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Pictured: Pony & Cole
South Australia’s hospitality industry came together for a big night of celebrations, with more than 300 industry guests gathering at the Adelaide Convention Centre to recognise the state’s standout restaurants, caterers and hospitality operators.
The 2026 Restaurant & Catering Australia Hostplus Awards for Excellence were held on Monday night, bringing together industry leaders, operators and hospitality professionals from across the state for a gala dinner celebrating the people and venues shaping South Australia’s dining scene.
Presented by Channel 7 Adelaide’s Mark Soderstrom, the awards recognised winners across 25 categories, with local brews from Coopers Brewery accompanying the celebrations.
Among the night’s biggest winners was the National Wine Centre of Australia, which was named Caterer of the Year and also took home Events Caterer of the Year and Wedding Caterer of the Year.
The Adelaide venue also received an honourable mention in the Events/Convention Caterer and Venue Caterer category.
Hentley Farm Restaurant in Seppeltsfield claimed Restaurant of the Year, as well as Restaurant in a Winery, confirming the Barossa venue’s place among South Australia’s leading dining destinations.
Hentley Farm Restaurant
For casual dining, Pony & Cole in Hindmarsh was named Casual Dining Venue of the Year, recognised for its seasonal all-day breakfast and lunch offering centred around South Australian produce.
Other major winners came from across Adelaide and regional South Australia.
Mariners Ristorante in North Haven took out both Best Italian Restaurant and Best Seafood Restaurant, while Est Ovest in Adelaide won the Pizza Restaurant category and Concubine was named Best Chinese Restaurant.
The UPPside European Restaurant & Wine Bar in Penwortham took home Best European Restaurant, while Vasilli’s Table in West Beach was recognised as Best New Restaurant.
The Watervale Hotel’s Penobscot Restaurant won Restaurant in a Pub/Club, while Swagman Country Dining in Hindmarsh Valley took home the Tourism Restaurant Award.
“South Australia has a distinct culinary and hospitality scene, influenced by European traditions and driven by operators who take immense pride in their craft,” said R&CA National President John Hart, OAM. “From the Barossa and Clare Valleys to the vibrant streets of Norwood, North Adelaide, and the Hindmarsh Valley, this year’s South Australian Award winners exemplify the very best of this region. Every Winner here tonight, deserves to celebrate this incredible milestone.”
The awards are independently assessed against rigorous criteria, with restaurants judged on food, service and presentation, while caterers are assessed on areas including operations, staffing, event execution and client delivery.
“What stands out this year is the dedication, contribution and overall excellence from operators across the State; all the way from the Hindmarsh Valley and the Barossa right to the heart of the City.”
The South Australian winners will now join finalists from around Australia as the 2026 Hostplus Awards for Excellence progress towards the national stage.
Arkhe
RESTAURANT AWARDS
ASIAN RESTAURANT
Sponsored by Twin Social
WINNER – Soi 38, Adelaide
BREAKFAST RESTAURANT
Sponsored by Primo Foodservice
WINNER – Maison Clèment, Adelaide
CAFÉ DINING
Sponsored by Knorr Professional
WINNER – Pony & Cole, Hindmarsh
CHINESE RESTAURANT
Sponsored by Oolio
WINNER – Concubine, Adelaide
CONTEMPORARY AUSTRALIAN RESTAURANT – FORMAL
Sponsored by Entertainment
WINNER – Orleana – Kingsford The Barossa, Kingsford
CONTEMPORARY AUSTRALIAN RESTAURANT – INFORMAL
Sponsored by Entertainment
WINNER – A Prayer for the Wild at Heart, Adelaide
EUROPEAN RESTAURANT
Sponsored by Entertainment
WINNER – The UPPside European Restaurant & Wine Bar, Penwortham
FAMILY DINING
Sponsored by OneMusic Australia
WINNER – Indian Club SA, Magill
INDIAN RESTAURANT
Sponsored by OneMusic Australia
WINNER – The Logical Indian – Hutt Street, Adelaide
ITALIAN RESTAURANT
Sponsored by Gallagher
WINNER – Mariners Ristorante, North Haven
NEW RESTAURANT
Sponsored by American Express
WINNER – Vasili’s Table, West Beach
PIZZA RESTAURANT
Sponsored by Coopers
WINNER – Est Ovest, Adelaide
PREMIUM DINING
Sponsored by American Express
WINNER – Mayura Wagyu Steakhouse, Millicent
RESTAURANT IN A PUB/CLUB
Sponsored by Coopers
WINNER – Penobscot Restaurant @ The Watervale Hotel, Watervale
RESTAURANT IN A WINERY
Sponsored by Winepro
WINNER – Hentley Farm Restaurant, Seppeltsfield
SEAFOOD RESTAURANT
Sponsored by Coopers
WINNER – Mariners Ristorante, North Haven
SPECIALTY RESTAURANT
Sponsored by Winepro
WINNER – La Popular Taqueria, Port Adelaide
STEAK RESTAURANT
Sponsored by Hostplus
WINNER – arkhé, Norwood
TOURISM RESTAURANT
Sponsored by Tourism Industry Council SA
WINNER – Swagman Country Dining, Hindmarsh Valley
CATERING AWARDS
EDUCATION CATERER
Sponsored by Entertainment
WINNER – Chartwells – Loreto College, Marryatville
EVENT/CONVENTION CENTRE CATERER
Sponsored by Hostplus
HONOURABLE MENTION – National Wine Centre, Adelaide
EVENTS CATERER
Sponsored by Hostplus
WINNER – National Wine Centre, Adelaide
INDUSTRIAL CATERER
Sponsored by Gallagher
HONOURABLE MENTION – Civeo SA – Prominent Hill Village, Glendambo
VENUE CATERER
Sponsored by Gallagher
HONOURABLE MENTION – National Wine Centre, Adelaide
WEDDING CATERER
Sponsored by Gallagher
WINNER – National Wine Centre, Adelaide
MAJOR AWARDS
CATERER OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by American Express
WINNER – National Wine Centre, Adelaide
CASUAL DINING OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by Hostplus
WINNER – Pony & Cole, Hindmarsh
RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by Hostplus
WINNER – Hentley Farm Restaurant, Seppeltsfield
Dining and Cooking