Subscribe
Subscribe
These Are the Best Restaurants, Cafes and Caterers in SA Right Now
The 2026 Restaurant & Catering Hostplus Awards have revealed the SA spots earning national recognition, giving us a few more reasons to book a table, plan a regional food escape or revisit a local favourite.
South Australia’s dining scene had plenty to celebrate at the 2026 National Restaurant & Catering Hostplus Awards, with local venues taking home 13 medals at the ceremony in Sydney on October 26. From the Barossa to the CBD and the Clare Valley, this year’s winners are a reminder of just how much South Australia has to offer as a dining destination. Whether you’re after polished fine dining, a relaxed neighbourhood favourite or a country pub worth the drive, consider this your cue to put a few new tables on the list.
In This Article
2026 Restaurant & Catering Hostplus Awards: SA’s Gold Medal Winners
Hentley Farm Restaurant
Hentley Farm Restaurant took national gold for Restaurant in a Winery, adding to its title of Restaurant of the Year at the SA awards. Set among the Barossa vines in Seppeltsfield, executive chef Kyle Johns serves a contemporary tasting experience grounded in technique and place. The Discovery menu shifts with the best of the estate’s hyper-local produce, with diners walking through the kitchen to reach their table and views stretching across Greenock Creek and the estate’s prized Shiraz block.
Orleana
Orleana at Kingsford The Barossa also took home national gold, winning Contemporary Australian Restaurant – Formal. Under culinary director Jake Kellie, the menu makes thoughtful use of the estate’s surroundings, with slow-aged meats, vegetables from the garden and house-fermented touches. Floor-to-ceiling windows look out across 225 acres of native landscape, bringing a strong sense of place to the experience.
2026 Restaurant & Catering Hostplus Awards: SA’s Silver and Bronze Medal Winners
Pony & Cole
There was a double win for Pony & Cole, which collected silver for Cafe Dining and bronze for Casual Dining of the Year, following its double victory at the SA awards. The Hindmarsh favourite has built its reputation on an all-day approach, South Australian produce and an easygoing dining room that suits everything from a slow breakfast to a long lunch. It’s a neighbourhood favourite with plenty of reasons to linger, and two national medals make a strong case for keeping it on the regular rotation.
Mariners Ristorante
Mariners Ristorante backed up its state double with silver for Italian Restaurant – Informal and bronze for Seafood Restaurant. It’s a fitting pairing for a North Haven restaurant where fresh seafood and Italian cooking share equal billing, with its coastal location adding to the appeal of a long lunch or dinner.
Enjoying This Read? You May Also Like…
Penobscot Restaurant at The Watervale Hotel
In the Clare Valley, Penobscot Restaurant at The Watervale Hotel took silver for Restaurant in a Pub/Club, following its state win in the same category. Inside the working kitchen of the historic hotel, chef Nicola Palmer’s intimate, 10-seat chef’s table serves a degustation-only menu, much of it drawn from her nearby organic and biodynamic Penobscot Farm. It’s a considered take on country dining, with seasonal produce and a close connection to the Clare Valley landscape.
Soi 38
Soi 38 took silver in the national Thai Restaurant category, following its SA win for Asian Restaurant. Now on Pirie Street, the restaurant explores the food traditions of Thailand’s regions, history and ethnic minority groups. Executive chef Terry Intarakhamhaeng draws on recipes from remote regions, hill tribes, historical records and his own family, bringing them together with ethically sourced local produce.
The UPPside European Restaurant & Wine Bar
The UPPside European Restaurant & Wine Bar brought home bronze for European Restaurant, adding national recognition to this Clare Valley dining destination. In Penwortham, the restaurant offers a European-inspired take on regional dining, making it a worthwhile stop for those exploring the valley beyond its cellar doors. Its national medal places it among the South Australian venues recognised for their contribution to the country’s dining scene.
2026 Restaurant & Catering Hostplus Awards: The SA State Winners
arkhé
Over in Norwood, arkhé took home Steak Restaurant of the Year. Chef Jake Kellie’s fire-led restaurant brings charcoal walls, brass fixtures and open-fire cooking to The Parade, with a menu designed for sharing. Expect everything from caviar and grilled Murray cod to standout steaks, with the kitchen’s approach to cooking over flame extending well beyond the obvious.
Maison Clèment
In the city, Maison Clèment took out Breakfast Restaurant, bringing a little French flair to the most important meal of the day. Its French-inspired approach offers a welcome change of pace for breakfast in Adelaide, with pastries and bistro-style dishes lending a European touch to the morning menu.
The Logical Indian
On Hutt Street, The Logical Indian claimed Indian Restaurant, adding to the range of cuisines recognised at the SA awards. Its menu brings Indian flavours to one of Adelaide’s established dining strips, offering another reason to look beyond the city’s familiar Italian and modern Australian favourites.
Est Ovest
For pizza, Est Ovest took the state title, continuing its run as one of Adelaide’s reliable destinations for a slice. The menu reaches beyond pizza, with Italian dishes that draw on the traditions of cucina povera, the resourceful style of cooking that makes the most of simple ingredients. Fresh pasta and classic plates round out the offering, making it an easy choice for anything from a casual lunch to dinner with friends.
Vasili’s Table
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 restaurant brings a sense of tradition to Adelaide’s westside, with a menu made for sharing and settling in around the table.
2026 Restaurant & Catering Hostplus Awards: SANational Medal Winners List
Gold Medals
Contemporary Australian Restaurant – Formal: Orleana – Kingsford The Barossa, Kingsford
Restaurant in a Winery: Hentley Farm Restaurant, Seppeltsfield
Silver Medals
Cafe Dining: Pony & Cole, Hindmarsh
Italian Restaurant – Informal: Mariners Ristorante, North Haven
Restaurant in a Pub/Club: Penobscot Restaurant at The Watervale Hotel, Watervale
Thai Restaurant: Soi 38, Adelaide
Industrial Caterer: Civeo SA – Prominent Hill Village, Glendambo
Bronze Medals
Casual Dining of the Year: Pony & Cole, Hindmarsh
Seafood Restaurant: Mariners Ristorante, North Haven
European Restaurant: The UPPside European Restaurant & Wine Bar, Penwortham
Events Caterer: National Wine Centre, Adelaide
Venue Caterer: National Wine Centre, Adelaide
Education Caterer: Chartwells – Loreto College, Marryatville
2026 Restaurant & Catering Hostplus Awards: SA State Winners List
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
South Australia won 13 medals at the 2026 National Restaurant & Catering Hostplus Awards for Excellence: two gold, five silver and six bronze. Hentley Farm Restaurant in Seppeltsfield took gold for Restaurant in a Winery, and Orleana at Kingsford The Barossa took gold for Contemporary Australian Restaurant – Formal. Silver medals went to Pony & Cole in Hindmarsh, Mariners Ristorante in North Haven, Penobscot Restaurant at The Watervale Hotel, Soi 38 in Adelaide and Civeo SA in Glendambo. Bronze winners included The UPPside European Restaurant & Wine Bar in Penwortham and the National Wine Centre in Adelaide.
Hentley Farm Restaurant in Seppeltsfield was named Restaurant of the Year at the 2026 SA Restaurant & Catering Hostplus Awards for Excellence, and also won Restaurant in a Winery. Set among Barossa vines, the restaurant is led by executive chef Kyle Johns, whose Discovery menu changes with the estate’s own produce. Hentley Farm went on to win national gold for Restaurant in a Winery in October 2026. At the same state awards, Pony & Cole in Hindmarsh was named Casual Dining of the Year, and the National Wine Centre in Adelaide took Caterer of the Year.
Two Barossa restaurants won national gold at the 2026 Restaurant & Catering Hostplus Awards for Excellence. Hentley Farm Restaurant in Seppeltsfield won for its estate-driven tasting menu. Orleana at Kingsford The Barossa won with a menu built on slow-aged meats and garden vegetables. In the Clare Valley, Penobscot Restaurant at The Watervale Hotel won national silver for its 10-seat chef’s table, and The UPPside European Restaurant & Wine Bar in Penwortham took bronze. Together, they make it easy to plan a regional food trip around South Australia’s best-known wine regions.
The Restaurant & Catering Hostplus Awards for Excellence are presented by Restaurant & Catering Australia and recognise restaurants, cafes and caterers in every state and territory. Venues are independently judged on food, service, presentation, operations and the overall guest experience. Winners are first named at state and territory level, and category winners then compete at the national awards for gold, silver and bronze medals. In 2026, the South Australian awards covered 25 categories, spanning fine dining, pizza, breakfast, pub dining and wedding catering.
The South Australian winners of the 2026 Restaurant & Catering Hostplus Awards for Excellence were announced on 24 August 2026 at the Adelaide Convention Centre, in front of more than 300 industry guests. The national awards followed on Monday 26 October 2026 at Doltone House in Sydney, hosted by Jane de Graff, where South Australian restaurants, cafes and caterers won 13 medals. The state results decided which venues represented South Australia nationally, and several state category winners went on to medal, including Hentley Farm Restaurant, Pony & Cole, Mariners Ristorante and Soi 38.
The Restaurant & Catering Hostplus Awards for Excellence are an annual awards program run by Restaurant & Catering Australia, the national industry body for restaurants, cafes and caterers. Sponsored by Hostplus, the awards are regarded as a benchmark for the hospitality industry and recognise venues across every state and territory. Categories span cuisines, dining styles and catering, from fine dining and pizza to breakfast, pub dining and wedding catering. Each state names its winners first, and those category winners then compete for gold, silver and bronze medals at the national awards.
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.
