Images: Simon Casson
South Australia’s best pub burger has been found in the Clare Valley, with Bentleys Hotel taking out the top title in the 2026 AHA SA Pub Burger Challenge, ahead of 37 other hotel entries from across the state.
Priced at $28, the winning Bentleys Deluxe Burger layers a Wagyu beef patty with mature cheddar, smoked streaky bacon, fresh lettuce, tomato and black garlic aioli on a toasted milk brioche bun.
It has been a permanent fixture on the hotel’s menu for several years, although a hotel spokesperson said that it has been “a process of constant tasting, tweaking and perfecting.”
Leading that process is Executive Chef Cristian Carbone, who joined Matthews Hospitality six years ago and currently oversees the kitchen at Bentleys Hotel.
“You never set out to win awards,” Christian said.
“You set out to make something people genuinely enjoy eating. To have that recognised as South Australia’s Best Pub Burger is a huge honour, especially considering the quality of the competition.”
The competition began with 38 hotel entries from across South Australia, with all entrants taking part in a blind tasting at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre.
Burgers were judged on taste, presentation, quality of the meat, and value for money.
The 12 highest-scoring burgers advanced to the live grand final. There, each finalist had just five minutes to prepare two burgers – one for presentation and one for judging.
To qualify, every entry had to be a current menu item made in-house with a beef or lamb patty. It also had to be available to customers throughout the participating hotel and priced at no more than $32.
A hotel spokesperson said it was the attention to detail and fresh, local ingredients that gave Bentleys an edge over the other contestants.
“Using fresh, quality ingredients, particularly local produce wherever possible, is a big part of our approach.
“We take into account the meat-to-fat ratio, seasoning and bun selection to the layering of ingredients, sauce choice and whether to go with a traditional or smash-style patty.”
“We obsessed over the little details because that’s what great cooking is all about,” Cristian said.
“I’m incredibly proud of the whole Bentleys team and can’t wait to see more people discover the burger for themselves.”
2026 AHA SA Pub Burger Challenge
Where: The Bentleys Hotel, 191 Main North Road, Clare
When: Open for lunch from 12pm to 2.30pm, and dinner from 5.30pm to 8.30pm every day.
To find out more, click here.
