January 2025: Five To Try
Eating our way through Adelaide is our New Year’s resolution…
Old Bush Inn
Image via @oldbushinnhotel
The team that revitalised Silver Sands Beach Club have done it again! This time, the trio set their sights on a 185-year-old pub on Willunga’s main street, transforming the watering hole atop High Street into a must-visit destination. Now known as Old Bush Inn, the historic venue has been brought back to life with its contemporary bistro menu that focuses on seasonal produce. An innkeeper’s fish pie, Spencer Gulf prawn spaghetti and wild-caught mulloway with tomato persillade are just some of the courses that stand proud alongside pub classics (you know, chicken schnittys and cheeseburgers). And don’t fret, the upmarket makeover hasn’t seen the hotel lose any country charm!
Yes Please: Coopers beer battered SA whiting with a generous serve of chips.
Where: 51 High Street, Willunga
Follow: @oldbushinnhotel
Gilbert’s Wine & Grill
Image via @gilbertswinegrill
The brains behind beloved venues like Good Gilbert, Good Burger and Asha have headed west to open their latest venture. Gilbert’s Wine & Grill takes cues from old-school steakhouses in New York and cuts it with an Australian approach to hospitality. Expect honest ingredients throughout courses designed to share (think beef short rib with mash and espresso caramel and mojo pork chop with orange and mustard slaw.) There are also over 100 wines on the list and stacked burgers to devour if a casual feed is more your style. Bonus points for the generous serving of peach cobbler!
Yes Please: The beef short ribs with a side of pickled zucchini and stracciatella.
Where: 172 Henley Beach Road, Torrensville
Follow: @gilbertswinegrill
Homeboy
Image via Homeboy Cafe (Facebook)
You might be familiar with Tom Oswald's viral videos of running a cafe at only 19 years old. But now, the young gun has relocated his Hahndorf operation to the CBD! With the help of Renew Adelaide, owner Tom and the team are now serving the hungry hoards of university students and city-goers with stacked focaccia sangas and speciality coffee (made with Homeboy coffee beans no less). The corner shop is also the perfect place to people watch – order one of the cafe’s homemade cinnamon scrolls and soak up the rays in the alfresco area.
Yes Please: The Italiano with salami, pesto, fior di latte, tomato and basil.
Where: 266 North Terrace, Adelaide
Follow: @homeboy.co
Mensa
Image via @mensa__kitchen
Kent Town’s evolution to be coming one of the buzziest food and wine destinations continues with the opening of Mensa. Next door to the cult-favourite Gelato Messina, this light and bright restaurant serves Italian fare with a modern twist. Traditional ingredients and contemporary practice are celebrated in equal measure here. Indulge in plates of pasta (triangoli stuffed with pumpkin, amaretti and sage butter is a winner) and small courses (think burratina with green peas, mint and pistachio or mushrooms with gremolata, semi-dried tomatoes and truffle pecorino) before savouring something sweet from the dolci menu. Arrive hungry, we’ve warned you!
Yes Please: Ziti rigati with crab, vodka, chilli, garlic and tomato.
Where: 44 The Parade W, Kent Town
Follow: @mensa__kitchen
Pepo Eatery
Image via @pepoeatery
Community and fresh flavours are two things that define the latest cafe spot along King William Road. Pepo Eatery opened quietly at the end of December, bringing speciality coffee and homemade sandwiches to the lively precinct. Come for the coffee made with Naarm’s Industry Beans, stay for the Mediterranean-leaning mixed salad bowls and sweet pastries (we’ll always be partial to a cheeky croissant to dip in our coffee). Cosy in for lunch with a loved one or grab an iced latte and some fresh flowers to go seven days a week.
Yes Please: A spiced zucchini flatbread.
Where: 175 King William Road, Hyde Park
Follow: @pepoeatery
