Subscribe 
The Best Pubs in Adelaide: From Heritage Front Bars to Beer Gardens & Beyond
The next time you'are looking to sink a pint with your pals, keep this edit of the best pubs in Adelaide, divided by category, handy.
Adelaide’s pubs reward those who know where to pull up a stool: The Exeter Hotel on Rundle Street for a front bar that’s barely changed since 1929, Arkaba Hotel in Fullarton for parmis and pints under the big screens on game day, Palais Hotel in Semaphore for a counter meal within reach of the water, and The Crafers Hotel for a proper Hills feed twenty minutes from the CBD. From historic front bars to beer gardens, family-friendly favourites and fireside sessions, these are the pubs Sitchu’s editors keep coming back to.
In This Guide
- The Best Historic Pubs in Adelaide
- The Best Pubs in Adelaide For a Sunday Roast
- The Best Pubs in Adelaide With Beer Gardens
- The Best Pubs in Adelaide for Live Sport
- The Best Waterfront Pubs in Adelaide
- The Best Pubs in the Adelaide Hills
- The Best Family-Friendly Pubs in Adelaide
- The Best Dog-Friendly Pubs in Adelaide
- The Best Pubs in Adelaide With Fireplaces
- The Best Pubs in Adelaide Frequently Asked Questions
The Best Historic Pubs in Adelaide
The Exeter Hotel
A classic Adelaide pub established in 1929, The Exeter Hotel has stuck to what works, no renovations, no trendy updates, just timeless charm. This nostalgic spot invites friends to enjoy a beer or wine in the welcoming beer garden, whatever the occasion. Open daily from 11am until late (except Christmas), it’s your go-to for everything from brunch to a late-night tipple.
Suburb: CBD
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Pub fare
Best For: Locals, Weekend plans, Late night, Outdoor dining
The Royal Oak
As one of North Adelaide’s oldest hotels, The Royal Oak is a quirky standout where eclectic style meets a lively drinks list. This beloved pub attracts a diverse crowd for coffee, cocktails and pub fare, all served with a side of cheeky, friendly banter.
Suburb: North Adelaide
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Pub fare
Best For: Locals, Group dining, Weekend plans
Brighton Metro Hotel
With 175 years of history and a fresh facelift, Brighton Metro Hotel’s much-loved All You Can Eat Buffet at Charli’s Diner is back, from just $29.95 for lunch. If buffets aren’t your vibe, kick back in the revamped beer garden or sports bar for a relaxed drink with mates.
Suburb: Brighton
Price Guide: $
Cuisine: Pub fare
Best For: Budget-friendly, Group dining, Weekend plans
The Best Pubs in Adelaide for a Sunday Roast
The Kent Town Hotel
A corner pub with plenty of old-world character, The Kent Town Hotel calls for balcony drinks in summer and a seat by the fire come winter. With multiple dining rooms on offer, the main dining room is the pick for working through a proper Sunday roast.
Suburb: Kent Town
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Pub fare
Best For: Group dining, Special occasion, Weekend plans
The Elephant British Pub
Just a stone’s throw from Rundle Street, The Elephant British Pub leans hard into its Tudor-inspired bones, dark timber beams and all, with a modern Australian twist running through the menu. The kitchen turns out a classic British roast most days of the week, not just Sundays.
Suburb: CBD
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Pub fare
Best For: Group dining, Weekend plans, Date night
Looking for more roast options? See our full edit of the best Sunday roast in Adelaide.
The Best Pubs in Adelaide With Beer Gardens
Gilbert Street Hotel
Gilbert Street Hotel combines laid-back appeal with lively energy, offering a tantalising menu of pub classics, seasonal dishes and global flavours crafted by their award-winning kitchen. Sip on curated craft beers and boutique South Australian wines as smooth tunes from live bands and DJs fill the air under the fairy lights of the beer garden.
Suburb: CBD
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Pub fare
Best For: Group dining, Live music, Weekend plans, Wine lovers
The Sussex Hotel
The Sussex Hotel in Walkerville has embraced a new chapter, seamlessly blending its historic charm with Moroccan-inspired elegance. Redesigned by Deb Barnes, this reimagined space runs from a dreamy courtyard with gas-lit firepit nooks to a sunlit dining room built for brunch or leisurely lunches.
Suburb: Walkerville
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Pub fare
Best For: Date night, Outdoor dining, Brunch
The Cumberland Arms Hotel
The Cumberland Arms Hotel, known locally as The Cumby, boasts one of Adelaide’s biggest beer gardens, with daily specials including $18 steak Wednesdays. Its elevated pub grub covers fried chicken burgers, slow-roasted lamb rump and beer-battered garfish and chips, while siren-to-siren pint specials keep things lively for Friday Night Footy.
Suburb: CBD
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Pub fare
Best For: Group dining, Outdoor dining, Budget-friendly
The Lion Hotel
A place for any occasion, The Lion Hotel is a go-to hangout in North Adelaide that constantly hums with activity, from casual brekkie feeds to a hearty pub meal come nightfall. The garden bar is the spot for sports fans, while The Lion also offers several chic and private spaces for corporate cocktail functions and intimate celebrations.
Suburb: North Adelaide
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Pub fare
Best For: Breakfast, Group dining, Outdoor dining
The Best Pubs in Adelaide for Live Sport
Arkaba Hotel — Sporty’s
Recently named Best Overall Hotel in Australia at the AHA National Awards for Excellence, and also taking out Best Entertainment Venue in Australia, the Arkaba backs up its reputation on game day too. Sporty’s is the ultimate viewing playground, complete with huge LED screens, upgraded interiors, an outdoor zone built for year-round comfort, and a menu stacked with crowd-pleasers, from American-style bites to classic pub favourites, plus weeknight food and drink deals.
Suburb: Fullarton
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Pub fare
Best For: Group dining, Weekend plans, Late night
Looking for more places to catch the game? See our full edit of the best sports bars in Adelaide.
The Best Waterfront Pubs in Adelaide
Palais Hotel
Palais in Semaphore has the sun shining, the cocktails pouring and live music setting the tone most weekends. Wine and dine at the seaside bistro, spoiled for choice with fresh South Australian oysters, PFC (Palais Fried Chicken), roast pork and arancini. The garden is well equipped year round for the combination of ocean views and a cold drink in hand.
Suburb: Semaphore
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Pub fare highlighting seafood
Best For: Waterfront, Live music, Weekend plans
The Birkenhead Tavern
One of Adelaide’s oldest riverside pubs, The Birkenhead Tavern sits along the Port River, just across from the Port Adelaide Docks. Renowned for its family-friendly menu, featuring everything from fish and chips to scotch fillet, the Birk combines affordable dining with an easygoing atmosphere. You may even spot dolphins as you dine.
Suburb: Port Adelaide
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Pub fare
Best For: Families, Waterfront, Budget-friendly, Weekend plans
The Best Pubs in the Adelaide Hills
The Crafers Hotel
One of Adelaide’s original pubs, The Crafers Hotel trades on serious history without feeling like a museum piece, just 20 minutes from the CBD with a bistro menu built for lunch, dinner and overnight stays. Expect Smoky Bay oysters, French onion soup and steak frites that hold their own against the city’s best.
Suburb: Crafers
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Gastropub
Best For: Group dining, Long lunch, Weekend plans, Families
Need To Know: Accommodation is on site, making it an easy overnight stop just 20 minutes from the CBD.
Looking for an out-of-town feed? See our complete edit of the best country pubs in South Australia — covering the Adelaide Hills, Fleurieu Peninsula, Barossa Valley, Clare Valley and Eyre Peninsula, region by region.
The Best Family-Friendly Pubs in Adelaide
Mosaic Hotel
The Mosaic Hotel in West Lakes is the ultimate family outing. On Mondays, kids eat free, including a soft drink and ice cream with toppings, with every adult main purchased. Spacious and relaxed, it’s an easy way to kick off the week without the usual dinner-table negotiations.
Suburb: West Lakes
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Pub fare
Best For: Families, Budget-friendly, Weekend plans
Need To Know: Kids eat free on Mondays with any adult main.
Parkside Hotel
Known originally as the Fountain Inn Hotel, Parkside Hotel is a refined local pub where Adelaide’s best produce reigns supreme. Expect a modern approach to Australian pub food, well suited to healthy vegetarian dishes, hearty hangover feasts and fussy kids alike. Go for pub classics, elevated snacks and wood-fired pizzas, accompanied by local wines, tap beers and classic cocktails. There’s an outdoor terrace and kid’s playground too.
Suburb: Parkside
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Modern Australian
Best For: Families, Group dining, Outdoor dining
Marryatville Hotel
Your friendly neighbourhood pub in the heart of the East, The Marryatville pairs Hamptons-esque white interiors with leafy, tree-lined surrounds for a setting that feels equal parts polished and relaxed. The revamped bistro and alfresco spaces make for easy dining any day of the week, while a large children’s outdoor playground means you can sit back with a local wine or cocktail while the kids play. It’s a space that works just as well for a casual family lunch as it does for a weekend function.
Suburb: Marryatville
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Pub fare
Best For: Families, Special occasion, Outdoor dining
Looking for more family-friendly options? See our full edit of the best family-friendly pubs in Adelaide.
The Best Dog-Friendly Pubs in Adelaide
Malt Shovel Taphouse
By Adelaide Oval, it’s all about brews, tunes, great energy and furry friends at the Malt Shovel Taphouse. Run by a crew who are head over heels for craft beer and adorable dogs, it’s the dog-friendly taphouse to kick back and listen to some live music by the river, with the CBD to one side and the Oval to the other.
Suburb: Adelaide
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Modern Australian
Best For: Dog-friendly, Live music, Locals
The Bridgewater Inn
Take your pup out for a day in the Adelaide Hills at The Bridgewater Inn, where well-behaved furry friends are always welcome on leash. Stretch out in the expansive two-level beer garden, order a pub meal, and get something for your dog off the dedicated dog menu overlooking Cox Creek.
Suburb: Bridgewater
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Pub fare
Best For: Dog-friendly, Outdoor dining, Weekend plans
Need To Know: Dedicated dog menu available; open fireplaces in winter.
The Duke of Brunswick Hotel
An all-inclusive, community-driven pub that’s 100% certified gluten-free, with dedicated pet-friendly areas in the Secret Garden and front outdoor area. The Duke of Brunswick team is accommodating if you let them know in advance there will be an extra furry friend along.
Suburb: Adelaide (CBD)
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Pub fare
Best For: Dog-friendly, Locals, Outdoor dining
Need To Know: Fully gluten-free menu; let staff know in advance if bringing a dog.
The Best Pubs in Adelaide With Fireplaces
The Gully Public House
Further out in Tea Tree Gully, The Gully Public House has long been captivating patrons, with weeknight specials, daily happy hours and defined spaces with fireplaces. Dine on garden-menu dishes like salt and pepper squid and pulled pork nachos, or stick to the pub classics or a pizza. Once bellies are full, take it up a notch by popping into the buzzing Mr Jones Bar, where a central fireplace keeps things warm and merry, with DJs bringing the tunes on weekends.
Suburb: Tea Tree Gully
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Pub fare
Best For: Locals, Weekend plans, Live music
Need To Know: Daily happy hours and weeknight specials.
The Stag Public House
Recently reimagined, The Stag Public House has breathed new life into its Rundle Street corner while staying true to everything a great local pub should be, fireplace included. Expect hearty pub classics done exceptionally well, from hand-crumbed schnitzels and premium O’Connor steaks to Ocean Jacket fish and playful twists like vodka-spiked parmis and truffle mayo arancini. Weekly quiz nights, happy hours, live music and buzzing weekend balcony sessions round it out.
Looking for more warm and cosy options? For our complete edit, see the best pubs in Adelaide with fireplaces.
The Best Pubs in Adelaide Frequently Asked Questions
The Kent Town Hotel is a strong pick, pairing old-world character with multiple dining rooms built for exactly this kind of long lunch. The Elephant British Pub leans into its Tudor-inspired design and turns out a classic British roast most days of the week, not just Sundays. Sitchu’s dedicated guide to the best Sunday roast in Adelaide covers further options across the city.
Yes, several. The Bridgewater Inn in the Adelaide Hills has a dedicated dog menu and a two-level beer garden overlooking Cox Creek. The Duke of Brunswick Hotel in the CBD has dedicated pet-friendly areas in its Secret Garden, and Malt Shovel Taphouse by Adelaide Oval rounds things out with live music by the river.
The Mosaic Hotel in West Lakes tops the list, with kids eating free (including a soft drink and ice cream) every Monday alongside any adult main. Parkside Hotel is another strong option, pairing a modern take on Australian pub food with an outdoor terrace and kid’s playground. The Marryatville Hotel rounds things out with a large children’s playground and polished bistro dining in the East. Adelaide has several other options built around families too, worth checking Sitchu’s full edit of the best family-friendly pubs in Adelaide for the complete list.
The Crafers Hotel leads the pack, one of Adelaide’s original pubs and just 20 minutes from the CBD, with a bistro menu covering Smoky Bay oysters, French onion soup and steak frites, plus on-site accommodation for an easy overnight stay. It’s one of several destination-worthy pubs across the Hills region — Sitchu’s dedicated guide to the best country pubs in South Australia covers the rest, including options further afield in the Fleurieu Peninsula, Barossa Valley, Clare Valley and Eyre Peninsula.
Yes. Palais Hotel in Semaphore is a beachfront favourite, pairing fresh South Australian oysters and Palais Fried Chicken with ocean views and live music in a garden built for year-round use. The Birkenhead Tavern in Port Adelaide sits directly on the Port River, opposite the Port Adelaide Docks, with river views and the occasional dolphin sighting from the deck.
The Gully Public House in Tea Tree Gully takes the top spot, with a central fireplace warming the buzzing Mr Jones Bar alongside daily happy hours and weeknight specials. The Stag Public House on Rundle Street is another strong pick, pairing its fireplace with hand-crumbed schnitzels and weekly quiz nights. The Wheatsheaf Hotel in Thebarton, Largs Pier Hotel in Largs Bay, Gilbert Street Hotel and Royal Oak Hotel all run their own fireplaces too, so a cosy corner is never far away whichever part of Adelaide you’re in.
Sporty’s at the Arkaba Hotel in Fullarton is one of the city’s best-equipped venues for game day, with huge LED screens, an all-weather outdoor zone and weeknight food and drink deals. For a full breakdown of every sports-focused venue across the city, Sitchu’s dedicated guide to the best sports bars in Adelaide covers additional venues purpose-built for catching a game.
Gilbert Street Hotel in the CBD strings fairy lights over its beer garden with live bands and DJs most weekends. The Sussex Hotel in Walkerville pairs a Moroccan-inspired courtyard with gas-lit firepits, ideal for brunch or a leisurely lunch. The Brickmakers Arms in Brompton has a fireplace-warmed beer garden that works even in the cooler months, while The Cumberland Arms Hotel, known locally as The Cumby, boasts one of the city’s biggest beer gardens and $18 steak Wednesdays. The Lion Hotel in North Adelaide rounds things out with a garden bar built for sports fans.
Adelaide’s historic pub scene runs deep. The Exeter Hotel on Rundle Street has held its ground since 1929 without a single trendy renovation, while The Royal Oak is one of North Adelaide’s oldest hotels, known for its eclectic, funky interior. Brighton Metro Hotel carries 175 years of history alongside a recently refreshed fit-out and its well-known all-you-can-eat buffet.
Toured all the best pubs Adelaide has to offer? Take the weekend further afield with a visit to Adelaide’s best wine regions, or treat yourself to one of the city’s finest Sunday roasts.
