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Book a Table at the Best New Restaurants in Adelaide in 2026
Need some dinner inspo? The best new restaurants in Adelaide are as stylish as they are delicious.
Adelaide’s dining scene is cooking up a storm in 2026! Continuing to define itself as a world-class destination for fabulous feeds, sumptuous cocktails and sleek, stylish spaces begging to be photographed, your next night out has never looked so promising, with a new favourite just waiting to be found. Discover the latest restaurants to open in the city and beyond, from modern dining rooms calling for celebrations or a fancy date night, to trendy bistros perfect for a lunchtime catch-up.
These must-visit eateries serve bold flavours, creative drinks, impressive wine lists (this is South Australia, after all) and seriously chic vibes, with something to suit every palate, event and craving. Ready to find a new go-to? Here are the best new restaurants to open in Adelaide in 2026. Bon appétit!
New Restaurants in Adelaide
Restaurant Aptos
Adelaide’s most anticipated dining experience, Restaurant Aptos opened in May, transforming a 158-year-old church in Stirling into an immersive, multi-level culinary world from Chef Justin James and designers, Williams Burton Leopardi.
Following his acclaim at Restaurant Botanic, Justin returns with something less formal, more cinematic — a three-hour, three-floor journey for just 14 guests at a time. Think Scandinavian restraint meets Japanese elegance, layered with mood, texture and theatre. A 16-course tasting menu unfolds slowly, with lounge-style seating, curated soundscapes, and an experience designed to be felt as much as tasted.
And Aptos isn’t arriving alone. The same historic site will house Bar Cruz — a lively, come-as-you-are dining and cocktail space — and Bar Mary, an upstairs whisky den made for lingering late. Bookings are now open, and if the early buzz is anything to go by, this is Adelaide’s next big dining moment in the making.
147 Mount Barker Road, Stirling
Picoso Mexican Bar y Cocina
A vibrant new addition is about to land in Prospect, with Picoso Mexican Bar y Cocina bringing a fresh hit of Mexican flair to Adelaide’s north this May. Open on Prospect Road, it’s one of the names to watch on the strip’s growing foodie lineup. The menu heroes contemporary Mexican shared plates built around bold flavour — think ceviche blanco, fish tacos, aged mole poblano with braised short rib — all coming out of a kitchen led by Chef Oliver Luxton, who’s done time at some seriously respected addresses across London, New Zealand and Australia. Meanwhile, the playful pink fit-out and alfresco dining area set the scene for long, margarita-filled catch-ups.
89 Prospect Road, Prospect
Pantry on Prospect
Think you’ve seen all the foodie gems Prospect has to offer? Think again. Pantry on Prospect (PoP), the latest creation from Adelaide culinary duo Themis Chryssidis and Callum Hann, lands this April. Part pantry, part neighbourhood restaurant, it’s a celebration of South Australian flavour from shelf to plate.
The pantry is the star – over 200 items to browse and buy, from The Lost Loaf sourdough and local cheeses, to cured meats, spices, condiments, sweets, and house-made pastries. Then there’s the restaurant: breakfast Friday to Sunday, lunch and dinner Wednesday to Sunday, all built around those same pantry ingredients. No fixed cuisine, just dishes that showcase the producers behind every bite.
71 Prospect Road, Prospect
Angry Penguin
The Adelaide Festival Centre marks a bold new chapter with the opening of Angry Penguin. Launching alongside the iconic Adelaide Festival, this destination restaurant fuses South Australia’s rebellious creative legacy with world-class dining. Executive Chef Alex Katsman leads the kitchen, crafting a seasonal menu that celebrates local produce through refined European techniques. Guests can expect modern Australian dishes with nostalgic nods to the 1920s and 70s, featuring highlights like Coffin Bay oysters with gin sorbet and chargrilled Coonawarra eye fillet.
The space is a living gallery, named after the 1940s Angry Penguins modernist movement. Designed by Studio Nine Architects, the interiors draw inspiration from Sidney Nolan’s 1973 portrait of the fictitious poet Ern Malley, which takes centre stage on loan from the Art Gallery of South Australia. Bespoke blue leather “Festival Chairs” by local artisans Andrew Carvolth and Jon Goulder further anchor the restaurant in Adelaide’s design history. Whether for morning pastries, a long lunch, or a sophisticated pre-show dinner, Angry Penguin offers a front-row seat to the Karrawirra Pari/River Torrens. As CEO Kate Gould notes, the scene is now set for a culinary performance that matches the artistry found on the theatre’s stages.
Festival Theatre, Festival Drive, Adelaide
Li Beirut
Li Beirut believes Lebanon isn’t just a place — it’s a feeling, and Prospect will get a proper taste with the opening of the new Lebanese table built around flavour and fire. At the centre is the charcoal-grilled chicken, marinated in traditional spices, slow-cooked over open flame, and finished with a smoky richness that transports you straight to the streets of Beirut. Beyond the chicken, the menu celebrates Lebanese culinary heart: fresh, vibrant salads, creamy cold mezze, sizzling hot mezze, indulgent platters, wraps, Lebanese-style burgers, and mixed grills perfect for sharing. Every dish is crafted with premium South Australian ingredients and designed to pair beautifully with Lebanese-inspired cocktails, fresh juices, and handpicked wines and beers. Warm, generous, and utterly irresistible, Chef Joumana and front-of-house Gaby and Francine strive to ensure every visit is more than a meal — it’s a celebration of culture, and a feast for the senses.
85 Prospect Road, Prospect
Hunter & Barrel
Steak lovers, take note! Already a hit in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth, Hunter & Barrel has taken over the former Fishbank and Jamie’s Italian site. Expect primal feasts with coal-fired flavours, smoky plates made for sharing, and drinks that lean just as heavy on style as they do on taste. Rustic, refined and full of warmth, this is the city’s newest hotspot for anything from casual lunches to nights out. Plus, their private dining room sets the standard for intimate, elevated gatherings.
2 King William Street, Adelaide
Esmay
After travelling the country as one of Australia’s most talked-about pop-ups, Esmay has officially put down roots — and Adelaide is the lucky winner. The deeply personal, produce-driven restaurant by Chef Alanna Sapwell-Stone now lives inside the beautifully restored Hackney Hotel, a heritage-listed gem dating back to 1883.
Original fireplaces and stained-glass windows set the tone for an intimate 40-seat dining room. For now, the team is easing into service with a set menu, with optional add-ons if you’re in the mood to indulge. On the plate, expect thoughtful, flavour-led dishes that celebrate native ingredients and smart technique — oysters with cucumber and finger lime, sweet-and-sour sardines with muntries, crab terrine with wild celery, calamari with habanero and pomelo (lobster optional), BBQ venison with beetroot and Davidson plum, and potatoes taken to the next level with Turkish chilli. Desserts keep things playful yet refined, with highlights like rockmelon and champagne spider, wine lees ice cream with stone fruit, and local, house-made cheeses.
Every detail has been considered — from the lighting and music to Sapwell-Stone’s subtle “nanna move” of sneaking nutrient-dense vegetables into dishes. And if you’re planning something a little more celebratory, coming soon is a moody, intimate upstairs space for up to 30 seated (or 80 standing), blending Victorian charm, striking chandeliers, and Esmay’s signature hospitality.
95 Hackney Road, Hackney
Huami
This October, Huami lands at SkyCity Adelaide, bringing bold Chinese flavours, stunning design, and a dining experience that’s equal parts theatre and flavour. Shanghai-born Chef Johnny Zhong is behind it all, serving up bronzed wood-fired Peking duck, South Aussie Wagyu, Manuka honey char siu, and weekend yum cha that’ll make dim sum fans swoon. The interiors? Think Cantonese Opera vibes, dragon columns, glass tiles, and a 700-bottle wine wall that’s as much a showstopper as the food. All set in SkyCity’s sweeping glass curves with Riverbank views, Huami isn’t just a meal — it’s Adelaide’s new premium Chinese destination.
SkyCity Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide
COLAC
The Colac Hotel has been reimagined, reopening in August 2025 after a transformation that blends its rich heritage with contemporary flair. Located in the heart of Port Adelaide, COLAC now accommodates up to 400 guests, featuring multiple dining spaces, a rooftop bar and function areas — all wrapped in a modern yet historic charm.
At the heart of it all is Head Chef Grant Schooling (previously Louca’s, HNLY) and Sous Chefs Nicholas Admiraal & Matthew Britten Jones (previously Orso), who have crafted a bold, elevated menu across Eliot’s Restaurant, Bootleg Social, and Belles Botanica — each offering its own distinct flavour experience. From six-course degustations at Eliot’s to wood-fired pizzas, pastas and share plates (often paired with live jazz) at Bootleg Social and breezy rooftop bites and cocktails at Belles Botanica.
Adding to the mix, Colac hosts two on-site distilleries — Imperial Measures and Dock — producing gin, vodka and whisky, making it a truly dynamic and must-visit Port Adelaide dining destination.
1 Santo Parade, Port Adelaide
Station Road
Adelaide’s Festival Plaza welcomed a chic new dining destination in the form of Station Road. In a prime location on the ground floor of Festival Tower by Walker, this central city spot has instantly elevated Adelaide’s booming restaurant offering, with a French-inspired, modern Australian menu — even attracting the likes of homegrown Hollywood star, Teresa Palmer.
Led by Head Chef Baine Stubbs (previously of Melbourne’s Vue de Monde), who brings a refined yet unpretentious menu, expect a world-class wine list, a fine dining experience, lobster cannelloni and wagyu 9+ eye fillet. With venue design by Studio Nine Architects, this exquisite space is complete with a striking marble bar, an intimate wine bar and alfresco seating. From casual pre-show walk-ins to private events, Station Road promises an unparalleled experience and premium service in the heart of Adelaide.
Festival Plaza, Adelaide
Pinco Italo
If you’ve ever had a sando from Pinco Deli, you’ll know that this hospo team is serious about tradition and quality, using fresh produce and simple recipes to create dishes that delight with every bite. Pinco Italo is the brand new, sophisticated and effortlessly cool sister to Pinco Deli, and the traditional, authentic vibes can be felt from the moment you spot the restaurant on Exchange Place. Cosy tables set up out front have us dreaming of lazy afternoon Aperol’s in the Roman sun, and the menu of antipasto, pasta, mains, and dolci satisfies every craving for Italian cuisine.
Small in size but huge in personality, Pinco Italo needs to be on your CBD dining list for a classy midweek lunch or a romantic date night as the lights dim and the wine list gets a look in.
50 Exchange Place, Adelaide
OZIN
We’re sensing something here… and it’s that the East End is only continuing to grow as a stellar dining destination in Adelaide. Another new and welcome addition to the buzzing East Terrace overlooking Rundle Park, OZIN blends top-quality South Australian, local produce with global influence and inventive dishes.
Set in a stunning 1920s heritage venue, it is the work of co-owner Neeraj Kumar, whose passion for hospitality and Adelaide is evident in every detail. With Chef Vicky leading the kitchen with her worldly experience spanning India, Germany, Kuwait and Dubai, expect expertly charred meats, exotic flavours and a smoky essence from charcoal cooking. Handcrafted cocktails have been thoughtfully designed to complement your meal, enhancing your experience. All of this within a modern and sleek dining room, mere steps from the action of East End, OZIN raises the bar with its sophisticated setting and premium service.
6 East Terrace, Adelaide
New Restaurants in Adelaide: Best of 2025
Yakisan
Atop the sleek Eighty Eight O’Connell precinct, Yakisan — helmed by powerhouse duo Adam Liston (ex-SORA, Shobosho) and Nate Scutter — blends Japanese and Korean inspiration with modern precision. Inside, an open kitchen frames every move; outside, a curated Japanese garden sets the scene for terrace dining. Expect layered, flavour-packed dishes like Bluefin tuna nigiri and Wagyu tataki, plus seasonal creations showcasing the region’s best produce. Drinks are just as considered, from premium sake and soju to inventive cocktails and a wine list that balances local gems with global highlights.
88 O’Connell Street, North Adelaide
Tarantino’s
From the team behind Anchovy Bandit and La Louisiane, Tarantino’s is bringing bold New York Italian flair to Adelaide’s East End. In the place of House of George, this bar and grill serves up house-made pasta, flame-grilled meats and plenty of retro charm. Stylish and spirited, Tarantino’s is quickly becoming one of the hottest tables in town.
30 Vardon Avenue, Adelaide
Monica
Monica is a funky Asian bistro and cocktail bar that brings the vibrant nightlife of 1980s and 90s Hong Kong to Adelaide’s East End. The brainchild of Ben Liew and Karl Tang, owners of Makan, Monica features small plates crafted from traditional Asian ingredients, 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 spinning, Monica promises a fabulous night that feels a world away from Adelaide.
14 East Terrace, Adelaide
Loving our roundup of the best new restaurants in Adelaide to try in 2025 and itching for more foodie inspo? Continue to discover the most delicious meals in Adelaide with the best Italian and French in town.
