South Australia has a new reputation as the foodie state. Tangy citrus, luscious fruits and vegetables, artisan dairy products and condiments, and premium seafood are all part of the local culinary scene.
Visit some of the Barossa Valley’s best wineries on this full-day small-group tour from Adelaide. Sample the region’s famous shiraz and enjoy a gourmet tasting lunch overlooking the vineyards.
Barossa Cucina
If you want to discover the real heart of South Australia’s culinary scene, look no further than Adelaide’s famed Adelaide Central Markets. One of the largest undercover fresh food and produce markets in the Southern Hemisphere, these buzzing stalls are a treasure trove of delicious local gems. Stroll around with a knowledgeable guide (Mark and Cheryl of Food Tours Australia are the best people to help you out) and enjoy all the best eats on offer. (Just remember to sample responsibly!).
Celebrity chef Adam Swanson is bringing his Italian expertise to the Barossa, opening Barossa Cucina in Tanunda later this year. The restaurateur, who owns Zucca at Holdfast Shores and is executive chef of Lot 1 in Sydney, will showcase a variety of traditional dishes with the emphasis on authentic ingredients.
The Barossa is also home to world-class wines, with over 80 cellar doors less than an hour’s drive from Adelaide. The region’s Mediterranean climate makes it perfectly suited for producing richly flavoured red wines such as shiraz and cabernet sauvignon. Sample the local vino in one of the many cellar door restaurants or wine bars dotted along the picturesque 10 kilometre Seppeltsfield Road.
The Pot
The Pacific coast is renowned for its stunning natural beauty (it’s also the birthplace of Vegemite), and the culinary scene is rising to match. Narooma and Bermagui are especially well known for their oysters—shuck a dozen with the farmers at The Oyster Farmer’s Daughter, or enjoy an à la carte menu of briny local varieties at Clarence. For a more formal meal, the acclaimed Italian classic 1889 ENOTECA serves pastas and bottles of wine in a charming setting.
Cape Town is a fairytale land of craggy mountain peaks, impossibly emerald valleys, and historic vineyard estates—and a food scene to match. Innovative chefs (like Luke Dale-Roberts’ warehouse-chic The Test Kitchen in Woodstock, which just earned the title of Africa’s top restaurant) create creative dishes with fresh local produce, and a slew of high-end and hole-in-the-wall eateries have garnered global acclaim.
For a truly local experience, try the spicy, savory culinary fare of Cape Malay cuisine, which is a mash-up of cultures born of the 17th-century spice trade. Sample bobotie, a curry-filled mince meat in a rich egg custard, and breyani, a curry-infused rice dish, at Biesmiellah, run by two generations of the Osman family; or at friendly Bo-Kaap Kombuis, overlooking the city’s bustling waterfront.
Disco Mexico
SALISBURY, South Australia — To get to Taco Quetzalcoatl in this quiet corner of suburban Adelaide, you have to drive past four-lane highways, across desolate wetlands and through industrial parks. Then you turn down a residential street of low brick houses and, at last, there it is, tucked into a quiet corner of the block.
The space has been transformed by the owners of local Mexican Society into Adelaide’s first dedicated taqueria, combining party vibes with fuss-free food in a small-bar setting. Chef Alejandro Huerta, from the now-closed Lucky Lupitas in Chinatown, oversees a menu of tacos (stuffed with everything from crunchy fried chicken to grilled lobster) and quesadillas that are as authentic as it gets.
Add to that Luke Dale-Roberts’ warehouse-chic The Test Kitchen, a restaurant whose creative dishes made from locally grown ingredients has earned it the status of Africa’s top eatery, and you have a food scene that is on the rise. From hole-in-the-wall joints to haute fine dining, from gourmet food trucks to a curious regional diet called Banting, it’s a thrill to explore this culinary renaissance. Amid craggy mountain peaks, impossibly emerald valleys, thriving roses and hydrangeas, historic wine estates and awe-inspiring coastal views, the cuisine is as diverse as its surroundings.
Michonne
Michonne is a strong-willed, introverted, practical, and skeptical woman who constantly surveys her surroundings. She’s quick to size up a situation and is skeptical of seemingly good people and situations. She’s also a hard worker and is not easily fooled by others. However, her inner strength and practicality often make her repress her true emotions, especially in relationships with men she interacts with. She’s also a very quick romantic, but she’s forced to repress her feelings again and again after each one of her lovers meet their tragic fates.
After the traumatic events of Woodbury, Michonne retreated to Hilltop Colony. She later accompanied Ezekiel to Gabriel Stokes’ church, where they discussed plans for the attack on Sanctuary. She then joined a large group of Kingdom residents from the Hilltop, Alexandria Safe-Zone, and other survivors in marching on the Sanctuary. Michonne was also present at Glenn and Maggie’s wedding and was seen training with swords alongside the other Kingdom residents and Ezekiel. Michonne was irritated by the attempts of both Barbara and Olivia to “match-make” her with Heath, but she eventually begins to bond with him as they prepare for an upcoming war against Negan. Michonne is later shown whistling to lure walkers, which she then kills and drags over a pile, causing a female Savior to stop her car and observe the pile.
KI
A secluded paradise for nature-lovers, Kangaroo Island (known as Karta Pintingga by the Indigenous Ramindjeri people) also offers plenty of fine-dining options. For a unique experience, dine beneath an enchanted fig tree planted more than 100 years ago (December to April). You’ll be surrounded by gnarled branches drenched in fairy lights while savouring chef-prepared delicacies such as the KI scallops with corn tostada, avocado, pink grapefruit, chilli and peppercorn.
Alternatively, visit Emu Bay Lavender, where you’ll see over 7,500 lavender plants used to produce essential oils. Afterwards, enjoy lunch or a decadent afternoon tea of freshly baked lavender scones.
Take the Eat Drink KI self-drive beverage trail to discover more gems on this unique destination. Sip locally-produced gin at the KI Spirits distillery, sample wines at Dudley Estate or splurge on a bottle of KI mead from Island Beehive.
The only thing better than a glass of wine is a glass of South Australian wine with a view. At One KI, a fully-hosted five-bedroom eco-retreat on a private beach, you’ll be greeted with cocktails and canapes before your chef-prepared dinner. Then, kick back in a luxurious outdoor bathtub and watch the sunset over Nepean Bay.
Line & Label
The aptly named Line & Label is tucked among the vines at the former Delacolline Winery in Port Lincoln. Featuring stunning views over Boston Bay, it’s the perfect spot to enjoy the premium food and wines of this region.
Executive chef Mark Jensen’s menus are a testament to the exceptional produce available in this region. You’ll find seafood dishes like pickled squid, smoked bluefin tuna, gazander oysters (opened and returned to the shell), edible succulents and chargrilled scotch fillet with sake-flavoured onions and miso soubise. The land-based highlights are just as memorable with duck prosciutto with Asian mushrooms and black garlic, grilled pork cheeks with sweet and sour cabbage and charred corn with white truffles.
A trip to South Australia wouldn’t be complete without sampling some local wine. The Barossa Valley and Clare Valley are well-known for their Shiraz, but don’t miss out on tasting wines from the Adelaide Hills as you drive through the gentle rolling hills that reveal sheep-covered meadows and vineyards clinging to the rocky terrain. The hills are slightly cooler than the Barossa, which gives their wines more finesse and more savory flavours. They’re also renowned for their Riesling, with the Adelaide Hills producing filigreed styles that showcase the grape’s minerality and fresh acidity.
Maxwell
A family-owned McLaren Vale vineyard and restaurant, Maxwell has earned a reputation for its wines and food. From its inception in 1979, they have dedicated themselves to the cultivation of quality grapes and crafting memorable winery experiences for visitors.
The team behind Maxwell is humbled to have been ranked among the top restaurants in Australia, and says that it’s only the beginning. They’re looking forward to the challenges of continuing to uphold their high standards.
Located at the Maxwell Food Centre, Luckmeow is a relatively new addition that serves modern Indian cooking. With a lucky cat mascot and an extensive menu, this stall is a must for anyone who loves indian cuisine.
The sister of a woman killed in a car crash in South Australia has opened a fundraiser page for her funeral expenses. Odetta Maxwell, 25, was travelling along Port Wakefield Highway when her vehicle veered off the road and overturned. Her condition deteriorated after she was airlifted to hospital. Her death is the 11th fatal crash in South Australia this year. It is believed the driver had lost control of her vehicle due to a medical episode. She was the only person in the vehicle at the time of the accident.