South Australia is a gourmet's paradise and you can sample all the state's flavours on a culinary tour of Adelaide. Taste the mouthwatering flavours of the Eyre, Yorke and Fleurieu Peninsulas, the Clare and Barossa Valleys, the Murray River and the Gulf, and of course the fertile Adelaide Hills. Even Kangaroo Island is represented with its sheep's cheese, pure honey and crayfish.
Adelaide's dining scene proves that the Aussie kitchen has moved on from Sunday roast in rowdy country pubs and the backyard barbie. Even pub menus now brag about seasonal and organic ingredients sourced from local farmers and suppliers.
You can try anything from Aboriginal bush tucker and German-style bakery treats to steamed Afghan or Asian dumplings. Order "fish 'n' chips" and you might get Coorong mulloway with oven-crisp sweet potato. A "burger" could mean a soft bun with Wagyu rump and pickles, Korea style. "Mac 'n' cheese" may well include melted Gruyère cheese with smoked ham and a dollop of tomato chutney served in a brisket.
It isn't all about luxury dining though. You'll find plenty of low-key bistros and cafés, and there's always Adelaide's Central Market, where a love of food brings people from all walks of life together. Going back some 150 years, this sprawling space showcases the state's fresh produce as well as wonderful gourmet treats and other food items that make great souvenirs.
True Local
Orana is a much-lauded indigenous restaurant (its name is the Aboriginal for "welcome") with just 25 seats and meals made from locally sourced ingredients. Orana's award-winning chef, Jock Zonfrillo, has followed upon his huge success by opening Bistro Blackwood in 2018.
The Hill of Grace Restaurant at Adelaide Oval also has a strong focus on seasonal, locally grown produce and its all-South Australian wine list features more than 160 different drops.
Taking the concept of "locally sourced" to the extreme, the Botanic Gardens Restaurant picks its ingredients from, you guessed it, the surrounding Adelaide Botatnic Gardens.
International Flavours
Dining out in Adelaide can feel like an international food safari as well. Some of the more elite eateries include Italian trattoria Chianti, Thai palace Golden Boy and Sean's Kitchen, a New York-style brasserie founded by the world-famous chef Sean Connolly.
Jolleys Boathouse offers picturesque alfresco dining with Torrens River views, while Press* Food & Wine, Shōbōsho and SeaSalt are all part of Simon Kardachi's successful restaurant empire.
Is casual dining more your thing? Try Ruby Red Flamingo, a thoroughly Italian joint, while Africola is all African and S2 on Flinders is totally Thai. People also rave about La Rambla, a slice of Barcelona in a revamped warehouse.
Explore the countryside
The Adelaide Hills are "South Australia's market garden" and many local wineries offer fine dining with a view. Also make sure to have lunch in the McLaren Vale wine region. Our top pick: d'Arry's Verandah Restaurant with views of the amazing d'Arenberg Cube.
