It’s a tall order – how to spend 48 hours in Adelaide, but with incredible dining, wine and boutique shopping experiences, there is plenty to see and do.
Food and wine have always been at the heart of Adelaide’s identity, with 18 world-renowned wine regions as well as Penfold’s estate (the producer of Grange Hermitage) within the city precinct of Adelaide.
It’s impossible not to drink well in this pretty city.
And great food experiences are available at every turn from one of the best food markets in the city, to rooftop restaurants and cuisine of every flavour and for every budget.
Make no mistake, people in Adelaide like to eat well, and 48 hours in this pretty should be spent eating and drinking with the best of them, with some shopping thrown in for good measure.
Where to eat
Chianti
For breakfast, lunch or dinner
Where: Hutt Street, Adelaide
Setting: One of Adelaide’s most awarded restaurants, this Italian Trattoria has an upmarket family vibe, with on-street all-weather dining, warm, elegant, spacious interiors and two private dining areas upstairs.
Their best dish: The food menu is refreshed several times a year
Their best drink: Bosworth Sauvignon Blanc 2013
There is an extensive wine list, friendly staff, and a classy feel.
2KW Bar & restaurant
For lunch or dinner
Where: CBD
Setting: In the CBD’s main street with a fabulous rooftop bar, even better cocktails, and an upscale vibe.
Their best dish: slow-cooked grilled octopus with chorizo
Their best drink: choose from their four wine tasting options
This is as slick and chic as Adelaide gets.
Star Of Greece:
For lunch or dinner
Where: Port Willunga
Setting: A gorgeous shack atop sandstone cliffs overlooking the ocean serving modern cuisine.
Their best dish: Crisp, freshly fried, and salt dusted calamari
Their best drink: Valdespino Manzanilla Deliciosa
The Star of Greece is a South Australian jewel and is romantic and spectacular dining at its South Australian best.
Africola
For dinner
Where: North Adelaide
Setting: This restaurant is unorthadox, but always fun. A buzzing atmosphere and vibrant dining room that is always filled with great music, savvy staff, local wines, delicious cocktails, and delectable left field, unexpected South African comfort food style dishes.
Their best dish: Famous for the in-house Peri Peri chicken as well as the Tea sandwich – crisp, roasted chicken skin, chilli mayo inbetween crustless white bread
Their best drink: The spiced rum cocktail
Many restaurant reviewers rave about the eclectic nature of this restaurant and for good reason.
Where to stay
Mayfair hotel
For luxe accommodation, the Mayfair hotel in the heart of the city has one of the best rooftop bars in town, The Hennesy rooftop bar. This is the best way to start a night out in Adelaide.
The hotel places a modern twist on the heritage-listed building but keeps the old-time charm with locally handcrafted furnishings and top-class hotel facilities.
Eos by sky city
For luxury turned up a notch Eos by Sky City caters to the modern guest with a digital concierge tablet where a bath butler can be ordered, an in-room mixologist or even a room stylist. It’s not just the personalised service that they excel at as they have great dining and in-room services.
Mount Lofty House
For an escape from the city, Mount Lofty House is in one of Adelaide’s fabulous wine regions, the Adelaide Hills but only 15 minutes from the CBD.
Renovated in 2019 Mount Lofty House is a boutique hotel with a charming cottage interior and provides guests with the 5-star experience they deserve. They also have a three-chef hatted restaurant and a well-curated wine selection.
What to see and do
Adelaide Central Market
First opened in 1869, Adelaide Central Market is the world’s leading food and produce market and has over 70 different traders. There is a broad range of fresh food stalls as well as cafes and eateries which are among Adelaide’s favourites that allow sampling the diverse cuisine Australia offers.
King William Road
Newly redesigned in 2018 King William Road is iconic for boutique-style street shopping and dining. Taking a stroll through the street will allow a discovery of elegant cafes as well as modern cuisines to enjoy. There are also gift and homeware shops as well as day spas to spend the day wandering in.
Hahndorf
Hahndorf is a German-inspired historic village located in the Adelaide Hills and offers some of the best wine in Adelaide. Local wineries to visit are The Lane, Shaw & Smith, and Nepenthe Wine among many others.
After exploring the wineries hand-pick the sweetest strawberries at Beerenberg Farm or delight in the art at The Hahndorf Academy.
