South Australia’s crème de la crème of the dining world
The Australian Good Food Guide (AGFG) has recently dropped its 2025 Chef Hat Awards, and let’s just say South Australia has absolutely smashed it. A whopping 70 of our restaurants made the cut, with a perfect split of 35 regional legends and 35 Adelaide CBD gems getting the nod. Not bad for the little state at the bottom of the map, eh?
These awards, which have been dishing out the accolades since 1982, are kind of a big deal. They showcase the crème de la crème of Aussie restaurants and tip their hats to the culinary wizards behind the scenes. The catch? It’s all about the food—no fluff, no fuss. The judges dine incognito, leave no commentary, and drop a good old-fashioned score out of 20, French style.
So if you thought regional SA couldn’t keep up with the big city when it comes to fine dining, think again. We’re holding our own with some of the best in the country, proving once again that South Aussie chefs know their way around a kitchen. Let’s raise a glass to these absolute legends – and maybe book ourselves a table while we’re at it!
In case you’re curious, the Chef Hat ratings range from 12 to 19. The higher the score, the fancier the hat— kind of like a chef’s version of bragging rights. But they don’t start at one hat, they start at 12 and go up to 19 – why not!
Here’s the breakdown –
👨🍳 19 to 18 Hats: Exceptional food and wine, internationally renowned – Worth a special trip
👨🍳 17 to 16 Hats: Outstanding quality – Worth a detour
👨🍳 15 to 14 Hats: Excellent food – Worth a stop on the way
👨🍳13 to 12 Hats: Great restaurants in their category – Commended
And drumroll…..here’s who’s wearing SA’s Chef Hats
Restaurant Botanic in Adelaide has taken the cake—or maybe the soufflé—by being the only South Australian restaurant to score a whopping 19 hats. That’s basically the culinary equivalent of wearing a crown.
Not too far behind, though, is Hentley Farm in Seppeltsfield, clocking in with an impressive 18 hats. This regional superstar is clearly giving the city slickers a run for their money. Hentley serves up pure Barossa magic, with wild-grown goodies from the estate, nearby waterways, and their own garden, it’s a paddock-to-plate dream, washed down with wines that’ll knock your socks off.
Down south, Maxwell Restaurant in McLaren Vale and Appellation in the Barossa both strutted onto the scene with a solid 16 hats each. That’s some top-notch wining and dining!
Over in the hills, Mount Lofty Ranges Vineyard scored 14 hats, while Pike and Joyce joined the club with 13 hats. These Adelaide Hills spots are proving it’s not just the views that are breathtaking—it’s the food, too.
Other regional award winners were – Barossa Valley, St Hugo Restaurant (Rowland Flat), Vintners Bar and Grill (Angaston), Essen by Artisans of Barossa (Tanunda), Fino Seppeltsfield, Staguni (Marananga), Lou’s By Horizon (Rowland Flat), Otherness (Angaston) and fermentAsian (Tanunda).
McLaren Vale and Fleurieu Peninsula, The Kitchen at Bec Hardy (McLaren Vale), Muni (Willunga), d’Arry’s Verandah Restaurant (McLaren Vale), Serafino Restaurant (McLaren Vale), The Currant Shed (McLaren Vale), The Little Rickshaw (Aldinga), Star of Greece (Port Willunga), Coriole Restaurant (McLaren Vale) and Ekhidna Wines and Kitchen (McLaren Vale).
Adelaide Hills, LVN Restaurant at Bird in Hand (Woodside), The Lane Vineyard (Hahndorf), Ondeen (Verdun), Patch Kitchen and Garden (Stirling), Thelma Piccadilly.
Clare Valley, Slate Restaurant (Sevenhill), Bush Devine Restaurant (Sevenhill), Antidote Kitchen (Clare) and Watervale Hotel.
Eyre Peninsula, Rumi on Louth (Louth Island) and The Line and Label (Port Lincoln).
Coonawarra and Limestone Coast, Pipers of Penola and Elementary by Soul Co (Mount Gambier).
