South Australia’s hottest restaurant openings of 2025
Adelaide's dining scene exploded this year with a slew of major openings – from high-end Chinese and stylish Italian bistros to New York-style pizza joints – reshaping the city's food culture.
Adelaide’s dining scene shows no sign of slowing down despite challenging economic times.
From high-end Chinese and sophisticated Italian, to Mediterranean bistros, New York pizza and everything in between, here’s our comprehensive guide to the best new restaurants around town.
Huami
SkyCity Adelaide
More than five years in the making, SkyCity Adelaide’s new high-end Chinese restaurant finally opened its doors on October 24.
The stunning venue, on the first level overlooking Festival Plaza, features a wood-fired duck oven, live seafood tanks and four giant dragon columns in the main dining room.
The space was built into the casino’s $330m expansion which opened in 2020, but the restaurant was put on the backburner – until now.
Jimmy Parham, SkyCity Signature Outlets Manager, says the dining room’s design is inspired by Cantonese Opera, with every element an homage to its Chinese heritage.
“We thought we could create a really unique Chinese dining experience that the city hasn’t seen before,” he said.
“I don’t think there’s anything else like it in Adelaide.”
Shanghai-born head chef Johnny Zhong – whose mentors include leading local chefs Max Sharrad and Tristran Steele – described his menu as “very authentic Chinese”.
Signature dishes include dim sum, honey-glazed char siu pork, seafood such as SA lobster and mud crab, plus SA Wagyu beef.
There’s also Adelaide’s only openly displayed commercial wood-fired duck oven, designed to deliver the city’s most flavoursome Peking duck.
Tarantino’s
30 Vardon Ave, Adelaide
It was one of the year’s most anticipated restaurant openings – and so far it’s lived up to the hype.
Tarantino’s, a New York-Italian style bar and grill, launched in late June, just a month after Mediterranean eatery House of George closed its doors to undergo a full revamp.
The fresh theme has proved to be a hit, with executive chef Shane Wilson (Anchovy Bandit) building a menu around handmade pasta, wood-fired secondi, and a selection of house-aged salumi and cheese.
“I’ve always loved cooking over fire and coal, and after spending the last five years at Anchovy Bandit refining my Italian, Tarantino’s felt like the perfect opportunity to bring those two parts of my life together.” Shane says.
The Big Easy Group’s Oliver Brown – the brains behind the revamp – said he wanted to create an “immersive dining experience”.
“We want people to be transported to another time and place, and honestly, I think we’ve achieved that perfectly,” he says.
Hunter & Barrel
2 King William Street, Adelaide
Almost a year after landmark city restaurant Fishbank Bar and Grill shut down, a premium fire-grilled experience has sizzled its way into the heart of local diners.
Hunter & Barrel launched its “premier coal-fired experience” in October in the heritage-listed building on the corner of King William St and North Tce.
Every steak is cooked over white hot coals on their open grills, giving their dishes a “distinctly smoky, charred flavour”.
“When it comes to preparing, there’s no shortcuts, no fancy techniques. Just the magic of open flame, the precision of our expert chefs, and the respect we have for steak,” their website says.
At the heart of the space is an open-plan kitchen, with the fire grill spit rotisserie taking centre stage, giving guests the opportunity to see the crackle of flames and smoking meats before it arrives at the table.
Head chef Sean Hall says the historic venue is “really special”.
“When I first arrived in Australia nine years ago, I worked here, and everyone fell in love with it,” he says.
“It’s filled with so much character – it was 100 per cent the right fit.”
Launching with a spring-summer menu, Hall says the focus is on celebrating the season’s best ingredients.
“Every dish, from the chopped vegetable salad to the Humpty Doosaltwater barramundi, is designed to let the produce shine. It’s clean, honest, and powerful,” he says.
Diners can wash it all down with a range of South Australian wines, beers, and the venue’s specialty, housemade barrel-aged cocktails.
Eccoci Ristorante
Burnside Village
Shopping up an appetite at Burnside Village? Look no further than this sophisticated new Italian restaurant from hospitality entrepreneur Roberto Cardone.
Cardone, co-founder of CIBO Espresso as well as a host of other acclaimed Adelaide venues, opened this elevated all-day bar and diner in October, with a strong focus on authentic flavours, locally-sourced ingredients and fresh pasta.
The white-table cloth restaurant, designed by Mandy Keillor, has a versatile menu, which combines contemporary with the traditional.
This includes Italian-style brunch options, antipasti and larger plates such as Braciole alla Napoletana (braised rolled beef in sugo with soft polenta, peas and pecorino) and Saltimbocca di Pollo (chicken scallopine, sage and prosciutto with broccolini).
There’s also a series of bar snacks to share or graze, in between shops, which works well alongside a vast beverage list highlighted by classic cocktails, spirits and vino from Australia, Italy and France.
Eccoci – which is Italian for ‘here we are’ – is perfect for a quick espresso, a long lunch, a celebratory dinner, or simply an aperitivo at the bar. The choice is yours.
Joe’s at Sabella and Taco José
133 Main Rd, McLaren Vale
This unique Italian diner combines food, family, and community inside a beautifully restored church.
The brainchild of Timmy Forster and Lilli Willoughby, Joe’s has won over locals with its midweek pasta feasts where guestscan enjoy food and drinks – including free corkage – in a format designed to bring strangers together.
Focused on local, seasonal produce, the menu is highlighted by small plates, wood-fired pizzas that showcase both classic and cheeky toppings, and their handmade pasta dishes on Wednesdays.
“We’re taking classic Italian flavours and putting personality and funk into them. It’s about honouring the traditions but not being afraid to play with them,” Timmy says.
And the couple have recently expanded their offering with a new Mexican taqueria, open Friday to Sunday, in Joe’s courtyard.
José menu features three types of tacos, with corn tortillas coming from the custom made grill, pickled sides made in-house, and a build-your-own salsa bar.
Beverage-wise, there’s frozen margaritas, tequilas, smoky mezcals, and cocktails designed to keep the energy flowing.
Icardis
O’Connell St, North Adelaide
A well-known Adelaide hospitality family added another venue to its stable this year.
Mediterranean-inspired Icardis opened its doors in October, with co-owner Jared Chahoud returning to the dining strip where he spent much of his childhood.
The son of Gaby Chahoud – the man behind O’Connell St favourites such as Pellegrini Café, Byblos, Da Vinci Ristorante, and Café Palazzo – Chahoud says his first North Adelaide restaurant is like coming “full circle”.
“O’Connell Street has always been home,” he says.
“I’ve done every role: pizza maker, front-of-house, back-of-house. I’ve seen it all.”
Now he’s using that expertise, alongside co-owner Andrew Marks, in his new venture – in the space formerly occupied by Pippo – which draws flavours from across the Mediterranean.
Among the notable dishes include rigatoni with pork and fennel sausage, borlotti beans and porcini, grilled octopus with chickpeas and roast grapes, and wood-roasted pumpkin with date molasses, sesame and rosemary.
A wood-fired oven is situated in the heart of the venue, serving up flatbreads with whipped feta, prawns with garlic butter, and a Greek-inspired chicken.
There’s also as extensive cocktail and wine list, celebrating the best South Australian producers.
Chahoud says his father is his toughest critic but even he is impressed.
“Dad’s eaten everything. He said it’s some of the best food he’s ever had,” he says.
Yakisan
88 O’Connell St, North Adelaide
Internationally-renowned chef Adam Liston stepped away from top Adelaide venues – including Shobosho and Sora – earlier this year to focus on his latest venture, Yakisan.
The Japanese-influenced rooftop restaurant and bar in the new $300m Eighty Eight O’Connell development launched in October with a massive opening night party, with fashion designer and style guru Nadia Bartel among the VIP guests.
The 180-seat restaurant features a raw/sushi bar, yaki grill and wok kitchen inside, and outside, there’s a gorgeous skydeck with terrace seating overlooking Adelaide.
Formerly at restaurants such as Shobosho and SORA, Liston says he’s worked all over the world but this latest venture was akin to his “grand final”.
“This is the most exciting venue I’ve cooked in because it’s so unique,” says Liston, who’s partnered with Nate Scutter for the project.
“It’s a completely new style, we’ve tried to steer away from anything we’ve done before.”
Nate adds: “Yakisan is about more than just food – it’s about creating an intimate space where people can gather, relax, and enjoy something special.”
Liston describes his sushi menu, which includes a bluefin tuna nigiri with shiitake soy and smoked roe offering, as “ambitious”.
“I can’t think of another restaurant in SA that’s doing this … it takes time to learn how to do sushi properly in a restaurant format,” he said.
Yakisan is also home to a new sister bakehouse called SANI, from leading pastry chef Lux Hoang, the brains behind Hindley Street patisserie Love, Stephy. This will operate seven days a week from 7am and also supply the eatery.
That’s Enrico
53 Main St, Lobethal
Pizza lovers have been flocking to the Adelaide Hills since Italian guru Enrico Sgarbossa set up shop on Lobethal’s Main Street in June.
The flour technician earned several pizza-making accolades in his homeland, and his old Sydney pizzeria Al Taglio earned praise from none other than master chef Massimo Bottura.
Now Sgarbossa has launched his quaint new eatery which serves up four different types of pizza: classic dough, thin and crispy Roman-style, gluten-free and lastly, his signature double-cooked dough.
The latter features a 24-hour sourdough base, par-baked first to give it a pillowy light yet crunchy taste on the palate. It’s topped with Gustarosso organic tomato, fresh burrata and a touch of basil.
They also offer house-made pasta and snacks, organic biodynamic wines, handmade gelato and tiramisu crafted in-house using local milk and cream. Buon appetito!
The Laneway Social
27/29 Ebenezer Pl, Adelaide
Formerly The Belgian Beer Café, this Ebenezer Place venue has undergone a $1.45 million transformation into the all-new The Laneway Social.
Gone are the dark timbers of the past, replaced by exposed red brick, refreshed finishes, redesigned bars, and intimate booth seating.
Acclaimed chef Paul Baker, previously of executive chef at the award-winning Botanic Gardens Restaurant, has crafted a menu full of old and new favourites.
Think mortadella buns and a wagyu steak baguette with pomme frites, to fresh seafood spaghetti and a bone-in free-range schnitzel. It’s an ideal blend of comfort and creativity.
The considered drinks list featuring South Australian wines and local craft brews, plus a playful range of cocktails including a Burnt Pineapple & Jalapeño Margarita.
Publican Daniel Mercorella says he wanted to deliver an experience that feels “fresh, stylish, and unapologetically social”.
“The Laneway Social is about creating a place where everyone feels like they belong,” he says.
Cosmo’s Pizza
149 Hindley St, Adelaide
It’s not quite Monk’s Cafe but there’s a new Seinfeld-inspired pizza bar on Hindley St that will have you “feeling good all the time”.
Cosmo’s Pizza, named after beloved TV character Cosmo Kramer, serves up traditional New York-style slices, alongside big salads, marble ryes and snickers cheesecakes, yada yada, among a range of Seinfeld-themed food offerings.
Located in Hindley Street Music Hall, the eatery’s drinks menu includes cocktails such as the Del Boca Vista, a Jackie Chiles gin sour and a caffe latte espresso martini, plus a Summer of George session ale and Larry David Lager.
Owner Josh Bartolo said he and collaborator Josh O’Shaughnessy (Taco Cartel) grew up loving the iconic 90s TV show, and wanted to bring that “NY vibe” to Adelaide.
“A lot of people including myself were raised watching Seinfeld. I’ve been fortunate enough to visit New York a few times and for me, the show and the city go hand-in-hand,” said Mr Bartolo, former venue manager at sports bar Wing It.
“So I thought why not open a Seinfeld-inspired pizza bar in Adelaide?”
The decor includes a Seinfeld poster wall, black and white framed photos from the show and a Kramer mural with the venue’s motto, Here’s To Feeling Good All the Time.
There’s even a frogger machine, giving patrons the opportunity to match George Costanza’s high score.
Launched with the help of Renew Adelaide, Cosmo’s is open Wednesday to Saturday and on selected nights coinciding with gigs at Hindley Street Music Hall.
Lola’s
88 Magill Rd, Norwood
Part wine bar, part bistro – and a whole lot of fun – Lola’s delivers quality wine and delicious food in a relaxed, unpretentious space.
Formerly East End Cellars Norwood, the venue has a new kitchen led by Aaron Roberts, previously head chef at Hindley St’s Stem restaurant.
The menu has a range of snacks and small eats right up to larger plates for those wanting a more in-depth dining experience.
This includes oysters with chilli, and Welsh rarebit croquettes, to fried artichokes, mussels, pork milanese and lamb shoulder with chickpeas.
With the occasional disco, Lola’s serves a great scene with all-day drinks, bringing the vibe and mood for date nights, get-togethers and celebrations.
Co-owner Olivia Gorman says the revamped venue is a great place to “unwind, connect and relax”.
“Think wine bar, to cocktail bar, to bistro – for the Norwood community and surrounding suburbs, Lola’s is a spot that all can enjoy in whatever way that suits them,” she says.
Super Americano
209 Glen Osmond Road, Frewville
A leading Adelaide restaurateur unveiled his latest project in April, an all-day Italian eatery with a focus on pizza and fresh bread.
Super Americano, on Glen Osmond Road, showcases traditional Neapolitan pizza, paninis and freshly baked rolls, alongside classic Italian dishes.
A wood fire and gas oven, flown over direct from Naples, Italy, is at the heart of the new venue from owner and chef Peter De Marco.
Breakfast is another cornerstone of Super Americano, with pastries and Italian biscotti among the fare on offer, alongside made-to-order fresh bread and top quality coffee.
“I wanted to create a nice little hangout, where you can kick back and enjoy a coffee or a glass of wine,” says De Marco, who co-founded well-known restaurants including Chicco Palms, Pizza e Mozzarella Bar, Borsa Pasta Cucina, and Valentino’s 101.
“This is a lot more chilled and relaxed compared to my other venues.
“You can spend anywhere from $6 for a coffee or $200 for bottle of Barolo (wine) – and everything in between.”
Lunch and dinner options will rotate weekly but expect to find Italian classics such as fritto misto (fried seafood) and baccala (salted cod).
“You have to give people something different, something new in a good environment.
The punters always come for good quality food,” De Marco says.
Colac Port Adelaide
1 Santo Parade, Port Adelaide
One of South Australia’s oldest hotels finally reopened to rave reviews in August following a multi million-dollar redevelopment.
The COLAC Port Adelaide, first established in 1885 and previously owned by the Labor Party, has transformed into a 400-person, multi-venue space highlighted by two eateries, rooftop bar and function areas.
Head chef Grant Schooling, formerly of Louca’s at Henley, and sous chefs Nicholas Admiraal and Matthew Britten Jones, both previously at Andre Ursini’s Orso, are the masterminds behind the venue’s new food offering.
The hotel’s fine diner, Eliot’s Restaurant – named after legendary US law enforcement officer Eliot Ness – features a six-course, set menu paired with beverages from sommelier Caitlin Macpherson.
Bootleg Social, on the ground level, is the venue’s more affordable dining space with a pizza menu led by former One Sneaky Cheetah chef, Saurav Acharya, and a live music stage.
The revamped hotel will also be home to two distilleries, Imperial Measures Distilling and Dock, plus a drive-through liquorstore.
Transit & Co
140 North Terrace, Adelaide
This Italian-inspired all-day eatery and bar replaced Adelaide dining institution Parlamento in July.
Veteran hotelier David Basheer took over the celebrated location on North Tce, relaunching the site after two months of renovations.
The new venue serves up breakfast favourites from 7am, followed up by wood oven-fired pizzas, available by the slice, and a range of Italian-style dishes such as pastas, eggplant parmigiana, veal scaloppine and housemade focaccias.
David says it will be impossible to replace Parlamento, the acclaimed city bistro which closed in April after 37 years on the corner of North Tce and Bank St.
“We can’t do what those guys did. They were legends and every meal was served with their personality,” said David, whose family has operated the Strathmore Hotel for more than five decades.
“It’s still going to be Italian-inspired food but it won’t be totally traditional. It’ll have that same family-friendly vibe and approach.”
Transit & Co expands on Parlamento’s offering, serving up breakfast, lunch and dinner, with extended outdoor seating plus takeaway options. In the evenings, it stays open late and turns into a bar for those looking for a post-match or after-show drink.
Reno’s Bistro
Pirie St, Adelaide
Co-owner Frankie Marafioti says his new modern Italian bistro in the CBD is about trying to bring people back to the city, including those who have been working from home.
“It was always about knowing that we wanted to bring back the CBD lifestyle,” Frankie says, adding: “We want to create an experience that gives people the feeling of a home away from home … for me, that’s hospitality.”
From the team that founded Flinders St coffee shop Bluprint, the family-run business is named after their father, and will be a tribute to their family’s Calabrian roots.
House specialties will include hand-rolled pici (spaghetti-like pasta) in truffled cream, oven-baked lasagne rotolo and Reno’s favourite, eggplant parmigiana. The drinks list has South Australian and Italian wines and cocktails such as Negroni, Aperol Spritz, and Espresso Martini.
“We offer a cafe dining experience as well as a restaurant experience … high quality food and service at a reasonable cost,” Frankie says.
Lucky’s Pizza
Plant 3 Bowden
The suburban brewpub in Adelaide’s inner west expanded in August, taking over the entire Plant 3 development space and adding a new pizza eatery called Lucky’s.
The craft brewery’s revamped offering now features four bars, plus New York-inspired Lucky’s Pizza – in addition to its existing Masa Mexican street food diner – along with a massive TV screen for sport and a pool table.
Co-owner Jake Phoenix said the expansion, which has increased its capacity to 600 people across two levels, will allow them to attract more locals and visitors alike.
“For us, the goal with Plant 3 has always been to make nights just as vibrant,” he says.
“Bowden Brewing’s been operating at full capacity and our smaller footprint was holding us back from the kinds of activations and events we love to run as a brewery.”
Lucky’s Pizza showcases the brewery’s fresh take on the Australian slice, with a modern, crispy pizza closer to New York-style than Naples.
“Pizza is the perfect sharing food, and this is our version of something that fits Bowden and fits beer,” says Jake, who opened Bowden Brewing in July 2021.
Taikunthi
Union House, Level 5, Adelaide
For decades it was the home of budget beer and legendary music gigs. Now the old Adelaide UniBar has been replaced by an eatery – and you don’t need to be a student to dine there.
Modern Australian eatery Taikunthi, in historic Union House, officially opened its doors in June, serving up breakfast and lunch from Monday to Friday.
From the Kaurna word meaning “join, unite and partner together”, the revamped venue is aimed at the public as well as students and faculty members.
Taikunthi’s menu, from head chef Julian Nicholas, focuses on local ingredients and feature an extensive charcuterie selection.
Built by the Student Union in the early 1970s, Union House’s level five was home to the UniBar for more than four decades.
The UniBar shut its doors in February 2019 as Union House underwent a major renovation and it has since been relocated to the ground floor.
Patina Place
100 King William St, Adelaide
A former owner of Adelaide dining institution Pranzo has delivered a new restaurant in the revamped office tower at 100 King William St.
Patina Place, on the ground floor of the building just a few doors down from his old Exchange Place eatery, opened its doors in November, offering dishes showcasing local, seasonal produce.
Abdulla Daher has teamed up with son Yazeed and business partners Oswald Barrett, Peter Curtis and Thomas Maclean on the venue.
The venue, part of a revamped Exchange Place laneway, is emerging as a new dining hub for city office workers.
“I wanted to capture the energy of the city during the week, while also creating a classic setting to share a meal. This is generous dining – warm, genuine hospitality where every detail matters, without ever feeling overdone,” says Abdulla.
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Originally published as South Australia’s hottest restaurant openings of 2025
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