The year 2022 has been a rollercoaster for a lot of us and the hospitality industry is no exception, mainly due to Covid-19. The uncertainty of business is still in effect for many eateries, but some have managed to pull through with the goods, and even open shop. We’ve put together a list of ten noteworthy restaurant openings of 2022 in Adelaide that just might’ve slipped under your radar – and if you haven’t checked them out yet, maybe it’s go time. Take a look.
1. Pastel Wine Bar – North Adelaide
If anyone’s got the funk, it’s Pastel Wine Bar – North Adelaide’s latest day-to-late joint with a scene which is set to change the way people head out in the ‘burbs. The low-lit, retro-esque dining room is fitted with marble countertops, impressionistic artwork and neutral shaded walls. But when dinner wraps up, the disco ball starts a-spinnin’, the red lamps illuminate, and djs take to the decks.
Much like its 1000 Island and Pinco Deli counterparts, co-owners Daniel Vaughn, Elijah Makris, Saba Maghsoudi and James Brown made sure it’s groovy as all hell, whilst oozing sophistication. And as far as dining goes, the menu provides an equally cracking vend, along with more than 140 wines and a carefully curated cocktail list.
Head chefs Darek Krzywdzinski (formerly Peel St) and Nathan Liu (formerly Gin Long Canteen) take charge of the kitchen tools which see South-East Asian, Middle Eastern and Mediterranean delights. Think: chargrilled octopus skewer with taramasalata, pork and prawn dumplings with spring onion sizzle, sumac and lemon chicken skewers with fattoush salad, and coconut braised beef short rib with green mango and roasted rice.
Location: 47 O’Connell St, North Adelaide
2. Bar Riot – Adelaide
In a South Australian first, Bar Riot boasts two unique wine receptacles, one of those being a custom-made, ceiling-suspended wine font that dispenses 14 different wines. The second marvel is an ancient stone wine vase, standing at an imposing two metres in height with the ability to hold 1000 litres of naughty grape juice. Unusually, Bar Riot invites patrons to refill their glasses from the mammoth vase.
As well as the libations, Bar Riot doubles as an excellent spot for snacking on seasonal delights with an Iberian and Latin American flare. Executive Chef Trent Lymn (formerly 2KW Bar & Restaurant) and Head Chef Cecilia Teigeiro are behind the tools and have designed the piquant menu with a concept to share. But solo grazing is always welcome.
The fare enlists highlight items including: pig head croquettes with salsa borracha, Coffin Bay Berrima octopus escabeche with leek and parsley, 120g Kerwee wagyu porterhouse with chimichurri and grilled shallots, summer greens tartlets with pea mousse and preserved lemon, and crispy zucchini flowers with lemon cream and tomato spice.
Location: 57 Gilbert St, Adelaide
3. Africola Canteen – Norwood
It’s no secret that East Terrace in the CBD has long been home to one of Adelaide’s grooviest restaurants, Africola; and this year they opened their second venture, Africola Canteen. At the casual setting you can find an array of plant-focused flavours, along with plenty of grains and some impeccable meat cookery; plus a revolving list of Africola’s greatest hits from Head Chef Joel Tisato and owner, Chef Duncan Welgemoed.
You’ll be greeted by two main menus on arrival at the Canteen; Salad and Not Salad. The Not Salad items are jam-packed with African-ish, Mediterranean-ish, Middle Eastern-ish and 80s family dinner-ish flavours including: hummus with lemon braised chickpeas and crudités; maple-glazed pumpkin spice cake; salted pepita brittle; as well as an iconic 80s glazed meatloaf, and zucchini slice.
Interior designer behind Africola Canteen, Claire Markwick-Smith says, “The shop feels like a home kitchen – welcoming, a bit mismatched, and familiar.”
Location: 1/89 The Parade, Norwood
4. Singapore Circus – McLaren Vale
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Remarkable cellar doors scatter the rolling hills of McLaren Vale, and one in particular sits atop a lonesome peak in all its quirky glory, d’Arenberg; and the five-storey, cube-like structure is home to a hawker-inspired eatery, Singapore Circus.
The extraordinarily funky restaurant boasts a melting pot of South-East Asian-inspired cuisine, and channels the vibrantly bold flavours that are found at the junctions of colliding cultures. Drawing inspiration from one of Singapore’s famed hawker centres; Singapore Circus chiefly refers to the convergence of roads, reflective of Singapore as a culinary intersection.
With a kitchen headed by Chef Jamie Steele, expect to find meals with the likes of: prawn and carp dumplings, Singapore mud crab, Katong laksa with clams and salted carp, king oyster mushroom satay sticks, and squid salad with herbs, lemongrass, coconut, jicama and pomelo.
Location: 58 Osborn Rd, McLaren Vale
5. Kiin – Adelaide
Kiin sits on its lonesome as far as eateries go on Angus Street – but that just adds to the charm of the modern, Thai-inspired restaurant with flecks of contemporary cooking. The room is minimalistic, but with the addition of warm-hued lighting and a spacious layout, Kiin incites any guest with a keen eye.
Kiin comes from one of Brisbane’s most successful restauranteurs and owner of Fortitude Valley’s Same Same, Chef Ben Bertei, and sommelier-cross-business partner David Wickwar (formerly Melbourne’s Vaporetto). While focusing on nighttime dining, lunches are in the mix too where you can gaze upon the culinary works thanks to the open kitchen of Kiin.
Bertei’s acclaimed Thai-inspired cooking influences the menu, with around 25 dishes of curries, salads, snacks. The fare enlists: red curry cheeseburger with crispy onion and ketsup, School prawn laab, papaya orange curry with apple eggplant and green peppercorns, and charred Port Lincoln squid with yellow curry butter sauce and lemongrass. All complimented by 60-odd labels of South Australian wines.
Location: 73 Angas St, Adelaide
6. Hnly – Henley Beach
Taking up residence in what were two mediocre apartments, co-owners Angelas Papas (Diaspora Kouzina), Peter Louca (Louca’s Restaurant, Diaspora) and George Kasimatis (George’s on Waymouth) swooped in and brought the space to life with their ever-so chic restaurant, Hnly.
The second-storey eatery sits atop Henley Square, with a wrapping balcony where you can wine and dine whilst enjoying a sunset over the ocean’s horizon. The clean-cut space exudes a fine dining feel with an earthy brown and white colour palate combined with minimalistic decor and furnishings, but welcomes anyone willing to bite.
As far are the fare goes, Mediterranean-inspired dishes by Head Chef Ricardo Plazola (formerly Allegra Dining Room) and Louca’s Executive Chef, Grant Schooling, grace the menu. Ora king salmon pastrami, linguine di broccolo, calamari fritto misto, harissa roast pumpkin with cashew caesar, and Port Broughton blue swimmer crab linguine all make an appearance on Hnly’s new seasonal menu.
Location: Level 1/243a Seaview Rd, Henley Beach
7. 100 Miles Kitchen & Bar – Adelaide Airport
In the unsuspecting location of Adelaide Airport, 100 Miles Kitchen & Bar offers diners a hyper-local experience – sourcing all of their produce within 100 miles of the restaurant. The terminal eatery welcomes travelers and non-travelers alike to feast on their South Australian-forward cuisine.
Emirates Leisure Retail is behind the concept dining room with sustainability and regionality as a main driver. 100 Miles’ suppliers include Beerenberg, Fleurieu Milk Company and Central Market stalls, Lucia’s Fine Foods, Mushroom Man and The Mettwurst Shop.
As well as the locally sourced foods, there’s also a hefty drinks offering from Pirate Life Brewing, Kangaroo Island Distillery, and wines from Barossa, McLaren Vale, Adelaide Hills, Clare Valley and Eden Valley.
Location: Floor 2/1 James Schofield Dr, Adelaide Airport
8. Koyo – Prospect
Koyo is nothing short of swanky, bringing contemporary Asian-fusion to Prospect Road with a focus on Japanese coalfire cooking. Boasting a vibrant fit-out which sees pastel pinks with red velvet booths and stools, Koyo is slick in its own sense – drawing on the Japanese meaning of ‘Koyo’, ‘autumn’.
Owner, Clara and her partner have gone into business for the first time with Koyo, and have stood the test of time with locals and beyond. As well as their modern fare, Koyo offers a selection of traditional feasts too – all upholding a delicate presentation.
Find plates of all sizes with the likes of: salted daikon and mushroom dumplings, prawn toast with satsuma plum sauce, tsukune chicken meatball skewers with salted egg yolk, bbq miso cauliflower with macadamia cream and wakame chimichurri, and roasted seven peppers half chicken.
Location: Shop 2/132 Prospect Rd, Prospect
9. Dokeo – Adelaide
Cafe by day and uber recently, wine and small plates bar by night, Dokeo is a hidden gem which might’ve slipped under your radar. The spot is small and nestled behind a garage door, but what it lacks is square meterage, it makes up for in low-key ambiance and tasty snacks.
Although the dinner menu is not yet disclosed, having only obtained their licence recently; if their daytime offerings are anything to go by, you’re going to be in safe hands. The hands of winemaker Vasily Sekerin and coffee biz, Intersection Traders’ Daniel Gregg, that is.
Dokeo’s focus is set on ethically sourcing products and helping smaller South Australian wine producers find their way into the limelight. Intersection Traders sources directly from Uganda, while drops from SA labels include Forlak, Camwell, Reverb, Slow Lane, Moorak, Orbis Luva, Parley and plenty more. Keep a whether eye for their brand-new small plates menu.
Location: 18 Gunson St, Adelaide
10. Lune Bar & Eatery – Beulah Park
Lone neighbourhood bars that double as eateries are on the rise, and Bar Lune has joined the ranks in Beulah Park, a short drive east of Adelaide city centre. Offering a smashing wine and cocktail list along with punchy, modern plates with licks from the charcoal grill.
The inside space is moody with dark blue accents, terrazzo benches, with wooden furnishings and details. The adjoining laneway is an oasis for catching rays while sipping and devouring the refined flavours.
Bar Lune’s menu sees: crab soldiers with chilli crisp and bottarga, cacio e pepe reginette with truffle, chorizo and morcilla with hot mustard and pickled daikon, scallops with verjus and salted grapes, grilled market fish, and Smoky Bay oysters with yuzu kosho.
Location: 303 The Parade, Beulah Park