The Best Wine Bars in Adelaide For A Bottle and A Bite

There's something so romantic about a chic and moody wine bar. From the glistening glassware, walls adorned with rows of wine bottles, charming chalkboard menus, and those inviting low leather booths, they are perfect for a date night or a tipple or two with friends.

Whether you're craving a velvety pinot while people-watching or a luscious grenache paired with plates of nibbles, Adelaide's best wine bars are ready to whisk you away on a grape-infused adventure. These hotspots aren't just pouring glasses; they're crafting unforgettable experiences, one sip and one plate at a time.

So, if you're up for a night of good times and wonderful flavors, join us in exploring the best wine bars in Adelaide!

Icarus

Food til late, wine til later; new food-led wine bar Icarus is serving up Southern-Mediterranean cuisine, an extensive wine list, and cocktails to complement. Helmed by award-winning Head Chef John Simpson-Clements, this Peel Street venue is the brainchild of friends and pub owners Darren Brown and Sam Stoios. Inspired by Greek mythology to bring an elevated experience to the drinking and dining scene, Icarus’ menu has been painstakingly considered, and wholly dependent on seasonality and led by producers. Think lots of sharing plates cooked over charcoal, including wood-grilled octopus with nduja, saffron aioli and chickpeas, various steak options, and a pumpkin gnocchi with chestnut and fermented chilli. Don't skip their taramasalata either.

It's sophisticated and welcoming setting is perfect for your next romantic dinner, work knock offs, or for those simply wanting a great foodie experience without the pretension.

Ground Floor, 23 Peel Street, Adelaide

Nearly

Situated at the end of Hindley Street, Nearly is the trendy new wine bar and cool little sibling to Stem, that exudes cosy, communal vibes. With inviting window seats and a spacious communal table in the center, it's perfect for mingling and unwinding. When hunger strikes, indulge in their homemade bar snacks and simple charcuterie boards.

What truly sets Nearly apart is the wine list, a heartfelt homage to South Australia. Sip on exquisite selections from renowned wineries like Gentle Folk and Ochota Barrels, showcasing the region's finest drops. Whether you're seeking a relaxing evening with friends or a quiet solo escape, Nearly promises a warm, welcoming atmosphere with a distinctly South Australian flair.

179 Hindley Street, Adelaide

alt. Wine Bar

alt. Wine Bar has opened in Hyde Park, offering an elevated destination for delicious drops and snacks, adding a whole new facet to the already bustling King William Road district, and we feel this may quickly become one of the best wine bars in Adelaide. It's an alt-ernative to the norm, an instant hotspot bringing a sleek fit-out, a world class wine list boasting more than 200 wines, and tasty small bites to nibble on.

This new bar in Adelaide aims to show the rich diversity and quality of Australian and South Australian wines through their highly curated wine menu, passionate and informed staff and already established relationships with some of the country’s best winemakers.

151 King William Road, Hyde Park

Bar Lune

For good food and fine wine, you can’t look past Bar Lune, our favourite neighbourhood wine bar for approachable pours and pairings. Taramasalata and shoestring fries, prawn katso sandos, slow-cooked lamb and a smoked half chicken – the list of rich and interesting menu items on offer at Bar Lune never fails to impress. Order the 'Feed Me' menu to taste the rich, delicious rainbow of flavours these Adelaide chefs turn out.

303 The Parade, Beulah Park, Adelaide

Fino Vino

A love letter to South Australia, Fino Vino is bound by its geography. Celebrated for the award-winning Fino Willunga and Fino at Seppeltsfield, co-owners Executive Chef David Swain and restaurant manager Sharon Romeo have brought a taste of wine country to the CBD. Loved for its classic yet approachable charm, this cosy 70-seat wine bar is happy to let you go at your own pace – whether you choose a bottle from the worldly wine list or go by the glass, snack on charred sourdough focaccia or plunge into the five-course tasting menu and enjoy the ambience of one of the best wine bars in Adelaide.

82 Flinders Street, Adelaide

Bar Riot

A beacon for better wines and better times, Bar Riot is a smooth operator and the relaxed local hangout every great neighbourhood needs. Wine on tap? Check. Basque-style pinxtos and Argentinian dishes? Double check. A suitably stylish and sleek atmosphere? Triple check. There are grilled octopus skewers, chorizo croquettes with onion jam and fresh truffle, and brussel sprouts with white bean puree and hazelnuts tomato spice for all you happy snackers out there. Alongside the fourteen tap wines from the Riot Wine Co, there's also a thoughtful international wine list and some delicious cocktails that continue with the Latin influences.

57 Gilbert Street, Adelaide

Hügel

Historically, the best wine bars tend to infer blackboard menus as a prerequisite - and Hügel doesn’t disappoint. Nestled amongst the rolling hills of Lobethal, this drinking spot has been a neighbourhood favourite since day one thanks to an amiable atmosphere and a hand-selected wine list favouring boutique producers across the world. Changing seasonally, the small but mighty food menu offers the perfect pairing with a focus on fresh, local ingredients designed to share. The Hügel board always goes down a treat and includes a little bit of everything – think local prosciutto, Lobethal cheddar and Brie, Queens cut honeycomb and marinated olives.

53 Main Street, Lobethal

Pastel Wine Bar

“More is less” is the motto at North Adelaide’s latest wine spot, Pastel Bar. The interiors are a mixture of cosy and modern, offering a place to hide away and enjoy their range of wines, seasonal cocktails and vibes at one of the best wine bars in Adelaide. Indulge in a curated food menu of snacks, small plates and larger plates - think skewers of chargrilled octopus with taramasalata and salsa verde, smashed Szechuan cucumber salad, kingfish sashimi and coconut braised beef short rib.

47 O'Connell Street, North Adelaide

La Buvette Drinkery

Stop off at La Buvette for a tasty apéritif, French style. As you arrive on Gresham Street, you’re instantly captivated by its striking blue façade and the chic Parisian décor. Where France meets Adelaide, wines are sourced from the best natural producers from both regions and are complimented by traditional flavours like escargot à la française, cheese and charcuterie boards and a Porterhouse steak with pepper sauce. Stay for a while and sample their delicious natural wines, enjoy a bite to eat and take in the views from their wide, open windows. This is a taste of Paris in the heart of Adelaide. C’est bon!

27 Gresham Street, Adelaide

Apoteca

With an old-worldly charm, Apoteca is a bar and restaurant nestled into the otherwise party strip of Hindley Street. A contemporary twist on a New York brasserie, locals immerse themselves in their elegant yet relaxed ambience with a glass in hand. For the full wine experience, the iconic cellar restaurant is available for dinner bookings on Friday and Saturday nights. Located in the actual cellar of the building, it’s the perfect place to wine and dine in style.

118 Hindley Street, Adelaide

2KW Bar and Restaurant

2KW Bar and Restaurant is a first-class venue perched on the rooftop of Adelaide’s iconic Bank of New South Wales building. Boasting some of the best views in the city from high above, their contemporary bar and outdoor garden suit any occasion (and social feed), offering modern Australian fare and an impressive selection of local wines that just seem to hit different come sunset. This is our pick for the sunny days and long, warm nights in Adelaide.

2 King William Street, Adelaide

Hellbound

A quintessential wine bar sitting in one of Rundle Street’s heritage basements, Hellbound is the perfect spot for a divine drop. Venture down the stairs and into the wonderful world of Mark Reginato and Louis Schofield – two veteran Aussie winos totalling over 20 years in the biz between them. 130-year-old stonework walls soaked in neon light give the space a bunker-like feel that is equal parts cool and cosy. Offering 20 wines by the glass and hundreds more by the bottle alongside Mediterranean bites, a quick knockoff can easily turn into a night here.

Basement/201 Rundle Street, Adelaide

Mother Vine

This East-end crowd-pleaser was destined for greatness with Michael Andrewartha and Pablo Theodoros of the neighbouring East End Cellars, Shaw + Smith’s David LeMire and Amalfi’s Frank Hannon-Tan behind it. Mother Vine’s extensive wine list encompasses everything from old world classics to boundary-pushing pét-nats while also offering finely-honed food – prawn linguine anyone? With a modern fit-out that’s refined yet warm, they’re equally hospitable to a quick glass of Pinot as they are to long evenings of bottles and share plates.

22-26 Vardon Avenue, Adelaide

East End Cellars

Something of a neighbourhood institution by now, East End Cellars is one of Australia’s top traders connecting wine-obsessed Adelaideans with the best emerging local makers as well as those from around the globe, making this one of the most popular and best wine bars in Adelaide. At this slick tasting room-meets-bottleshop, over 15,000 bottles are at your disposal while an eclectic by-the-glass list jumps between gewürztraminers from Yetti & The Kokonut and fruity Tempranillos from La Linea. While you’re welcome to drop in for a glass, in our opinion, the food is too good to miss out on. Chef Josh Lansley flexes his creativity through menus inspired by South Australia’s finest seasonal produce. From small tapas plates to hearty main meals, this is the perfect place to spend an evening.

25 Vardon Avenue, Adelaide

Leigh Street Wine Room

A former dry cleaner has transformed into Adelaide’s stylish CBD wine bar. Leigh Street Wine Room is a warm and inviting space with a terrazzo bar, arresting archways and mezzanine dining space. To browse through their striking wine wall running the length of the space is to take a trip to every winemaking corner of the world, starting with a lowkey local Chardy and ending with a drop-dead gorgeous Pierre Gonon Saint Joseph Rouge. Leaning into its European allure, you’ll find everything from Blue Swimmer Crab spaghetti to Sicilian green olives and burrata coming out of the kitchen.

9 Leigh Street, Adelaide

LOC Bottle Bar

Leaping off the screen and into the world, this boutique natural and lo-fi wine bar is one of the better things to come out of lockdown. Launching in 2020 as an online wine retailer, it didn’t take long for LOC Bottle Shop to bring its natural sips to the streets. With no formal bar or wine list, patrons are invited to choose their drop from the well-stocked wine wall at the back of the venue. The food follows suit with a lucky dip assortment of eats – think pasta one day and oysters the next.

6 Hindmarsh Square, Adelaide

Loving our list of the best wine bars in Adelaide? If you're the sort of person who likes to settle down with a delicious glass of red, you might also like the cosy vibes provided courtesy of these winter cocktail recipes or you could indulge your creative side with a night on the town courtesy of Adelaide’s best new bars.