Your Guide to the Best Restaurants in Victor Harbor

Once known solely as a summer destination, Victor Harbor has adapted to welcome the stream of out-of-towners during the cooler months, too. This coastal town, best known for its whale watching and charming small-town vibe, is just over an hour’s drive from Adelaide’s CBD, and it even won the Tourism Industry Council of South Australia’s (TiCSA) top tourism town and people’s choice award for 2023! 

If the fact that it won an award isn’t enough reason to visit this town, we’re here to tell you Victor Harbor is filled with adventure, coastal bliss, friendly locals, and a range of must-try restaurants to fuel the fun. So, if you fancy a nice dinner after a day at the beach or a cracking spot for a long lunch, our guide to the best restaurants in Victor Harbor has you covered.

Nino’s

Nino’s Café has served the people of Victor Harbor since 1974, and the family-focused restaurant has won numerous awards for its simple and authentic fare. There are no fancy tricks up Nino’s sleeve, but good, hearty Italian cuisine, just like nonna makes it. Choose from classic pizza and pasta dishes, veal scaloppini, lasagne and calamari fritti, and save room for dessert – a classic tiramisu never disappoints. Also open for breakfast and lunch, you can enjoy Nino’s menu any time of day!

17 Albert Place, Victor Harbor

Lost Phoenix Farm

Just a short drive from Victor Harbor, Lost Phoenix Farm is well worth venturing out of town for. Part restaurant and part distillery, the dining room at Lost Phoenix Farm is a laid-back and relaxed open space for all to enjoy. Offering a refined and simple range of smaller and larger plates and a set menu for groups, it’s the perfect dining spot to take friends or family for an afternoon of modern Australian cuisine. After lunch, why not book a distillery tour and enjoy a cheeky sample of the wide range of spirits they hand-craft in-house?

Sitchu tip: Lost Phoenix Farm is open til 9.00pm on Saturday for a delectable weekend dinner. Be sure to check ahead, though – this is also a dreamy wedding venue!

34 Mont Rosa Road, Hindmarsh Valley

Hotel Elliot

With Port Elliot so close to Victor Harbor, it’s easy to experience two beach towns in one. Enjoy upscale pub meals and pizza in the relaxed, convivial Hotel Elliot, a fantastic spot to spend the afternoon or evening, especially when met with a leafy beer garden and the potential for some live music.

Hotel Elliot has a separate wine bar and space, Salt, offering an elevated dining experience. Only open during warmer months, it’s the place to settle in for delectable share plates and mains, cocktails or an afternoon bottle of rosé with friends in a modern setting. 

33 The Strand, Port Elliot

McCracken Bar & Grill

Feeling classy? Put on your most old-money-looking attire and head to the McCracken Resort. The McCracken Bar & Grill is open to everyone and is a popular spot for a post-golf hit lunch or a family dinner. With a crowd-pleasing kids’ menu and a range of burgers, salads, snacks and delicious mains available, including succulent steak, salt and pepper squid and schnitzel, this bistro is a winner for the whole family.

McCracken Drive, Victor Harbor

Hotel Victor

Standing in the heart of Victor Harbor, Hotel Victor is the local pub known by all. Welcoming regulars and visitors from out of town, this pub sits on the beach end of the main drag, a short walk from the tramway. The renovated bar calls for a tipple to close out the day of exploring, while the sunny alfresco seating is a relaxing spot for a hearty meal and friendly catch-up.

With a menu full of classics like salads, schnitzels, burgers and pizzas, and accommodation on site, this is one of the best spots to visit to get a taste of the charming Victor Harbor hospitality.

Sitchu tip: Hotel Victor is also open for breakfast! Start your day with a delish cup of coffee, bacon and eggs, a breakky burger or simple avocado on toast.

1 Albert Place, Victor Harbor

The Larder Kitchen

If you’re craving modern Australian cuisine and the freshest produce, The Larder Kitchen is the answer. Open six days a week, this Victor Harbor restaurant can play host to your cheeky afternoon tipple that extends into a dinner – and they’ll gladly do so. Their bartenders are shaking up unique cocktails, such as a Sour Monkey, Mulberry & Melon, and a Minty Sailor, while the simple food menu of small bites, charcuterie platters, fries, salads and seafood dishes will ease those hunger pangs. With so many options and delicious food to match, you’ll be sipping away for hours on end.

Unit 1 2/3 Esplanade, Victor Harbor

Whalers Restaurant

We love dinner with a view. And at Whalers Restaurant, that’s exactly what you get. Enjoy uninterrupted views of Encounter Bay and classic Australian dishes as you sip on wines and spritzes and share fresh seafood with your loved ones. Whether you’re visiting with the family or having a romantic weekend away, this is one of the best restaurants in Victor Harbor to visit during your stay. Their opening hours vary from day to day, so be sure to check ahead to avoid disappointment.

121 Franklin Parade, Encounter Bay

Swagman Country Dining

Swagman Country Dining is a wonderful spot for lunch, found within the Softfoot Country wildlife sanctuary. The garden to gourmet lunch service is between 10.00am – 4.00pm from Thursday to Sunday, and Chef Di, Chef Yulius and Sandy Retallick pride themselves on crafting a slow-food experience, creating nutritious food with Australian native flavours, sourced from the surrounding gardens and land. Make a day of it with an Alpaca farm tour before or after your meal!

594 Sawpit Road, Hindmarsh Valley

Flying Fish Café

Flying Fish Café is only open for dinner two nights a week (Friday and Saturday), but don’t worry if you’re not in Victor Harbor on those days, because they’re open for breakfast and lunch seven days a week! Enjoy a classic Friday night fish and chips when you visit, all made with fresh produce and beer battered in the tastiest way. The salt and pepper squid is another must-try, but if you’re heading there in the morning, we suggest you pick up a breakfast roll from the kiosk.

The Cutting, Port Elliot

Keen to explore more of SA after eating your way through the best restaurants in Victor Harbor? Why not check out the best new cafes in Adelaide, or take a road trip to some of these picture-perfect South Australian national parks?

Writer

Alyssa Forato

19 May 2025

Alyssa is Sitchu’s Content Producer, based in Melbourne. After completing a Bachelor in Professional Communications (Journalism) at RMIT in 2023, she transitioned from marketing to journalism, channelling her love of storytelling into content spanning food and drink, culture and travel and lifestyle. Her work has also been featured in Harper’s BAZAAR Australia, Mamamia!, Fashion Journal, Broadsheet, and est living. When she’s not tracking the latest happenings around Melbourne, you’ll find her scouring Depop for a bargain or breaking a sweat at a Pilates class.