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Food and Drink News in Adelaide You Need to Know About
Known for award-winning wineries and impeccable dining, there's always some exciting food and drink news in Adelaide.
South Australia has it all; excellent beaches, stunning national parks, a busy events calendar and charming country towns. Still, we believe it’s the exceptional dining experiences and award-winning wine that draw the biggest crowd. From premium fine dining establishments and cosy bars in the CBD and ‘burbs to wineries and cellar doors dotted throughout the Adelaide Hills, McLaren Vale, Barossa Valley and Clare, there is no shortage of hospo hotspots.
In a cut-throat industry that can see businesses flourish or fail in a flash, the best eateries and bars in South Australia constantly bring their A-game, making headlines for new openings, rebrands, awards and recognition of excellence. And, because we know it can be hard to keep up, we’re rounding up the food and drink news in Adelaide you need to know about!
Food and Wine News in Adelaide: Latest News
Sydney’s Iconic Bastille Festival is Coming to Adelaide
Bonjour, Adelaide! Sydney’s legendary celebration of all things French is swinging into Festival Plaza in May for a three-day extravaganza of food, wine and celebration! The Bastille Festival is a staple in Sydney’s festival calendar, and Adelaide’s love and appreciation for exceptional wine and brilliant dining made our city the clear choice when it came time to expand the fabulous festivities interstate.
Promising over 30 French food stalls (including indulgent raclette, golden crêpes, and melt-in-your-mouth pâtisseries), 15 boutique French wines straight from Bordeaux, Bourgogne, and beyond and endless entertainment, you are invited to sip champagne, indulge in Euro delicacies and enjoy live cancan performances, DJs, cabaret, and fire twirlers.
Immerse yourself in artisan markets and dazzling street art, explore the exclusive wine and food passports that offer a Tour de France without the bike, or enjoy crackling fire pits serving up cosy mulled wine magic.
May 30th – June 1st
Festival Plaza, King William Road, Adelaide
Restaurant Aptos Opening This Winter
Hailing from the US and fast becoming one of South Australia’s most celebrated chefs after creating a new class of fine dining at Restaurant Botanic, Justin James is gearing up to open his latest culinary venture in the Adelaide Hills that’s a little more dinner party than fine dining. Restaurant Aptos promises to be an immersive and highly memorable dining experience, a signature feature of the award-winning chef.
Guests will step into a 156-year-old converted church in Stirling that blends Scandinavian and Japanese design, and indulge in an incredible 16-course meal across three hours, and three floors. The 14-seat restaurant is intimate in nature, but the relaxed dining style—complete with lounge chairs, couches and buckets of beers—welcoming ambience and epic playlist make this anything but pretentious. James wants guests to feel comfortable and connected as they make their way through the space, starting with snacks before exploring their senses with open-kitchen dining, where there is no barrier between dinner guests and chefs. Dessert will be served on the second floor by the glass wall, with a variation of sweet treats to cleanse and delight the palate.
Known for his passion and skill in creating inventive dishes that cover sweet, bold, tart, tangy, sour and bitter using local and native ingredients, Restaurant Aptos is already making headlines, well before the doors are ready to open.
Opening winter 2025
147 Mount Barker Road, Stirling
Anvers Wines x Tomorrowland
Love a crisp, cool-climate wine from the Adelaide Hills? Big fan of the world’s biggest EDM music festival? Well, you’ll love this. In an unexpected collab we are a little obsessed with, Adelaide’s own Anvers Wines has created an exclusive range for Tomorrowland, creating three varietals under the name Acta Non Verba. Working closely with Tomorrowland for several years to craft high-quality wines for the Euro clientele, Anvers founders Wayne and Miriam Keoghan (Miriam was born in Belgium) have put their all into this range, upholding Anvers’ commitment to excellence.
Made in the Hills using grapes from the Anvers Kangarilla Vineyard, the range includes a 2022 Chardonnay fermented in new and old French oak barrels, a 2021 Shiraz aged for 21 months and infused with blackberries from Langhorne Creek, and a crisp Syrah Rosé with a gorgeous pale pink colour. A small batch of the limited edition wines is now available to purchase through Anvers and the Tomorrowland online stores, with the rest of the bottles already in Europe for major Tomorrowland events lined up for the year, including the main event in July, where over 400,000 tickets have sold.
Keen to try the exclusive range? Find out more here.
Clare Valley Cellar Door Recognised in Global Design Awards
The reimagined cellar door at Clare Valley’s Taylors Wines has been awarded not one, but two prestigious accolades at the international LIV Hospitality Design Awards. Up against 550 submissions from 58 countries, this striking spot was only one of two Australian venues to be recognised, taking home the Destination Winner for Interior Design (Australia Pacific) and Brand New Interior Design awards.
The awards focus on ground-breaking, boundary-pushing design in hospitality, prevalent in Taylors Wines’ stunning transformation by Georgie Shepherd Interior Design and Kristina Soggee of GP Architects. With warm, welcoming interiors taking direct inspiration from the earth and Taylors Wines’ ethos of craftsmanship and sense of place, the light-filled space is modern yet cosy, paying homage to a traditional Australian barn. Overlooking manicured gardens, a large lawn and rolling vineyards, the natural materials used in the building perfectly complement the regional beauty of the Clare Valley.
89 Winery Road, Auburn
Beloved Venues Closing Down to Make Way for Student Accommodation
In a move that has broken our great-night-loving hearts, a string of venue closures is on the near horizon in Adelaide’s vibrant East End. Following an announcement shared by owner Tom Skipper on Instagram, the iconic Crown & Anchor pub – which has been a cornerstone of late nights and epic gigs in Adelaide for over 170 years – will relocate to The Ed Castle on Currie Street in late July, while new student accommodation is built at the original pub site.
Refusing to go down without a fight, the Cranker will eventually return to its rightful home on Grenfell Street following the building’s completion in approximately two years, though other venues within the business won’t see the same fate. Beloved pasta spot Midnight Spaghetti – adored for its delicious fuss-free feeds, vibey balcony and midweek dining deals – will close in July this year (though there are whispers they, too, will make a welcome return in the future), while wedding and event space Chateau Apollo and popular outdoor pizza spot Roxie’s will close their doors in May.
There’s still time to grab a bowl of pasta, a slice of pizza or a pint with your mates, so get in before it’s too late!
Eyre Peninsula Restaurant Recognised in the Top 1% of Restaurants in Australia
Okay, you will need to hit the road to Port Lincoln and board an amphibious vessel to reach this restaurant on Louth Island, but trust us – the dining experience you’ll encounter is worth the extra travel hassle. Located at the island eco-resort Rumi on Louth, Samphire showcases the region’s abundant produce, crafted into modern Australian dishes with a notable Mediterranean influence. With sustainability prevalent across the luxury hotel and restaurant, the kitchen, led by Executive Chef Jono Sweet, produces a paddock-to-plate experience.
Recently recognised by the Australian Good Food Guide and awarded two Chef’s Hats for a dedication to culinary excellence, Samphire now ranks amongst Australia’s top 1% of restaurants, in its first year of business, no less. From a la carte and 6-course degustations to special events with exclusive menus, this is one for the foodie bucket list!
Louth Island, Eyre Peninsula
Food and Wine News in Adelaide: Experiences & Events
Bird in Hand x Tasmanian Botanical Gardens
In exciting news for our friends in the Southern state, Adelaide Hills’ much-loved winery Bird in Hand is getting ready to introduce its renowned hospitality to the Tasmanian Botanical Gardens. Following the success of their new restaurant opening, LVN in Woodville, Bird in Hand has cemented itself as a leader in exclusive and elevated food and wine experiences. Working closely with the team at the Botanical Gardens in Hobart, the expansion will introduce a new tasting room and restaurant, set to open in mid-2025. Watch this space!
Opening mid-2025
Tasmanian Botanical Gardens, Lower Domain Road, Hobart
Food and Wine News in Adelaide: New Openings & Launches
Teakle Wines Enters New Era
For anyone planning a getaway to Port Lincoln, this is your sign to stop by Teakle Wines for a delicious drop. This state-of-the-art cellar door quickly became a local haunt after opening its doors in 2020 and has recently announced an impressive rebrand, taking the business from Peter Teakle Winery to Teakle Wines. Promising to honour the late Peter Teakle, the family are starting a new era, with an ongoing commitment to sustainability, premium wines and celebrating the best of the Eyre Peninsula.
The rebrand pays homage to the wine barrel-shaped building that overlooks the winery’s picturesque vineyards with extra-special views extending to Boston Bay and Port Lincoln. The winery aims to impress, and impress it does, with new additions and a fresh menu keeping the offering top-tier.
31 Whillas Road, Port Lincoln
COMING SOON: Shmochi by Shibui Dessert Bar
This is one cafe opening we are very excited about. A long-awaited project (it’s taken over a year to find the perfect location for the new store), this dessert haven is all about friends, family, community and making every day sweet, built with love by co-owners Quang Nguyen, Thy Nguyen, and Lisa Chao.
Following the success of Shibui Dessert Bar in Adelaide’s CBD, the team are weeks away from opening their second dessert-centric cafe in St Peters. Smochi by Shibui will feature the star menu item of the viral Mochi donut. Created by chef Quang Nguyen, the Mochi has gained a cult-like following thanks to its crispiness, chewy centre and general deliciousness. We can’t wait!
Opening May 2025
St Peters
OATH Gin Launches into the Australian Market
Finnish Formula One driver Valtteri Bottas and Adelaide-born Olympic cyclist Tiffany Cromwell have officially launched OATH Gin in Australia. Already a success in Europe, the gin is now available online and at Ambleside Distillers.
Crafted with crisp apple peels inspired by the Adelaide Hills and Finnish oats, the gin features pure spring water, a juniper base, and subtle floral and spicy notes.
Purchase online or through Ambleside Distillers
Prospect Hotel & Cellars
Prospect, you’ve finally got a real pub! As Prospect grows in popularity, more and more venues are setting up shop along the main drag, and Prospect Hotel & Cellars is the latest, very welcome addition to the scene. Hospo veterans Marc Huber (Mismatch), Josh Voigt and Dale Wostikow (Bowden Cellars, Sideways Liquor) are bringing a modern pub space to the burb, with a main bar, dining room, function space, alfresco area and boutique bottle shop, Prospect Cellars.
Head Chef John Simpson-Clements is leading the kitchen with elevated pub classics and global-inspired dishes, and you can expect a curated beverage selection, including fine wines, tap beers, spirits, and cocktails served in a modern and welcoming space. Cheers to new beginnings!
Now open
Prospect Road, Prospect
St Louis Returns to Glenelg
St. Louis: House of Fine Ice Cream and Desserts, a proudly South Australian brand, has never failed to delight with its artisan gelato and handcrafted desserts. Celebrating over a decade of success, the business recently opened its newest Gelateria on Jetty Road, Glenelg.
A deeply meaningful location for founder George Karamalis, this is where his late father began his ice cream journey in 1993. Since launching in 2012, St. Louis has grown to 13 locations, including two international stores. Known for sourcing local ingredients and crafting decadent desserts by hand, St. Louis remains a family-run icon and a South Australian treasure.
3/1 Colley Terrace, Glenelg
Fleurieu Gin
Shane and Kylie Magor recently opened Fleurieu Gin, a laidback distillery in Myponga, just in time for the summer season. Founded in 2021, the family-run venue is open for business, featuring local food trucks, gourmet pizzas, a tapas-style kitchen, and a vast outdoor space with a bocce green, driving range and gorgeous surroundings.
By day, enjoy family-friendly vibes; by night, savour gin, wine, and beer alongside house-made dishes. Complete with the stunning lawn, twinkling fairy lights and a private function space, it’s also fast becoming the ideal venue for fuss-free weddings and celebrations. Bridging the gap for gin lovers on the Fleurieu Peninsula, this distillery is making waves with locals.
464 Forktree Road, Myponga
Vinteloper
Turning tragedy into triumph, Vinteloper has transformed its 1920s farmhouse into a stunning new cellar door and tasting room after it was destroyed in the 2019 Cudlee Creek bushfire. Near Lobethal, the latest, architecturally-designed space (by Detail Studio and Melbourne’s Studio Beal) blends modern design with the site’s history, featuring the charred beams and original red bricks that survived the fire.
With a strong ethos of sustainability, solar power, EV charging and rainwater harvesting are integrated into the build, however, the biggest drawcard may be the immersive experience – perfect for wine lovers in a stunning space that feels homely and inviting.
Now open.
589 Cudlee Creek Road, Lobethal
Food and Wine News in Adelaide: Awards
Amadio Wines: World’s Best Cab Sav
South Australia’s Amadio Wines was awarded 1st place in the AWC Vienna 2024 (the world’s largest officially recognised wine competition) with their Sebastian’s Reserve Cabernet 2021. With over 10,000 varietals from 41 countries submitted to the international competition, this is no small achievement.
Sitting across 326 acres in the Adelaide Hills, Amadio Wines has been crafting delicious drops since 1936, so it’s fair to say they know a thing or two about great grapes. Pop by the cellar door for a tasting (bookings essential), or indulge in an Italian feast at their Kangaroo Island establishment – Vino e Cucina.
461 Payneham Road, Felixstowe
Two Adelaide Hills Wineries Recognised as ‘Global Chardonnay Masters’
In news that would not come as a shock to the winemakers of the Adelaide Hills wine region, but perhaps to those not aware of the unique climate, geology and soil that makes this area so special, two vineyards have taken home the top honour as Global Chardonnay Masters with their impeccable wines.
Not only this, with just seven wines earning recognition this year in Drinks Business UK’s global wine competition, three of the wines were from the Adelaide Hills, beating the high-end Chardonnay region of Burgundy in France, which had two wines earning the top honour.
If you’re keen to try the Chardonnay that has made a lasting impression on the judges, visit Tapanappa Wines in Piccadilly Valley and sample the Tiers and Tiers 1.5 Vineyard Chardonnay, or Penfolds for a taste of their Reserve Bin A Chardonnay. Cheers!
Dandelion Vineyards Recognised for Outstanding Design
If you’ve ever visited the Wonder Room at Dandelion Vineyards, it will come as no surprise to hear the stunning space was just awarded the 2025 Best of Wine Tourism Award for Architecture and Landscape.
The McLaren Vale cellar door was recognised for blending innovation with natural beauty to create a memorable wine-tasting experience for all visitors. Converted from an old tractor shed into the cellar door it is today, the Wonder Room is the brainchild of Elena and Zar Brooks, and is well worth a stop on your next wine-tasting tour.
191 Chaffeys Road, McLaren Vale
Now that you’re across the most important food and drink news in Adelaide, it’s time to start seeing what the hype is about! Start with our guide to the best fine-dining restaurants, followed by the best wineries to sip and swill your way through.
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