Iconic Views: Best Dining Destinations in South Australia

South Australia's hospitality scene has boomed in recent years, with long-standing icons and new establishments gaining the national and international recognition they deserve for their commitment to culinary excellence. But, for some of those restaurants, the brilliant food and wine offering is just the beginning.

From venues atop cliffs with unrestricted ocean views and award-winning eateries tucked amongst vineyards and gardens to sky-high dining, the best dining destinations in South Australia deliver premium dishes with a side of breathtaking scenery, perfect for any and every special celebration. 

Penfolds Magill Estate Restaurant

Before you've even glanced at the menu, Penfolds Magill Estate's renowned restaurant captivates. Set against the foothills of the Mount Lofty Ranges in the Adelaide Hills, the space features striking wooden interiors and an ethereal ceiling installation reminiscent of a night sky.

Chef Scott Huggins leads the way with decadent degustation menus and a fine dining experience that celebrates fresh, contemporary flavours, taking you on a culinary journey across the region. Complementing the dishes is a world-class selection of Penfolds wines, available right next door at the iconic cellar door, the birthplace of some of Australia’s most famous wine stories since 1844, and panoramic views of the Adelaide skyline. 

For something more casual but with equally impressive views, the Magill Estate Kitchen next door serves fresh brunch and lunch in a fresh, contemporary space surrounded by meticulously manicured vineyards.

78 Penfold Road, Magill

Star of Greece

Though the name would have you believe otherwise, the Star of Greece is not a Greek restaurant... though it is Mediterranean-inspired. The Port Willunga favourite started as a humble little kiosk - which still operates today if you’d rather enjoy a casual meal on the sand – but is now more commonly known as one of the best restaurants in South Australia with cracking ocean views.

Favouring simplicity, the menu consists of mouthwatering dishes using local produce and fresh ingredients like freshly shucked oysters and tuna tartare. The crew here don’t take things too seriously, encapsulating a ‘fine-and-friendly-dining' approach.  Be sure to add this to your list for the next time you want to enjoy the unbeatable trio of great food, scenic ocean views and excellent wine.

1 Esplanade, Port Willunga

Hardy's Verandah

For an experience steeped in history with views of the Adelaide Hills, enjoy a memorable meal at heritage-listed Hardy’s Verandah. Their seasonal menu is plated in four to seven-course degustations, paired with multi-award-winning wine, sake and creative cocktails. Expect an explosion of flavours from Head Chef Jin Choi, who takes the finest fish, meat, fruit and vegetables to craft inspiring dishes you’ll remember for the rest of your life. 

Sitchu Tip: Make a weekend of it and book a stay in Mount Lofty House for a gourmet getaway.

1 Mawson Drive, Crafers

Restaurant Botanic Adelaide

Serenely situated in a heritage rotunda in the fairytale-esque Adelaide Botanic Gardens, Restaurant Botanic is a light-filled restaurant with magical views, serving Modern Australian cuisine from sustainable produce.

It's a must-do for a long, languorous Sunday lunch, promising a one-of-kind sensory dining experience that starts long before the plates hit the table. Feast on house signatures, many of which incorporate fresh ingredients sourced directly from the surrounding gardens. Pair your plates with one of their custom wine flights for a decadent experience. We're calling it; it's not just the best dining destination in Adelaide, but arguably in all of Australia.

Are you saving this spot for an extra (extra) special occasion? In the meantime, The Lodge is the new, slightly more laidback sibling sitting behind Restaurant Botanic. Here, you can expect to find a venue that is proud of its offering, from a seasonally changing menu that reflects the bounty of the gardens, to hand-crafted plates and a serene ambience. Open 7 days a week, stop in for coffee and sweet treats or dine a little longer with lunch served from 11.30am.

Plane Tree Drive, Adelaide

Rozelle's at Carrick Hill

Sip on a Spritz and savour Italian flavours while overlooking the picturesque view of Carrick Hill Gardens. Rozelle's is the perfect spot to gather, with beautiful interiors and a sprawling veranda that allows you to take in the views.

Indulge in an array of antipasti, pizzas from the wood oven, and other woodfired dishes prepared in the open kitchen, with pizza highlights including the Morta-bella, with fior di latte, mortadella, and pistachio pesto, and the Salsiccia with pork and fennel, broccolini and tomato.

46 Carrick Hill Drive, Springfield

Dudley Wines

The team here may be focused on tasteful wines, and while it isn't a full-blown restaurant, the family-owned Dudley Wines is a must-visit, thanks to the jaw-dropping views overlooking the ocean.

Settle into your sitting with a glass (or two) of 100% Kangaroo Island wine on the spacious lawn, enjoying woodfired pizzas hailed as some of the island's best. You'll be blown away by the breathtaking Backstairs Passage views to mainland Australia, and you can swing by the one-hole golf course for extra fun – a Dudley Wines experience is a Kangaroo Island treat.

1153 Cape Willoughby Road, Cuttlefish Bay

Henley House

Henley House is the ultimate multi-floor destination for delicious food, fantastic drinks, and great vibes. Start at the ground floor Beach Bar, right by the ocean’s edge, where you can enjoy fresh snacks like sashimi, oysters, and salt and pepper squid all day.

Head upstairs to the Dining Room for tacos and share plates, perfectly paired with a selection from their extensive wine list, local craft beers and classic cocktails. Admire the sweeping ocean views from their floor-to-ceiling windows or relax on the outdoor deck.

Finally, for arguably the best views in the house, the Rooftop Bar is the perfect spot to kick off (or wind down) your Henley House adventure. Soak up the sun on the open-air deck while sipping expertly crafted cocktails.

269 Seaview Road, Henley Beach

LVN at Bird in Hand 

The recent unveiling of Bird in Hand's reimagined on-premises dining room, LVN Restaurant, has completely blown us away, becoming a new favourite for a tasting menu and sipping fine wine alongside spectacular sunsets, world-class art and breathtaking terraced gardens. 

The menu at LVN centres around fresh and high-quality seasonal ingredients, with much of the produce showcased plucked directly from the onsite kitchen garden, or sourced, as it has been for generations by Indigenous communities, from the surrounding Adelaide Hills region, Finniss River on the lower lakes of South Australia and Seymour in Tasmania. How magical!

150 Pfeiffer Road, Woodside, South Australia

Windy Point Restaurant

Perched high atop beautiful Belair, Windy Point promises a one-of-kind sensory dining experience at one of the best restaurants in Adelaide. Take a seat at your table and gaze out of the floor-to-ceiling windows that open to the sweeping panoramic views from the Gulf of St Vincent to the CBD.

Famed for the decadent five-course set tasting menu that changes with the seasons, there is something new to try on every visit. The team will whip up the freshest seasonal produce such as autumnal Boston Bay pork belly, roasted root vegetable soup and tea-infused cake for dessert. Their dedication to pairing exceptional views with equally outstanding food and service is remarkable!

Windy Point Lookout, 339 Belair Road, Belair

d'Arry's Verandah

Wine and dine the day away at d'Arry's Verandah, the multi-award-winning foodie mecca in McLaren Vale's rolling hills. Breathing new life into a restored 19th-century homestead, the landmark venue pairs incredible vistas and exceptional cuisine with d’Arenberg's illustrious South Australian wine portfolio.

Diners can treat themselves to a lavish 8-course degustation with optional wine pairings, or select their own with two or three courses from the seasonal, locally sourced à la carte menu. An impressive list of awards and accolades support d’Arry’s, including Delicious SA’s top 50 most delicious restaurants in South Australia and multiple wins of Chef’s Hat, 14 points from Australian Good Food Guide.

Osborn Road, McLaren Vale

If you loved our guide to the best dining destinations in South Australia, you'll appreciate our roundup of the best degustations in Adelaide. Are you looking for something more casual? Check out the best pizza and Greek in town.