Adelaide Food Scene
Adelaide is a city where European heritage meets bold modern Australian creativity. Compact enough to explore on foot, the CBD rewards curious diners with a thriving laneway culture, rooftop wine bars and a growing wave of experiential dining where chefs cook before your eyes and seasonal menus unfold like multi-course stories.
Adelaide Central Market
Est. 1869 Open Tue–SatThe beating heart of Adelaide's food identity, the Adelaide Central Market has operated continuously since 1869 and remains one of the largest undercover fresh produce markets in the Southern Hemisphere. Wander through more than 70 stalls offering artisan cheeses, seasonal fruit, multicultural street food, small-batch gin, specialty coffee, and direct-from-farm produce. Early morning guided tours offer behind-the-scenes access to stallholders and tastings that span the market's cultural diversity.
Laneway & Rooftop Dining
CBD & East End Trending 2026Adelaide's laneways continue to evolve with wine-forward small-plate bars, pop-up kitchens and immersive dining concepts. The 2026 food scene is embracing experiential dining, where storytelling meets flavour in multi-course events with light, sound and locally sourced seasonal ingredients. Key venues cluster around Peel Street, Leigh Street and the East End, with rooftop spaces adding sunset views to the mix.
National Wine Centre of Australia
Adelaide CBD 120+ WinesLocated on the doorstep of the Adelaide Botanic Gardens, the National Wine Centre houses Australia's largest tasting room, showcasing over 120 wines from 65 regions across the country. Sommelier-led masterclasses, intimate cellar dinners and curated food-and-wine pairing events make this an essential first stop for visitors wanting to understand the breadth of Australian wine before heading to the regions.
Barossa Valley Wine Tours
Just one hour north of Adelaide, the Barossa Valley stands as one of the world's great wine regions. Globally renowned for its bold, full-bodied Shiraz produced from some of the oldest continuously producing vines on Earth, the Barossa combines heritage winemaking with modern innovation across more than 150 wineries and 80 cellar doors.
Shiraz & Beyond
Shiraz Grenache Cabernet SauvignonWhile Shiraz remains the undisputed star, the Barossa has gained increasing recognition for Grenache blends, Cabernet Sauvignon and Mataro. The region's diverse range spans from iconic estate labels to small-batch boutique producers pushing the boundaries of style and terroir expression. Tasting experiences range from premium private sessions to relaxed cellar door visits.
Harvest Season Experiences
March–AprilVisiting during harvest (March to April) unlocks grape-crushing experiences, behind-the-scenes winery access, and special vintage-release dinners. Long-table vineyard lunches paired with regional produce are a Barossa signature, bringing together local cheesemakers, butchers and growers at a single table set among the vines.
Barossa Food Culture
German Heritage Artisan ProduceThe Barossa's food identity is deeply rooted in its German and Silesian settler heritage. Expect mettwurst, wood-fired breads, smoked meats, and handmade smallgoods alongside a newer generation of artisan producers crafting everything from olive oils and locally roasted coffee to farmhouse cheeses and regional charcuterie. The Barossa Farmers' Market is a Saturday morning essential.
Adelaide Hills
The Adelaide Hills is the only place in Australia where a city seamlessly flows into a wine region. Just 20 minutes from the Adelaide CBD, the winding roads, charming villages and cool-climate vineyards of the Hills deliver an experience that balances refined cellar door visits with rustic farm-gate charm and village-pub warmth.
Cool-Climate Wines
Sauvignon Blanc Pinot Noir Chardonnay SparklingThe Adelaide Hills is celebrated for aromatic Sauvignon Blanc, elegant Pinot Noir and refined Chardonnay. More than 30 producers craft méthode traditionnelle sparkling wines, and emerging varieties like Grüner Veltliner, Fiano and Gamay add diversity. With vineyards at elevations of 400 to 650 metres, the long, cool growing season produces wines of concentration and finesse.
Hahndorf Village
Australia's Oldest German SettlementFounded in 1839, Hahndorf is Australia's oldest surviving German settlement and a food destination in its own right. Wander the tree-lined main street for handcrafted chocolate, wine-and-cheese pairings at cellar doors, cooking classes, and hearty German-inspired fare from traditional cafés and bakeries.
Natural Wine & Farm-to-Table
Minimal Intervention Basket RangeThe Hills is home to a thriving natural wine community centred around Basket Range, where minimal-intervention winemakers produce expressive, terroir-driven wines. Farm-to-table dining experiences at vineyard restaurants showcase local venison, orchard fruits and seasonal produce grown within sight of the cellar door, reflecting the region's strong connection between growers, chefs and winemakers.
Clare Valley Riesling Trail
Clare Valley is Australia's undisputed Riesling capital, producing crisp, mineral-driven whites that rank among the finest expressions of the variety anywhere in the world. The region's signature experience is the 33-kilometre Riesling Trail, a dedicated cycling and walking path that connects cellar doors, vineyards and picnic spots through rolling countryside.
The Riesling Trail
33km Cycling Cellar Door StopsHire a bike and ride between cellar doors, pausing to sample the region's benchmark dry Rieslings alongside Shiraz, Cabernet and emerging varieties. The trail passes through the townships of Auburn, Watervale, Sevenhill and Clare, each offering their own dining options and tasting rooms. Pack a picnic of local produce and stop at one of the trail's scenic rest points overlooking the valley.
Clare Gourmet Weekend
May 2026The annual Clare Gourmet Weekend brings together winemakers, local chefs and producers for a long weekend of tastings, food-and-wine pairings and special cellar door events. Running in May 2026, it is one of the best opportunities to experience the region's full culinary range in a concentrated few days.
McLaren Vale Wineries
Where vineyards meet the sea, McLaren Vale pairs world-class wine with coastal scenery just 45 minutes south of Adelaide. The region has earned a reputation as a leader in sustainable and biodynamic winemaking, producing rich Grenache, Shiraz and Mediterranean-inspired blends against a backdrop of rolling hills and ocean views.
Grenache & Sustainable Winemaking
Grenache Shiraz BiodynamicMcLaren Vale's old-vine Grenache is experiencing a renaissance, producing wines of depth and elegance that rival the region's celebrated Shiraz. Many wineries here embrace organic and biodynamic practices, and the region was awarded the title of one of Australia's most innovative wine tourism destinations at the 2026 Best of Wine Tourism Awards, with Maxwell Wines recognised for its culinary experiences and SA eBikes for wine tourism services.
The Epicurean Way
Self-Drive TrailThe Epicurean Way is a self-drive food and wine trail linking McLaren Vale, Adelaide Hills, Barossa Valley and Clare Valley into a single touring route. It is one of the most scenic wine drives in Australia, connecting cellar doors, restaurants, farm gates and regional producers across the state's finest food landscapes.
Kangaroo Island Food Safari
Kangaroo Island — known locally as KI — is a food lover's paradise just 112 kilometres off the South Australian coast. The island's isolation has fostered a fiercely independent food culture, where passionate producers craft artisan goods from the purest ingredients. From gin distilleries and cellar doors to oyster farms and lavender-scented scone houses, KI rewards visitors who take the time to explore its farm gates and coastal dining rooms.
Ligurian Honey
World's Purest Since 1881Kangaroo Island is home to the world's last remaining pure-strain Ligurian bees, brought to the island from northern Italy in 1881. Strict biosecurity protections maintain the purity of the colony. Visit Clifford's Honey Farm or Island Beehive for tastings spanning premium honey ranges, honey mead, honey ice cream and beeswax products.
Island Dining Experiences
Sunset Food & Wine The Enchanted Fig TreeSunset Food and Wine, run by a former head chef of the iconic Southern Ocean Lodge, offers a modern bistro experience showcasing KI seafood and local wine with panoramic ocean views. For something truly unique, The Enchanted Fig Tree seats diners beneath a 120-year-old fig tree on Snelling Beach for seasonal long lunches and dinners from November to April.
Oysters, Whiting & Cellar Doors
KI Oysters King George WhitingAt KI Oysters in the village of American River, taste briny, freshly shucked oysters within view of the lease where they grow. The island's cellar doors at Dudley Wines, False Cape and Bay of Shoals offer tastings in relaxed settings with vineyard and coastal views, while the Vivonne Bay General Store serves the legendary KI whiting burger steps from one of Australia's most beautiful beaches.
Eyre Peninsula Seafood Frontier
Often called Australia's seafood capital, the Eyre Peninsula stretches along some of the most pristine waters on the continent. This is where seafood lovers come to taste the ocean at its source, from oyster farm tours where you shuck and eat directly from the water, to freshly caught Spencer Gulf king prawns and premium Southern Bluefin tuna.
Coffin Bay Oysters
Farm Tours Coffin BayCoffin Bay is synonymous with some of Australia's finest oysters. Guided oyster farm tours take you out onto the water, where you wade through the shallows, learn about the farming process, and shuck and taste oysters directly from the ocean — an experience regularly cited as one of Australia's most memorable food moments.
Spencer Gulf Prawns & Bluefin Tuna
Port Lincoln Tunarama FestivalPort Lincoln is the seafood capital of the Eyre Peninsula. Spencer Gulf king prawns are prized for their sweet, firm flesh, while Southern Bluefin tuna from the surrounding waters is exported to markets worldwide. The annual Tunarama Festival in January celebrates the region's fishing heritage with tastings, tuna-tossing competitions and waterfront dining.
Food & Wine Festivals 2026
South Australia's events calendar is packed with food and wine festivals throughout the year. These are the standout events for 2026.
Tasting Australia — 8 to 17 May 2026
South Australia's flagship food and wine festival returns with more than 150 events spanning Adelaide and the regions. The 2026 programme includes signature experiences such as Tasting Australia by Plane (food-focused flights to the Eyre Peninsula), The Ghan Edition (luxury rail dining through outback landscapes), wine and spirit masterclasses, free Town Square community events, and immersive culinary adventures from the Barossa to the Fleurieu Peninsula. Tickets are on sale now.
More Key 2026 Events
January: Tunarama Festival (Port Lincoln) · Summer Vines Festival (McLaren Vale)
January–February: Cellar Door Fest (Adelaide)
February: Taste the Limestone Coast (Naracoorte) · Beachport Crayfish Festival
March: Riverland Food & Wine Festival · Taste of the Hills (Adelaide Hills)
May: Tasting Australia · Clare Gourmet Weekend
August: Fleurieu Food Festival
3-Day Adelaide Food & Wine Itinerary
Three days is enough to sample Adelaide's food scene and visit two of the state's most celebrated wine regions. Here's how to make the most of your time.
Start at the Adelaide Central Market for a guided breakfast tour. Sample artisan cheeses, freshly brewed coffee, pastries and multicultural street food from stallholders who've traded here for generations.
Drive 45 minutes south to McLaren Vale for a curated winery tour. Visit two to three cellar doors for Grenache and Shiraz tastings, with a vineyard lunch of regional produce paired to local wines.
Return to Adelaide for laneway dining in the CBD. Explore Peel Street or Leigh Street for wine-focused small-plate bars showcasing South Australian drops alongside seasonal share plates.
Drive 20 minutes into the Adelaide Hills for a cool-climate wine tasting. Visit a méthode traditionnelle sparkling producer and a Sauvignon Blanc cellar door, enjoying the panoramic views from hillside tasting rooms.
Wander through Hahndorf village. Browse artisan chocolate shops, visit the ChocoVino wine-and-chocolate pairing experience, and enjoy a relaxed lunch of German-inspired fare at one of the village's heritage cafés.
Continue to a farm-to-table vineyard restaurant for a late-afternoon tasting paired with local cheeses and seasonal produce. Return to Adelaide via the scenic route through the hills.
Head to the Barossa Valley for a boutique Shiraz tasting at a heritage estate. Learn about the old vines that produce some of Australia's most collected wines and sample premium single-vineyard releases.
Settle in for a long vineyard lunch — a signature Barossa experience. Enjoy multiple courses of regional produce, matched with wines from the estate, served at a communal table set among the vines.
Visit a second cellar door for a historic estate tour and finish at a Barossa artisan producer for charcuterie, cheese and olive oil tastings before returning to Adelaide.
Traveller Reviews
"Exceptional wine knowledge and seamless itinerary. The Barossa long lunch was a highlight we'll never forget."
"Best seafood experience in Australia. The Eyre Peninsula oyster tour was worth the trip alone."
"The Kangaroo Island food safari was incredible — Ligurian honey, fresh oysters and dining under a fig tree. Absolutely magical."
"Adelaide Hills was a surprise standout. The cool-climate wines and Hahndorf village made for a perfect day."
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time to visit South Australia for food and wine?
Autumn (March to May) is ideal — harvest season brings grape-crushing events, vintage dinners and vineyard lunches across the regions. May features Tasting Australia, the state's premier food festival. Spring (September to November) offers mild weather, colourful vineyards and fewer crowds at cellar doors.
How many wine regions does South Australia have?
South Australia has 18 designated wine regions producing over 50% of Australia's premium wine. The most visited include Barossa Valley, Adelaide Hills, Clare Valley, McLaren Vale and the Eden Valley, all accessible within one to two hours of Adelaide.
Can I visit multiple wine regions in one day from Adelaide?
Yes. Adelaide Hills is just 20 minutes from the CBD, McLaren Vale is around 45 minutes south, and the Barossa Valley is approximately one hour north. Guided day tours allow you to visit multiple cellar doors with expert commentary and no driving concerns.
What food is South Australia famous for?
South Australia is celebrated for Barossa Shiraz, Clare Valley Riesling, Eyre Peninsula oysters and Spencer Gulf king prawns, Kangaroo Island Ligurian honey, artisan cheeses, Hahndorf German-style fare, Adelaide Central Market produce, and a growing craft spirits scene.
How do I get to Kangaroo Island?
Kangaroo Island is accessible by ferry from Cape Jervis (about 90 minutes south of Adelaide) with SeaLink, or by short flights from Adelaide Airport. Food safari tours and self-drive itineraries are available for exploring the island's farm gates and cellar doors.
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