An Adelaide restaurant, that began as a festival food truck, is now in the running to be named one of South Australia’s best steakhouses for the second year in a row.
The Carnivore, a Mediterranean steak restaurant in Hindmarsh, has been named a finalist in the Steak Restaurant category of the 2026 Restaurant & Catering Hostplus Awards for Excellence.
This follows a great award-winning run last year when the venue was named South Australia’s Best Informal Steak Restaurant within the catering awards before going on to win the national steak restaurant award in Sydney.
This latest recognition adds another chapter for owners Teresa and Robbie Ferraro who began with just an event and catering business.
As the couple opened a brick-and-mortar in Henley, and later moved along the busy Port Road, each step has been about keeping to their quality.
So, what makes Carnivore one of Australia’s leading steak restaurants?
Rather than trying to reinvent the traditional steakhouse, Carnivore has focused on refining the fundamentals — exceptional beef, live-fire cooking and genuine hospitality.
Owner Teresa Ferraro said every decision begins by asking themselves, “How can we create an experience people genuinely remember?”
“Our food is cooked entirely over red gum and mallee root in an open kitchen, so guests can watch every stage of the cooking process.”
“Live fire isn’t there for theatre alone, it contributes flavour, aroma and character to every steak.”
The theatrical dining experience is not simply for show, with the cooking method giving the meat a distinctive flavour that has helped build a loyal customer base.
“We’re passionate about sourcing exceptional Australian and Japanese Wagyu and developing flavour through our in-house dry-ageing program. Everything else is designed to complement that.”
Other signature cuts include a 750-gram rib-eye served beneath a smoked cloche, a 1.5-kilogram tomahawk ignited with cognac and the restaurant’s signature 24-karat Golden Tomahawk.
Teresa and Robbie believe the restaurant’s biggest point of difference isn’t simply the cooking.
“Hospitality matters just as much as the food. We want guests to feel genuinely looked after from the moment they arrive until they leave.”
“It’s about attention to detail, consistency and creating an experience that people want to return to.”
For Teresa and Robbie, the latest nomination represents recognition for the entire team rather than an expectation of another win.
“Awards are never something you can assume. There are outstanding restaurants across South Australia.”
“We’re simply proud to be recognised alongside them. It tells our team that the work they’re doing every day is being noticed, and that’s incredibly rewarding.”
If Carnivore can take the title again in 2026, they’ll be back-to-back winners but we’ll have to wait until August 24 when the awards are announced.
The Carnivore
Where: 46 Port Rd, Hindmarsh SA 5007
For more info, click here.
