Cosiest Dining Experiences This Winter in South Australia

The colder it gets, the warmer the welcome feels. And somehow, the food tastes even better because of it.

In South Australia, the cosiest dining spots awaken in winter — they’re the kind of places where warmth embraces you before your coat finds a hook. Inside, the air mists your glasses and something slow and fragrant drifts from the kitchen. Menus lean toward the slow, the rich and the comforting. Foraged mushrooms, fresh from damp forest floors, are paired with dark greens from local farms and fruit preserved for cooler days. In the Hills, fireplaces crackle, and in the city, tables draw closer in the best kind of way. It’s a season made for settling in — and these are the places doing winter dining just right. 

Watervale Hotel, Clare Valley

Nothing beats the comfort of a warm country pub on a cold night, and this historic hotel in the Clare Valley offers the perfect retreat to relax after you cycle the famed Riesling Trail. Sink into a comfy armchair by a roaring fire and dig in to a hearty meal cooked with ingredients fresh from the kitchen garden. For an authentic farm-to-plate experience, be sure to join one of the Watervale's ethical, epicurean foodie tours.

The Salopian Inn, McLaren Vale 

McLaren Vale’s iconic Salopian Inn plates-up some of South Australia’s finest food, straight from the garden of owner Karena Armstrong. The Salopian Inn’s menu is eclectic and ever-changing, reflecting Karena’s persistent culinary journey. The seasons dictate what is served, with a rotating menu featuring organic fruit, vegetables, locally-sourced beef, lamb, poultry and freshly-caught seafood.

Mayura Station, Limestone Coast

Uncover the ultimate paddock to plate experience in the midst of the Limestone Coast’s green rolling hills and prized farmland. Famed Mayura Station in Millicent is home to the world’s best Wagyu Beef (just check out their trophy cabinet) and the most prized cuts are cooked right before you at The Tasting Room, the station’s on-site restaurant, which was also voted Australia’s top steak restaurant. Sit around the kitchen bar with a glass or two of wine from their extensive list with a focus on local Coonawarra offerings and watch the chef cook your steak to perfection. Mayura Station is the ultimate hearty winter’s lunch experience. 

Brand's Laira, Limestone Coast

Red wine and cheese in a cosy cellar door? Sounds like a pretty good way to while away a winter’s afternoon! Brand’s Laira is home to one of the most charming cellar doors in the Coonawarra wine region. Oozing rustic charm and steeped in history, the stone cottage was originally the personal cellar of Eric Brand, the winery’s founder. Exposed wooden beams, old wine barrels and Eric’s old wine collection create the perfect atmosphere to enjoy a glass or two of the winery’s award-winning wine. Add a generous ploughman’s platter and you’re set. 

Mt Lofty Ranges Vineyard, Adelaide Hills 

Nestle up by the fire while you soak in views stretching across the rolling country side. Perched high above the Adelaide Hills, you can enjoy a long lunch with a view at Mount Lofty Ranges Vineyard. Offering an award-winning local food and wine experience, the intimate, rustic cellar door features panoramic views, a 360-degree central open fireplace and modern and eclectic décor. A full seasonal a la carte menu and impressive degustation luncheon with optional wine pairings are available Thursday to Sunday while light lunch options are available Monday to Wednesday. 

Hentley Farm, Barossa

Converted stables dating back to the 1880s featuring exposed stone walls and wood beam ceilings create the perfect setting for an epic winter feast in one of SA’s best contemporary restaurants. With an impressive resume of international awards under its belt, Hentley Farm embodies the rich culture of South Australia’s Barossa. Indulge in a paddock-to-plate menu that showcases the very best of local produce, paired with Hentley Farm's own boutique wines. 

Crafers Hotel, Adelaide Hills

Warm up with some of the most sophisticated pub grub on offer in South Australia at Crafers Hotel. Oozing style and cosy winter vibes, this popular Adelaide Hills watering hole boasts an avant-garde interior featuring reclaimed wood, leather, iron, copper and exposed stone. A menu influenced by the richness of French cuisine (plus all the usual pub fare) and an award-winning wine room featuring rare and classic labels, the Crafers Hotel is sure to warm up you up on even the chilliest winter’s day. After dinner, grab a quick nightcap and curl up fireside on one of the luxurious red velvet couches. 

Hardy’s Verandah Restaurant, Adelaide Hills

Picture this: a degustation dinner with a view spanning across the picturesque Piccadilly Valley, misty on a winter’s evening. Winter is the time for decadence so treat yourself to an incredible feast at Hardy’s Verandah Restaurant in Crafers. This Adelaide Hills restaurant has quickly made a name for itself with a timeless menu and sommelier-matched wine list earning Hardy’s Verandah 3 Chef Hats and countless national and international awards. Cozy-up by Mount Lofty House's roaring fireplace for a pre or post dinner wine and soak up the history and glamour of one of South Australia’s most iconic properties. 

Seed, Clare Valley

Restaurant meets gin-lounge and wine bar at Clare’s Seed Winehouse and Kitchen. With old stone walls and twisting gum pillars, the former 1880s chaff mill radiates character. The interior is a rustic-yet-contemporary mix of stone, timber and steel and the perfect setting to tuck in to a seasonal winter feast. Take your pick from a carefully-curated European-inspired menu, matched with some of the Clare Valley’s finest wines.

FINO VINO, ADELAIDE CBD 

One of South Australia’s best regional restaurants – Fino at Seppeltsfield – is now more accessible for hungry city slickers. Fino Vino, an urban interpretation of the iconic Barossa restaurant, is nestled in Adelaide’s Flinders Street. With a philosophy focused on seasonal produce, supporting local producers, growers and vignerons and minimal waste production, the menu is a fresh, tapas-style affair matched by chic, yet rustic interiors. With booths, communal tables, kitchen seating and a bar, it’s the perfect space for after work drinks and a bite to eat. 

This winter, what if you stayed a little longer?

Fallen for South Australia’s winter warmth — the kind that comes with slow meals, second glasses and fireside chats? Make it last a little longer and check into a cosy hideaway of your own.