Best pubs in Adelaide: find options near you

A Hidden Gem in Adelaide – The Original Cooper’s Alehouse!

What a fantastic little pub! The Original Cooper’s Alehouse offers a warm, welcoming vibe with an atmosphere that’s always buzzing but never overwhelming. The service here is absolutely impeccable — every staff member we encountered was friendly, attentive, and went out of their way to make us feel right at home.

The food is just as impressive as the service. We tried the steaks and ribs, and both were cooked to perfection — tender, juicy, and full of flavor. The portion sizes are seriously generous, especially the Parmi — it’s next level! If you’re hungry, this is the place to be.

All in all, a great spot for a relaxed meal or drinks with friends. Highly recommend!

This local pub is a beautiful old brick historic building with great ambience and food.

I’m gluten free (coeliac) and they had heaps of options – even a gluten free schnitzel/parmi!

Also had cute fairy lights and many different nooks and sections in the venue.

Still trying to figure out what I paid for. The logo? The rent? Definitely not the food.

Stopped in for a casual solo feed and a drink. Kept it simple, just a beer, some dumplings, and a chicken parmi. What could possibly go wrong?

$73, that’s what.
$73 for a new benchmark in a disappointment.

Let’s start with the good:
– The bar staff were great: friendly, conversational, made me feel welcome. That’s one star.
– The second star goes to the building for holding itself together.

Now, the food.
After ordering, I wasn’t told anything. No wait time, no heads-up, just a silent hope that someone, somewhere, was doing something with a chicken breast and some dumplings.

Time passed. Beers were sipped. Time passed (again).

20 minutes later, I went up to ask what was happening, and like magic, the dumplings appeared. 35 minutes after that, my parmi arrived, which leads me to believe that it had either been forgotten entirely or they were waiting for divine intervention to cook it.

Now, for $39, you expect the parmi to at least try. You want sauce with personality, a crumb that crunches, something resembling flavor. Instead, I got a flat, joyless slab, dumped next to the saddest pile of salad I’ve ever seen.
No dressing. No seasoning. Not even olive oil. Just wilted leaves and dry grated carrot. Sort of resembled the top layer of my green bin the day before it goes out.

The dumplings? Fine. Nothing more, nothing less.

I’ve had worse meals but not at this price point, and certainly not after waiting nearly an hour.
This wasn’t lunch. It was a $73 reminder that sometimes, it’s better to just go home and eat cereal.

Would I come back? Maybe for a drink. But I’d eat beforehand and completely reject any hopes of a decent feed.

The decoration gives off that authentic Australian pub vibe. The food was decent but it’s ok, I didn’t expect much coming from pub food. However the portions were gigantic for the price we paid. Not sure if I’ve been living in Sydney for too long but the prices at this place is amazing!

Service was helpful but also a bit pushy, probably since we arrived 5 minutes before the kitchen closes.

Everything about this place was good. The food was fresh and hot. No small burgers here.
They do have nice beer as well, and they accommodate those that don’t drink also

Been there three times during my short 5 nights holiday in Adelaide and worth it no regrets. Dishes are delicious, staffs are so nice and kind, tap beers are fresh, and you can even purchase special goods highly recommend Avocado Louie I could drink 3 pints with that. And try Pizzas with dipping Garlic Cream. And Aged stout so creamy best coopers beer I have had. Will come back when I visit Adelaide again.

Absolutely amazing! Lovely staff, great food and beer and the atmosphere was very nice even during busy lunch time!

We ordered the grilled prawns which are fabulous the fried chicken to die for ,the potato Brava’s which was a massive serve which could’ve actually been slightly smaller and would still be happy it Could’ve done with some garnish just to add colour and the fried cauliflower which was probably not the best of what we ate but ruined by the sauce.
The house wine was a large glass at $15. We came here on a Friday night. It was quite busy as it should be but we’re able to sit in a quiet section near the kitchen. Watching the kitchen staff…
We were pretty happy and certainly would recommend this place to anyone.

Quite a spacious pub with more seatings at the back. There’s also live music. Wings night was great! 1kg for $20 with many flavours to choose from. Fave flavours were honey coated and cheese. Fries were crispy and serving was generous.

Enjoyed a lovely lunch at the Gilbert Street Hotel, sampling the lamb cutlets and the duck with beetroot. Both dishes were very tasty, with generous portions that made for a satisfying meal. The lamb was well-seasoned and cooked to perfection, while the duck was beautifully paired with earthy beetroot, offering a nice balance of flavours. Service was prompt and friendly throughout. The venue itself has a quaint, relaxed atmosphere—ideal for a casual lunch in a charming setting. Well worth a visit.

The Gilbert Street Hotel is a special old-school pub in the city. It does not have a pokies room!

By all accounts, this is a craft beer enthusiast’s go-to pub. You can check-in the beer you have tried on some beer app.

The vibe on a Friday night is great with a DJ playing music not too loud. On weekends there is a band.

They are famous for their Thursday night wings – reservations are required.

They have a good selection of food that is well-priced but I recommend the steak and Caesar salad that comes with a 60-degree egg.

On Sundays, residents in the neighbourhood get a discount.

Their local (ie SA) wines by the glass are well selected.

What is there not to love?

This place is awesome, great friendly staff, amazing food and excellent atmosphere will definitely be back again The beef schnitzel is the bomb

Great atmosphere, welcoming staff, great food. We shared tapas and they were all really nice. Anchovy fingers, Korean meatballs, beef skewers, potato focaccia (really generous and tasty). Lots to choose from. Cool atmosphere and the music in the background was enjoyable. A very nice evening.

I am very disappointed in the lack of communication and last minute changes with the Gilbert st hotel. I had booked the beer garden section for my birthday, months prior. Had a phone call a few days before the booking to tell me that they can no longer offer me the beer garden section due to a sudden private booking. They offered me indoor seating so I canceled the booking all together. I ended up going to the mad monkey distillery and that place was incredible and better

The staff here were great. They have so many types of Coopers (the rainbow) it was amazing, the staff knew all about them, Vintage Ale was awesome. There are daily specials, great value, quick friendly service, could not ask for better, it just generates a great atmosphere.

Good place to have drinks and catchup with friends , in middle of town and easily accessible. Busy place and can do with bit more staff training, not sure about servers name but girl serving drinks was may be underpressure or maybe judging less spending customers. Still recommend to go there for a drink.

Was a nice pub vibe. Relaxed great staff. Good security. The bald guys funny as heck was a bit scared of him when I first saw him but he’s really nice and keeps the bad people away. I’ll be a frequent that’s for sure

Great pub, awesome staff and fantastic food.
Male toilets were atrocious…. Stainless steel bowl with piss all over it, graffiti all over, broken paper dispenser and finally no soap available….. I’ve been to a few pub toilets and THIS was the worst.

Visiting Adelaide for 24hrs.
Dropped in here for a drink. Sat outside on the main street which was nice; wine, people watching and good weather. Bar staff were friendly. There is a pool table and we were there on quiz night. The guy running it pulled us in along with three others. We all formed a table, just strangers having fun it was a good night. Found the hotel had a friendly nice vibe.

very helpful staff, mega burger (who needs a bun?) I recommend they consider a naked burger. they have tabasco, do you realise how many places don’t have tabasco these days ? Sriracha is great but its asian and if I want a fusion burger I will ask for it. BTW feel the same about jalapenos, , give me choices. Anyhoo this place is good. if you eat here once a day you really need to be a sheep shearer to justify any other meals for the day

Went in for a quick meal. Staff were super friendly and helpful. Steak was cooked to perfection. Salad was fresh. Chips were good, apart from being overly salty, with a hint of spice, but that’s fine. I like a bit of seasoning on my chips.

First visit and absolutely amazing!!
As a celiac it is so hard to find somewhere that you can feel 100% safe in the food, so that in itself is fantastic! Then add being vegetarian and not being able to have garlic or onion, eating out can be so hard but not here. The chef made me an amazing dish that was so tasty and filling and I cannot wait to eat here again. The customer care is next level! So so good!! My wife had an amazing steak dinner as well! Overall the best dining experience we have had in so long!!!

Great all gluten free restaurant/pub.
Our second time here and the food arrived quickly, we ordered arancini, nice but a bit too salty, and crumbed camembert for entree. Main course I had eggplant parmigiana it was cruncy and delicious, and my husband had tomahawk steak, nicely cooked with mash. Atmosphere was quiet because it was Monday but we didn’t mind that! Highly recommended if you are coeliac and feel like great pub food. We will be back!!!

It’s been a long wait to get to South Australia to try the Duke of Brunswick and it was worth the wait. The food was unbelievable and being all gluten free I had no concerns re cross contamination or getting sick. The service was wonderful and the prices fantastic. Highly recommend.

Excellent place, good selection. Bar tender was super friendly and welcoming. Relaxed atmosphere, good music.
There is something here for everyone to enjoy, whether they’re gluten free or not. We need more places like this! Thank you!

I visited The DOB for dinner on Tuesday and was deeply disappointed. At $30.50, the burger with added bacon was far below expectations: the cheese was razor-thin, the bun untoasted, and the chicken portion meager, making it feel like a rip-off. The chips arrived cold initially, and though the whole meal was replaced with hot chips after my complaint, the burger remained subpar. A thicker cheese slice, toasted bun, and more substantial chicken could transform this dish. The lack of care in preparation was evident, and for the price, I expected far better. I urge The DOB to address these issues to avoid further disappointing customers. I’ve pictured both burgers delivered to the table.

Came here with family for Father’s Day and it was really good! I had the garlic bread to start, it was tasty and had a nice garlic flavour. For my main I had the Greek lemon chicken, which was super yummy. Very friendly, attentive, patient staff and didn’t have to wait for a long time for food to come out. Sat out on the front balcony upstairs, which had a nice atmosphere.

Most impressed. Food was fantastic and they were able to accommodate my wife’s dietary requirements – they even “built” a special meal for her around what she could eat. Nothing was too much trouble. And my steak was divine. Extremely helpful and friendly staff. It was our first time eating there, but we will definitely return. A little hidden gem!!

I love the Exeter! By far my favorite pub in the city. Great staff, amazing atmosphere, amazing venue and plenty of seating. Only thing I wish they had was a pool table, but it can’t be perfect

Went for a boozy lunch with a large group, meal service was fairly quick and the meal was good and fresh. I was surprised and pleased at the level of cleanliness as well considering the enormous foot traffic this place has.
And for those of you who have never done so try the eggplant parmigiana it’s surprisingly delicious

An Adelaide classic The Exeter nails that old school Aussie pub vibe with charm to spare Awesome choice of Coopers on tap friendly staff and an atmosphere that’s hard to beat Perfect spot for a few drinks and a proper local experience Always a good time here

Popped in along our way to the fringe. Wonderful old pub. Menu looks good lots of choices and good prices. Staff and Owners very friendly and helpful.
Definitely on our list to return

Easily the best east end pub for a drink and hangout with mates. Great wines too. Love the atmosphere inside and out, and even better during the fringe. Would recommend. Great place to start a night out on the town as well.

Now this is an old style pub. With a unique internal dining area out back but some other areas are very basic.
But then comes the great service and very good food. I’ve been here off and on over the years and always found that food and service to be too notch.
Go there to enjoy the experience.

The Exeter gets the mix of a slightly grungy traditional pub with a friendly atmosphere spot on. It also is much cleaner than the slightly shabby decor suggests.

Recommended if you’re looking for a proper pub that’s welcoming to everyone.

English pub in Adelaide serving an array of English meals. They have a good selection of English/Scottish tap selections including old specked hen and Tennent’s lager as well as Australian taps.

The fish and chips were good too. I guess where it missed the mark for me is the atmosphere is not one of an English pub. Spending many years in England I was hoping for that comfy atmosphere that’s not well lit and has a country vibe that you can sit for hours in. This was more modern and polished.

I read some of the reviews about the pub before deciding to book and decided to look into it more closely. What drew me to the venue was the price point of the menu which ranges from 16 for a burger to around the forty dollar mark for a variety of meals.

I booked a table for 12 in the upstairs function room. I felt that the reviews about the lack of an authentic British pub decor was accurate as there were no pictures on the walls or anything that referenced Britain….not even a picture of the King. The function room was noisy with other groups there which also detracted from the atmosphere.

Slightly negative things aside, what really stood out and what matters most is the service which I was impressed by. I was always greeted with a smile and sure, you have to order full pints downstairs, but the staff were happy to take the drinks upstairs for us. What I was also impressed with was how quickly meals came out, the quality of the food and the portion sizes which were generous. I had the pork roast for $25. The Yorkshire pudding was amazing. So was the rest of the meal.

Overall, I would be happy to go to the pub again.

Thank you to the staff at The Elephant.

We had such a fantastic experience at The Elephant British Pub! The staff went above and beyond to make us feel welcome, even with our large group. Their customer service was outstanding—friendly, attentive, and nothing was ever too much trouble. It created such a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere for all of us. Highly recommend for anyone looking for great service and a warm, welcoming pub vibe!

Clean, modern, UK-vibe pub. Good tap selection of local and imported beers and liquor. Quick, friendly bar service. It’s very clean, and this is kind of why I didn’t absolutely love it. It’s very nice, just missing the homey feeling of a country pub and too clean to be in London. Ha ha. I’ll be back

We had a late lunch here (3.30pm) on Tuesday. The venue was understandably quiet at this time and so we had immediate service.
We took advantage of the $15 schnitzel offer (schnitzel, salad, chips & sauce). Such a generous serving and we were stuffed! The food was fresh, hot and tasty.
Kudos to Nicole at the bar who was very friendly.

I loved that! it was full when I visited. Well, I think because the happy hour, must’ve been for that.
I liked the atmosphere, the place is very spacious, tables are wide and are spaced between them, although it didn’t seem like a British pub to me. However, I had a great time.
Also, the flavor of the dishes was delicious, I loved the mash peas .
As for drinks they have a wide variety of wines, beers and more.
✅If you’re around, must to visit The Elephant British Pub .

This place is awesome, we both had the Thursday rump special. The place was humming, food was excellent, steak cooked to perfection, strangely the salad looked dry and tasteless but we were proven very wrong, super enjoyable meal with an ambiance to boot. As an out of state visitor I would definitely recommend it to anyone including my friends.

This place was amazing, the music and the aesthetic were very century themed which I definitely loved. And then the service was alright welcoming but felt very flat and surface level. And finally the food, it was amazing I loved the crumby burger, it was very meaty and had the perfect blend of spices, sauces and combination of meat, veg and bread.

First time visiting the Cumby tonight. So impressed! Had dinner, 4 of us. Schnitzel night which went down very well at $18 a plate. I had the Greek chicken – delicious. Great service by the staff. Friendly also. Chefs were superb! Treat to see the kitchen. Quiz nights every Tuesday occurring outside, looked like great fun! Absolutely will be back for meals and the quiz night. Highly recommend. So happy to have this pub as my new local! Thanks all!

Come here the second time for $18 steak on Wednesday. The dish was very solid for the reasonable price, but 2 out of 6 steaks were quite overcooked on the surface and the rest were fine.

You will get different deal on particular day. However, drinks are required to get the special of the day. There are lots of options to choose from. My housemate said that the chicken snitzel was very nice.

Service is good. The staff are super friendly and helpful. Nevertheless, there is limited parking on the street in the daytime.

Highly recommend for everyday lunch and dinner!

Highly recommend you visit this place. Great service good atmosphere. Was welcome as soon as we walked in. Happy staff, and they made you feel welcome. The food was awesome. Drinks nice and chilled. Beer garden was nice big screen to watch the footy. Nice music in the background.

On the 21st June we hosted our Engagement Party in the upstairs function room and cannot speak more highly of this venue and service they provide. The communication prior to the event was incredible and they answered the many questions that my type A personality gave them. On the night the staff provided outstanding service delivering the food to all guests and the amount of food the venue provided was great. We had a fabulous time!

Highly recommend We Came in for dinner nights special was the porterhouse steaks were 20 bucks….. cooked to perfection!!!

Good pub food, great beer garden. nice place to hold a function. they do get pretty busy so you could be waiting a little for your food. but reasonable price .

Such a great spot! Beautiful Chester sofas inside with an old world ambience. Good choices of beers on tap and great meal specials throughout the week. Balcony over looking Grenfell Street so you can chill and watch the city go by. Only let down are the toilets and the unfortunate smell as you approach. I’m sure it can’t be helped due to the age of building but it is somewhat off putting. Especially if your thinking of having a meal here.

Review for downstairs bar area. $22 menu with optional $5 any drink. We got 300g rump steaks. I was surprised of the great steaks, chips & salad. $3 extra for sauces. Chips were crisp, salad well dressed & steak was flavoursome. Only slight downfall was I ordered rare and steak was more medium but it wasn’t too chewy so wasn’t too bothered about it. Would come back.

It’s a great place to enjoy with friends and family!

The food is excellent, especially considering how generous the deals are. The traditional architecture and open balcony make it a beautiful place to spend time in the CBD. It is especially convenient as it is near Rundle and the main public transport routes.

I was in the CBD on a Saturday afternoon looking for a quiet spot to enjoy a beer — and I found it here. Great service, and the Filipino guy who served me was super friendly and helpful.

Great food and drink with the best prices, maybe the best I’ve seen ever. We ended up spending a lot there because we didn’t want to leave. The atmosphere is perfect. Best part of the whole thing is the service especially from Ray, Molli, TJ and Shay, who go above their expectations as employees to keep the place clean and give the best service possible.

Had an inch thick rump for $20 … pepper sauce was extra, and friends raved about the mushroom sauce. Plus, with it, you can get a beer or top shelf for $5 … nice after a show at the Meeting Hall behind the Town Hall … am still alive regular at Harry’s Bar

Just what you expect from a pub really, ordered a couple of classics. Steak cooked well, and gave us extra steak so it weighed the 300grams. Have never seen any pub do this ever! Parmi was good, sauce was a bit sweet for me and the chicken was a bit thick but it was still good as.

This place advertises itself as a gastropod. The food is a cut above regular pub fare. My friends and I enjoyed the fresh sashimi, the pizzas, salt and pepper squid, the rice bowl, and the garlic bread and chips were really nice, too! We shared 2 serves of churros dessert between the 4 of us and it was just sweet enough to cleanse our palate of the wine and food we had. I would come back here for another great meal with friends.

Went here for a few drinks after work atmosphere was amazing, lovely log fire going, food was amazing only remembered to take photos after we had almost finished, staff super friendly great place for a catch up definitely worth it. Had the cocktail of the week was $15 and delicious
Food we just had starters – arancini balls, chicken tenders and dip platter all up was $52 and great serving sizes

Beautiful evening. Great atmosphere. Friendly staff and the service from Camilla (I hope that’s spelt correctly) was exceptional.
Our beverages were tasty and great prices.
The food was absolutely delicious too.

We will definitely be back
Highly recommend

Well done to this management and how courteous their staff are…

We had lunch here, the service was great, very accommodating, we have our daughter in a wheelchair and they made us very comfortable, we had the chefs ‍ special and it was delicious.. no complaints. When we visit Adelaide again, we will definitely eat and drink there again..

Popped in for a lovely Guinness, unfortunately only stayed for the one as it was not quite up to par, poured from a standard tap (no push to top up) and head was much bigger than standard. Tasted thin too, not a full blooded Guinness taste.
Other than that, the place is warm and comfortable, love the wood fire aroma in the lounge. Didn’t have a meal so I cannot comment on the food.

Service was warm and friendly, food was delicious and had a great menu with varied options. Haven’t been here before but will definitely return.

Good pub! Chose the standard schnitzel pub fare……actually better than the usual, great crumb, pepper gravy lifted above the norm. The salad while prepared with love was just mixed lettuce. A few bits of vegetable would make it a cracker salad!. Beer included in meal fantastic and thanks!

Had fun with a table full at the quiz night. Used Tutella to test my drinks. Each was safe and it felt good to have that confidence in a busy and loud environment where so much was happening and I couldn’t always pay attention to my drink.

Nice bar in a good location, with a good beer selection and lovely pub food.
But what made it exceptional was the staff. The bartender -Jamie- was talking to us and as we’re traveling through. He’s told us some great beaches and areas to explore and even went out of his way to right a list of local breweries in the area.

Perfect pub.
✅ Pool table
✅ Classic tap beers
✅ Local tap beers
✅ Burger named after pub
✅ Great music
✅ Indoor and outdoor seating

Stag burger is the go to choice. Durable bun, saucy, salty crispy bacon, thick patty, melted cheese and a fresh salad including pickles, tomato and raw onion. A wonderful experience that is completed with outstanding fries.
Make sure to add dipping sauce and beverage of your choosing.
I opted for the “purple yeet juice” very sweet hard lemonade.

The house burger is excellent (I would only add a little more chips). We order another one to share because we like it (2 burgers and a party for two)

The happy hour beer is on a very convenient price.

The pool table should be placed in another place. Players invade the surrounding tables in order to be able to play

The Stag Public House, located at 299 Rundle Street in Adelaide, is a historic venue that has been serving patrons since 1849. Originally known as The Stag Inn and later The Stag Hotel, it now operates as a modern public house, blending its rich history with contemporary offerings.
THESTAGPUBLICHOUSE.COM

Atmosphere and Ambience

The Stag Public House exudes a welcoming atmosphere, reminiscent of the classic Australian front bar. The venue features a stylish Rundle Street Balcony Bar, offering an intimate space with views over Rundle Street and the East End Parklands. This area is ideal for corporate events, engagements, and other special occasions.
THESTAGPUBLICHOUSE.COM

Menu and Cuisine

The menu at The Stag Public House offers a modern take on traditional pub fare, focusing on locally sourced produce. While specific menu items are not detailed in the available sources, the establishment is known for its commitment to quality and freshness.
THESTAGPUBLICHOUSE.COM

Events and Entertainment

The venue hosts various events, including quiz nights, happy hours, and late-night sessions. For instance, they offer a quiz night every Wednesday from 7 PM and a late-night session every Friday and Saturday from 9 PM.
THESTAGPUBLICHOUSE.COM

Customer Reviews

On TripAdvisor, The Stag Public House has received positive feedback, holding a rating of 4 out of 5 based on 8 reviews. Patrons appreciate the venue’s rich history and the blend of traditional and modern elements.
TRIPADVISOR.COM.AU

Conclusion

The Stag Public House offers a unique blend of historical charm and modern amenities, making it a noteworthy destination for both locals and visitors in Adelaide. Whether you’re looking to enjoy a meal, attend an event, or simply relax in a welcoming environment, The Stag provides a memorable experience.

We recently held an event at The Stag Public House, Parklands Bar & Balcony, and couldn’t have been happier with the experience. The service was outstanding! Nothing was too much to ask, and everything was thoughtfully organised. The whole team was incredibly accommodating and a pleasure to deal with from start to finish.

A special mention to Mary, function coordinator, who was fantastic. She was easy to work with in the lead up and ensured the night ran seamlessly during the event.

The food was excellent. Delicious, satisfying, and plentiful. The dietary alternatives were great, and the team made sure our guests were well accommodated. Overall, The Stag Public House made our event a great success, and we wouldn’t hesitate to recommend!