Adelaide

This is a city that’s very close to my heart as I lived here for a year along the beach in Glenelg and if there’s anything Adelaide does better than anyone else, it really is food and wine.

It’s the capital city of South Australia, is known for its vibrant arts scene, history, and multiculturalism. Often referred to as the "City of Churches," it’s surrounded by picturesque landscapes, including the Adelaide Hills and stunning beaches.

Its location makes it an ideal base for exploring the nearby wine regions of the Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale, where visitors can indulge in world-class wines and gourmet food.

Adelaide hosts numerous festivals and events throughout the year, such as the Adelaide Festival and the Adelaide Fringe, which celebrate creativity and showcase local and international talent.

Fast Tips

  • 2021-2022 - Lived in Glenelg for a year

    As well as so many other small trips I have lost count.

  • Hiring a car is your best bet for Adelaide as you’ll want to get out of the city. In saying that, there is trains, trams and buses available as well a solid amount of ubers. The public transport when i lived there I thought was really good for a small city.

  • Plenty of restaurants to go round. Most you can just walk in, but the special restaurants like Africola, make sure to book ahead, especially over AFL Gather Round & Fringe as they will book out.

  • As a queer male I felt completely safe here. There are a fair few queer events going on as well as Mary Poppins in the city for queer nightlife, which regularly has some amoazing drag going on.

  • You really need four nights minimum for Adelaide. If you want to get a day out to the beach, as well getting to a wine region as well as exploring the city and the food scene.

  • So there are two approaches to accomodation when it comes to Adelaide. When i go back for holidays I like to book airbnbs down along Glenelg/Henley way, so I can enjoy the beaches. But for winter the city is great to stay in. Even just outside the city in North Adelaide or the super trendy Norwood, and even Unley is great in the South with a fair few spots to sip wine and eat.

    • Adelaide Central Market is a great pick up spot to grab food for picnics on the beach and long drives (https://adelaidecentralmarket.com.au/)

    • Catch an AFL game at Adelaide Oval. It’s one of my favourite sporting ovals in the world, and if you’re during AFL season it’s worth it for the crowd energy alone (https://www.adelaideoval.com.au/)

    • Fringe Festival should be on every Australians list and no one does is better than Adelaide. The city roads become roaming footpaths for 5 weeks as they transform their gardens into the fringe. It was the best part about living in Adelaide (https://adelaidefringe.com.au/)

  • When it comes to wine regions, you have four main options. McLaren Vale, Adelaide Hills, Barossa Valley & Clare Valley. As I lived towards the south of Adelaide I know McLaren Vale & Adelaide Hills the best so I will go into more details below as to why I love them, and where to check out.

    But you cannot go wrong with with any wine regions, they are all magnificent.

- Eats -

AFRICOLA

My go to restaurant every time I am back in Adelaide. The food is just always sublime. The open fire makes it way around most of the menu which is a set menu. Try to get a spot along the bar and make sure to book ahead, because they will book out.

OSTERIA OGGI

When it comes to premier pasta in Adelaide, Oggi is my favourite. Mediterranean interior with a sophisticated take on Italian food without being too stuffy. A good spot if you have 4-8 guests, as a lot of city restaurants are very small.

GOOD GILBERT

This is what everyone should be aiming for when they open a neighbourhood wine bar. Welcoming, not too wanky food and drinks list that gets you excited for what Adelaide can produce. The fact their website encourages you to stop past for a wine and snack with your dog tells you everything you need to know.

NORTH INDIAN CUISINE

If you end up in or around Glenelg, this was my favourite takeout spot. There is quite a line on Sunday nights for good reason. Just some of the best no fuss northern Indian I have ever eaten, and I couldn’t recommend more for a quick and cheap takeout.

HEY JUPITER

Situated along one of my favourite streets (Ebenezer Place, check out the gorgeous shops across the road), Hey Jupiter has been at the top its game for over a decade. I have always used this place as brunch spot, but they do go into night as well. Enjoy the eclectic decor inside or nab a Parisian style chair outside and watch the world go by.

LOC

Probably the coolest spot in Adelaide. Think wine shop, rotating menu, vibey music. Small indoor with a curb-side outdoor area, this really is a choose your adventure. Stay for a glass or stay a while and go hard on the food menu. The wines are phenomenal with a real lean to natural and organics lining the wall.

2KW

Now being from Melbourne (the city of rooftops), I won’t lie. Adelaide doesn’t have many, let alone many good ones. But if you are looking for a rooftop bar, 2KW is my pick of the bunch. A bit more older suited up crowd, but the view is stunning. The perfect pre drink spot if you are heading to the Adelaide Oval for a game.

PASTEL

When we are talking restaurants outside of the CBD, pastel is the choice of the bunch. Located in Nth Adelaide, this contemporary plates restaurant kicks goals when it comes to a cooking and wine list. What really stood out is the service, something I hold at the highest regard.

ANCHOVY BANDIT

Located in Prospect, slightly north of Adelaide CBD, what started years before as a pizza slinging whole in the wall. The same team has evolved in Anchovy Bandit, that still has pizzas but, the plates to accompany it are just as delicious. A more casual spot.

THE STUNNED MULLET

This is my pick of the bunch when it comes to fish and chips down along the beach. Located near Henley Beach, this greek owned institution serves up such clean and delicious fish and chips. Also the salads are great because as mentioned before, Greek owned. They’re not open too late so get in slightly early.

DANTE’S DELI

The sandwich shop craze of Melbourne was always going to eventually make it to Adelaide and it did so in the form of Dante’s Deli in Glenelg. Nothing will surprise you if you’ve gone to a bougie sandwich shop in Aus, but the sandwiches and the vibes are elite.

C.R.E.A.M

A cafe down in Brighton just off the beach that fuelled me with coffee for the year I lived here. Classic Aussie cafe with some really incredible staff and with great coffee. Highly recommend if you’re down this side of town.

PROOF

This hidden cocktail bar is nestled down tiny little lane, but once you find it and walk in you’ll be happy you did. Walk your way up to the first floor and grab a spot on the balcony where you can sip your favourite prohibition cocktails and enjoy serenity of the quieter lanes of the CBD.

NEARLY

If you are more in the northwest corner of the CBD, this wine bar is a must do. Super chill, with a very approachable wine list for everyone. There is vinyl turning and djs on Friday and Saturday nights. Younger, very cool crowd, that matches Nearly’s non serious but ultra cosy energy.

LEIGH ST WINE ROOM

This place tells you to pop in for a drink and small plate and you wont want to move. Equal parts refined but casual food, local wine celebrator and cosy warmth atmosphere, this spot is has become an institution of the Adelaide restaurant scene for good reason.

SUNNY’S PIZZA

When it comes to my favourite pizza spot, Sunny’s is the easiest go to. Located ideally in the city and open 7 nights, its a really easy pop in and go, or great for takeaway to eat on your hotel bed.

JOE’S HENLEY BEACH

One of the first places I went to when I moved to Adelaide, and there is just something so old school but yet really fresh about Joe’s. Located basically on the beach, this breakfast into lunch spot is great to refuel during a beach day.

CARTON DELI

If you need to grab lunch in the CBD, look no further. Carton Deli is one of my favourite sandwich shops I have even been to, period. The sandwiches have been created with a fine dining level of expertise, but all feel very familiar still. Not to mention the coffee is also a knockout.

BLOOM

Just outside the city in Thebarton, this kitchen is the best of the best. it starts as cafe and seamlessly turns into restaurant for lunch, serving up incredible South Australian produce in an open plan setting. The coffee is local and delicious, and the drinks list keeps to celebrating what is close by.

- Sips -

MAYBE MAE

If your vibe is a bit more theatre with your cocktail bar, this is for you. Hidden down a tiny staircase, via a tunnel that connect Peel St and Leigh St, you’ll then have to push into what looks like a timber wall to enter this hidden basement cabin of mixology. Cocktails hit up natives and I recommend bypassing your favourites and testing our the teams seasonal cocktails.

CLEVER LITTLE TAILOR

This is always stop one whenever I would have mates come to town. When it comes to booze, this small but mighty spot hits everything for six, whether it be wine, beer or cocktails, you are in safe hands. Service is what really sticks out though, because every time I always walk out standing a little bit taller after the immaculate hospitality.

*media & images courtesy of publications, establishment websites and social media pages as well as Tripadvisor. I do not claim to own some of the images provided.