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The Scenic Hotel

Old Norton Summit Road, Norton Summit, SA, 5136
Phone
(08) 7320 1610
Website
thescenichotel.com.au
Instagram
@scenichotel

Read time 4 Mins

Posted 31 Jul 2022

By
Daniela Frangos

This reinvigorated country pub has charm for days, a smart menu of modernised pub classics, and a neat list of minimal-intervention wines, and a picturesque courtyard made for sunsets.

People enjoying food and cocktail at The Scenic Hotel
Why you go This Adelaide Hills stalwart – established in 1869 – atop Norton Summit was quietly reinvigorated at the close of 2020 by a team of young-gun hospitality pros, breathing new life into the tired two-storey pub with a subtle DIY makeover and a revamped menu while retaining its old-school country charm. Word quickly spread, and photos of endless sunsets and courtyard crowds suddenly filled local Instagram feeds. But this place is much more than social-media fodder. It’s bolstered by a team who aim to do things better, with a menu of thoughtful pub grub by smart young chef Dylan Marshall (who previously did time at Melbourne’s Marquis of Lorne), a focus on organic and biodynamic wines by regenerative local producers, many of them in the Son of Dot stable (the wine distribution arm of co-owner Jay Marinis), and a clear “no pokies” message.  It’s little surprise, then, that the pub has fast asserted itself as a must-stop for anyone visiting Adelaide, in particular the Hills, and especially those looking to drink lo-fi wines and eat delicious, innovative pub food (hello, kangaroo schnitzel and a signature steak tartare that comes with a packet of Smiths crisps) in very, ahem, scenic surrounds.
Why you stayIt’s easy to lose time here. Grab a bottle or two, order some lunch and stay for sunset, which puts on a glowing show through the trees in the courtyard before the fairy lights come on and the braziers come out. Enjoy local fizzy natural wine, a textural orange wine, an elegant nebbiolo from Italy’s Lombardy region, or a non-alcoholic beer while listening to live local folk music and tucking into that tartare or ’roo schnitzel, or perhaps maple-roasted carrots sourced from a local farmer. There’s also one of Adelaide’s best pub cheeseburgers and juicy Southern-style fried chicken with tangy Mississippi comeback sauce. The food here is largely organically farmed or sourced from ethical, sustainable producers. And these guys are going a step further, building a garden across the road that will eventually supply the kitchen while providing training and community connection for people with mental-health challenges. In short, this is not your average pub. And the crowd knows it. All types flock here, including Hills winemakers, hospo workers on their days off, local farmers, nearby residents, old regulars from the pub’s past life, and city-dwellers fast rethinking their life on the plains.
Wine bottles
Couple enjoying drinks at The Scenic Hotel
Why we love it There’s so much to love about this place, but beyond the vibe and menu is a team striving to do more than offer a place to meet and drink. They’re building a place of community, connection and education through events such as Top Soil (championing regenerative farmers), Ute Boot (promoting organic wines) and a wholesome annual passata party. Add to that regular gigs, a new horticulture therapy garden – the Top Soil Garden Project – which recently reached its crowdfunding target, and soon-to-come pay-what-you-can dinners, and it’s clear this is a pub with a sense of place and a real commitment to hospitality. 
Regular’s tipWhile there’s plenty of food on offer in the front bar and courtyard, if you want to work your way through the full menu, book a table in the dining room upstairs – the balcony offers prime views, especially at sunset.
Don't leave withoutStaying for golden hour. Then have a hit of pool upstairs (it’s free to play).
Crowd gathered in a fair at The Scenic Hotel
Make it fancyYou can score a bottle of Krug Grande Cuvée Champagne here for a reasonable price.
Who to takeCome one, come all: take your mum and dad, your grandparents, your mates or a date. This place is for birthday dinners, a wine and a snack, drinks with the crew, or any occasion you want. Heck, there’s even been a wedding.
Authour image
Daniela FrangosDaniela Frangos is a food, drink, arts and travel writer, and Broadsheet Adelaide’s editor-at-large, currently roaming between Kaurna Country and Naarm.
Tags
Drinks DirectoryGood for groupsTop notch wine listNon-alc OptionsFamily affairPubRestaurantMeal and a bevVego Food OptionsWheelchair accessibleGreat tunesRegional SAPet friendlyOutdoor areaCasual catch-up
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