The 21 biggest SA and Adelaide restaurant closures of 2022
It’s been a big year of restaurant openings – and closures. From an award-winning restaurant in the Fleurieu Peninsula to the last dine-in Pizza Hut, these are the SA eateries we waved goodbye to.
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Among the many restaurant doors to have opened in 2022, there are those that have shut, too. As the year draws to a close, we look back at the restaurants and cafes we’ve loved and lost. From an award-winning Fleurieu Peninsula winery restaurant to the last standing dine-in all-you-can-eat Pizza Hut, here are the year’s 21 biggest restaurant closures in SA.
VICTOR’S PLACE
62 Victor Harbor Rd, Old Noarlunga
Victor’s Place, the restaurant of Varney Wines, will hold its last service on December 23. Owners recently announced it would have to close the restaurant after Victor Harbor roadworks resulted in a disastrous downturn in trade. Victor’s Place had made the 2019 and 2022 delicious. 100 best restaurants list, and was also named among TripAdvisor’s Best of the Best in their Travellers’ Choice Restaurant Awards this year.
THE PEPPER TREE
445 Old Coach Road, Aldinga
Southern favourite restaurant and entertainment venue, The Pepper Tree in Aldinga, announced it would close until further notice in November. “Due to unforeseen circumstances we will be closed until further notice, please contact bands to organise a refund for tickets. We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience,” the cafe said. “Please note this is not a permanent closure it is only temporary.” The venue is known for winning a two-year battle over noise complaints allowing them to trade seven days a week and help boost Aldinga’s local economy.
THE FLYING TRUNK
70 King William Rd, Goodwood
One of the earlier venues to hit Adelaide’s suburban bar scene, The Flying Trunk announced its imminent closure at the beginning of December. “After years of mixing and inventing behind the bar, the day has come to say goodbye to the trunk,” they posted to Instagram. The bar will hold its last day of service on December 30.
ORIGINAL PANCAKE KITCHEN
70 Main South Rd, Old Reynella;
200-220 Commercial Rd, Port Adelaide
Adelaide institution Original Pancake Kitchen has closed the doors at two of its venues. A fire in the Reynella kitchen in October, and soaring energy costs have been blamed for the closures, with liquidators appointed to wind up the two venues. Sites in the CBD, Marion and Modbury will continue to trade.
SASSI ICE CREAM
90 Main St, Hahndorf
Vegan icecreamery Sassi Ice Cream has closed its bricks-and-mortar spot in Hahndorf’s tourist strip. Led by former MasterChef contestant Huda Al Sultan, the icecreamery – known for unique Middle Eastern inspired flavour combinations such as sage and pomegranate – will continue to pop up at festivals and events.
PIZZA HUT
489 Morphett Rd, Oaklands Park
The last standing Pizza Hut restaurant, adjacent the Westfield Marion Shopping Centre complex, closed its doors at the end of June. News of its closure sparked widespread devastation for nostalgic pizza lovers and a rush on bookings.
PRANZO
46 Enchange Pl
Pranzo closed its doors in May – three months after a refurbishment and reopening by new owners. The venue was a favourite of the city’s movers and shakers, with politicians and business leaders regularly spotted dining inside or sipping coffees al fresco on Exchange Place.
BUCKINGHAM ARMS HOTEL
1 Walkerville Terrace, Gilberton
The historic pub opened for business around 1846 and was renowned for its smorgasbord, which was introduced by the Matthews family in 1955. However, the smorgasbord was removed from the menu during the height of Covid-19 and it failed to make a return when dining restrictions eased.
LA RAMBLA
28 Peel St, Adelaide
One of the first bars to emerge on Peel St back in 2014, La Rambla tapas bar closed its doors in August. Owners Tom Smith, Kyle Young and Stephanie Gibbs modelled the three-storey venue on the popular bars found across Spain. However forced closures during Covid, worker shortages and falling foot traffic led to their decision to shut up shop.
SPARKKE AT THE WHITMORE
317 Morphett St, Adelaide
Sparkke at the Whitmore, the female-founded and led brew hotel, closed in September after three years. The premises has been taken over by Mighty Craft Limited, the parent company of successful Adelaide craft beer outfit Mismatch, while food is being overseen by Lot 100 chef Shannon Fleming.
KUTCHI DELI PARWANA
7 Ebenezer Pl, Adelaide
After nearly a decade in Adelaide’s East End, Kutchi Deli closed its doors in June.
The offshoot of community favourite Torrensville restaurant, Parwana Afghan Kitchen, Kutchi Deli was popular among city lunchgoers for its bolani (filled flatbreads) and curries. Several months after its closure, the family opened a dessert bar, Shirni, inside Plant 4 at Bowden.
MADRE
57 Gilbert St, Adelaide
Pizzalovers’ hearts across Adelaide broke a little with the news that Madre was closing its doors in Gilbert St. Led by Neapolitan pizzaiolo, Ettore Bertonati, formerly of Pizzateca fame, the restaurant dished up some of the most authentic Neapolitan-style pizzas SA has ever seen. It lasted two-and-a-half years in Gilbert St, during the toughest Covid years. Bar Riot has now opened in its place.
SUSHI TRAIN
38 Gouger St, Adelaide
The Central Market Sushi Train shut up shop earlier this year as a result of the Central Market Arcade works. The popular conveyor belt sushi diner was among the first two Sushi Trains to open in South Australia in 2004, joining the Grenfell St site. “I remember in 2004, not many people experience the sushi train. For some people it was the first time eating eel, tuna and fresh scallop,” owner Tokuro Nagai said.
THE FLEURIEU PANTRY
20 Gawler St, Port Noarlunga
For more than a decade, this popular Port Noarlunga cafe had fed the southern suburbs with its all-day breakfast menu and Coeliac Australia-approved kitchen. But owner Trudy Fischer shut its doors for the final time on April 7, citing the coronavirus pandemic for its demise. Bar Noori is among the new businesses to now be operating at the site.
OGRE
252 Main St; McLaren Vale
OGRE, the brewery and restaurant that took over the McLaren Vale site once occupied by longstanding restaurant The Barn, closed in March after 18 months. Owners announced its closure along with nearby cafe, Mullygrub, via Instagram. “It’s been a hard decision, but ultimately one we had to make,” they wrote. “The financial, mental and physical stress of running two businesses through Covid … has finally worn through.”
MULLYGRUB
114 Main St, McLaren Vale
Locals and brunch-goers were sad to see Mullygrub cafe go, after five years of operation. Owners closed the cafe along with OGRE brewing (see above), blaming the stress of the Covid-19 pandemic for its closure.
LEONARD’S MILL
7869 Main S Rd, Second Valley
This historic SA restaurant closed its doors in January with owners, husband and wife duo Iain Calvert and Hayley Pember-Calvert, saying unsustainable Covid-19 restrictions left them with no choice.
WING IT SPORTS BAR
Basement at 89 King William Street, Adelaide
Adelaide’s only dedicated American sports bar shut it doors in May, citing a months’-long failed negotiation with the venue’s landlords. The space formerly home to Jack Ruby was known for its buffalo wings and fried chicken, along with a wide array of local and imported beers.
MISTRESS MABEL
King William St, Adelaide
Cafe owner Jacob Booth shut his business down in February, citing the continued Covid restrictions and lack of government assistance for the sudden closure. Mr Booth had been a vocal opponent of the crippling hospitality density limits.
SOUVLAKI BROS
Moseley Sq, Glenelg
There was shock and sadness when this popular Greek yiros house in Moseley Square announced it was closing in February. “It is with a heavy heart that after 5 years of running our business, we will be closing our doors for good,” the owners wrote on social media.
LA TOMBOLA
61 Unley Rd, Parkside
One of Adelaide’s most beloved Italian restaurants, La Tombola, quietly closed its doors on New Year’s Eve 2021. After 46 years in the business, owner Tony De Ieso decided it was the ideal time to retire, selling his Parkside eatery to the owners of the medical centre next door.