Adelaide's Winter Dining: The Venues

1918 BISTRO & GRILL

What better way to escape the winds of winter than in the gorgeously comfortable surrounds of 1918. With no less than four fireplaces in the beautifully converted colonial family home, guests are sure to be toasty warm as they tuck into lovingly prepared meals paired with brilliant Barossan wine. Art is also a focus for 1918, with large eye-catching pieces posted on the walls in every room. A delight for the senses. 1918 Bistro & Grill 94 Murray Street, Tanunda 8563 0405 1918.com.au

THE UNLEY

What was once the darkly bohemian Boho Bar has seamlessly transformed into The Unley, a bright modern pub. The Unley effortlessly combines the warm and cheery atmosphere of bistro dining with very contemporary design and decoration. Colours are supreme at The Unley, with bright paintings and glass-blown pieces on the walls from the likes of Tom Moore, who was most recently a part of the 2016 Adelaide Biennial of Australian Art. The Unley 27 Unley Road 8271 5544 theunley.com.au

BISTRO DOM

This unique restaurant is at once following trends and setting the pace for Adelaide’s fine casual-dining scene. A sharing bench sits at the front of the restaurant, and all tables are lined up beside each other to encourage conversation between guests. The western gyprock facade has been removed to expose a rustic bluestone finish that beautifully accompanies the restaurant’s new menu. Mirrors on the opposing wall make sure that diners don’t miss out on the gorgeous dining backdrop. Bistro Dom 24 Waymouth Street 8231 7000 bistrodom.com.au

 THE PLAYFORD

Once through the opulent surrounds of the Playford Restaurant, you feel you could be in any number of luxurious dining rooms across the world. Evoking grand old European style with its golden hues and decadent seating, this is formal dining with personality. While Playford Restaurant caters to its hotel guests, it is quickly building a reputation among locals for excellent dining in equally pleasurable surrounds. The Playford Restaurant 120 North Terrace 8213 8844 theplayford.com.au

THE COLONIST

The Colonist is both gloriously grungy and effortlessly immaculate. This hotel’s design and decoration manages to toe the line between kitsch and contemporary with aplomb. Stripped wallpaper, exposed beams and retro furniture make the Colonist feel almost like a post-Apocalyptic pub, but, as the excellent finishes and stirring pieces of art will remind you, this is a thoroughly professional affair, and one of Adelaide’s most unique locations. The Colonist 44 The Parade 8362 3736 colonist.com.au

SOCIAL STREET S2

The fine folks at Social Street S2 want you to feel at home in their abode. With a décor that at once captures the warmth of contemporary casual Australian dining and evokes the technicolour spirit of Thai street food, guests will feel comfortable yet curious in their surroundings. Perfect for a casual catch up, a romantic dinner for two, or a business meeting, Social Street S2 is certainly worth a visit this winter. Social Street S2 174A Hutt St 8232 1625 socialstreets2.com.au

GILBERT STREET HOTEL

This homely hotel named for its location south of the heart of the CBD is the perfect place to warm up with friends this winter. The Gilbert’s design is understated and very easy on the eyes. Modern, quirky decorations cover the walls to make guests feel at home. A thriving community of locals enjoy this fun atmosphere, particularly the spacious beer garden, complete with a retractable roof to keep out the cool of a night, but enjoy blue skies throughout the day. Gilbert Street Hotel 88 Gilbert Street 8231 4380 gilbertsthotel.com.au

KIN KIN THAI EATERY

Packed to the gills on a daily basis, Kin Kin is as gloriously busy as a bustling set of street food carts in Bangkok. Walking into the restaurant, one is greeted by a montage of scenes from daily life all over Thailand, and this décor matches the diverse cuisine perfectly. Delectable dishes are carried by the smiling wait staff past shelves of classic Thai objects like steamers, sauces, bowls and toys. Kin Kin Thai Eatery 242 Hutt Street 7073 0328 kinkinthaieatery.com.au

CULSHAW’S

One would hardly know they’re sitting street-side on Frome Road when dining at Culshaw’s. Even with the large window facing onto the street, the restaurant’s design is such that diners feel like they are in a culinary bubble. Low lighting, and a defined black and white colour scheme make a visit to Culshaw’s an intimate dining experience. Culshaw’s 55 Frome Road 1800 008 499 culshaws.com.au

MILE END HOTEL

A sprawling hotel, bar and bistro, every space of the Mile End Hotel has its own character to soak up and enjoy. In one dining room, the walls are painted with a dreamy ethereal scene of gentlemen and flying angels. In another, the walls are stripped back to the bones, pulling out gritty yet beautiful textures. An eccentric environment with new surprises and crackling fireplaces around every corner, the Mile End Hotel is a thing to behold. Mile End Hotel 30 Henley Beach Road 8443 4756 mileendhotel.com.au

NEST BISTRO COFFEE BAR

High ceilings, wall-to-wall windows and a warm outdoor dining setting give Nest a grand, yet comfortable, atmosphere. Modern design and decoration give Nest’s interior a contemporary dining feel, while the outdoor seating is a perfect function space as it its well protected from the elements and overlooks the serenity of the nearby park. Nest Bistro Coffee Bar 104 Walkerville Terrace 8342 0287 nestbcb.com.au

BENJAMIN ON FRANKLIN

Delightfully cosy, the Benjamin is a fantastic pub for sheltering from wintry winds and enjoying the company of friends. The pub relishes in the best traditions of pub dining, with fireplaces abounding and the earthy wooden feel of the place oozing comfort. Hot tip: explore the back of the pub to find celebrated artist Nick Folland’s brilliant work Hole Lotta Love (2009) hanging above the dining area. Benjamin on Franklin 233 Franklin Street 8231 4380 benjaminonfranklin.com.au Read More: Adelaide’s Winter Dining – Winter Menus Photos: Andy Nowell *Adelaide’s Winter Dining is a promotional feature from The Adelaide Review