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These Are the Best Restaurants, Cafes and Caterers in SA Right Now
The winners of the 2026 Restaurant & Catering Hostplus Awards For Excellence have been revealed, shining a light on the South Australian spots giving us plenty of reasons to book a table right now.
August 24 was a big night for South Australian hospitality, as the 2026 Restaurant & Catering Hostplus Awards For Excellence unveiled a fresh roll call of restaurants and cafes worth knowing about. More than 300 industry guests came together to celebrate 25 categories, spanning polished fine dining and all-day cafes, country pubs, pizza joints and destination dining spots. From city favourites to regional standouts, this year’s winners make a pretty convincing case for putting a few new tables on the list.
Best Restaurant and Fine Dining Winners
The night’s biggest honour went to Hentley Farm Restaurant, which was named Restaurant of the Year as well as taking out Restaurant in a Winery. Set among the Barossa vines in Seppeltsfield, the fine dining restaurant has long made a case for produce-led dining with a distinctly South Australian sense of place.
Over in Norwood, arkhé took home Steak Restaurant of the Year. Known for putting plenty of thought behind its fire-led cooking and produce, the win adds another accolade to a restaurant that’s become a fixture on the eastern suburbs dining circuit.
Best Cafe and Casual Dining Winners
There was a double win for Pony & Cole, with the Hindmarsh favourite named both Casual Dining Venue of the Year and Cafe Dining winner. Its all-day approach, South Australian produce and easygoing dining room have made it a go-to for everything from a slow breakfast to a long lunch.
In the city, Maison Clèment took out Breakfast Restaurant, bringing a little French flair to the most important meal of the day. Meanwhile, Penobscot Restaurant at The Watervale Hotel claimed Restaurant in a Pub/Club, proving that a country pub lunch can be every bit as considered as a city dining room.
Best Cuisine-Specific Winners
Adelaide’s culinary diversity got its moment in the spotlight, too. Soi 38 took home Asian Restaurant, while The Logical Indian on Hutt Street claimed Indian Restaurant.
The biggest double win in the cuisine categories went to Mariners Ristorante in North Haven, which claimed both Italian Restaurant and Seafood Restaurant. It’s a particularly apt pairing for a restaurant where fresh seafood and Italian cooking share equal billing. And for pizza? Est Ovest took the title, continuing its run as one of Adelaide’s most reliable destinations for a proper slice.
Best New Restaurant Winner
Vasili’s Table in West Beach was named New Restaurant of the Year, marking a strong start for the Greek taverna. Built around family recipes and a generous approach to Greek dining, the relatively new arrival has already made its mark on Adelaide’s westside.
From the Barossa and Clare Valleys to Norwood, Port Adelaide and the Fleurieu, this year’s winners are a good reminder of just how much South Australia has to offer as a dining destination. The SA winners will now head to the national Hostplus Awards for Excellence to compete against category winners from across Australia.
Winners at the 2026 Restaurant & Catering Hostplus Awards For Excellence
Major Awards
Restaurant of the Year: Hentley Farm Restaurant, Seppeltsfield
Casual Dining of the Year: Pony & Cole, Hindmarsh
Caterer of the Year: National Wine Centre, Adelaide
Restaurant Awards
Asian Restaurant: Soi 38, Adelaide
Breakfast Restaurant: Maison Clèment, Adelaide
Cafe Dining: Pony & Cole, Hindmarsh
Chinese Restaurant: Concubine, Adelaide
Contemporary Australian – Formal: Orleana – Kingsford The Barossa, Kingsford
Contemporary Australian – Informal: A Prayer for the Wild at Heart, Adelaide
European Restaurant: The UPPside European Restaurant & Wine Bar, Penwortham
Family Dining: Indian Club SA, Magill
Indian Restaurant: The Logical Indian – Hutt Street, Adelaide
Italian Restaurant: Mariners Ristorante, North Haven
New Restaurant: Vasili’s Table, West Beach
Pizza Restaurant: Est Ovest, Adelaide
Premium Dining: Mayura Wagyu Steakhouse, Millicent
Restaurant in a Pub/Club: Penobscot Restaurant @ The Watervale Hotel, Watervale
Restaurant in a Winery: Hentley Farm Restaurant, Seppeltsfield
Seafood Restaurant: Mariners Ristorante, North Haven
Specialty Restaurant: La Popular Taqueria, Port Adelaide
Steak Restaurant: arkhé, Norwood
Tourism Restaurant: Swagman Country Dining, Hindmarsh Valley
Catering Awards
Education Caterer: Chartwells – Loreto College, Marryatville
Events Caterer: National Wine Centre, Adelaide
Wedding Caterer: National Wine Centre, Adelaide
Industrial Caterer (Honourable Mention): Civeo SA – Prominent Hill Village, Glendambo
Venue Caterer (Honourable Mention): National Wine Centre, Adelaide
Event/Convention Centre Caterer (Honourable Mention): National Wine Centre, Adelaide
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2026 Restaurant & Catering Hostplus Awards For Excellence
Hentley Farm Restaurant in Seppeltsfield won Restaurant of the Year, the top honour at the 2026 Restaurant & Catering Hostplus Awards for Excellence. The venue also won Restaurant in a Winery, making it one of the night’s biggest winners.
The Restaurant & Catering Hostplus Awards for Excellence are an annual, independently judged awards program recognising South Australia’s leading restaurants, cafes and catering businesses. Restaurants are assessed on food, service and presentation, while catering businesses are also judged on operations, staffing and event execution.
The 2026 South Australian winners were announced on Monday 24 August 2026 at a gala ceremony at the Adelaide Convention Centre. More than 300 hospitality industry guests attended the event.
Winners are selected through independent judging against set criteria. Restaurants are assessed on the overall dining experience, while catering businesses are judged on operational delivery as well as their food and service.
If you want to keep exploring Adelaide’s dining scene, check out the city’s best new restaurants or stay in the loop with the latest food and drink happenings.
