EAT > Salopian Inn, McLaren Vale (17/20)

Salopian Inn is a location firmly lodged in my childhood mind, it was the home of family friends in my primary school years and I visited often. Decades later I returned to the restaurant with the same couple who had lived there in the late 1970’s when I was young. The venue became a restaurant in the early 1980’s. Fast forward to 2013 when chef Karena Armstrong (and partner Michael Armstrong) launched Salopian Inn with innovative regional dining delivering great food and service.

AMBIANCE >

Set in the bones of an 1853 homestead, Salopian Inn is both historic refuge and contemporary gathering spot—vineyard views through every window, rustic timber, and a fireplace for lingering over early drinks. Inside, it’s cozy and unpretentious: modern tables beside antique doors, the gentle buzz of a cellar downstairs, and staff who walk every guest through seasonal highlights with genuine warmth.

EAT >

Chef Karena Armstrong’s menu is a clever, ever-changing fusion of regional produce and Asian inspiration—snapper croquettes tinged with dill, spicy vege San Choy Bao, pillowy pork buns, and kangaroo tail slow-braised to fall-apart tenderness. Mains are memorable: flame-grilled aged rump, slow-cooked lamb neck, seafood curry, duck, and sides like duck-fat potatoes with rosemary.

Don’t miss the Feed Me option—a marathon of kitchen creativity, tailored for omnivores and vegetarians alike. Desserts may rotate, but expect a finish of dark chocolate cake, ginger pudding, seasonal fruit, or local cheeses.

DRINK >

Drinks are a discovery: 168-plus gin selections with bespoke garnishes and a cellar stocked with local South Australian wines and clever international picks. Staff and sommelier guide choices, from Spanish Albarino for light starters to Tempranillo for robust mains. Gin flights, house cocktails, and good coffee support long, lazy lunches and dinner splurges.

Being in McLaren Vale you are the centre of a fabulous wine region so it is an obvious opportunity to enjoy something local. The wine list caters widely and likely to find something for your palate from small local makers to classic regional powerhouses and a fe unique imports.

CONCLUSION >

Salopian Inn is a destination—where heritage meets imagination, and every meal says something about McLaren Vale. Service is heartfelt, food is adventurous, and the drinks invite exploration. Whether by day for a sunlit lunch or by night beside the cellar’s secrets, the experience is both rooted in place and alive to seasonal change. For food lovers, gin samplers, and anyone chasing a regional South Australian ritual, it’s essential.

#ALMANAKMAGAZINE

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Image Credit | ALMANAK & Harriot

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