Picture this – you’ve headed out on a lovely countryside adventure, but your stomach starts rumbling and you find yourself in the middle of the Adelaide Hills with no clue where to go. Well fear not – here you’ll find a list of eleven pubs, hotels and inns that provide a fare of terrific vegan options.
1. Uraidla Hotel, Uraidla
Proudly and ironically advertising themselves as both ‘Urailda’s Best Pub’ and ‘Uraidla’s Worst Pub’ – the Uraidla Hotel happens to be Uraidla’s only pub. So whether you like it or not, they’re content. The multi-award winning pub, cafe, bakery and brewery is located in the beautiful Piccadilly Valley. Inside the pub you’ll see quirky decor such as lamps hanging upside down from the ceiling and disco balls dangling from old windmill turbines. It’s a calamity – but it just works.
On the grounds you’ll find produce gardens, spacious outdoor seating arrangements and their very own bakery which wafts the scent of freshly baked bread through the light country air. Speaking of the food side of things – the Uraidla offers a “wholesome selection of pub-style meals, as well as innovative dishes using locally sourced produce,” so they say.
Amongst their clearly labeled vegan options, you’ll find the likes of; the smoked beetroot salad with candied walnuts, wild rice,
black lentils, ancient leaves, flowers, and orange coco labne; and a plant-based charcuterie with a whole bunch of goodies aboard including a mushroom patê and pickled, smoked beets. They’ve certifiably got the goods.
Have a squiz of the rest of their menu here
Where: 1198 B26, Uraidla
2. The Oak & Iron Tavern, Mount Barker
The Oak & Iron isn’t strictly a pub, however they offer a variety of standard pub meals along with innovative vegan dishes that sound rather enticing. The tavern is located within Auchendarroch House – an elegant 19th-century mansion that is surrounded by luscious, well-kept gardens. The oasis of greenery is secluded from roads, making for a pleasant dining experience either indoors by the gas fireplace or outdoors where you can take in the sweet smell of foliage.
The menu includes a plant-based section and other vegan options across the menu are clearly labeled. The food offerings utilise both seasonal and local produce, as well as greasy pub meals. You’ll find dishes with the likes of; a mock chicken schnitzel or parmi, Cajun corn ribs, Korean BBQ kebabs, a no-beef burger and a whole lot more.
If that ain’t enough to get you going – the Oak & Iron’s pastry chefs make vegan desserts on-site and bake fresh bread daily. Further, the aromatics used throughout the menu are also sourced from Auchendarroch House’s garden – just lovely.
Check out the menu here
Where: 17 Adelaide Road, Mount Barker
3. The Bridgewater Inn, Bridgewater
Potentially the most picturesque of them all – The Bridgewater Inn is simply enchanting. Situated right on the banks of the Cox Creek, you can dine al fresco, listen to the flowing water and breathe in the pristine air. The heritage building and surroundings are like something of a fairy tale – maybe you’ll see some cute little duckies in a true Shrek-esque essence.
When it comes to food – amongst the offering are; a schnitzel or parmi with salad and chips; and a sesame and harissa roasted pumpkin with warm cous cous salad, shaved almonds, greens with zesty lemon and herbed dressing – how good.
Have a look at their menu here
Where: 387 Mount Barker Road, Bridgewater
4. Scenic Hotel, Norton Summit
Debatably the grooviest spot in the hills, the Scenic Hotel has recently seen a drastic rise in popularity amongst the youth of Adelaide – hosting hip DJ events and environmental seminars with the newly founded eco-group, Top Soil. This hidden gem was established in 1869 and is host to sweeping views towards Adelaide city and a charming outdoor dining space between the rustic garden beds and the edge of a cliff. The historic building itself is wrapped by a balcony where you’ll be able to dine too, just in case you weren’t up high enough already.
Whilst relaxing underneath the fairy lights, you can indulge in contemporary menu items, namely; the boiled beets with beet pureé, lentils, hazelnuts and dill; or the Scenic’s take on a vegan version of a double cheeseburger with chips.
Round up your mates and get around a game of pool and some fantastic food!
Suss the menu here
Where: Old Norton Summit Road, Norton Summit
5. The Crafers Hotel, Crafers
Right in the heart of Crafers you’ll find the stunning Crafers Hotel – a place where cosy fireplaces meet a French-esque dining atmosphere in one of Adelaide’s first pubs. This particular hotel was awarded the AHASA Best Bistro Outer Metropolitan in 2017, 2018, 2019 AND 2020 – gee whiz.
The Crafers Hotel supply a separate vegan menu where you will find delicately prepared dishes that are heavy on French cuisine – those being; roasted mushrooms with tarragon cashew cream, pickled wood ear, porcini emulsion and toasted pine nuts. And a pub-style, French inspired burger filled with crumbed mushroom, beetroot relish, butter lettuce, and truffle aioli in a Turkish bun – damn.
Click here to see their menu
Where: 8 Main Street, Crafers
6. Belair Hotel, Blackwood
Convinietly located right across from the Glenalta Train Station lies Belair Hotel – a big favourite amongst the locals of the surrounding suburbs. It’s your standard Aussie renovated pub – nothing too flash, lots of grey tones throughout the interior and comfy booths to share some company. The star of the show here is the panoramic view over the neighbouring hills.
With that said, the modest hotel offers a hefty amount of vegan options – rejoice, we vegans have not been forgotten here. These options include; a schnitzel and a parmi, gnocchi, a burger and pizzas, to name a few. And to win over our vegan hearts, they have added a dessert to their menu – churros with chocolate ganache, coconut sorbet and berry coulis.
The bistro is also home to a new six level outdoor playground – so gather the kids and head on up the hill.
Find their full menu here
Where: 141 Main Road, Blackwood
7. The Barker Hotel, Mount Barker
Located on Mount Barker’s main street – the Barker Hotel is a modernised building and space where the old has well and truly met the new in terms of pubs, that is. The refurbished establishment renders a chic experience where elegance is welcomed. That being said, the hotel has retained some of its original stonework, and of course, casual diners are invited too. Get all classy inside or chill out al fresco-style overlooking the action on Gawler Street.
“Our chef’s philosophy is to start with the highest quality ingredients, not to over-complicate them and present delicious dishes where the produce speaks for itself. The Barker delivers delicious pub classics alongside dishes that represent current trends in the global industry, catering to pub-grub lovers and foodies alike,” according to the Barker Hotel.
Their menu is clearly labeled when it comes to vegan options, displaying innovative meals such as; peri peri grilled cabbage with macadamia cream, sweet ‘n’ sour radicchio, currants and chickpeas with burnt lemon; as well as a miso eggplant kaarage with spring onion, ponzu, sesame and chilli.
View their menu here
Where: 32 Gawler Street, Mount Barker
8. Aldgate Pump Hotel
Said to have one of the best eggplant schnitzels around, the Aldgate Pump is a family-owned hotel that has welcomed guests for over 100 years. The somewhat cottage-style public house is a “blend of the best of today and yesterday,” the Aldgate Pump claims. The gigantic trees in the elevated beer garden provide shade on the sunniest of days, while the central wood fireplace provides for the chilliest of nights.
The Pump’s menu sure looks inviting with a number of options spread across the page. One of which being the crumbed zucchini flowers with sweet potato mash and pear salad. Amongst the attractive choices, another would be the shallot pancakes with soy and mirin dressing. There are a variety of different cuisines to choose from that’ll suit a range of taste buds.
There menu can be found here
Where: 1 Strathalbyn Road, Aldgate
9. The German Arms Hotel, Hahndorf
Nestled within the Adelaide Hills you’ll come across an otherworldly German village, Hahndorf. The town is famous for its tree-lined streets, German-style architecture and niche stores and eateries. The German Arms pride themselves as the town’s go-to hotel and exudes a Black Forest ambience inside their eating hall-style restaurant.
Where possible, their meals are made with locally sourced, seasonal produce and has a section specifically labelled as plant-based. The food on offer for vegans isn’t actually German cuisine, as seen on the non-vegan menu – however, you can expect to find; an eggplant parmigiana, the classic pub option of crispy cauliflower bites, a house-made gnocchi and of course, a burger.
Click here to see their menu and discover a few more options on offer.
Where: 69 Mount Barker Road, Hahndorf
10. The Stirling Hotel, Stirling
The Stirling Hotel makes its presence known on the main drag of Stirling – boasting a number of different dining areas, all of which provide contrasting vibrations. There’s the bistro, the wine bar and dining room, the library and the cellar. You’ll also come across the deck – a great outdoor dining expanse which overlooks the road (great for people-watching). This place is big, try not to get lost.
Once you’ve chosen which mood you’re in regarding the seating arrangements – get a load of their plant-based menu on which you’ll find; a yellow curry with bok choy, sugar snaps, tomato and date pickle with steamed rice; and the mushroom pizza with confit ‘shrooms, fried enoki, Notzarella, truffle and thyme.
That’s just to name a few – take a look at their other options here
Where: 52 Mount Barker Road, Stirling
11. The Duck, Coromandel Valley
The lucky last venue on our list is somewhat of an honorable mention – it’s definitely a pub and it’s definitely in the hills, although the meals on offer aren’t your classic pub meals. However, they’re vegan options nonetheless.
The Duck is situated amongst the trees in picturesque Coromandel Valley, just a 25 minute drive from Adelaide city centre. Enjoy your time here outside on the deck under the sunshine or step back in time inside the inn, which is decorated with intricate architraves and mid-century light fittings. Relax by the wood fire and take in that old school ambience.
On the menu you’ll come across; a turmeric cauliflower and grain salad, the gochujang tofu Korean bowl, and a salt and vinegar eggplant dish. For dessert, the menu lists a strawberry and gin sorbet with Adelaide Hills strawberries, lime zest, toasted macadamias and vegan whipped cream – taking sorbet, usually the cop out vegan dessert, to the next level.
View their menu here
Where: 393 Main Road, Coromandel Valley