Pictured: arkhé
South Australia’s thriving food scene is in the spotlight, with the finalists for the 2026 Restaurant & Catering Hostplus Awards for Excellence officially announced.
Recognising the state’s standout restaurants, cafes and catering businesses, this year’s awards celebrate excellence across 25 categories, shining a light on venues from metropolitan Adelaide through to the state’s renowned wine regions and regional communities.
From the bustling dining precincts of Norwood, North Adelaide, Glenelg and Henley Beach to the Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale and Clare Valley, finalists span every corner of South Australia. Regional operators from Mount Gambier, Naracoorte, Renmark, Berri, Goolwa, Port Elliot, Moonta and even Coober Pedy have also earned recognition, highlighting the depth of talent well beyond the city.
Restaurant & Catering Australia National President John Hart OAM said, “Being named a finalist in the Awards for Excellence is a real achievement. Every business on this list has been independently assessed against rigorous criteria, and their inclusion reflects the dedication, passion, and hard work they bring to their industry every single day.
“South Australia has a food and hospitality culture unlike anywhere else in the country, shaped by world-class wine regions, a deep European heritage, and operators who take extraordinary pride in what they put on the plate. From the Barossa and Clare Valley to the streets of Norwood and North Adelaide, from Glenelg to the outback at Coober Pedy, this year’s SA finalists represent the very best of what our industry has to offer. Every business on this list should be enormously proud of what they have achieved.”
The Awards for Excellence are regarded as the hospitality industry’s premier recognition program, with independent judges assessing venues against strict operational criteria. Restaurants are evaluated on food, service and presentation, while catering businesses are judged on areas including event execution, staffing, operations and client delivery.
Winners will be announced at a gala celebration at the Adelaide Convention Centre on Monday, August 24th, where hospitality operators, chefs, industry leaders and government representatives will come together to celebrate another outstanding year for South Australia’s hospitality industry.
ASIAN RESTAURANT
SPONSORED BY TWIN SOCIAL
Bobibao, Bowden
Mai Kitchen Vietnamese Restaurant, Ferryden Park
Soi 38, Adelaide
Thai Room, Adelaide
Vietnam Restaurant. Pennington
BREAKFAST RESTAURANT
SPONSORED BY PRIMO FOODSERVICE
Home Ground, Adelaide
Maison Clèment, Adelaide
Pony & Cole, Hindmarsh
Taste the Yorke, Moonta
West Beach Surf Club Bar and Bistro, West Beach
Whalers Seaside Dining, Encounter Bay
CAFÉ DINING
SPONSORED BY KNORR PROFESSIONAL
Caffe Buongiorno, O’Halloran Hill
Café Va Bene, Campbelltown
Crafers Bakehouse, Crafers
Home Ground, Adelaide
Pony & Cole, Hindmarsh
CHINESE RESTAURANT
SPONSORED BY TWIN SOCIAL
Concubine, Adelaide
Empress Restaurant, Toorak Gardens
New Century Restaurant, Mawson Lakes
Ying Chow Chinese Restaurant, Adelaide
CONTEMPORARY AUSTRALIAN RESTAURANT – FORMAL
SPONSORED BY ENTERTAINMENT
arkhé, Norwood
Earth Restaurant, Berri
Elementary by Soul Co, Mount Gambier
Orleana – Kingsford The Barossa, Kingsford
CONTEMPORARY AUSTRALIAN RESTAURANT – INFORMAL
SPONSORED BY ENTERTAINMENT
A Prayer for the Wild at Heart, Adelaide
Bush deVine Winery Restaurant – Paulett Wines,
Polish Hill River
Ginkgo Restaurant – Golding Wines, Lobethal
Marshi’s Kitchen, Stirling
OZIN, Adelaide
Swagman Country Dining, Hindmarsh Valley
The Avenue Inn Restaurant, Naracoorte
West Beach Surf Club Bar and Bistro, West Beach
Whalers Seaside Dining, Encounter Bay
EUROPEAN RESTAURANT
SPONSORED BY ENTERTAINMENT
A Prayer for the Wild at Heart, Adelaide
AMMŌS Greek Bistro, North Adelaide
Estia Restaurant, Henley Beach
Hays St Bar & Kitchen, Goolwa
Lenzerheide Restaurant, Hawthorn
Maison Clèment, Adelaide
The UPPside European Restaurant & Wine Bar,
Penwortham
FAMILY DINING
SPONSORED BY ONEMUSIC AUSTRALIA
Café Va Bene, Campbelltown
Indian Club SA, Magill
Masala Soiree, Royston Park
Renmark Club Bistro, Renmark
The Logical Indian – Hutt Street, Adelaide
West Beach Surf Club Bar and Bistro, West Beach
INDIAN RESTAURANT
SPONSORED BY ONEMUSIC AUSTRALIA
Chatkazz Adelaide, Lightsview
Daughter in Law, Adelaide
Indian Club SA, Magill
Masala Soiree, Royston Park
The Logical Indian – Hutt Street, Adelaide
ITALIAN RESTAURANT
SPONSORED BY GALLAGHER
Est Ovest, Adelaide
Little Wolf Osteria – Mitolo Wines, McLaren Vale
Mariners Ristorante, North Haven
Nonna & I Italian Restaurant, Adelaide
Qualitaly, Cumberland Park
NEW RESTAURANT
SPONSORED BY GALIPO
Hunter & Barrel, Adelaide
Smokin’ Good, Torrensville
SOMMA Modern Greek, Norwood
Vasili’s Table, West Beach
Vivu Vietnamese Kitchen, Port Adelaide
PIZZA RESTAURANT
SPONSORED BY COOPERS
Ballaboosta, Adelaide
Est Ovest, Adelaide
Ginkgo Restaurant – Golding Wines, Lobethal
John’s Pizza Bar, Coober Pedy
PREMIUM DINING
SPONSORED BY AMERICAN EXPRESS
Aurora, Adelaide
Lenzerheide Restaurant, Hawthorn
Mayura Wagyu Steakhouse, Millicent
Orleana – Kingsford The Barossa, Kingsford
RESTAURANT IN A PUB/CLUB
SPONSORED BY COOPERS
Admiral Bistro – Cruising Yacht Club of SA,
North Haven
Blended Kitchen Catering – Port Elliot Surf Life
Saving Club, Port Elliott
Penobscot Restaurant @ The Watervale Hotel,
Watervale
Renmark Club Bistro, Renmark
West Beach Surf Club Bar and Bistro, West Beach
RESTAURANT IN A WINERY
SPONSORED BY WINEPRO
d’Arry’s Verandah Restaurant, McLaren Vale
Ginkgo Restaurant – Golding Wines, Lobethal
Hentley Farm Restaurant, Seppeltsfield
Little Wolf Osteria – Mitolo Wines, McLaren Vale
Lou’s by Horizon – Lou Miranda Estate, Rowland Flat
SEAFOOD RESTAURANT
SPONSORED BY COOPERS
Mariners Ristorante, North Haven
Sammy’s on the Marina, Glenelg
SiSea, Adelaide
SPECIALTY RESTAURANT
SPONSORED BY WINEPRO
Ballaboosta, Adelaide
Cumbia Bar Kitchen, Adelaide
La Popular Taqueria, Port Adelaide
STEAK RESTAURANT
SPONSORED BY HOSTPLUS
A Hereford Beefstouw, Adelaide
arkhé, Norwood
Carnivore, Hindmarsh
The Little Hunter, Adelaide
Mayura Wagyu Steakhouse, Millicent
TOURISM RESTAURANT
SPONSORED BY AMERICAN EXPRESS
Coopers Brewery, Regency Park
Nonna & I Italian Restaurant, Adelaide
Penobscot Restaurant @ The Watervale Hotel,
Watervale
Swagman Country Dining, Hindmarsh Valley
Taste the Yorke, Moonta
EDUCATION CATERER
SPONSORED BY ENTERTAINMENT
Chartwells – Pembroke College, Kensington
Chartwells – Loreto College, Marryatville
Chartwells – St Peters College, St Peters
gather by Cater Care – Flinders University
Flinders Living, Bedford Park
TWG – Immanuel College, Novar Gardens
EVENT/CONVENTION CENTRE CATERER
SPONSORED BY HOSTPLUS
National Wine Centre, Adelaide
EVENTS CATERER
SPONSORED BY HOSTPLUS
Blended Kitchen Catering, Port Elliot
ILA, Adelaide
National Wine Centre, Adelaide
INDUSTRIAL CATERER
SPONSORED BY GALLAGHER
Civeo SA – Prominent Hill Village, Glendambo
VENUE CATERER
SPONSORED BY GALLAGHER
National Wine Centre, Adelaide’
WEDDING CATERER
SPONSORED BY GALLAGHER
Indian Club SA, Magill
National Wine Centre, Adelaide
