Luxury Escapes Guide to Adelaide CBD

Blink and you may miss Pink Moon Saloon, the cabin-inspired bar nestled between two behemoth buildings on bustling Leigh Street. Stretching just 3.66m wide, it’s the definition of ‘small but mighty’, turning out seasonal cocktails, fresh tap beer, local wine and a curated selection of spirits from its mountain-hut-esque interior. Take a seat in one of the wooden booths, or find a spot in the central courtyard for an evening of delicious drinking, alongside a menu of fire-inspired snacks, sandwiches, salads and larger plates.

Let the good times roll at NOLA, a New Orleans-inspired bar and eatery that delivers the traditions of the Deep South to an East End alleyway in the heart of Adelaide. A jazz soundtrack sets the tone for what’s to come, with a menu of Creole and Cajun soul cuisine served alongside a 200-strong whisky collection, a rotating list of 16 tap beers and a cocktail list full of Louisiana-inspired concoctions. Settle in for an evening of fried chicken and po’ boys, washed down with a Boulevardier or Sazerac cocktail.

A bounty of gourmet treasures awaits at Adelaide Central Market, where more than 70 traders offer their delicious produce under the one roof, making it one of the largest covered markets in the Southern Hemisphere. Wander through its aisles to find a huge range of fruit and vegetables, meat and poultry, seafood, cheeses, baked goods, small goods and health foods, before stopping at one of the onsite cafés or restaurants for a well-deserved shopping break. You’ll find flavours from all over the world to try, with stalls serving up Middle Eastern, Spanish, Italian and Japanese delicacies.

When walking into Yiasou George in Adelaide’s East End, you’d be forgiven for thinking the front door was a portal straight to Mykonos. The lively restaurant celebrates the best of the Mediterranean culture, with serious food delivered with a side of fun. Rustic yet refined dishes come straight from the wood-fired oven, celebrating the harmony of seasonal, locally grown produce and traditional Greek, Italian and Middle Eastern flavours. The likes of pull-apart lamb shoulder, chargrilled squid and red snapper are best enjoyed with a swipe of pillowy pita, a selection of mezze and a free shot of ouzo, poured out by laidback staff who take a taverna-style approach to hospitality – warm and welcoming.

Indulge all your Parisian fantasies at Hey Jupiter, a chic European brassiere dedicated to conquering all your French fancies from sun up to well after sun down. Walk past the exterior tiled façade, reminiscent of Paris metro stations, to find an interior of marble-topped tables, mirrors and a zinc bar, as well as a 150-strong wine list and menu that would make any Francophile smile. Start the day with a croque monsieur or classic continental breakfast, or pop by at lunchtime for oysters, French onion soup, niçoise salad and beef bourguignon. As the sun sets, it’s hard to look past steak frites or confit duck, perfectly paired with specially imported drop from the extensive drinks list.

As one of Australia’s first female-founded and led brewpubs, Sparkke at the Whitmore is carving out its own place in the history books and inviting you to be a part of it. The fun, family-friendly and inclusive pub includes a nanobrewery, rooftop garden and grill, restaurant and bar, where all and one are welcome for a cold beer and delicious feed. Sample Sparkke’s core beer range from the taps, or taste your way through the female-centric wine and spirits list. Cosy up in the award-winning restaurant to taste your way through the Australian-Asian menu, or head up to the rooftop to sample street food directly off the grill.

Sample some of the state’s finest brews at Port Adelaide’s Pirate Life Beer, an enormous craft brewery that aims to offer something for every palate – beer lover or not. Housed in the historic Dalgety Woolstores, the 10,000-sqm space includes a 5000L brewery, 20m-long bar with 24 taps, tasting room and expansive courtyard, where the OG Food Truck looks after all your eating needs. Come the weekend, The Firepit is lit, offering beautiful local produce cooked simply over the flame – the perfect accompaniment to any one of the handcrafted beers on offer.

Embrace the magic of The Sorcerer’s Bar, a wizard-themed bar that also happens to be Adelaide’s smallest drinking den. With room for just 15 inside and a further 10 outside, the petite venue is often overflowing with Harry Potter fans, living out their Three Broomsticks dream by sipping on cauldron cocktails and knocking back Butterbeer shots. The cocktail offering is all about the spectacle – the Polyjuice Potion is served with dry ice, while The Phoenix changes colour as it’s consumed. Beer drinkers need not feel left out – German draft beers, imported specially, can be served in three-litre steins.

Lead your tastebuds on an adventure through Asia at GAJA by Sashi, a winner of the Australian Good Food Guide SA Readers’ Choice Award for 2021. 2018 MasterChef champion, Sashi Cheliah, is in charge of the pans here, serving a menu influenced by his South Indian upbringing and Singaporean heritage, with touches of Thai and Malaysian thrown in for good measure. The result is hearty flavours that hit from the very first bite – start small with snacks, before moving onto medium plates and bold curries, served with all the sides you need to soak up every dollop of sauce.

There’s pasta you make at home, and then there’s Nido’s pasta – bold and beautiful dishes that jump off the plate, delivering flashes of flavour with every bite. Paired with a glass of Italian wine from the compact menu, it’s the perfect way to escape to the Mediterranean without leaving Adelaide’s CBD. Run by husband-and-wife team, Max and Laura Sharrad (the latter of MasterChef fame), this community-minded bar and kitchen combines classic Italian flavours with Australian ingredients, resulting in dishes like ‘rootello bonnato’, a version of vitello tonnato that uses kangaroo and bonito mayonnaise. While pasta reigns supreme, only fools would forgo starters or snacks, with gnocco fritto or plates of salami on offer.

Book in for one of Australia’s finest food and wine experiences at Penfolds Magill Estate Restaurant, the fine-dining arm of one of the country’s best wineries. Nestled into the foothills of the Mount Lofty Ranges, just 8km from Adelaide’s CBD, the iconic restaurant looks over Penfolds’ very first vineyard and sits alongside the Magill Estate Cellar Door and Winery. The contemporary tasting menu, spread over seven courses, takes its cues from the seasons, with refined dishes that pair perfectly with the extensive collection of Penfolds wines on offer. Coupled with exemplary service and a sensational setting, it’s a fine-dining affair you won’t be forgetting in a hurry.

See the Adelaide Oval in a completely different light with a RoofClimb experience, taking to the skies for unbeatable views of the iconic ground and the surrounding landscapes. Follow a RoofClimb leader across the rooftop of the Western Stand before moving towards the Riverbank platform, perched 50m over the turf. You’ll get the chance to sit in the world’s first rooftop seats, all while listening to the stories that make Adelaide the city it is today. With the choice of three different climbs – Day, Twilight or Night – as well as the chance to catch a quarter of an AFL game from directly above the southern goals, there’s every opportunity to see the city like never before.

Forget walking, there’s a new way to experience the beauty of River Torrens – by buoy. BBQ Buoys gives you the chance to float along the Adelaide Riverbank precinct with up to nine of your family or friends, taking in the city with a wine in hand. Choose a doughnut-shaped boat with either a BBQ or table in the middle, before setting off for a two-hour adventure, exploring Adelaide by self-driven boat. Each buoy has everything you need for a seamless day out, including eco-friendly crockery, a Bluetooth speaker and an ice-filled esky for drinks, so all you need to think about is where you’re going.

Immerse yourself in Adelaide CBD with Luxury Escapes’ hand-picked Experiences. We’ve curated a selection of cultural activities, adrenaline thrills, food adventures and luxury add-ons to help you discover your destination. These Experiences are bookable when you purchase your next escape. Simply select your travel dates and number of travellers for any package, and opt to tailor your escape by selecting the available Experiences.