When you’re known for breathtaking coastlines, rolling hills, and home to some of Australia’s most acclaimed food and wine, it’s unsurprising that you make it to the top of almost every traveller’s must-visit list, especially considering the last few months of travel has seen many turn their explorer attention to our own spectacular backyard.
Such is the case for Adelaide—while usually overlooked for state capitals Melbourne and Sydney—the city has proved its one to beat, with festivals, wineries and chic hotels just asking to be enjoyed.
There’s no better time to visit the City of Churches than right now when its streets and nightlife are bursting at the seams (trust us when we say, there’s simply not enough time in a single weekend to see it all). Read on for our best picks of Adelaide, including everything from where to eat, stay, and visit.
STAY: EOS SKYCITY
Steeped in marble and finished with touches of gold, EOS SKYCITY is one of Adelaide’s newest hotel offerings—and it is seriously lush. Beyond its shiny exterior, the hotel is an advocate for the city in which it sits, keeping a South Australian focus on all aspects of what it has to offer, from food and drink to its bathroom amenities, all the way to its impressive collection of artworks, including pieces from more than 40 South Australian artists.
STAY: Hotel Indigo
After years of anticipation, Hotel Indigo finally opened its doors this March and it’s already set to become one of Adelaide’s most vibrant cultural hubs for locals and visitors alike. Located next to the lively Adelaide Central Market, the hotel champions local producers in its two restaurants, Market & Meander Eatery and Bar, as well as rooftop raw food bar, Merrymaker, which stands as the highest rooftop bar in Adelaide (and hosts a very impressive view if you’re after something super Instagrammable).
Its unique design features include nods to the state’s copper mining heritage, as well as pink-adorned furnishings that pay tribute to former state Premier Don Dunstan, who was famous for his social advocacy and vibrant pink shorts. Fun fact: you’ll find the staff all wearing pins of teeny pink shorts.
EAT: Leigh Street Wine Room
When heading to Adelaide, there’s one thing that can’t be missed: wine. Once home to a longstanding city dry cleaner, Leigh Street Wine Room’s walls have since been lined with wine (naturally) and finished off with terrazzo detailings. Best for those who prefer natural varieties, there’s also an incredible menu to boot. The venue offers up the perfect way to sip, eat and enjoy.
EAT: Shobosho
Having won some of the nation’s most impressive accolades—including being named one of the Top 100 restaurants to visit in Australia—the team “blend smoke, steam and fire” with ancient traditions of Japanese yakitori to create its drool-worthy menu. Add that with its impressive wine and sake menu and you’ve got an award-winning combo of flavour to devour before exploring more the city has to offer.
DRINK: Sol Bar & Restaurant
Want unrivalled views of some of Adelaide’s most famous landmarks, including from the Adelaide Oval to the Hills? Look to the rooftop at Sol Bar & Restaurant, perched on Level 9 of SkyCity, which features a nearly 360-degree view of the city. Cocktails are aplenty, food is scrumptious and the views are unlike any other. Our suggestion? Book close to sunset to enjoy a truly magical experience.
VISIT: Art Gallery of South Australia
For a full cultural experience of Adelaide, the Art Gallery of South Australia is an absolute must. Home to some spectacular collections, you’ll find it hard to wander its halls all in one day—and right now you can see one-of-a-kind exhibitions, including Clarice Becket: The Present Moment and Rethinking Australian Art.
VISIT: The Adelaide Hills
Of course, it goes without saying that one of Adelaide’s can’t miss sights to see is its sprawling Adelaide Hills, not only housing iconic wineries but innovative and inventive distilleries.
Among our picks is Unico Zelo and Applewood Distillery, creating small-batch, handcrafted spirits emphasising native ingredients and sustainable practices. For the gin aficionados, pack an extra bag to store all the specially crafted flavours on offer here.
The Uraidla Hotel’s Tank Room experience is also worth a visit, where you can sit in its former rainwater tank (tip: bring a jumper) while their Sommelier takes you through some of South Australia’s most delectable wines (Chardonnay lovers, this one’s for you!).
CRFT Wines, run by husband-and-wife duo Candice Helbig and Frewin Ries, also can’t be missed, where the team specialise in small-batch wines using fruit sourced from the vineyards that surround them in the Hills. The winery is unique for its craftsmanship, creating wines made from grapes picked from a single vineyard, resulting in wines that are an honest reflection of the specific location.
Finally, for some food head over to Lost In A Forest, a wood oven wine bar set amongst a leafy 130-year-old church. You can’t go past the banh mi pizza.
For those really looking to plan ahead, we suggest Door To Door Chauffers to take the stress out of the day.
VISIT: Adelaide Markets
One of the city’s most famous locations, the Adelaide Central Market is one of the largest undercover fresh produce locations in the Southern Hemisphere—which means, you should be arriving with an empty stomach and leaving more than satisfied. A lot of stalls also sell their unique products to take home, so make note of what food really attracts your fancy. For those looking for a fully immersive experience, and wanting to know a deep history of each stall (some having been family owned since the market began!), we suggest booking with Food Tours Australia.
VISIT: Adelaide Fringe
While Adelaide has plenty on offer throughout the year, it’s particularly buzzing from mid-February to the end of March, turning into a cultural phenomenon thanks to its three massive events—WOMADelaide, the Adelaide Festival, and the Adelaide Fringe—all offering up special performances, concerts, and activations, while its nearby streets are shut down to make room for outdoor dining and exclusive pop-ups. If you’re not so inclined to attend any of the performances, the Fringe’s two show arenas, Gluttony and the Garden of Unearthly Delights, have plenty of room to eat and drink with the whole family.
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