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The Men Knew, Adelaide (2026)

10/04/2026

🍽️ 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰: 𝐑𝐨𝐦𝐚, 𝟏𝟏 𝐖𝐚𝐲𝐦𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐭, 𝐀𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐝𝐞
Roma Adelaide

We have eaten in many Italian restaurants across many decades, in many cities, with many opinions offered loudly across the table. Roma, I am pleased to report, survives this level of scrutiny with style - and without needing to shout “authentic” at you every five minutes.

On this particular visit, we three sensible adults positioned ourselves in an outdoor booth on a very agreeable Adelaide day. The vibe was molto bene: classy but relaxed, the kind of place where you could talk business, family, or football without anyone raising an eyebrow. The music was a touch loud - nothing criminal, just enough to remind you that you’re not in Nonna’s dining room, but somewhere cooler.

👩🏼‍🍳 Service? Flawless. The staff were friendly, attentive, and appeared exactly when needed, like well-trained Italian waiters should - present, but never hovering like anxious relatives at a wedding.

Now, to the food, where Roma really flexes its muscles.
We shared to start (as civilised people do):
• 𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐎𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 – dangerously moreish.
• 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐩𝐲 𝐙𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐢 𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐬 – light, delicate, and clearly loved by the kitchen.
• 𝐋𝐚𝐦𝐛 𝐀𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐢– juicy, smoky, and gone far too quickly.

🍝 Then came the pastas. Ah, the pastas.

The 𝐏𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐅𝐞𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐥 𝐑𝐚𝐠𝐮 and the 𝐁𝐥𝐮𝐞 𝐒𝐰𝐢𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐫𝐚𝐛 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐢 are, without exaggeration, two of the best pastas in Adelaide right now. Perfectly cooked, deeply flavoured, and balanced in a way that tells you someone in the kitchen genuinely knows what they are doing. I would happily argue this point with anyone - politely, of course, over another glass of wine.

To finish, the 𝐑𝐢𝐛 𝐄𝐲𝐞 𝐁𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐜𝐚, with chips and greens, arrived cooked exactly as requested and seasoned like it had been seasoned many times before - by someone who trusts their instincts. No fuss, no tricks, just excellent ex*****on.
Prices? Fair and sensible. The kind that make you nod approvingly rather than sigh dramatically.

Bathrooms? Spotless - always a good sign of a well-run establishment.

🚗 Parking? Plenty of options nearby, no excuses.

Special mention must go to the 𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐝𝐨𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠, the 𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰𝐬, the 𝐨𝐜𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐜, and staff who clearly enjoy being there. Desserts are worth saving room for, though this requires discipline and possibly elastic waistbands.
Overall, Roma is a cool place to spend a summery afternoon - or several, as we have over the past year. Consistent, confident, and quietly excellent. Much like a good Italian businessman, actually.

𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐕𝐞𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐭: 4.5 cleavers ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
Reliable, stylish, and very easy to return to.

29/03/2026

🍽️ 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄: 𝗢𝗺𝗮𝗱𝗮 𝗕𝗮𝗿 & 𝗚𝗿𝗶𝗹𝗹
OMADA Bar & Grill

A Pros & Cons Review (with feelings)

We walked into Omada with very high hopes and an empty stomach. Social media had promised me a Greek feast worthy of a wedding in Athens. What we got was… an emotional journey.

✅ 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗦

✨ 𝑨𝒎𝒃𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆
Absolutely stunning. Brand new, ritzy, and effortlessly cool. The kind of place where you instinctively sit up straighter and consider ordering something you can’t pronounce. Visually, Omada is doing everything right.

🧼 𝑪𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒏𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔
Immaculate. Tables, floors, bathrooms—so spotless you could host a health inspection for sport. Someone here really loves a disinfectant wipe.

🥗 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑪𝒐𝒔 𝑳𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒖𝒄𝒆 𝑺𝒂𝒍𝒂𝒅
Unexpected hero of the night. Fresh, balanced, and quietly smug about outperforming several meats. If salads had LinkedIn, this one would be “open to work.”

🥖 𝑺𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝑮𝒐𝒕 𝑰𝒕 𝑹𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕
The taramasalata with pita was lovely, and the spanakopita was enjoyable. Brief moments where hope flickered.

🚪 𝑷𝒓𝒊𝒗𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝑫𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑹𝒐𝒐𝒎
Outstanding. Genuinely impressive. Perfect for birthdays, corporate dinners, or dramatic family announcements.

🚗 𝑷𝒂𝒓𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈
Topham Mall car parks directly across the road. Easy win.
.............................

❌ 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗦

🧑‍🍳 𝑺𝒆𝒓𝒗𝒊𝒄𝒆 (𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑫𝑰𝒀 𝑬𝒙𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆)
The staff are genuinely lovely, but the service itself was… chaotic. We poured our own drinks, were served wines we didn’t order, and received food that belonged to someone else—multiple times. At one point I felt like I should clock in and help.

🔥 𝑲𝒊𝒕𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒚 (𝒐𝒓 𝑳𝒂𝒄𝒌 𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒐𝒇)
This is where things unravelled.
• Saganaki: Overcooked to the point it should have been pulled from service and gently apologised to.
• Octopus: Bland and overcooked. The ocean deserved better.
• Squid: Good flavour, but so tough it could double as gym equipment.
• Chicken Souvlaki: Cooked well… and completely unseasoned. A missed opportunity.
• Pork Tomahawk: Cooked nicely, but so salty it was genuinely inedible. The Dead Sea would like a word.
• Lamb Plate: Burnt to a crisp with little to no seasoning. A tragic ending.
By the mains, optimism had officially left the building.

🍷 𝑾𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝑳𝒊𝒔𝒕
Short, confusing, and not particularly friendly to anyone without a sommelier qualification. Average at best.

💰𝑷𝒓𝒊𝒄𝒆
Only maybe reasonable—assuming the food had delivered on the promise.

♿ 𝑨𝒄𝒄𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒃𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒚
A few steps to enter, worth noting.
................................

🧾 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗩𝗲𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗰𝘁
I truly hate saying this because I wanted to love Omada. The space is beautiful, the staff are kind, and the potential is enormous—but the ex*****on simply isn’t there yet. When the best main dish of the night is a lettuce salad, questions must be asked.
For now, we won’t be back.

🔪 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 𝟮.𝟱 𝗰𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀
A stunning venue with serious growing pains—and a very long way to go before it lives up to the hype.

29/03/2026

🍽️ 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄: 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗶 𝗥𝗼𝗼𝗺
Thai Room

Thai Room sits proudly on the western side of Victoria Square — easy to find, easier to enjoy, and even easier to accidentally overeat in. From the moment you walk in, it feels like the kind of place where date nights whisper sweet nothings and group dinners quietly plan a second round. It’s beautiful, warm and inviting — romantic without trying too hard. Think Bangkok elegance, not chi-chi fusion overload.

𝑺𝒆𝒓𝒗𝒊𝒄𝒆
The staff are outstanding. Friendly, attentive, and so familiar with the menu you’d think they personally helped write it. Despite being busy, they’re always right there when you need them — like hospitality ninjas, but with smiles instead of throwing stars.

𝑭𝒐𝒐𝒅
The menu is a greatest-hits album of Thai classics, with something for everyone — including those with allergies or dietary needs. Four of us rocked up for a Monday night celebration and ordered with enthusiasm… and possibly poor self-control. The result? Not a single leftover container in sight. That’s always the real review.

Starters kicked things off beautifully:
⭐ Seaflower Stars – light, crispy, and dangerously moreish.
🦑 Grilled Squid – tender and perfectly cooked (no rubber bands here).
🦐 Prawn & Green Apple Larb – fresh, zingy, and bright enough to wake the table up.
🍆 Crispy Crumbed Eggplant – added “for good measure” and absolutely justified its inclusion.

Mains were where things really went full Thai feast:
🦆 Grilled Duck Curry – rich and comforting.
🥩 Stir-Fried Eye Fillet – beautifully cooked and full of flavour.
🍜 Chicken Pad Thai – exactly how you want it to be.
And then…
🍛 the 8-hour braised Slow-Cooked Lamb Shank Curry entered the room like the final boss in a Street Fighter game. Deep, rich, tender, and utterly unforgettable. This dish didn’t just win the night — it claimed victory, bowed politely, and walked off with the trophy.

𝑫𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒌𝒔
A solid wine list, BYO for those who like to bring their own liquid confidence, and a cocktail list that suggests someone behind the bar knows their way around a shaker.

𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑷𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍 𝑺𝒕𝒖𝒇𝒇
Spotlessly clean (seriously, you could eat off the floor — but please don’t). Parking is street-based on Gouger Street or one of the nearby parking stations, which is about as good as it gets for Victoria Square.

𝑺𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝑻𝒐𝒖𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒔
Outdoor seating, a lovely setting, standout staff, and desserts worth saving room for (if humanly possible).

𝑭𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒅
Come for the atmosphere, stay for the service, and absolutely do not leave without ordering the lamb shank curry. You’ll roll out happy, full, and already planning your return.

🔪 4 cleavers — a venue we’d revisit without hesitation.
🥢 Pro tip: Get there for the lamb shank curry. Your future self will thank you.

29/03/2026

🍽️ 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄: 𝗕𝗶𝗯𝗼 𝗕𝗮𝗿 & 𝗘𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘆
Bibo Bar & Eatery

A Very Stylish (and Slightly Mismatched) Afternoon 😎

Three friends walked into Bibo at 97 King William Street, Kent Town for lunch🍴… and immediately looked like we were heading to three very different destinations. J arrived in a sharp suit, ready for boardroom negotiations. O looked like he was warming up for a night at the casino. Z, meanwhile, was clearly committed to a more relaxed life philosophy in shorts and a polo. Somehow, Bibo made us all feel perfectly at home.

The ambience set the tone straight away: relaxed, welcoming, and unmistakably Italian, like someone’s well-kept nonna’s dining room—if nonna had excellent taste and ran a modern cantina. There was only one other table occupied: a group of women who appeared to be masquerading as a book club, though judging by the laughter, the wine was doing most of the talking.

Service was a standout. Our waiter was friendly, genuinely engaging, and clearly enjoyed a chat, which only added to the laid-back vibe. No hovering, no rushing—just good banter and great timing.

🍝The menu is small, but confidently so, and every dish felt considered rather than constrained. Highlights included the Linguine Crab, which was beautifully balanced and full of flavour, the Eggplant Parmigiana, comforting in the best possible way, and a Tiramisu for dessert that disappeared far too quickly for something meant to be shared.

🍷A major win: BYO is allowed, and at a very reasonable corkage. We kicked things off with a classic French Chablis courtesy of J, moved on to a meaty Cabernet Sauvignon from O, and rounded out the lunch with a solid McLaren Vale Shiraz from Z—proof that our clothing choices weren’t the only things that varied. The house wine list isn’t huge, but with BYO this fair, it hardly matters.

The restaurant itself was spotless, surprisingly quiet for King William Street, and blessed with plenty of street parking—an Adelaide miracle for those wanting to drive. Prices were refreshingly fair, delivering excellent value without any sense of compromise.

All up, Bibo delivered a comfortable, relaxed few hours of great food, good wine, and even better company. If you’re after a modern Italian cantina vibe where you can linger, laugh, and not feel rushed—or judged for wearing shorts—Bibo is definitely worth a try.

🔪 4 ½ cleavers – an afternoon full of confirmation why we do this.

21/03/2026

🍽️ 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗺𝘀 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲, 𝗣𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝗰𝗗𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗹𝗹
The Customs House Port MacDonnell

Friday Happy Hour 🍻 but The Men Knew boys have gone bush!

If you’re wondering where all of Port MacDonnell disappears to on a Friday afternoon between 4 and 8pm, the answer is simple: The Customs House. Blink and you’ll miss a parking spot—but thankfully not the view. 🌅

The ambience is exactly what you want after a long week: cosy, relaxed, and humming with good energy. The place was packed when we arrived, and honestly, it would have been suspicious if it wasn’t. The beachfront views 🏖️ from the front lawn are the kind that make you forget what day it is—or what time you promised to be home. While we opted for a private room, we could just as easily have parked ourselves on the lawn with a drink, a table, and zero responsibilities.

🍷 The wine list is modest but very cleverly curated, shining a well-deserved spotlight on the Limestone Coast—no small task given the sheer quality (and quantity) of options in the region.

🍹 The cocktails follow the same philosophy: not endless, but smart, balanced, and interesting enough to keep even the fussiest drinker nodding in approval.

🥖 Then there are the food platters. Generous, local, and dangerously filling. Made with top-quality regional produce, they are absolutely sufficient to count as dinner—though, in the spirit of overcommitment, we still went out to eat afterwards. This was a mistake. A delicious one.

What truly elevates The Customs House, however, is the people. Owners Andy and Gretel are the definition of exceptional hosts, with their kids Jameson and Phoebe helping out when they’re not fishing or studying at university 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦. Add in local friends behind the bar and on the floor, and the whole place hums with a genuine family feel—warm, welcoming, and effortlessly authentic.

Make no mistake: this Friday happy hour isn’t some casual afterthought or lucky accident. It’s a brilliantly executed concept—thoughtful, intentional, and frankly, a stroke of genius. Andy and Gretel haven’t just created a great venue; they’ve captured the heart of regional coastal South Australia 📍 and firmly planted Port MacDonnell on the map.

Set within the beautifully renovated old Customs House 🏛️, the space is elegant, fun, and perfectly staged to match its seaside setting. It’s classy without being stiff, relaxed without being sloppy, and delivers the kind of country hospitality that reminds you why regional travel is so rewarding.

𝑭𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒅
Put this on your to-do list immediately—but get in early. The secret is well and truly out, and for very good reason.

5 Cleavers from us! 🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪

21/03/2026

𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺 - 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗿

Our rating system is a loving nod to our all-time favourite restaurant, The Cork and Cleaver—sadly no longer with us. It remains the most enjoyable (and eye-wateringly expensive) lunch we’ve ever had, and to say we were devastated when it closed would be putting it mildly. This one’s for you, Big Jim 🍷🥩.

“Cleavers” 🔪 are awarded out of five and always on a like-for-like basis—pubs are judged against pubs, fine dining against fine dining, and so on. No unfair match-ups. We’re backyard critics, not monsters.

All opinions are entirely our own and based solely on our experience on the day of our visit. Menus change, chefs move on, and sometimes the chips just aren’t feeling it—so your mileage may vary.

21/03/2026

𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗧𝗼 '𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗲𝗻 𝗞𝗻𝗲𝘄'

🤵‍♂️Businessmen who lunch too long

🍴 A restaurant review, in our world, is simply the written aftermath of three businessmen escaping the office for a “quick lunch” that somehow mysteriously turns into a multi hour summit.

🥩 We believe it’s only fair to share our culinary discoveries with the people of Adelaide and beyond, given the city is bursting with more food options than we have excuses for why we’re not back at work yet.

🏇 During these lunches, we discuss the usual essentials of civilised society: politics, sport, and how Adelaide is the greatest place on Earth. We never talk about religion — not because we’re shy, but because nothing kills the vibe faster than debating the metaphysical over a perfectly cooked steak.

🔪 So our reviews? They’re simply our way of giving back to the community, one over extended lunch break at a time. Lets face it - someone has to do it.

07/03/2026

🍽️ 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄: 𝗠𝗲𝗮𝘁 & 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗖𝗼 – 𝗔𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗱𝗲 (𝗖𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗲𝘁)
Meat & Wine Co

Walking into Meat & Wine Co feels a bit like stepping into a very stylish South African hunting lodge where time, sunlight and sensible spending decisions no longer exist. It’s dark, moody and modern-classy, with clever lighting that makes every table feel private—perfect for conspiratorial whispers, deep laughs, or quietly undoing your belt after steak number two.

𝑺𝒆𝒓𝒗𝒊𝒄𝒆
Polished and professional, moving at a brisk pace like everyone’s on a mission. The staff clearly know their food and wine inside out, though things do feel a little rushed—less “How was your day?” and more “Here’s your steak, enjoy, goodbye.” Efficient, but not overly warm.

𝑭𝒐𝒐𝒅
Now, the food. This is where Meat & Wine Co earns its reputation. The steaks 🥩 are excellent—expensive, yes, but they absolutely back it up. Shockingly, one of the biggest standouts isn’t even meat: the bruschetta is borderline life-changing. Fresh tomatoes🍅 perfect seasoning, and toast that somehow understands its purpose in life. The hanging skewer rack is both theatrical and delicious, with the Moroccan salmon skewers being a particular highlight—succulent, flavour-packed and dangerously easy to eat too many of.

𝑾𝒊𝒏𝒆 & 𝑫𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒌𝒔
The wine list is vast and mildly dangerous 🍷. From South Australian classics to European heavyweights and a strong South African showing, it’s the kind of list where you start responsibly and end up saying, “Let’s just try one more.” Special mention to the Poliziano Chianti and, honestly, any of the South African reds—at least from what can be remembered.

Strictly no BYO.

𝑽𝒂𝒍𝒖𝒆
It’s not cheap, but the value is fair. The food justifies the price; the wine is what quietly inflates the bill while you’re busy having a great time. Everything is spotless and beautifully presented, and practical details like parking, accessibility and bathrooms are all well handled.

𝑭𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝑻𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔
Meat & Wine Co is a dark, indulgent steak den designed for big flavours, big glasses of red, and conversations that last longer than planned. The service won’t steal your heart, but the food absolutely will. A very strong four stars.

🔪 4 cleavers out of 5 on the Fine Dining scale

07/03/2026

🍽️ 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄: 𝗗𝘂𝗰𝗸 𝗜𝗻𝗻 – 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗹 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝘆
The Duck

If you’ve ever dreamed of wandering into an English country pub without the airfare, jet lag or confusing currency, the Duck Inn has you covered. Nestled in Coromandel Valley, it’s very much that pub: cosy, classic and proudly unfussy. There’s a large indoor dining area plus a well-appointed covered balcony that’s perfect for long lunches—just be mindful that one end caters to smokers. If that’s not your thing, aim for the other end and breathe freely.

𝑨𝒎𝒃𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆
Think old-school country pub vibes with a hint of “let’s stay for one more.” It’s welcoming, relaxed and knows exactly what it is. The balcony is a standout—warm in winter, breezy in summer—and a great spot to settle in, provided you don’t accidentally book yourself into the ni****ne wing.

𝑺𝒆𝒓𝒗𝒊𝒄𝒆
Friendly, helpful and fast—just don’t expect a deep dive into menu philosophy. This is pub service in its natural habitat: food arrives promptly, smiles are plentiful, and recommendations are minimal. As the place fills up, service can get stretched, but everyone’s doing their best and generally succeeding.

𝑴𝒆𝒏𝒖 𝑸𝒖𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒚 & 𝑽𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒕𝒚
The recently updated menu is varied, generous and—shockingly—very duck-forward. Duck Bao Buns, Confit Duck Crostini, Duck & Porcini Risotto🦆 … if it quacks, it’s probably on the menu. The share plates are well priced, solidly portioned and great for a lighter lunch, though a few do lean towards the deep-fried end of the spectrum.

For the less duck-obsessed, pub classics are alive and well. The Chicken Schnitzel 🐔is big, well cooked and properly seasoned. Fish and chips do exactly what they promise. Burgers are tasty and satisfying.

But the real sleeper hit? The Caesar Salad. Generously served, boldly flavoured and absolutely loaded with bacon, anchovies, egg and Parmesan. Add chicken or don’t—it’s a star either way.

Mains are dependable and comforting: the Duck and Veal Sausages with mash, peas and gravy are excellent for bangers-and-mash lovers, the Pan-Seared Barramundi🐟comes with a lush French butter sauce, and yes, the Duck & Porcini Risotto remains a crowd favourite. Steaks are solid but standard. There are also plenty of plant-based, vegan and vegetarian options, which is always appreciated.

Just remember: this is a pub. Expect hearty, prepared comfort food rather than delicate, tweezed perfection.

𝑾𝒊𝒏𝒆 & 𝑫𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒌𝒔
The bar is impressively stocked with local craft beers alongside the usual suspects. For lager lovers—served in imperial pints and properly icy cold—you’re in safe hands.

The wine list focuses on South Australia’s greatest hits (Barossa, Adelaide Hills, McLaren Vale), mostly available by the glass. It somehow manages to include both $10 pours and Dom Pérignon for around $600—so whether you’re feeling budget-conscious or wildly optimistic, you’re covered.

We enjoyed the Shaw + Smith Sauvignon Blanc and a bottle of SC Pannell Tempranillo from McLaren Vale, which continues to cement itself as a personal favourite red from the region.

𝑷𝒓𝒊𝒄𝒆 𝑹𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆
Very good value. Share plates hover around $20, and three will comfortably feed two people. Plenty of mains sit around the $30 mark, making it an easy yes for a relaxed lunch or dinner.

𝑪𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒏𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔
Well maintained and tidy, with a clear separation between dining room and pub areas. Tables may not be brand new, but everything is clean and cared for. Bathrooms are consistently well kept.

𝑨𝒄𝒄𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒃𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒚 & 𝑷𝒂𝒓𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈
A decent-sized car park and wheelchair-friendly access, though as with most hills venues, expect stairs and ramps to feature.

𝑺𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝑴𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔
The covered, heated balcony is a winner year-round. Bonus points also go to the excellent attached bottle shop (Booze Brothers), which stocks some genuinely interesting wines you won’t always find at the big chains.

𝑭𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝑻𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔
The Duck Inn does what a country pub should do: reliable food, good drinks, fair prices and a welcoming atmosphere. I’d happily return—especially for that Caesar salad or a round of share plates. It’s also a great spot for a quiet drink… or a loud one, depending on how many ducks you’ve had.

🔪 4 cleavers out of 5 on the pub scale

07/03/2026

🍽️ 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗛𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗹
Republic

The Republic Hotel in Norwood is one of those places that reminds you why pubs still hold a special place in our hearts — relaxed, welcoming, and quietly punching above their weight.

𝑺𝒆𝒓𝒗𝒊𝒄𝒆
The staff were genuinely lovely: smile-first, problem-later types. While they did appear a little understaffed (possibly running on caffeine and goodwill), nothing was too much trouble and everything was handled with warmth and good humour. The post-meal check-in and wine-pairing chat was a particularly classy touch — pub service, but with manners.

𝑭𝒐𝒐𝒅
The menu strikes a nice balance between pub classics and “oh, that’s a bit fancy for a pub” options. The specials list was generous, and the shared plates were calling our name — so naturally, we answered.

For entree:
🐽 Pork belly bites: Delicious, but slightly on the “blink and you’ll miss it” side for three people.
🧀 Chorizo & halloumi: The unanimous crowd favourite — well-cooked, full of flavour, and gone far too quickly.
🦐 Prawn & crab dumplings: Light, delicate, and full of flavour. Quiet achievers.

For mains:
🥩 Surf & Turf looked like the overachiever of the table — perfectly cooked steak with a generous prawn entourage.
🐑 Lamb rack was nicely portioned, and the roasted vegetables were excellent. The lamb itself tipped slightly into overcooked territory but stayed flavourful and entirely edible — no emergency gravy required.

𝑾𝒊𝒏𝒆 & 𝑫𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒌𝒔
An extensive wine list featuring plenty of South Australian favourites (yes, Penfolds makes an appearance), plus the glorious option to BYO. Even better — no outrageous corkage fees lurking in the shadows.

We kicked off with a light, crisp Chablis, then moved into a very impressive 2017 St Hallett Old Block Shiraz — smooth, flavourful, and not overly heavy. This was followed by a reliable old friend, the 2014 Rockford Basket Press, which behaved exactly as expected: beautifully.

𝑽𝒂𝒍𝒖𝒆
Outstanding. With shared starters, mains, a beer, and our own wine, we landed at around $100 per person, which feels like a small miracle in today’s dining climate. BYO absolutely sealed the deal.

𝑨𝒎𝒃𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆 & 𝑬𝒙𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒔
It’s clearly a pub — but a very well-kept one. Clean, comfortable, and welcoming, though the restaurant area still leans into its “country pub” roots (which we say with affection, not snobbery). There’s a decent-sized car park, easy access, outdoor seating, and the promise of live music and desserts for those with stamina left.

𝑭𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝑻𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔
Casual dining done well, with good old-fashioned service, solid food, excellent value, and standout staff. We’d return without hesitation — and likely with another bottle under the arm.

🔪 4 cleavers out of 5 — dependable, enjoyable, and very easy to like.

The Men Knew

10/04/2026

29/03/2026

29/03/2026

29/03/2026

21/03/2026

21/03/2026

21/03/2026

07/03/2026

07/03/2026

07/03/2026

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