There’s a new late-night haunt lighting up Adelaide’s dining scene, and it’s got all the charm, character and carb-laden comfort you’d expect from the city’s beloved Pinco crew, with a little extra sparkle.
From the team behind the ever-popular Pinco Deli comes Pinco Italo, a sultry new Italian dining room in the heart of the CBD that’s offering a generous serve of nostalgia, sophistication and pure Italian soul.
By day, Pinco is the go-to for quick bites and leisurely lunches, with a buzzing sandwich menu and pasta plates that bring a welcome pause to the weekday rush. But when the sun dips and the candles flicker to life, the space shifts gears.
Housed in the shell of a former burger joint, it still nods to its industrial past with concrete floors and exposed ceilings, but it’s now softened with crisp white tablecloths, moody lighting and flowing curtains that set the scene for something far more intimate.
The dining room carries a casual elegance, drawing on the charm of Italian diners in LA and the effortless cool of New York’s restaurant scene. It’s here that the menu really shines, designed to be shared and savoured. Small plates arrive first, followed by pastas that feel like a warm hug from nonna.
Housemade pasta dishes like pappardelle in a luscious white ragù or kale and spinach risotto finished with gorgonzola and hazelnuts are just the beginning.
At the head of the kitchen is Chef Jimmy Garside, whose culinary experience spans from Mary’s in Sydney to Aalto in Vietnam. With Pinco Italo, he’s stripped it all back.
“We’ve gone back to basics. Simple, tasty, produce-driven food that’s executed with love. Super fresh flavours, pasta made every day and as many local ingredients as possible,” he said.
The menu offers both comfort and refinement, with dishes like crispy eggplant parmigiana and chicken cotoletta in brown butter with salty capers served alongside a dry-aged ribeye that is a definite talking point.
But Chef Garside insists it’s not about reinventing the wheel.
“Italian cuisine doesn’t need to be messed with. It’s super exciting and delicious and that’s what’s inspired this menu. We’ve really listened to what the market here in Adelaide wants; crowd pleasers with a few twists.”
The drinks offering follows the same thoughtful approach as the food. The wine list brings together a curated blend of Italian favourites and standout South Australian drops, ranging from vibrant skin-contact whites to deep, full-bodied reds.
On the cocktail front, there’s plenty to enjoy, with classics like the Negroni sitting comfortably alongside house signatures such as the Paloma di Pinco and a refreshing Aperol Mojito.
Pinco Italo is stylish without being showy, and in a city that knows and loves its Italian food, this new addition feels like the kind of place that will slip seamlessly into locals’ regular rotation.
What: Pinco Italo
Where: 50 Exchange Place Adelaide
When: Monday – Wednesday-Friday 10:30am-2:30pm, Friday-Saturday 5pm-Late
For more info, click here.
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