Top things to eat, drink, see and do at Adelaide's Tasting Australia 2024

Move aside Melbourne and see ya later Sydney, the time of year has rolled around when Adelaide and its surrounds take the culinary spotlight.

Foodies from all over the country will soon be flocking to South Australia for one of the nation’s longest running and most-loved culinary festivals – Tasting Australia.

This mega mouth-watering extravaganza runs across 10 days in May, so you better start preparing your tastebuds for the onslaught of South Australian flavours to come. 

The stellar program is stacked with over 150 curated events that champion local culinary heroes from farmers, producers and artisans to top chefs from across Australia. You can expect a noteworthy line-up of homegrown talent - Matt Moran, Darren Robertson, Mark Best and Jo Barrett, we’re looking at you. 

Gastronomy galore awaits the foodie lover at Tasting Australia. Photo: South Australia Tourism Commission

Plus, a handful of international culinary stars are joining the festivities: Asma Khan (Indian-born British cookbook author and owner of London’s Darjeeling Express restaurant), Claudette Zepeda (San Diego-based celebrity chef with a passion for Mexican cuisine) and James Henry (France-based Aussie chef that has caused a stir in the Parisian dining scene).

The winning combination of food, drinks, a splash of culture and stunning scenery make this multi-day foodie bender an absolute no brainer. From the buzzy central hub in Adelaide to a smorgasbord of activities state-wide, punters will find flavour-packed experiences as far as Kangaroo Island, the Barossa and the Fleurieu Peninsula. There’s something for everyone – bite-sized activities such as talks, movie nights and masterclasses, as well as pop-up restaurants and one-of-a-kind dining adventures.

Lobo Cider in the making. Photo: South Australia Tourism Commission

So if you’re after a gastronomic getaway, a short break to South Australia might be just what you’re after. 

Here are some of the highlights for Tasting Australia 2024:

The festival hub - Town Square

Adelaide’s Victoria Square/Tarntanyangga will be transformed into the epicentre of all the action, open every day from 11am until late. The best bit? It’s free entry so everyone can get amongst it. Fun, free and family-friendly with an eclectic mix of vendors serving up tasty dishes to the hungry hordes. 

Dining Galleries

The Town Square will also be home to the dining galleries for those wanting to splash out for a memorable evening. The series of intimate 36-seat, art-filled dining rooms will be set up for hosting collaborative dinners. Each experience will be unique, from the Mexican fiesta celebrating Cinco de Mayo to a refined kaiseki-style Sushi Dreams feast. 

Yum Cha Dining Gallery. Photo: South Australia Tourism Commission

Tasting Australia Airlines

Take to the skies from on a private charter plane to explore the foodie offerings of the Eyre Peninsula or the Limestone Coast, accompanied by leading chefs Mark Best, Darren Robertson and Jo Barrett. It’s also the first time that Tasting Australia Airlines will not only be setting off from Adelaide, but also bringing visitors from interstate. There’s an option to fly direct from Melbourne, dropping passengers in the heart of some of South Australia’s most incredible regional areas. 

Tasting Tables

Those who take their beverages seriously will be pleased to know that booze isn’t merely an afterthought at Tasting Australia. It steals the show at this series of intimate tastings hosted by the state’s hospitality legends in some of Adelaide’s leading bars. Bottoms up!

A Tasting Table is perfect for those who enjoy a drinks (or two). Photo: South Australia Tourism Commission

Tasting Australia by Train

This year sees the launch of Tasting Australia by Train taking over The Ghan’s dining bar and carriages, and we’re completely on board for this. The 10-hour train journey from Melbourne to Adelaide is a moveable feast featuring tantalising food prepared by Cheong Liew, Asma Khan and Jae Bang. This Wes Anderson-eque escapade has proven to be super popular, but you can still join the waitlist. 

Masterclasses

These masterclasses are led by distillers, brewers and winemakers. If you’re wanting to up your game beyond the basics when it comes to beverages – this is for you. Level up on your wine lingo by signing up for ‘How to wine’, where Australia’s experts will ensure the fundamentals feel fun. 

How to wine: masterclass. Photo: South Australia Tourism Commission

Make sessions

These immersive 90-minute sessions led by a select group of chefs and artisans will leave you with some impressive skills. Get hands-on, whether it’s serving up fried chicken with Justin James (fine-dining chef at the helm of Adelaide’s Restaurant Botanic) making spicy South African boerewors (sausages) with Duncan Welgemoed (of Africola restaurant fame) or crafting ceramics with the team from Jam Factory. 

Event tickets are available at tastingaustralia.com.au. Tasting Australia presented by RAA Travel runs for 10 days from Friday 3 – Sunday 12 May 2024 across Adelaide and regional South Australia.

The writer was a guest of the South Australian Tourism Commission.

Originally published as Top things to eat, drink, see and do at Adelaide's Tasting Australia 2024