Most people visit the Adelaide Hills to sample the incredible vino the region has to offer. Shaw + Smith, Longview Vineyard, Golding Wines, Bird in Hand… I could go on, but you get the picture. Adelaide Hills equals good wine.
But for those who prefer the amber nectar or the more relaxed vibe of a local watering hole as opposed to a cellar door, the Adelaide Hills also has you covered.
Whether you’re planning a day trip to Birdwood, a spot of lunch in Hahndorf or just passing through Kersbrook and feeling thirsty, you’ll find a pub that caters to your needs.
Here are our picks for the best pubs in the Adelaide Hills.
The Uraidla Hotel
Uraidla
The Uraidla Hotel has been the focal point of this quaint Adelaide Hills town since it was established by Edmund Wilcox in 1867. Back then it backed onto Wilcox’s huge orchard and garden and served as a hotel with 21 rooms and stables for visitors horses.
Since then the Uraidla Hotel has changed hands several times, with the Peter family the current custodians. They took over in 2015 and set about renovating the historic pub, turning the dilapidated basement into a 4,000-bottle wine cellar now known as ‘the Tank’, along with opening their own brewery on the premises.
Stop into the Glasshouse restaurant for upscale gastropub grub or curl up by the open fire and try one of ten Uraidla brews on tap. We recommend the Moonlight Oatmeal Stout during the cold months.
Find out more about the Uraidla Hotel here.
Lobethal BierHaus
Lobethal
Technically a craft brewery, we couldn’t list places to stop for a quiet froth in the hills and not mention Lobethal BierHaus.
For close to two decades this independent craft brewery has been slinging award-winning beers to satisfied customers. The core collection consists of eight staples (Pale Ale, Session Ale, Lager etc.) along with seasonal one-offs, including the much-coveted double-hopped IPA.
The food dished up at Lobethal BierHaus is out of this world, with the kitchen serving authentic wood oven pizzas, first-class gastropub main meals (can’t go past the Murray Valley Pork with peas and mash) and Lobethal BierHaus’ famous Buffalo Wings topped with American-style spicy flavouring and accompanied by a zesty blue cheese dip. Delish.
Find out more about Lobethal BierHaus here.
Blumberg Hotel
Birdwood
After exploring Birdwood’s acclaimed National Motor Museum, the Blumberg Hotel is a great spot for a pint and a parmi. Due to its closeness to the museum, it’s worth booking ahead, especially on weekends when tours often come through and take over the pub.
An old-fashioned free house with a timber bar, large dining room and extended outdoor area, this watering hole shows all the big AFL games, has a pool table for snooker lovers and is known to get rowdy on a Saturday night after the local footy, especially when the Roosters get a win.
Find out more about the Blumberg Hotel here.
Inglewood Inn
Inglewood
Family-owned and operated, the Inglewood Inn is the ideal first or last stop when day-tripping through the Adelaide Hills. Just 20 minutes from the northern suburbs, this quaint pub underwent an extensive remodel several years back.
As well as updating the interior, the Inglewood Inn now boasts a fine dining restaurant with scenic views of Adelaide and the always-busy 1857 Distillery Bar, home to over 60 different craft beers, spirits and wines sourced from across the state.
Drop in on Thursday for steak night and enjoy a succulent 200g fillet or 250g sirloin for just $25. Dinner and lunch specials are available regularly while the pub also has its own beer on tap—Inglewood Inn Up To No Good Cold Conditioned Lager.
Find out more about the Inglewood Inn here.
Hahndorf Inn
Hahndorf
There are plenty of great places to grab a quiet tipple in Hahndorf, including the German Arms Hotel and Hahndorf Old Mill Hotel, but a personal favourite is the Hahndorf Inn on the bustling main drag. Tuck into traditional Bavarian cuisine in an authentic German Bierhall while downing 1-litre German brews made on-site. It’s like experiencing Oktoberfest in your own backyard.
While the beer is great, it’s the food that keeps you coming back. Grab a wurst or hotdog if you’re after a snack or go the whole hog and order a traditional German main, with the Schweinshaxe—a giant crispy skin pork knuckle served with potato salad, sauerkraut and gravy top of the list of dishes to try.
For those who like a challenge, give the Metre & Litre a crack. All you need to do is smash a giant wurst topped with sauerkraut and three sauces (pork jus, Bavarian mustard and ketchup) along with a litre stein of beer and you’ll get your photo on the Wall of Fame.
Find out more about the Hahndorf Inn here.
The Stirling Hotel
Stirling
The Stirling Hotel is another venue that underwent major renovations and is all the better for it. Smack bang in the middle of town, this trendy pub features a roomy front bar, a cruisey bistro/wine bar, a modern indoor gin bar and dining room and an alfresco outdoor deck that’s rammed during the warmer months.
There’s live acoustic music on weekends, weekly specials—including Tuesday pie and pint nights and Wednesday trivia nights—and 32 different tap beers to taste test.
As far as the food is concerned, the Stirling Hotel is known for its stone-baked pizzas and divine al a carte menu (hard to go past the pan-fried barramundi) that also offers a range of plant-based options for non-meat eaters.
Find out more about the Stirling Hotel here.
The Crafers Hotel
Crafers
The Crafers Hotel is another favourite SA pub with a rich history that’s been serving patrons for over 150 years. Visually appealing with its high ceilings, stone walls and blazing fireplace, the Crafers has everything you could want from a country pub, including good grub.
The menu is fine dining worthy, with Tasmanian quail, truffle butter gnocchi and spiced cauliflower just three of the tempting dishes you’ll want to get stuck into.
The wine list is also impressive, with the Crafers serving a top-notch selection of Aussie and international bottles. Fortnightly sommelier-guided tasting sessions are also one offer for those looking to expand their pallet.
Find out more about The Crafers Hotel here.
Bridgewater Inn
Bridgewater
The Bridgewater Inn is a wonderful Adelaide Hills pub offering modern cuisine in a rustic setting with incredible views of the scenic Cox Creek.
During summer the two-level, dog-friendly beer garden is heaving, while in winter patrons gather in the Bridgey Bar and warm themselves by the roaring fireplace with a thick stout.
The menu is stacked with pub classics, with the Bridgewater priding themselves on their deserts (the Affogato is the shit!), while weekly specials entice the regulars.
There’s a gaming room if you like losing your cash and a bottle-o so you can take a few cans for the ride home.
Find out more about the Bridgewater Inn here.
Maidstone Hotel at Kersbrook
Kersbrook
If it’s no-frills you’re after, look no further. Resembling someone’s house built in the middle of a car park, the Maidstone Hotel at Kersbrook might not look like much but it does what it says on the can.
This father-daughter-owned and operated pub is known for its friendly staff and welcoming locals who are always up for a chinwag.
There are daily specials—from $18 schnitzels on Wednesdays to $18 burgers on Fridays—and a solid selection of Aussie beers on tap, just don’t expect any fancy craft beers. While they do have Pirate Life, this is XXXX and Carlton Draught territory.
Find out more about the Maidstone Hotel at Kersbrook here.
Balhannah Hotel
Balhannah
The Balhannah Hotel has it all. Whether you like slipping a few notes in the pokies, sitting down for a nice lunch or placing a few bets while watching the big game, you can do it all at the Balhannah Hotel.
The menu balances pub favourites with restaurant-quality dishes and caters to those who want a good meal without having to spend a fortune, with weeknight specials popular with the locals, including Thursday steak night.
Find out more about the Balhannah Hotel here.
