A meat lover’s guide to South Australia

FROM floating down the River Torrens in a BBQ boat to eating emu rissoles in an outback hotel, South Australia is the epicurean epicentre for our country’s meaty delights.

SATC

Here are a few of our hand-picked favourites.

1.Adelaide Central Markets

The markets have plenty of meaty options, but the most superior has to be Charcuterie Traiteur, which is near Lucia’s Pizza Bar.

The dimly lit carnivores’ corner is jam-packed with cured meats and exotic cheeses. The South Australian  Grenache and dried wild fig sausages are a must-try, while charcuterie boards can be consumed at the shop’s centerpiece – a long wooden counter manned by panini chef, Carla Tardivo.

http://www.adelaidecentralmarket.com.au/

44/60 Gouger St, Adelaide SA 5000

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Open: Tuesday 7am – 5.30pm, Wednesday and Thursday 9am – 5.30pm, Friday 7am - 9pm, Saturday 7am - 3pm

2. BBQ Buoys

The ultimate grill and chill, BBQ Buoys offers a truly unique concept of barbequing while floating in a huge doughnut-shaped boat.

The BBQ is at the centre, with space for a party of ten. Pre-book the meat platter, which offers everything from steak to snags, then slowly wind down the River Torrens at sunset. For a couple, it will set you back $69 for two hours.

It’s not BYO, but BBQ Buoys does offer a range of alcohol packages as well. Find them at Pinky Flats, in the north of Adelaide.

https://bbqbuoys.com.au/

Pinky Flat, War Memorial Dr, North Adelaide SA 5006

0422 145 496

Open: Friday, Saturday and Sunday 12pm - 8pm

3. Mayura Station

For those looking for a high-end experience, head to The Tasting Room at Mayura Station, an isolated restaurant 55 km north of Mount Gambier, where the wagyu offering is the Bentley of the beef world.

The herd’s pure lineage and pampered life at Mayura means prices are high, but so is the quality. Those who dine can expect a truly sophisticated experience, both in taste and service.

http://www.mayurastation.com/

Canunda Frontage Rd, Canunda SA 5291

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Open: Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 7pm

4. Prairie Hotel

The unpretentious Prairie Hotel, tucked away in Flinders Range, offers a quintessential Aussie outback experience. All the usual fare is on offer, but the Feral Feast - featuring camel sausages and emu rissoles - is a truly unique experience. The menu also features native plant produce, like lemon myrtle and muntries.

http://www.prairiehotel.com.au/

High St & West Terrace, Parachilna SA 5730

1800 331 473

Open: Monday to Sunday 10am - 10pm

5. Harry's Deli at Wirra Wirra

Wirra Wirra’s latest offering, Harry’s Deli, opened in 2016 to much buzz.

It has a relaxed vibe to while away summer days in the sun, or winter afternoons by the fire, while you enjoy wine by the glass and heaving boards of cured meats, pickles and warm bread. The produce is predominantly from local butchers in the valley, so the salami comes with a side of satisfaction at supporting the locals.

https://www.wirrawirra.com/harrys-deli/

McMurtrie Rd, McLaren Vale SA 5171

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Open: Monday to Saturday 10am – 4pm

6. La Boca Bar and Grill

Argentines are passionate about their meat, a fact that immediately becomes clear at La Boca Bar and Grill in the heart of Adelaide’s CBD.

The various cuts of meat - mainly hailing from Coonawarra and Kangaroo Island - are cooked the traditional Argentinean way, on a wood-fired grill.

The restaurant features stacks of fragrant Australian redgum wood and spectacular murals, and really comes to life on weekends.

https://adelaide.laboca.com.au/

150 North Terrace, (Under Stamford Plaza Adelaide), Adelaide SA 5000

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Open: Every day 11.30am – 10pm

7. Hahndorf Inn

For meat served with a side of history, the Hahndorf Inn is the place to visit. The saloon-style bar has been family-run for more than 150-years and specialises in traditional Bavarian fare. To put it simply, you haven’t eaten a real schnitzel until you’ve sampled their menu.

For a mere $15.50, there’s also sausage tasting - accompanied with sauerkraut, German mustard and rye bread.

https://www.hahndorfinn.com.au/

35 Main St, Hahndorf, SA 5245

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Open: Every day 10.30am - late

8. 2KW Bar

Eight floors up from the bustling King William Street is 2KW Bar, a rooftop bar offering stunning views of the city, an extensive cocktail list and a menu packed with unpretentious but delicious meatiness.

The North Flinders lamb falls off the bone, and is incredible when paired with the Barossa Valley Sangiovese. For those wanting to experience Mayura’s Wagyu (from earlier in the list) without making the trek to Mount Gambier, 2KW has the goods - offering a 300gram steak for $59.

http://www.2kwbar.com.au/menus/

2 King William St, Adelaide SA 5000

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Open: Monday to Thursday  10am – 12am, Friday 10am – 2pm, Saturday and Sunday 12pm -12am

9. Sean's Kitchen

Aussie chef Sean Connolly has brought a slice of the Big Apple to Adelaide with his New York City-inspired Sean’s Kitchen. He changes up the menu each season, inspired by produce farmed across South Australia.

The menu has many tempting offers, including the 1.1kg slow-cooked lamb shoulder, but Sean’s Kitchen is really the place to go for those wanting a top steak, with six variations on offer. If you can’t decide which to choose, the Study of Beef offers a selection of three of the chef’s favourite cuts.

http://www.seanskitchen.com.au/

North Terrace, Adelaide SA 5000

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Open: Monday to Sunday 11am – 10pm