarence Park. Sandwiches are generous and coffee on tap (literally – they’re serving batch-brew filter coffee by tap). Deli items include breads, dry goods, eggs and flowers.There’s also a decent outdoor area, ideal for kids and dogs.
Open daily
Shirni: Sweets by Parwana
Plant 3, 6/14 Fourth Street, Bowden
Zainab Ayubi – a daughter of the Ayubi family of Parwana Afghan Kitchen fame – has opened a permanent space for her incredible Afghani sweets, along with her mother, Fatema. The dessert-focused spot serves up items like gulab jamun – traditional spiced milk dumplings in rose, cardamom and cinnamon syrup, and Afghan milk fudge. Keep an eye on their Instagram to see what’s on offer.
Wed 5pm-9pm; Fri-Sat 10am-3pm and 5pm-9pm; Sun 9am-2pm
Martha Hardy’s Kitchen
Mt Lofty House, 1 Mawson Dr, Crafers
Martha’s a la carte menu is a salute to Martha Hardy (wife of historical custodian, Arthy Hardy) and her home-style cooking, which will be available for both lunch and dinner. The signature dish is a Fleurieu Peninsula lamb shoulder for two, braised for 17 hours and served with caramelised pumpkin puree, confit turnip, carrots and garlic jus.
Open daily from October 5.
Africola Canteen
1/89 The Parade, Norwood
Open daily, 10.30am-7pm
Chef/restaurateur Duncan Welgemoed of Africola fame has opened a suburban salad bar to please the masses. Describing the food as “Ottolenghi on steroids”, it’s veg-forward fare that’s bursting with big flavours – think kale tossed with a garlicky tahini and kimchi furikake, and roasted pumpkin with zhoug, tahini, chilli honey and toasted pumpkin seeds. There are also “not salad” bits including glazed meat loaf and Canteen’s signature cup-o-soup. Grab a few things for lunch or to bring home to the family for dinner.
Singapore Circus
The d’Arenberg Cube’s new drawcard restaurant Singapore Circus puts a contemporary spin on South East Asian fare. “Singapore has always been that kind of melting pot; a joining place, a junction or a circus for everyone to meet and experience new flavours in a fun, vibrant and exciting place, which I think ties into everything the Cube is,” says head chef Jamie Steele. Menu highlights include chilli crab, Balinese duck cooked in a purpose-built oven, laksa and chicken rice.
Noori
2/20 Gawler Street, Port Noarlunga
Open Wed-Sun, 4pm-late
The new place to be in the south, Noori is a wine bar tucked down the end of an alleyway in Port Noarlunga’s Gawler St strip.
Expect a range of wines and Spanish-inspired small plates, as well as a signature cheese toastie. “We have built what I feel could be the best damn cheese toastie on the market,” owner Jacob Barter says.
Luma
120 North Terrace, Adelaide
The Playford’s newly opened, art nouveau-inspired restaurant offers a European-style menu, with a signature “duck for two” dish. The 180-seat venue boasts new booths, ideal for small groups, and an extended bar. The striking ceiling light feature is worth the visit alone!
Carton Deli
62 Pultney St, city
Open Mon-Fri 7am-3pm
The sandwich game is strong at Carton, a lunchtime deli slinging crowd favourites such as fried chicken burgers as well as contemporary combos – think sarsaparilla pulled pork, Turkish eggplant and the HCP-inspired smoked ham, cheese and pineapple mustard brulee. You’ll also find a breakfast bocadillo with jamon and chilli jam for that early-morning fix.
Pinco
73 Glen Osmond Rd, Eastwood
Open Mon-Sat 7am-4pm, Sun 7am-3pm
Continuing the sandwich theme is Pinco, a “retro future” sandwich bar. What is retro future? “The interior combines elements of the past and visions of the future,” says designer Elijah Makris. “You will walk in to see Italian stone, Ettore Sottaass plywood, stainless steel, a ceiling that replicates a spaceship, art by James Brown and retro scarpa chairs.”
Sandwiches include everything from the classic rueben to the Italian flavours of prosciutto, radicchio and agrodolce.
Vale Tap House
158 Ingoldby Rd, McLaren Flat
Located at McLaren Flat’s Beresford Estate, the new Vale Taphouse is now open to the public. Enjoy a menu by John Rankin alongside wine, spirits, cocktails, and of course Vale brews, fresh off the taps.
Good Gilbert
135B Goodwood Rd, Goodwood
The community favourite bar has just opened its dining area, meaning the already great bar food is about to step up a notch. It’s a sustainably-minded menu – the team has been working with Good Fish, for example. Mains include lamb served with pumpkin and pumpkin seed pesto, while sweets include a contemporary take on Viennetta ice cream.
Anvers
633 Razorback Rd, Kangarilla
Lunch with a view? Discover Anvers, a breathtaking restaurant space overlooking lush paddocks and vineyards in Kangarilla. Turn the other way and the floor-to-ceiling windows frame a scene of forest slopes plunging to the reservoir that could be in Scandinavia. Diners can choose from two or three courses, a menu highlight the confit duck with lentils, kale and green olives.
WINTER’S NEW RESTAURANTS IN ADELAIDE …
Cheekies Hot Chicken
86 Pirie St, Adelaide
Fried chicken fan? Get finger lickin’ ready for this one.
The team behind city bar BRKLYN is bringing Nashville southern fried chicken to Adelaide with its new 30-seat diner, Cheekies Hot Chicken, in Pirie St.
Cheekies Hot Chicken chicken is fried, dunked in spicy oil then coated with the diner’s choice of spice, from “No Heat” to “Damn Hot”.
“There isn’t currently a dedicated Nashville hot chicken joint in town so we’re excited to bring that taste to the Adelaide market,” says co-owner Rashaad Cezar.
“Hot chicken is huge in the US, and has caught on in London, too.”
Cheekies, near popular Pirie St lunch spots Oggi and Chicken & Pig, will serve up $15 lunch meals including tacos, wraps and mini sandos. But it’s open for dinner, too, offering booth seating and a rotating wine list. It’s open Wed-Sat.
Ballaboosta
540 Glynburn Rd, Burnside
Popular city Lebanese restaurant, Ballaboosta, has opened a second restaurant in Burnside.
It’s a larger space, catering for 85 inside and 70 outside. Share-style food is what it does best, from Swish Tawook – wood-fired chicken skewers marinated in yoghurt, lemon, garlic and spices, served with fattoush salad and pita – to handmade kafta and wood-fired pizzas. Breakfasts include wood-fired eggs with pumpkin and pine nuts, and shakshuka.
Brightstar Brewing
35-37 Stirling St, Thebarton
A family-friendly, central European-inspired brewery and taphouse and has opened in the backstreets of Thebarton. Brightstar Brewing is “a place for friends, family and beer lovers to come together and connect with each other”. Beer styles range from the crisp helles and popular pilsener to the dark German lager called schwarzbier, while nibbles include grazing platters, Little Acre pate and Coriole olives.
Bobby’s Store
43a Addison Rd, Warradale
Coffee and bagels – need we say more? Well, perhaps – this new suburban cafe is also serving up pastries from Adelaide’s Market St, so croissant lovers are catered for, too. Bagels come from Holy Mother of Bagels (created by chef Aaron Caporn), and come with a choice of schmears – from traditional cream cheese, to vegemite, jam and peanut butter. A toasted brekky brioche is also on offer. Coffee is the goods, too, from D’Angelo Coffee. Bobby’s is open Mon-Fri, 7.30am-3pm.
Seed & Stone Salad Bar
Shop 4, 205 Pirie St, Adelaide
Adelaide Central Market cafe Seed & Stone is moving to Pirie St. The renamed Seed & Stone Salad Bar, opening Monday, June 6, will focus on healthy lunchtime salads and coffee. Menu items include the Mexican Buddha Bowl (with beans, rice and crispy corn chips), pesto pasta salad and quinoa with roasted vegetables. There’ll also be toasties and filled croissants, and smoothie bowls.
AUTUMN’S NEW ADELAIDE RESTAURANTS
Garcon Bleu
108 Currie St, Adelaide
If you’re after the je ne sais quoi of French restaurants in Adelaide, the Sofitel’s newest eatery is blending the flavours of Europe with South Australian produce.
With a modern art deco fit-out and locally-driven menu, the dining experience offers a seasonal menu driven by innovative plays on French classics.
A must try is the ‘Seafood Symphony for Two’ – with SA prawns, Smoky Bay oysters and grilled Southern Rock Lobster, or the Côte de Boeuf, with 1kg of pure grass-fed SA Angus beef designed to share.
Lost Phoenix Farm
34 Mont Rosa Rd, Hindmarsh Valley
Relaxed vibes reign at this family friendly – and pet friendly – new opening. The sprawling property on the Fleurieu Peninsula is just six minutes from Victor Harbor and features a kitchen run by MasterChef graduate Andre Ursini.
Expect plenty of generous plates to share as you sip from a wine list celebrating local drops.
Horizon at 1837
119 Yaldara Drive, Lyndoch
It’s hard to make your mark in the bustling Barossa Valley wine scene, but Horizon is doing just that.
Nestled in the stunning surrounds of Lyndoch, diners are accompanied by a statue of Adelaide’s founder Colonel William Light in honour of Barossa Valley’s birthplace.
Owner and chef Akash Srivastava takes charge of the modern-Australian menu – but promises exciting, seasonally-inspired dishes that won’t break the bank.
The Golden Cup
2/491 Brighton Road, Brighton
This new Adelaide restaurant has been designed with families in mind. After all, owners Nadia Parisi and Carla Brion have six children between them, and wanted a place where people could escape the hustle and bustle.
The cafe is a sister business to The Golden Month, a delivery and care service for post-natal parents across Australia. Healthy, bright dishes and comforting coffee are the goal here with as much as possible sourced from local vendors.
With vegetarian options at the forefront, the cafe’s toasties have been a hit with locals.
Press Food and Wine
40 Waymouth St, Adelaide
An Adelaide dining institution, Press Food and Wine reopened last month with a new look and one of SA’s top chefs at the helm.
The “new Press” is lighter and softer, thanks to the work of interior designer Claire Kneebone (Paloma Bar and Pantry; 2KW), and boasts an “even greater” wine list of more than 400 labels.
Tom Tilbury’s overhauled menu features more plant-forward fare with a farm-to-table ethos, but meat lovers don’t despair – pork ribs, kangaroo tartare and dry-aged beef are still featured.
One Sneaky Cheetah
South Rd, Ridleyton
The crew behind McLaren Vale’s popular Pizzateca launched a new pizza project in Ridleyton in January, combines classic Italian flavours with fair dinkum favourites.
Located in an old panelbeating workshop, the new eatery features traditional Neapolitan-style pizza with toppings such as fresh ham and pineapple, barbecue chicken and meat lovers, and if you’re feeling thirsty, they’re also brewing their own beer, One Sneaky Lager.
“It just allows us to play around with different flavours, while still maintaining that Italian foundation,” said co-owner Tony Mitolo. A second OSC is opening in Edwardstown soon.
Dinner daily
Thirty Five Stirling
35 Stirling St, Thebarton
Located in a historic factory building in the heart of Thebarton, Thirty Five Stirling is a promising addition to the fast-growing list of western suburbs eateries.
All the brunch favourites are on offer here – but with middle-eastern and Asian-inspired twists. Smashed avo lovers can enjoy the addition of Persian feta and sweet potato puree, while the popcorn chicken is sure to be a hit with the kids.
Sunnyside
245 Esplanade, Henley Beach
Filling the hole left by Little Shoo’s departure wasn’t going to be easy, but this new beachfront cafe – which launched in February – is on track to become a Henley Beach favourite.From customisable pancake stacks, to bottomless mimosas, bagels, breakfast platters to share, locally-roasted specialty coffee and a boozy cocktail list, there’s something for everyone at Sunnyside, which is led by Liam Vanzati, former head chef at nearby Malobo.
Grunthal Brew
Mount Barker Rd, Verdun
The multimillion-dollar Grunthal Brew project opened in the Adelaide Hills this year.
Two of SA’s top young chefs, Jon Kimber and Ricky Mahajan, lead the kitchen at the new $2.5m tourism destination on the old Grumpy’s Brewhaus site at Verdun.
The development features a brewery, bar, restaurant and cheese cellar, and also serves as a new home for family-owned Hesketh Wines and the Udder Delights Cheese Cellar.
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