You don’t have to be a foodie to eat like one!
MasterChef Australia, Australia’s most popular reality TV cooking show, has been on the air for ten years and a sensational ten seasons and there’s a good reason for that.
Our favourite MasterChef Judges, Matt Preston, Gary Mehigan and George Calombaris know what they’re talking about – so you can certainly trust them when it comes to the best places to eat in Adelaide.
If there’s anyone who knows good grub, it ‘s our 3 favorite MasterChef judges!
GEORGE CALOMBARIS’ FAVOURITE PLACES TO EAT IN ADELAIDE
SHOBOSHO, ADELAIDE CBD
George’s favourite spot in Adelaide is Leigh Street’s Shôbôsho– the latest venture from prolific South Australian restauranteur Simon Kardachi. The Japanese-inspired menu blends smoke, steam and fire – the ancient traditions of Japanese yakitori – and has drawn Head Chef Adam Liston back to Adelaide after his stints in Shanghai and Melbourne. Décor is slick, rich and warm with a distinctly Japanese feel.
SUNNY’S PIZZA, ADELAIDE CBD
Retro and wonderfully kitsch, Sunny’s Pizza is a must-visit Adelaide restaurant. Opened recently by five friends and designed by Adelaide’s Studio-Gram (the architects behind Africola and Osteria Oggi), digging into a pizza at Sunny’s feels like a meal at your most eccentric friend’s house, but with the addition of an awesome bar, DJs and, let’s face it, probably much better food.
ORANA, ADELAIDE CBD
Adelaide’s Oranais a major standout for George. Lead by internationally-renowned local chef Jock Zonfrillo, Orana boldly uses native ingredients like bunya nuts, green ants and quandongs to create culinary works of art. Orana was named Australia’s Restaurant of the Year 2018 by Gourmet Traveller magazine.
GARY MEHIGAN’S FAVOURITE PLACES TO EAT IN ADELAIDE
BISTRO BLACKWOOD, ADELAIDE CBD
Orana’s younger, bubblier and slightly more budget-conscious sibling, Bistro Blackwood (also run by Jock Zonfrillo) is a Mehigan favourite. Located in Adelaide’s buzzing East End, it’s a place for everyone, boasting a seasonally evolving menu using the same Indigenous ingredients and techniques as Orana.
ANDRE’S CUCINA & POLENTA BAR, ADELAIDE CBD
Ex-MasterChef contestant Andre Ursini’s self-titled Cucina & Polenta Bar is another of Gary Mehigan’s best restaurants in Adelaide. Cooking traditional dishes using rich, hearty recipes, everything about Andre’s is warm, inviting and lathered in regional Italian charm.
THE POT BY EMMA MCCASKILL, KING WILLIAM ROAD
Intimate, boutique and constantly evolving, The Pot by Emma McCaskill is a favourite Adelaide food establishment. Tucked away on trendy King William Road, dishes at The Pot are carefully crafted using local ingredients with a focus on clean, balanced flavours. The Pot has been awarded a ‘hat’ in the 2018 national Good Food Guide Awards and a ‘star’ in the Gourmet Traveller awards.
AFRICOLA, ADELAIDE CBD
Johannesburg-born Duncan Welgemoed serves red hot, authentic South African cuisine at Adelaide’s wildly different Africola. One of Gary Mehigan’s favourite places to eat in Adelaide, cooking is done on the fire with a big emphasis on vegetables, seafood and rotisserie meats. It’s colourful, loud, brash and boozy – just as it should be.
MATT PRESTON’S FAVOURITE PLACES TO EAT IN ADELAIDE
PARWANA, HENLEY BEACH ROAD
When in Adelaide, Matt Preston can’t resist the tastes, aromas and rich history of Henley’s Parwana Afghan Restaurant. Owners Zelmai and Farida Ayubi migrated from Afghanistan with their young family in 1987. With them, they brought generations of culinary knowledge, resulting in some of the best Middle Eastern food in Australia.
JAMFACE BY POH, ADELAIDE CENTRAL MARKET
Adelaide ex-MasterChef contestant Poh has flourished post-show, handcrafting a gorgeous café in the heart of the Adelaide Central Market. Jamfacecafé prides itself on homemade produce, plating-up Scandinavian-inspired lunches, fresh breakfasts, pastries, pasta sauces, jams and more. Pop by on a Friday night for the set menu dinner, paired with lip-smacking South Australian wine.
THE MIDDLE STORE, MELROSE PARK
Tucked way in the unassuming Adelaide suburb of Melrose Park lies The Middle Store – a favourite Adelaide haunt for our cravat-loving MasterChef judge. The owners intricately weave their Lebanese heritage into everything from the store’s modern airy décor, to their drool-worthy menu. Spend your morning or early afternoon tucking into korfta burgers, zaatar flatbred and hummus bagels.
