Terroir-focused gins infused with sandalwood, wild basil and bright red riberries; Dirty Martinis featuring green ants marinated with olives, lemon and lime rind; gin-cured trout with pickled karkalla, finger lime caviar and crème fraiche. This former apple cold store in Gumeracha is a Willy Wonka’s factory for native Australian ingredients; the boundary-pushing cocktail list works in concert with a tight food menu developed by sustainability-minded local chef Kane Pollard.

24 Victoria St, Gumeracha 
(08) 6333 0369

Far enough from the freeway to feel off the beaten track, this impeccably situated cellar door overlooks a hidden valley where three tiers of outdoor decking look over steeply pitched rows of chardonnay and pinot. The food is equally enticing, with dishes like confit ocean trout with Lenswood apple and myrtle highlighting head chef Matt Rodger's celebration of South Australian produce.

166 Harris Rd, Lenswood 
(08) 8389 8339

Exposed stone walls and roaring fires set the scene for a menu built around European classics including chicken schnitzel and steak frites, and Francophiles will be equally enamoured of the wine list sans pareil. A 2000-bottle cellar covers every base from grower champagnes and red Jura to unicorn bottles like a 1979 Chateau La Conseillante, and includes 40 options by the glass (and the comfortable rooms upstairs mean you can skip the argument about who’s driving home).

8 Main St, Crafers 
(08) 8339 2050

It’s a good thing you can squeeze two scoops into the small cups at this charming little spot on Stirling’s main street, because deciding between the jammy pound pear ice cream or perfumed apple and kaffir lime sorbet is an impossible task. To make things even tougher, 85 per cent of the produce comes from nearby backyards; locals bringing baskets of lemon verbena, blackberries and rhubarb up to the pressed tin counter ensure the flavours change frequently.

5/33 Mount Barker Rd, Stirling 

You’ll still find immaculate service and glittering views of the eastern suburbs at Adelaide’s OG fine diner but chef Scott Huggins has modernised the seasonal food offering in recent years. Wagyu cooked teppanyaki-style with baby capers, XO sauce and potato bread show off his Japanese influences, while the signature chicken wings stuffed with scallop and lobster has achieved icon status. The Penfolds wine pairings are as luxe as you’d expect – don’t pass up an opportunity to try the divine aged Yattarna chardonnay.

78 Penfold Rd, Adelaide 
(08) 8301 5551

The timber-filled front bar has remained largely unchanged for generations but when the sun is shining locals flock to the spacious beer garden that shares a fence with several working farms. Grab a tinny from the caravan bar (or one of 35 wines by the glass), then take your time perusing a menu that runs from pub classics to upscale riffs on comfort food such as slow-cooked cassoulet and gnocchi baked in a smoky romesco sauce.

41 Onkaparinga Valley Rd, Verdun 
(08) 8388 7249

While the colourful homewares for sale at light-filled Fred Living skew traditional, the adjoining café is more than happy to throw out the rule book with a range of Asian-influenced brunch options. One taste of the legendary Happiness In A Bowl! (a shallot omelette laden with kimchi, barbecued pork belly and chilli caramel) or spiced Indian eggs with roti, fragrant roasted cumin yoghurt and eggplant relish and you’ll be asking if you can take them home as well.

220 Mount Barker Rd, Aldgate Village 
(08) 8339 1899

Just off Stirling’s main street, this chocolatier churns out larger-than-life waffle spreads hidden beneath the likes of maple syrup, ice cream, poached apple, nut curmble and butterscotch sauce but those in the know order the equally decadent mugs of cocoa. Pride of place goes to the creamy Aztec hot chocolate, a tongue-tingling concoction of dark chocolate, chilli and cinnamon. 

Shop 3/41 Mount Barker Rd, Stirling 
(08) 8339 3128

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