Adelaide’s best beachside restaurants, bars and cafes

Time to pack away your flip-flops and trade in your towel for a table at Adelaide’s best beachside eateries.

South Australia is home to turquoise waters, white sandy shores and unspoiled stretches of coastline. Get a true taste of South Australia when you mix the pleasure of fresh produce with an uninterrupted view of the big blue. You could sip cocktails from the comfort of your sun lounge at Australia’s only beach club or be transported to Greece at a Euro-inspired eatery on the Fleurieu Peninsula. Enjoy the sun, sand and surf while digging into a gourmet feast with our guide to Adelaide’s best beachside restaurants, bars and cafes.

Beachfront restaurants 

Pearl, Aldinga Beach

Breathe in the salty aroma of the Fleurieu coastline, where waves crash over the long stretch of beach, as you settle into your table at this modern restaurant. The next scent that will hit you is that of the fresh seafood wafting in from the kitchen, setting the stage for a spread heavily influenced by the Mediterranean. At Pearl, the only constant is change—kind of like the tide (but a lot tastier). One week, the local fishmonger might bring back succulent nannygai, while the next it could be tender leather jacket. Picture yourself digging into Port Lincoln sardines, beautifully paired with pickled currants, almond, lemon and crostini, or a bowl of linguine tossed with juicy king prawns, plump black mussels and delicate fish fillet. With the ever-changing moods of the ocean in clear view from your table, each visit to this beachside restaurant offers something new—much like the menu. Writer’s tip: Not a seafood fan? While Pearl is known for sourcing ingredients from the surrounding scenery, they do harvest from the land as well as the sea. Many of their dishes feature fresh produce from their local garden – think flavourful root vegetables and crisp greens served alongside labneh and Turkish pide. 

Star of Greece, Port Willunga

If you didn’t make it to Europe this year, don’t worry—this clifftop restaurant on the Fleurieu Peninsula will transport you straight to the Mediterranean, no passport necessary. Located less than an hour’s drive from Adelaide, Star of Greece sits pretty atop the limestone cliffs of Port Willunga, boasting spectacular views of the azure waters and sandy beach below. Although the name suggests a Greek menu, the beachside restaurant is actually named after a ship that sunk off the coastline in 1888. While the vibes are Mediterranean, the cuisine here is modern Australian with Asian and European influences—think salt and pepper eggplant, yellowfin tuna tartare and szechuan pepper squid with green mango salad. Writer’s tip: Heading to Port Willunga for a swim? Star of Greece has a casual kiosk attached to the restaurant where thongs, towels and togs are the standard attire. Grab your fish ‘n’ chips or coffee to-go, before heading down to the beach. 

Silver Sands Beach Club, Aldinga Beach 

What do you get when you mix a DJ, a wine critic and a surf club with oceanfront views? A remix on your typical South Aussie beach club! At Silver Sands, you’ll find a spot that caters to everyone—from grandparents to little nibblers. While beers, burgers, fish ’n’ chips and good vibes remain hardcore staples, this beachside restaurant adds a top-tier wine list and refreshing pisco sours to the golden-hour playlist. The menu goes beyond the basics, featuring a hot selection of produce-driven bistro-style dishes like prawn cocktail buns, char-grilled South Australian Coorong mullet and house-made pappardelle with slow-cooked Bolognese. Writer’s tip: In the warmer months, snagging a table without a booking can be quite a challenge—consider it a game of musical chairs with locals, holidaymakers, sun-seekers and South Australian winemakers eager to sample the award-winning wine list. So, make sure to book ahead to avoid any long faces. 

Beachside bars

Moseley Beach Club, Glenelg 

It doesn’t get any closer to the sea than this. At this beachside bar, you’ll be sipping on summery cocktails with your toes in the sand! Located on the picture-perfect shores of Adelaide’s most popular city beach—Glenelg—you’ll be mere metres from the surf as you recline on a day bed, pina colada in hand, watching the sunset over the water. Operating exclusively between December and March, the Moseley Beach Club is the only one of its kind in Australia, bringing a taste of Euro summer to the metropolitan beaches of Adelaide. Serving up delicious share plates, chilled cocktails and live music, this Adelaide beach club combines sun, surf and sand with a festive food and drink atmosphere.

Seamore's, Henley Beach 

Step into Henley Beach’s vibrant square, where this hybrid bar-restaurant impresses with sweeping panoramic views, eye-catching neon signage, fruity cocktails and mouthwatering Italian-Australian classics. Seamore’s offers a modern twist on the surf clubs of yesteryear, bridging the gap between afternoon lounging and evening dining. Start with a drink on the balcony as golden hour casts its perfect light, then dive into delicious pasta, hand-stretched stone pizzas or crowd-pleasing share plates. When the sun sets, keep the celebrations going on the dance floor. 

Beachfront cafes

Sunnyside, Henley Beach 

We’ll warn you—one brunch at Sunnyside and you’ll find yourself hooked. The bright splash of colour inside the refurbished circa-1900 beachfront home sets a fun tone for bottomless mimosas and ocean views. Pair those brunch bubbles (or a local small-batch coffee) with fluffy pancake stacks drizzled with real maple syrup, slow cooked pulled pork bagels, health bowls or the ultimate breakfast of champions: steak frites. This laid-back beachfront cafe makes it feel sunny all year round. Writer’s tip: You can bring your furry friends (both big and small) along! They’re welcome on the deck, where you can swap their regular treats for puppuccinos.

Nauti Buoy, Henley Beach

Serving up hot coffee each morning and thirst-quenching tropical cocktails every evening, this beachside cafe and restaurant provides stunning views around the clock. Another Henley Beach favourite, Nauti Buoy, is a true day-to-night chameleon, famous around town for its warm service and feel-good atmosphere no matter the hour. Whether you’re after a post-swim flat white, bottomless brunch with the girls, or a laid-back date night, this nautical hotspot is the place to be for delicious food and drinks. Writer’s tip: Tune in to Nauti Buoy’s social media to check out their events—quiz nights, supper clubs and more are all on the menu here. 

Looking for more beachside bliss? 

As you’ve discovered, South Australia is truly spoilt for choice when it comes to seaside experiences. Make your coastal getaway unforgettable by soaking up even more salty air and stunning views with a stay at one of our best beachfront accommodations.