Radelaide
Why the SA capital should be on your getaway list
Stay For bespoke luxury, you can’t go past the Mayfair, the preferred choice of visiting rock stars and celebrities since opening in 2015. Located in the centre of the CBD where shopping strip Rundle Mall meets bar and dining strip Hindley Street, and just a short walk from Adelaide’s cultural boulevard North Terrace, it’s perfectly situated for exploring the city on foot. At the end of the day, head to the Hennessy rooftop bar and try a Honey Trap cocktail – it’s made with honey collected from the hotel’s own rooftop hives of Ligurian bees. 45 King William St, Adelaide 5000. 08 8210 8888. www.mayfairhotel.com.au.
If you’re after something a step down in price, the Crowne Plaza Adelaide, just a few blocks away, is a perfect base for city explorers or business travellers. The contemporary rooms range from standard to suite, some with balcony, and feature plush bedding, luxurious bathrooms with full sized baths and walk-in showers, and ipod docks, while the hotel also boasts a health centre with gym, pool, spa and sauna and a 24-hour self-service laundry for guests. 16 Hindmarsh Sq, Adelaide 5000. 08 8206 8888. www.crowneplazaadelaide.com.au. Eat If you’re looking for an experience, head to
Africola for their pan-african flavour party, pull up a seat at the open kitchen’s flaming hearth, and watch Duncan Welgemoed and his team play with fire. Some dishes, such as the crustless, white bread chicken skin sandwich with a
dripping-dipping sauce, are richer than a Nigerian prince – but they’re also doing interesting things with veggies here. Just be prepared for strong flavours and spice. We recommend the Feed Me menu ($65) with matching booze ($45). 4 East Tce, Adelaide 5000. 08 8223 3885. www.africola.com.
au. Tue-sat 6pm-late. At the opposite end of the palate is Orana, where everything from the décor to the degustation is delicate. Chef and owner Jock Zonfrillo’s tasting menu stretches to 20 courses, with fresh seafood and native Australian ingredients taking a star turn. We visited for the more modest Friday lunch (nine courses), and were served tiny dampers cooked over even tinier coals in a cast iron pan at the table; a salty, subtle chilled consommé of clams, tomato and ice plant; and perfectly rare kangaroo with a charred exterior served with tart native berries. 285 Rundle St, Adelaide 5000. 08 8232 3444. restaurantorana.com. Dinner Tue-sat; lunch Fri. Drink Keep things purely spiritual and very chill at innercity spot Hains & Co, where the expertise is whisky and gin, and where on the afternoon we visited, a fine mist of water was dispersed from ceiling ducts over the tables outside – bliss on a 35° day. 23 Gilbert Pl, Adelaide 5000. www.hainsco.com. au. Daily 4pm-late. For an unbeatable view and wine list, head eight floors above street level to the terrace of 2KW – and make sure you’re dressed to impress. Take in the sunset view towards the River Torrens and a glass of something local. 2 King
William St, Adelaide 5000. 08 8212 5511. 2kwbar. com.au. Mon-fri 10am-late; Sat, Sun noonlate. For late-night whimsy, head to the petite
Pink Moon Saloon, and head out back for a bar that channels the aesthetic of a Swedish dolls house. The cocktails are well balanced, and the soundtrack is spiked with cheesy ’80s power ballads to keeps the vibe well and truly alive. 21 Leigh St, Adelaide 5000. www.pinkmoonsaloon.com.au. Daily 4pm-late.