Pictured: Arkhe
Adelaide is set to welcome footy fans from around the country for Gather Round. While the games are the main event, the city’s dining scene offers just as much to be excited about. From fire-driven kitchens to modern Asian cuisine and fine-dining destinations in the Botanic Gardens, Adelaide’s restaurants are well worth planning your weekend around. Whether you’re looking for a quick bite near the Oval or a long lunch in the Barossa, there’s no shortage of standout options to elevate your visit.
Adelaide City & North Adelaide
These restaurants are all within walking distance or a short Uber ride away from Adelaide Oval.
AFRICOLA
This South African fusion restaurant is a celebrity hotspot, and for good reason. Names like Eric Andre, Oscar-winning actress Olivia Colman, tennis giant Novak Djokovic, and music industry icons Justin Vernon (Bon Iver) and Katy Perry have been spotted at this inner-city gem. Executive Chef Duncan Welgemond’s approach to food boasts a delicious offering of smoke, wood fire, big flavours and spice. If you like things peri-peri smoky, this one’s for you, and take it from me, make sure to order the crispy chicken tea sandwich and the Goolwa pipis.
Cuisine: South African
Where: 4 East Terrace, Adelaide
To book, click here.
HUAMI
Huami is the latest addition to SkyCity Adelaide, which you’ll find just across the bridge from Adelaide Oval. Meaning “nectar,” Huami speaks to sourcing the best ingredients, a connection to natural elements, and “a passion to deliver guests a premier dining experience.” This luxe Chinese restaurant, led by Shanghai-born Head Chef Johnny Zhong, spans from the refined to the indulgent, showcasing Chinese flavours through locally sourced ingredients and modern techniques. The signature dish of bronzed fruit-wood roasted Peking duck is a must-try!
Cuisine: Chinese
Where: Level 1, SkyCity Adelaide
To book, click here.
KIIN
This fresh and flavour-packed Modern Asian dining spot serves up punchy dishes made for sharing in a fun and inviting atmosphere. Think fresh salads, tropical cocktails and a steady flow of heat, crunch and zing. Crowd favourites include the red curry cheeseburger and burrata with ‘nahm jim’ and roti. Whether you’re after some between-game freshness or a Southeast Asian feast, Kiin has you covered.
Cuisine: Modern Asian
Where: 73 Angas Street, Adelaide
To book, click here.
OMADA BAR & GRILL
Open as of January, the Greek-inspired Omada Bar and Grill arrives with all the anticipation you’d expect for a restaurant by some of Adelaide’s hospitality heavyweights. But unlike the brooding masculinity of Shōbōsho or the high-brow, high-glam Fugazzi (both Kardachi sibling venues on Leigh Street), Omada feels immediately warm, familiar, and deliberately unfussy.
Cuisine: Greek
Where: 46 Currie St, Adelaide SA 5000
To book, click here.
PASTEL WINE BAR
If you’re looking for dinner with a slice of funk, we’ve found your place at Pastel Wine Bar. The space, vibey, dim-lit and ambient. Nightly DJs bring the disco feel, but the location still has plenty of room to keep things intimate and conversation flowing. The menu has all your favourites, taking from Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, and even Southeast Asian influences. Start the night with whipped ricotta to excite your sweet senses, and the chargrill octopus skewer will have you coming back for more. Pair it with a wine from their extensive list, and you’re set. Pastel is the perfect place to start your night, or even for a quick bite to enjoy the vibes.
Cuisine: Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, South-East Asian
Where: 47 O’Connell St, North Adelaide SA
To book, click here.
RESTAURANT BOTANIC
No Adelaide restaurant guide is complete without the renowned Restaurant Botanic. Its accolades include the Gourmet Traveller Restaurant of the Year 2023 and South Australia’s Best Restaurant by Delicious 100. Need I say more, but I will. Set in the stunning 51-hectare Adelaide Botanic Garden and led by Executive Chef Jamie Musgrave, the restaurant draws from its surrounds to offer a sensual experience for guests. Touch, taste, smell and enjoy the ingredients found in the garden as well as some other additions that are uniquely Australian. If you’re after a slice of luxury and an abundance of flavour hidden in the centre of the CBD, your search ends here.
Cuisine: Australian
Where: Adelaide Botanic Gardens, Plane Tree Drive, Adelaide
To book, click here.
SHOBOSHO
If you find yourself on Leigh Street, you’d be remiss not to stop by Japanese firehouse, Shobosho. This smoky firehouse is a modern take on Japanese cuisine with a whole lot of flames, smoke and grilling. The sleek, dark and intimate dining space invites visitors to watch the chefs at work while sipping on sake, or a bottle of wine from their extensive list. Just minutes away from Adelaide Oval, Shobosho is the perfect option for your visit to Adelaide.
Cuisine: Japanese
Where: 17 Leigh Street, Adelaide
To book, click here.
2KW
After dinner with a view? Located on King William Street – a short 10-minute walk from Adelaide Oval – 2KW offers a designer setting with a terrace and city views. To complement the stunning location, Executive Chef Sam Christopher designs the menu to offer “really tasty food,” championing local ingredients from the coast, the hills and everywhere in between. The burrata, Spencer Gulf kingfish, and salt-baked beetroot tartare will not disappoint. For great food, great service and a superb view, look no further than this inner city gem, perfect for a feed or a drink this Gather Round.
Cuisine: Modern Australian
Where: 2 King William St, Adelaide SA
To book, click here.
NORWOOD
These restaurants are all within walking distance from the Norwood Oval, but if you plan on eating at any of these on game day, book quickly!
ARKHE
One of Adelaide’s most talked-about dining destinations, Arkhe, brings fire to the forefront. We’re seeing a trend here… a whole lot of smoke for a firey footy weekend. Everything at Arkhe is cooked over an open flame and helmed by co-owner Jake Kellie, who was the Australian Young Chef of the Year in 2015 and best known for his celebrity appearances in Masterchef. Wood-fired meats, seafood and seasonal produce are at the heart of the menu, paired with a carefully considered and curated wine list. If you’re looking for a little unpretentious je ne sais quoi for your footy weekend, look no further than this stunning venue.
Cuisine: Open-flame fine dining
Where: 127 The Parade, Norwood
To book, click here.
MENSA
Set in the peaceful Kent Town, just a few minutes’ walk from Norwood Oval, Mensa offers contemporary Italian that celebrates traditional dishes. This spot has all the hits – think, pasta fritta with nduja, honey and mascarpone, and delicious market fish with Sicilian green olives and currants. If you’re after a dinner just outside the hustle and bustle, this one’s for you. Gelato Messina conveniently neighbours the restaurant, so make sure to save room for dessert.
Cuisine: Contemporary Italian
Where: 44 The Parade W, Kent Town SA
To book, click here.
ORSO
Described as “Modern Euro dining with an Italian accent,” this Mediterranean-inspired gem brings rustic Italian flavours to the city fringe. It’s slightly further away from Norwood’s oval, though, so if you’re dining here, book an Uber. With a warm, earthy fit-out and an open kitchen, Orso delivers house-made pasta, wood-grilled meats, and seasonal produce with a refined touch. Must-tries include the Tiger Prawn milk bun, market fish and wagyu carpaccio tonnato. Just a short stroll from the CBD, Orso is perfect for lunch or a cosy dinner date between the games.
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Where: 36 Kensington Rd, Rose Park SA
To book, click here.
BAROSSA VALLEY
If you’re looking for game day dining, or you’re extending your stay in the beautiful Barossa, these are some of the must-visit restaurants we would recommend.
FINO
Nestled in the heart of the Seppeltsfield village, right beside the historic cellar door and overlooking the iconic fountain, Fino Seppeltsfield continues to embody its signature ethos of produce, provenance, and the joy of sharing a meal. The restaurant is a culinary gem of the Barossa, showcasing the region’s finest seasonal ingredients through strong partnerships with local producers, and is the perfect setting for you to explore South Australian cuisine. They also have separate vegan, vegetarian and kids menus, catering to everyone.
Cuisine: Seasonal Australian
Where: 730 Seppeltsfield Road, Seppeltsfield
To book, click here.
STAĠUNI
Inspired by the warmth of European eateries, Staġuni offers a deeply personal and welcoming experience, as if the team were inviting you into their home. The ever-evolving, seasonal menu celebrates the richness of South Australian produce, and the restaurant is located in the historic 1922 Marananga Primary School building, adding to the homely feel. Dine at Staġuni’s home this Gather Round, and enjoy comfort, delicious food, and heritage.
Cuisine: European/Australian
Where: Marananga School, Unit A, 457 Seppeltfield Road, Marananga SA
To book, click here.
VINO LOKAL
Vino Lokal is a beautiful, casual-style restaurant space run by three female owners each with a wealth of experience in hospitality and wine. The relationship between food and wine at Vino Lokal is symbiotic, both work to complement each other and encapsulate the seasonal and local focus at the core of the business.
Cuisine: Fusion
Where: 64 Murray St, Tanunda SA
To book, click here.
VITNERS
If Australian cuisine is what you’re after, the long-standing Vitners Bar & Grill celebrates the fresh produce and ingredients we have at our doorstep and “proudly encapsulates what the Barossa does best; exceptional wine and outstanding food.” Set among the Barossa vineyards, guests can choose alfresco or formal dining depending on their taste. Either way, expect high-quality service and award-winning food.
Cuisine: Australian
Where: 752 Stockwell Rd, Angaston SA
To book, click here.
With so many excellent venues on offer, choosing where to eat during Gather Round can be just as exciting as the matches themselves. Whether you stay in the heart of the CBD or explore further afield, these restaurants offer something for every taste and occasion. Make your reservations early and enjoy some of the best that South Australia’s dining scene has to offer.
Looking for more places to eat and drink? Click here.
Read more Gather Round news here.
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