Top 11 SA seaside dining spots, from Star of Greece restaurant to surf clubs

Wondering where you can eat while enjoying stunning seaside views? From Neapolitan pizzas on the beach to a fine dining restaurant, here are our food team’s top picks.

The summer sun is teasing us this year, so it’s oh-so-important to make the most of those sunny days.

Here are our top recommendations of where to wine and dine, while overlooking South Australia’s waters.

From traditional Neapolitan pizzas on one of the state’s most pristine beaches, to a cellar door overlooking a lake, these are our top 11 seaside spots to dine this summer.

SILVER SANDS BEACH CLUB

end of Norman Rd, Aldinga Beach

The revamped beach club opened earlier this year, with hospo and events pros Mark Kamleh and Nick Stock at the helm. Expect pub-style favourites and share-style plates such as Spencer Gulf prawns and braised octopus, alongside beach views.

“We finally have tables and chairs out on the deck … you don’t have to come and order a main, you can really just pick a lot of nice hits from the menu (to share),” says Kamleh. “It’s still very family friendly – we don’t want to be a special occasion place; it’s ‘every day’.”

The venue will be open daily from Boxing Day, until the end of January with DJs on the deck (weather permitting).

Summer Thomas and Jamie Culross at Silver Sands Beach Club, Aldinga Beach. Picture: Morgan Sette

Silver Sands Beach Club.

Swordfish steak at Silver Sands Beach Club.

PIZZATECA SILVER SANDS

Next to the Aldinga Beach boat ramp, Silver Sands/Aldinga Beach

One for those who like the sand between their toes. Pizzateca brings its famous Neapolitan-style pizzas to the beach with this annual pop up, allowing sun seekers to enjoy excellent pizza down by the sea. Drinks are available from the OzTalia bar, including a small selection of wine, their own lager and spritz. It’s open from 4pm December 16-23 and 27-30; and January 2-8; 11-15; 18-22 and 25-29.

Pizzateca Silver Sands 2022. Picture: Supplied

HNLY

Level 1, 253a Seaview Rd, Henley Beach

George Kasimatis (Georges on Waymouth), Peter Louca (Louca’s Seafood) and Angela Papas (Diaspora Kouzina) are the wise heads behind HNLY, a newish upstairs venue that puts a different perspective on the precinct. It’s a clever blend of informal Mediterranean restaurant and a bar that comes to life at the weekend, with views of Henley Beach.

Lunch and dinner daily

Dining room at HNLY.

Blue swimmer crab spaghetti at HNLY.

PEARL

Aldinga Beach Boat Ramp, Lower Esplanade, Aldinga Beach

It’s a shack on the beach – almost – serving up the best seafood from South Australian waters. The design is brilliant – the pitched roof popping open at the top like a shiny clam, a vast expanse of picture window in the dining room, verandas on three sides offering at least some hope of shelter, whatever the prevailing conditions. Menu highlights range from Port Lincoln sardine fillets with agrodolce, to kingfish wings with turmeric, yoghurt, kohlrabi and pickled green chilli.

Open lunch Thurs-Sun noon-4pm; dinner Fri-Sat 6pm-9pm

Pearl, Aldinga. Picture: Andy Nowell

HORTA’S

2 Saltfleet Street, Port Noarlunga

Dining space out on the top veranda and deck is prime real estate, overlooking the popular Port Noarlunga beach. Owner Filipe Horta hails from Portugal, so you’ll find a selection of pesticos (the Portuguese version of tapas) on the menu. Think grilled chorizo with chimichurri, and cod fish cakes. Larger dishes include whole baked lemon sole, angus beef fillet and NT barramundi with Goolwa pipis, prawn bisque and fennel salad.

Lunch and dinner daily through summer (from 4pm on Christmas Eve)

Restaurant manager Filipe Horta at Horta’s restaurant, Port Noarlunga.

STAR OF GREECE

1 Esplanade, Port Willunga

There's a reason why all the stars go here – most recently, royals Zara and Mike Tindall on their first South Australian visit. It’s a fine dining restaurant that’s not stuffy – how could it be, when it boasts some of the best beach views SA could ask for? If you’re not after the full restaurant experience, pop by the adjacent Port Willy Kiosk, which serves up beach-time favourites such as fish and chips.

Open lunch and dinner daily; Port Willy kiosk open 8am-6pm Dec 22-23; 8am-4pm 24 & 31; 8am-8pm Dec 26-30; Jan 1-29

Star of Greece. Picture: Zak Kazmasek/SATC

ESTIA

255 Seaview Road, Henley Beach

Perennial favourite, Henley Square restaurant Estia has a loyal band of regulars and continues to draw new lovers of Greek food. Expect all the traditional favourites, from homemade dips such as tzatziki and skordalia, to grilled meats and seafood and, of course, moussaka. It's not as close to the beach as, say, SeaSalt, but it’s ideal for people watching on the Square and with a menu like this, it’s the kind of thing last suppers are made of.

Open lunch and dinner Tue-Sun

Chargrilled octopus with a Greek salad at Estia Restaurant.

SEASALT

269 Seaview Road, Henley Beach

With yellow and white striped umbrellas and enviable views of Henley Beach, SeaSalt offers the ultimate holiday vibes. This is a spot to drink and snack, with small plates such as salt and pepper squid, mini prawn buns and pork belly tacos. You’ll also find Coffin Bay oysters prepared in a variety of ways, from a ponzu dressing to a horseradish vinaigrette. SeaSalt is located in the Henley House building, where you’ll also find Melt pizza restaurant and West Rooftop Bar.

Open lunch and dinner daily

SeaSalt. Picture: Jacqui Way

K1 BY GEOFF HARDY

159 Tynan Rd, Kuitpo

Here’s something a little bit different. For when you want to graze from local produce platters, and enjoy a curated wine tasting, take a scenic drive to Adelaide Hills cellar door destination, K1 Wines. The cellar door is perched atop a peaceful lake, where’ll you’ll feel a world away.

Open daily until 4pm

K1 by Geoff Hardy’s Kuitpo cellar door.

TAM’S KITCHEN at BRIGHTON SURF LIFE SAVING CLUB

The Esplanade, Brighton

Forget club grub – local legend Tam Nguyen serves up an Asian menu here, from Vietnamese-style salt and pepper squid, prawns or soft shell crab; to Thai style curries and the Indonesian favourite rice dish, nasi goreng. But you’ll also find “continental” dishes such as steak, schnitty and fish and chips, if that’s more your jive. A more casual affair.

Dinner Fri-Sun (note: Saturdays reserved for Club members and their guests)

Tam’s Kitchen. Pictures: Supplied

Henley Surf Life Saving Club food. Picture: Instagram

OCEANVIEW BAR AND RESTAURANT at HENLEY SURF CLUB

246 Esplanade, Henley Beach

Located in Henley Square with panoramic beachside views, this is a great spot for a casual feed. It’s club favourites, such as fish and chips and schnitties, but you’ll also find Korean fried chicken, slow cooked lamb shoulder and seafood choo chee curry.

Open lunch Fri-Sun; dinner Fri and Sun.

Note: please call venues for opening hours when you wish to visit, as times may differ during/after Christmas-New Year season and public holidays may apply