Editors note: I have absolutely no interest in getting into the parma/parmi debate. That’s your business. The abbreviations or slang used in articles on The Local Rag are true to the author of the article you’re reading.
Nothing quite beats hitting up your local and getting stuck into a pint and a parmi. Whether your preference is chicken or beef, any pub worth its salt will have parmigiana on its menu.
Although one of the harder pub meals to stuff up, there’s a fair gap between a good parmi and a great parmi. This is something I’ve noticed during my travels around my home state of South Australia.
Having recently returned after several years overseas, I’ve been craving a hearty parmi and have been sampling as many as possible. This biggest takeaway from my culinary journey is I’ve found the parmis I’ve feasted on in country areas hit differently.
Not only do they taste superb, but in my experience, you get more bang for your buck when it comes to size and price. The beer is generally cheaper too, which is a bonus.
My parmi taste testing has led me to come up with a list of classic SA country pubs dishing up the best parmis I’ve ever devoured.
No doubt I’ve missed some great spots (I’m only human), but all the watering holes highlighted below get The Local Rag seal of approval.
So read on and discover the country pubs serving the best parmis in South Australia.
Yorke Valley Hotel
Maitland
Don’t worry about garnish when stopping by the Yorke Valley Hotel. Order a parmigiana and you’ll be faced with a plate stacked with golden brown chippies and a huge, mouthwatering parmi.
There’s a salad/veggie bar open for those on a health kick, but the parmi itself is more than enough to fill even the biggest hole in your stomach.
Keep an eye out for the pub’s weekly Schnitz & Pint night where you can get a parmi with a cold brew for just $25, which is an absolute steal in the current climate.
As for the pub itself, the Yorke Valley Hotel ticks all the boxes and has a weekly Friday night happy hour that includes $6 pints of all tap beer.
Find out more about the Yorke Valley Hotel here.
Sevenhill Hotel
Clare Valley
Smack bang in the heart of the Clare Valley is the Sevenhill Hotel. The Australian Hotel Association (AHA) awarded it Best Country Dining in South Australia in 2022, so you know the food is going to be top-notch.
When it comes to their chicken parmi, it’s got a crispy battered coating and generous toppings. The parmi comes served with rosemary and garlic fries, which are super tasty, and a small bowl of salad with your usual veggies—lettuce, onion, tomato etc.
Parmi aside, the seasonal menu has plenty of appetising dishes for those wanting to try something different and the wine cellar is stacked with hundreds of bottles of quality local drops.
Find out more about the Sevenhill Hotel here.
Meadows Hotel
Meadows
The Adelaide Hills is stacked with country pubs slinging brews and serving up delicious grub. The Meadows Hotel is my go-to when craving a parmi.
Although the parmi I was served was placed on top of the chips (causing them to be slightly soggy), the crumbed schnity was thick and tasty with just enough salad not to be a hindrance.
Get down on a Thursday for a parmi with chips and salad for just $21.50, which is unheard of.
Find out more about the Meadows Hotel here.
Overland Corner Hotel
Overland Corner
Before we even tackle the food, country pubs don’t get much better than the Overland Corner Hotel.
Originally built in 1859 as a place to bunk for overland drovers and coaches travelling from New South Wales to Adelaide, the Overland is a colonial-style public house with a rich history that’s also the favoured watering hole of those living in the Riverland area.
Like any decent country pub, the Overland Corner Hotel’s parmi is on point. You get a large slab of crumbed meat (chicken or beef) with lavish toppings and a fair-sized portion of chips and salad.
I went with the chicken, which was juicy, seasoned, well-cooked and most importantly, absolutely scrumptious. What more could you want?
Find out more about the Overland Corner Hotel here.
Macclesfield Hotel
Macclesfield
The Macclesfield Hotel prides itself on being a “food destination in a country pub,” and after trying its NOVA award-winning prami, it’s hard to disagree.
The hotel offers chicken and beef options, with both coming with seasoned chips and a solid dressing of salad. Cheese lovers are in luck, as the Maccy parmi is slathered in the stuff.
Sick of the standard parmi? Get experimental and try the Macclesfield’s range of bougie toppings like the Cheeseburger parmi that comes with Neapolitan sauce, onion, pickle, cheese, mustard and mayo, or the Backyard Benny which is egg benedict on a parmi.
Find out more about the Macclesfield Hotel here.
Robe Hotel
Robe
This is a great spot for a pint and a parmi overlooking the picturesque Guichen Bay. Close to the ocean, the Robe Hotel has a great selection of seafood dishes, but if you’re like me, you’ll go straight for the parmi.
As far as size goes it’s on par with any city pub, but taste-wise you’ll be hard-pressed to find better. The Robe Hotel parmi also comes with crunchy chips and a non-threatening side salad.
There’s a vegan version made using eggplant that comes topped with Napoli sauce and vegan mozzarella for those who lean that way.
If you’re looking to head to the Robe Hotel for a bite to eat, we suggest doing so on a Tuesday when you can get a parmi with your choice of gravy or topping for just $24. Bargain!
Find out more about the Robe Hotel here.
The Port Hughes Hotel
Port Hughes
No visit to the Yorke Peninsula is complete without a stop at Port Hughes. It’s a popular tourist spot thanks to its pristine beaches, bountiful fishing spots and nearby Greg Norman-designed golf course.
It’s also home to The Port Hughes Hotel, a delightful pub well known for its delish parmis. They might not be the largest in the world, but the meat is tender (the beef schnity is supreme), reasonably priced and not overloaded with garnish you’re never going to eat.
If you like surprising your tastebuds, look out for their monthly special schnity toppings that have included The Ceaser (schnitzel loaded with bacon, avocado, parmesan cheese and Caesar dressing) and The Butter Chicken parmi that comes topped with butter chicken sauce.
Find out more about The Port Hughes Hotel here.
Willunga Hotel
Willunga
Less than an hour south of Adelaide, the Willunga Hotel is a great place to line your stomach after a day spent tasting wines at the nearby McLaren Vale.
Commonly referred to as the Middle Pub, the hotel has a huge grassed beer garden ideal for a parmi and a pint on a warm summer day.
Speaking of parmis, their classic chicken parmigiana is topped with homemade Napolitana sauce, ham and cheese, and tastes just as good as it looks.
There are several wild flavour combinations for those with an adventurous palate, including the Godfather, which is slathered in homemade Napolitana sauce, pepperoni, olives, capsicum, basil, parmesan, cheese and chilli flakes.
Find out more about the Willunga Hotel here.
Royal Hotel Moonta
Moonta
While we fully support independent publicans, when it comes to gut-busting parmis we have to tip our hat to the Black Rhino Group, the conglomerate behind the Royal Hotel Moonta.
The group owns 13 pubs and hotels in South Australia along with venues in Victoria and Queensland, with the Royal Hotel Moonta a clear standout.
Another old fashioned pub that’s been operational for more than 100 years, the parmi at the Royal Hotel Moonta is one for size kings and queens.
It’s absolutely massive, and while it only comes with fries on the plate, grabbing a parmi gives you access to the salad the bar where you can load up on all the veggies you want.
Find out more about the Royal Hotel Moonta here.
The Woodside Hotel
Woodside
The Woodside Hotel is another top-notch establishment that serves a parmi covered in cheese.
While your arteries will be shaking in their boots, the pub’s parmis are not only delish, but more than enough to feed two.
Thankfully they offer half and full servings for those who want to save a little room for more beverages, something The Woodside Hotel has in abundance.
Find out more about The Woodside Hotel here.