Food and Wine News in Adelaide You Need to Know About
Known for its award-winning wineries and impeccable dining, there's always some exciting food and wine news in Adelaide.
South Australia may be home to excellent beaches, stunning National Parks and charming country towns, but we know the food and drink draws the biggest crowd. From premium establishments and cosy bars to wineries throughout the Adelaide Hills, McLaren Vale, Barossa Valley and Clare, there is no shortage of hospo hotspots.
In a tough 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.
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: Experiences & Events
Woodstock Winery x Ginlong Canteen
Looking for a perfect summer activity? This might just be it! All summer long, The Lawns at Woodstock Winery are open on weekends, where guests can lounge on tables or BYO picnic setting for a lush day surrounded by greenery, with great food and wine. To make the deal even better, Ginlong Canteen will be on-site every weekend in their pop-up restaurant, bringing their delectable Asian fusion to McLaren Vale.
Weekends, 11:30am - 4:00pm
October to April
215 Douglas Gully Road, McLaren Vale
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 set to take 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 early 2025.
Opening early 2025
Tasmanian Botanical Gardens, Lower Domain Road, Hobart
Mark Best x Kuti Shack
In a collab bound to send seafood-loving hearts a flutter, renowned chef Mark Best (renowned for his contribution to fine dining in Australia) teams up with Brendan Roach and Vanessa Button at Kuti Shack in Goolwa for an unforgettable celebration of the Coorong. Guests will enjoy a coastal dining experience featuring the wild produce of the Southern Ocean and Ngarrindjeri country.
Lunch offers shared long-table dishes like Mulloway Brandade with Pippies, while dinner serves a refined six-course menu, including abalone pasties and Honey Fried Garfish. With stunning ocean views, local wines, and expertly crafted plates, this event is set to highlight the beauty and bounty of this unique region.
Saturday, February 22nd
Lunch $195 Dinner $245 - all inclusive. Book here.
Kuti Shack, Main Beach Carpark, Beach Road, Goolwa Beach
Food and Wine News in Adelaide: New Openings & Launches
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.
Purchases online or through Ambleside Distillers
Monica
Monica, a new East Asian bistro and cocktail bar, is bringing the vibrant nightlife of 1980s and 90s Hong Kong to Adelaide’s East End! Opening in early February at 14 East Terrace, Monica combines innovative East Asian fusion dishes with an intriguing cocktail menu crafted from traditional Asian ingredients.
The brainchild of Ben Liew and Karl Tang, owners of Makan, Monica will feature small plates like Wagyu beef tartare and typhoon shelter king oyster mushrooms, alongside creative drinks like mango sticky rice milk punch and pandan cream foam highballs. With moody neon lighting and vinyl records, Monica promises an unforgettable experience.
Opening February
14 East Terrace, Adelaide
Prospect Hotel & Cellars
Prospect locals, you're finally getting a pub! As Prospect grows in popularity, more and more venues are setting up shop along the main drag, welcoming locals and visitors from the surrounding suburbs, and Prospect Hotel & Cellars is the latest (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 with a main bar, dining room, function space, alfresco area and boutique bottle shop, Prospect Cellars.
Head Chef John Simpson-Clements will lead the kitchen with a mix of elevated pub classics and global-inspired dishes. Expect a curated beverage selection, including fine wines, tap beers, spirits, and cocktails. Cheers to new beginnings!
Opening late February 2025
Prospect Road, Prospect
St Louis Returns to Glenelg
St. Louis: House of Fine Ice Cream and Desserts, a proudly South Australian brand, continues 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, with more openings planned. Known for sourcing local ingredients and crafting 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 vibrant new 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 welcoming outdoor space with a bocce green and driving range.
By day, enjoy family-friendly vibes; by night, savour gin, wine, and beer alongside house-made dishes. With a stunning lawn with fairy lights and a private function space, it’s also set to become the perfect venue for laid-back weddings and events. Bridging the gap for gin lovers on the Fleurieu Peninsula, this distillery is already making waves with locals in the know!
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
Hecho En Mexico Opens 2nd Store Only 6 Months After Landing in Adelaide
Exciting news, Adelaide! Hecho en Mexico has arrived, bringing its beloved Mexican street food to town, with not one, but two locations. The venues blend modern style with Mexican flair, creating a vibrant dining space.
Using fresh, locally sourced produce and meat, you can enjoy top-quality dishes like tortas, Al Pastor tacos, fajitas, and birria chilaquiles, all made on-site. Tequila lovers will adore their extensive cocktail menu featuring ten margaritas, including the coveted guava margarita, plus dirty shots and mezcalitas. Following huge success in the flagship CBD venue on Peel Street, Hecho en Mexico is spreading the good vibes to Prospect, too!
12 Peel Street, Adelaide
101-103 Prospect Road, Prospect
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
Simon Tolley Wines Secures Two Prestigious Awards at 2024 Adelaide Hills Wine Show
Simon Tolley has long been adored for its classic cool climate wines, exceptional service, Pinot & Pooch events and quaint cellar door tucked amongst vineyards and gum trees. The team has proven their passion pays off at the 2024 Adelaide Hills Wine Show. For the second year, Cellar Door Manager Malou Helder received the Chanticleer Award, honouring her exceptional customer service and deep knowledge of the winery's heritage.
Owner Simon Tolley was honoured with the Grower Award by the Grape & Environment Committee. This recognition highlights his dedication to sustainable viticulture, including the installation of vineyard solar panels, bat boxes, and native plantings. If you're looking for another winery to tick off the list - make it Simon Tolley!
278 Bird in Hand Road, Woodside
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 wine 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.
