The Best Restaurants in Adelaide That Are So Good They Should Have a Michelin Star
A Michelin star isn’t just a rating; it’s a culinary crown, a mark of excellence that sets a restaurant apart. However, no Adelaide restaurant has received the Michelin Guide’s official stamp of approval yet…but fear not!
A true foodie like me and you don’t need any formal certification to know good food! My friends and I just donned our fancy hats on and thought like critics as we tried different spots around town.
After weeks of tasteful dining (and bill-splitting), we’re proud to present you some of Adelaide’s most Michelin-star-worthy dining spots!
Restaurant Botanic
Website: https://www.restaurantbotanic.com.au/
Address: Plane Tree Dr
Contact details: +61 8 8223 3526
Operating hours:
- Thursday-Saturday: 6 PM-12 AM
- Sunday: 12 PM-5 PM
Amidst the lush flora and fauna of Adelaide Botanic Garden is a masterpiece in fine dining: Restaurant Botanic, helmed by the visionary chef Justin James.
James brought the titles Australia’s Restaurant of the Year and Good Food Guide Chef Hat to the restaurant in less than two years. The restaurant’s exceptional ambiance, food, and service show that it’s truly worthy of these awards.
Dishes here feature unique ingredients like fermented vegetable pastes, artisanal month-cultured butter, and rare bunya branches.
I particularly enjoyed the invigorating Chef’s Negroni.
Pro tips:
We really mean it when we say dining here is an experience, as it can take as long as four hours! Prepare four hours’ worth of stories ahead of your visit.
Visiting the Botanic Garden before your meal enhances the experience, as you’ll appreciate the restaurant’s creativity in using herbs and vegetables!
Penfolds Magill Estate Restaurant
Website: https://www.magillestaterestaurant.com/
Address: 78 Penfold Rd
Operating hours:
- Wednesday-Friday: 6:30 PM-11 PM
- Saturday: 12 PM-3 PM, 6:30 PM-11 PM
- Sunday: 12 PM-3 PM
For me, Penfolds Magill Estate Restaurant is peak Adelaide Hills: it features homegrown and crafted wine, a heritage setting, and a romantic view of the CBD.
Executive Chef Scott Huggins carefully crafted the signature menu to deliciously incorporate seasonal produce, giving life to dishes like Kinkawooka mussels with Wagyu tartare and almond béarnaise leek.
We enjoyed their Icon Wine pairing combo, especially the 2005 Shiraz which had a fresh blueberry fruit profile. Let’s just say it made me splurge more, as I just had to take a bottle with me home after my meal!
Pro tips:
Before your meal, join the Ultimate Penfolds Experience Tour so you learn more about the winery’s interesting history and its legacy in Magill’s wine industry.
The restaurant only allows less than 30 guests in total, which makes reservations especially competitive during peak seasons. Be sure to book early!
Africola
Website: https://www.africola.com.au/
Address: 4 East Terrace
Contact details: +61 8 8223 3885
Operating hours:
- Monday-Wednesday: 6 PM-11 PM
- Friday-Saturday: 12 PM-2:30 PM, 6 PM-11 PM
Joy emanates in every corner of Africola, and it definitely shines in their food too! You can feel the love put in every dish, like the buttery kingfish sprinkled with tangy nectarine and the crispy falafel balanced with the earthy marinated eggplants.
The vibrant African art, such as the bold-colored textiles and paintings, amps up the restaurant’s vibe. It makes for a lively atmosphere that goes well with the restaurant’s smokey and spicy food.
Pro tips:
Feeling lost on what to order? Try the Taste Me menu. The street parking near the main intersection gets filled easily, so be sure to park early.
Garcon Bleu
Website: https://garconbleu.com.au/
Address: 108 Currie St
Contact details: +61 8 8432 1999
Operating hours:
- Monday: 6:30 AM-10 AM
- Tuesday: 6:30 AM-10 AM, 5:30 PM-9 PM
- Wednesday-Sunday: 6:30 AM-10 AM, 12 PM-2 PM, 5:30 PM, 9 PM
Garcon Bleu skillfully merges French and Australian cuisine, featuring local produce, like Smoky Bay oysters and Penfield olives, with classic French sauce, mirepoix (diced veggies), and staple herbs.
As a wine enthusiast, I was particularly thrilled to hear the servers’ description of their extensive selection (especially the champagnes!). Make sure to ask which ones go well with your dish. In my case, it was the Beaujolais Red with Porterhouse steak.
Pro tips:
The restaurant has an amazing view of the sunset, so book your meal around this time. It’s situated inside the Sofitel Adelaide. If you’re a tourist, the hotel is also recommendable for a comfortable luxury stay in the city.
Madame Hanoi
Website: https://skycityadelaide.com.au/eat-and-drink/madame-hanoi/
Address: SkyCity Adelaide, 125 North Terrace
Contact details: +61 8 8218 4166
Operating hours:
- Tuesday-Wednesday: 5 PM-10 PM
- Thursday: 12 PM-4 PM, 5 PM-10 PM
- Friday: 12 PM-4 PM, 5 PM-12 AM
- Saturday: 5 PM-12 AM
- Sunday-Monday: Closed
Within Adelaide Casino is one of the finest places for exquisite Vietnamese food in Adelaide, Madame Hanoi.
From its central two-story mural of a Vietnamese woman to the intoxicatingly beautiful lighting, the restaurant oozes allure and grace effortlessly.
I had a great time chowing on the caramelized pork belly lettuce cups infused with aromatic spices and savory sauce. Their crispy confit duck salad also deserves a mention for its tasteful addition of watermelon and Vietnamese mint.
Pro tips:
If there’s something Vietnamese cuisine always does right, it’s salad! Their green mango salad mixed with papaya and peanuts, in particular, will delight those who want a sweet and sour experience.
Their Hanoi citrus gin is a smooth and delicate gin that is sure to thrill taste buds with its wonderful mix of lemongrass, Szechuan pepper, and blood orange.
Shiki Japanese Restaurant
Photo by glamchicsnap
Website: https://icadelaide.com.au/product/shiki-dinner/
Address: InterContinental Adelaide, North Terrace
Contact details: +61 8 8238 2400
Operating hours:
- Tuesday-Saturday: 6 PM-10 PM
- Sunday-Monday: Closed
Shiki takes pride in being one of the first sushi places in Adelaide. Sushi was still new to the city when the restaurant opened its doors in 1988.
Japanese cuisine lovers will especially love their teppanyaki dishes like the crispy tofu steak and the briny seafood tempura that are made authentically.
For a deluxe price, I had one of the best sashimi I’ve ever tasted! Each raw fish slice was soft and fresh, bursting with umami goodness with the wasabi and soya sauce.
Pro tips:
The Shiki set is for those who want a hotpot. The Sapporo set is for those who want seafood/beef filet with rice, while the Nara set is for those who want beef or chicken teriyaki.
The side dishes (ice cream and tea) are similar for each set.
The restaurant is especially recommended for those who want to impress a business partner. From the service to the food, everything is sophisticated.
Shobosho
Website: https://www.shobosho.com.au/
Address: 17 Leigh St
Operating hours:
- Monday-Wednesday: 5 PM-11:30 PM
- Thursday-Sunday: 12 PM-11:30 PM
Shobosho enchanted me with smokey fumes of grilled meats, herbs, and spices upon my entrance. Then and there, I knew the Japanese-Korean fusion restaurant would be featured on this list.
The minimalist-themed restaurant specializes in fire-grilled dishes, including yakitori (skewered chicken), garfish, wakame kelp, and leek. Seeing them grilled before me just made it even more exciting to eat!
Pro tips:
Sit by the bar to get an amazing view of the chefs in action. The dishes here are bold-tasting (think soy sauce and chili paste). I recommend pairing them with fruity cocktails like the Bizzaro Spritz (strawberry and spritz) and the Orange Tangle (yuzu fruit and whisky).
NIDO BAR
Website: https://nidobarpasta.com.au/
Address: Shop 2/160 King William Rd
Contact details: +61 8 8373 2044
Operating hours:
- Monday, Thursday-Sunday: 12 PM-10:30 PM
- Tuesday-Wednesday: 12 PM-11 PM
NIDO displays Italian hospitality and cuisine. With its intimately designed space, the restaurant feels like dining at home but with dishes that are Michelin-worthy.
Their “Best of” menu features standout dishes like briny Sicilian anchovy with creamy stracciatella and rich, savory pork-flavored pasta e fagioli.
Pro tips:
Their Cena menu is a great pick for first-time diners because of its reasonable price and its chef-curated selection of dishes.
If you’re looking for a great spot for a date night, I recommend the restaurant because of its sleek ambiance and simple dishes.
Hey Jupiter
Website: https://www.golden-boy.com.au/
Address: 309 North Terrace
Contact details: +61 8 8227 0799
Operating hours:
- Monday-Friday: 12 PM-2 PM, 6 PM-10 PM
- Saturday; 12 PM-3 PM, 5 PM-10 PM
- Sunday: Closed
Hey Jupiter channels the vibe of a brasserie, from its captivating vintage teal exterior to its hearty cuisine. The chic atmosphere is complemented by their friendly staff who warmly played along even as I had difficulty pronouncing some of the dishes.
Their extensive menu features fancy dishes like the classic ratatouille (eggplants and mixed veggies), beef cheek in red wine, and freshly shucked oysters in intoxicatingly delicious champagne.
Pro tips:
If you want that post-noon zing, try their deliciously rich coffees. It’s served with cute doilies that complete the Parisian fantasy.
The restaurant perfectly complements the nearby Palace Nova Cinema’s luxurious vibe, making it a great spot to dine in after watching some flicks.
Osteria Oggi
Website: https://www.osteriaoggi.com.au/
Address: 76 Pirie St
Contact details: +61 8 8359 2525
Operating hours:
- All week: 11:30 AM-11:30 PM
Osteria Oggi is a haven for pasta lovers, as their pasta and gnocchi are made fresh in-house. It’s no wonder the crowd favorites, such as spaghetti made zestier with capers and campanelle with smokey eels and peas, are must-tries.
What elevates the restaurant, though, is its minimalist interior design that feels breezy and homey. This atmosphere, partnered with their smart and responsive waiters, makes for an amazing dining experience.
Pro tips:
If you want a quiet dining experience, reserve their downstairs dining space. Seafood dishes like the cured swordfish or the blue swimmer crab are must-tries!
